Selsey (St. Peter)

SELSEY (St. Peter), a parish, in the union of West Hampnett, hundred of Manhood, rape of Chichester, W. division of Sussex, 8 miles (S.) from Chichester; containing 879 inhabitants. The name of this place, according to Bede, is derived from the Saxon Seals-ey, signifying the island of Seals. The Saxons, on their first expedition to take possession of the southwestern region of Britain, landed upon this peninsula, where they soon afterwards founded a colony; and in the earliest annals mention is made of Selsey as among the more ancient of the Saxon establishments. A monastery dedicated to the Blessed Virgin was founded here about 681, by St. Wilfrid, who, having previously converted many of the South Saxons to Christianity, and obtained of King Ædilwach the lands of the peninsula for its endowment, placed therein some religious, who had been his companions in exile. Eadbercht, abbot in 711, was consecrated first bishop of the South Saxons, and fixed his episcopal residence at this place. Selsey remained a see till 1075, when William the Conqueror removed the seat of the diocese to Chichester, and Stigand, the last bishop of Selsey, was appointed the first of Chichester. Vestiges of the ancient city are mentioned in old records as being plainly visible at ebbtide; and bones of large animals, trunks of trees, and fossil shells are occasionally found by the fishermen when dredging for oysters.

The parish is bounded on the east and south by Pagham harbour and the English Channel, and, including the beach to low-water mark, comprises 3494 acres, of which 600 are pasture, and 133 common or waste land. The soil is chiefly a hazel mould, well adapted for wheat. The western division is flat and low, and is frequently overflowed by the sea, from which it suffered very severely in the great storm of November 23rd, 1824, when nearly half the parish was under water. The village, consisting principally of one street of neatly-built houses, occupies a dry gravelly site. There is an extensive fishery for prawns, lobsters, and crabs; and oysters in great quantities are taken on the coast in the winter season: cod is also taken. A court baron is held annually; and a fair for toys, &c., on July 14th. The living comprises a discharged vicarage and sinecure rectory united, the former valued in the king's books at £8, and the latter at £11. 3. 4.; patron, the Bishop of Chichester. The tithes have been commuted for £896. 13., and the glebe comprises 52 acres. The church is a stately edifice, principally in the early English style; in the nave are several coffin-shaped gravestones, with crosses and various other devices, and against the north wall of the chancel is a mural monument of Caen stone, with carved effigies of John and Agatha Lews, of the time of Henry VIII. There is a place of worship for Bryanites. Near the church is an intrenched mound, supposed to have been a Roman military station. Selsey gives the title of Baron to the family of Peachey.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.