Thorney, West

THORNEY, WEST, a parish, in the union of West Bourne, hundred of Bosham, rape of Chichester, W. division of Sussex, 7½ miles (W. by S.) from Chichester; containing 128 inhabitants. This place, called also Thorney Island, is situated nearly in the centre of the great estuary termed Chichester harbour, and communicates with the small port of Emsworth, on the main land, by a causeway passable at low water for horses and carriages. It comprises about 1500 acres of arable, meadow, and pasture land; the soil is rich, and highly favourable for the production of wheat. About a furlong to the south is Pilsey Island, comprising 18 acres, within the parish, and which has for many years been the resort of almost every species of wild-fowl that frequents the English Channel. By an act in 1812, about 960 acres of open land were inclosed, of which one-fifth part of arable and one-eighth of pasture were allotted to the rector in lieu of tithes, besides the old glebe, which amounts to about 48 acres. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £10. 8. 4.; net income, £330; patron, P. Lyne, Esq. The church is an ancient edifice, chiefly in the early English style, with a fine Norman tower at the west end; the chancel is separated from the nave by a screen and rood-loft. The interior was wholly restored in 1839, chiefly at the expense of the Rev. C. P. Lyne, rector. On the exterior of the north wall are three large circular arches, now stopped up, evidently part of an aisle or chantry chapel, supposed to have belonged to a religious house near the church, the remains of which are now incorporated in a farmhouse. Cædmon, a celebrated Saxon poet, was born here in 660.