Icklesham (St. Nicholas)

ICKLESHAM (St. Nicholas), a parish, in the union of Rye, hundred of Guestling, rape of Hastings, E. division of Sussex, 2 miles (W. by S.) from Winchelsea; containing 681 inhabitants. The parish is situated on the coast-road from Dovor to Hastings and Brighton, and is bounded on the east by the English Channel and the mouth of Rye harbour. The site of the new town of Winchelsea was formerly a part of this parish, called Petit Higham, but was purchased by the inhabitants of Old Winchelsea, which is now covered by the sea; the remains of Camber or Winchelsea Castle, erected by Henry VIII. for the defence of the coast, are still within the limits of Icklesham parish. This castle, which was erected at an expense of £23,000, consists of a large round tower forming the keep, and several smaller towers of similar form, connected with each other by curtains. The surface is beautifully diversified with hill and dale, and from many points are extensive views of the adjacent country. The Brede canal and the Grand Military canal skirt the parish. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king's books at £13. 1. 8.; net income, £715; patron, the Bishop of Chichester; impropriators, W. L. Shadwell and W. Briscoe, Esqrs., and others. The church is partly in the early and partly in the later English style, with some portions of the Norman, and has a square embattled tower. The old vicarage-house was lately taken down and rebuilt in a handsome style, by the Rev. Thomas Richards. Mineral springs abound.