Catalogue description DIOCESE OF CHICHESTER: EPISCOPAL RECORDS

This record is held by West Sussex Record Office

Details of Ep
Reference: Ep
Title: DIOCESE OF CHICHESTER: EPISCOPAL RECORDS
Description:

The collection comprises the following:

 

Ep/I : The Diocese and Archdeaconry of Chichester:

 

Ep/I/1. Episcopal Registers, 1397-1792, 1842-1909

 

Ep/I/2. Official Indexes to the Episcopal Registers, 17th-19th centuries

 

Ep/I/3. General Subscription Books and Papers, 1635-1907

 

Ep/I/4. Curates' Subscription Books, 1799-1907

 

Ep/I/4A. Ordinands' Subscription Book, 1829-1975

 

Ep/I/5. Ordinands' Examination Papers, early 19th century

 

Ep/I/6. Presentations, 1544-1934

 

Ep/I/6A. Grants of Next Presentation, 1542-1611

 

Ep/I/6B. Papers relating to Advowsons, 1574-1920

 

Ep/I/6C. Nominations, 1550-1933

 

Ep/I/7. Induction Registers and Mandates, 1621-1848

 

Ep/I/8. Marriage Licence Registers, 1701-1977

 

Ep/I/8A. Marriage Licences, 1678-1856

 

Ep/I/9. Marriage Licence Bonds and Affidavits, 1605-1937

 

Ep/I/9A. Nullity Bonds, 1605

 

Ep/I/9B. Marriage Licence Papers, 1670-1933

 

Ep/I/10. Court Act Books and Instance Books, 1506-1798

 

Ep/I/11. Deposition Books, 1557-1694

 

Ep/I/12. Citation Books, 1614-1670

 

Ep/I/13. Excommunication Papers, 1612-1811

 

Ep/I/14. Taxation Books, 1606-1773

 

Ep/I/15. Miscellaneous Court Papers, 1554-1851

 

Ep/I/16. Exhibits in Causes, 1616-1857

 

Ep/I/17. Detection Books, 1538-1960

 

Ep/I/18. Libri Cleri, 1521-1893

 

Ep/I/19. Registers of Orders, c.1582-c.1675

 

Ep/I/20. Visitation Papers, 1551-1910

 

Ep/I/21. Procuration Books and Papers, 1629-1630, 1681-1901

 

Ep/I/22. Churchwardens' Presentments, 1573-1917

 

Ep/I/22A. Ministers' Articles of Enquiry, 1804-1903

 

Ep/I/23. Registers of Presentments, 1571-1692

 

Ep/I/24. Parish Register Transcripts, 1567-1936

 

Ep/I/24A. Papers found with the Transcripts, 1573-1863

 

Ep/I/25. Church Terriers, 1572-1692

 

Ep/I/26. Church Inspection Books, 1602-1724, 1879-1935

 

-- Probate Records

 

Ep/I/27. Testaments and Wills, including records referenced STA, STD, STC and STM

 

Ep/I/28. Probate Commissions, 1626-1851

 

Ep/I/29. Probate Inventories, 1521-1834

 

Ep/I/30. Renunciations, 1556, 1624-1850

 

Ep/I/31. Probate Diaries, 1555/6-1858

 

Ep/I/32. Administration Bonds, 1760-1858

 

Ep/I/33. Probate Accounts, 1572-1710

 

Ep/I/34. Calendars, 1488-1814

 

Ep/I/35. Stamp Office Accounts, 1811-1858

 

Ep/I/36. Probate Act Papers, 1834-1857

 

Ep/I/37. Returns of Nonconformists, 1577-1727

 

Ep/I/38. Churchwardens' Subscriptions Books, 1847-1908

 

Ep/I/39. Appointments of Episcopal and other Officials, 1668-1929

 

Ep/I/40. Faculty and Consecration Papers, 1577-1946

 

Ep/I/41. Church Building Papers, 1743-1948

 

Ep/I/42. Registers of Non-Resident Clergy, and related Papers, 1742-1941

 

Ep/I/42A. Clergy Residence Returns, 1824-1921

 

Ep/I/43. Office Account Books, 1615-1933

 

Ep/I/44. Valors, 1582-1811

 

Ep/I/45. Convocation Papers, 1557-1919

 

Ep/I/46. Parliamentary and other Returns, 1803-1908

 

Ep/I/47. Education Papers, 1764-1968

 

Ep/I/48. Cause Papers, 18th century-1877

 

Ep/I/49. Correspondence and Petitions, 1545-1928

 

Ep/I/50. Inventories of Church Plate, 1889

 

Ep/I/51. Ecclesiastical Formularies and Treatises, 16th-19th centuries

 

Ep/I/52. Freeland's Papers, 19th century

 

Ep/I/53. Miscellanea, 1626-1933

 

Ep/I/54. Tithe Commutation Papers, 1829-1855

 

Ep/I/55. Sussex Vice-Admiralty Court Papers, 1638-1688

 

Ep/I/56. Civil Formularies and Treatises, 17th-19th centuries

 

Ep/I/57. Civil Miscellanea

 

Ep/I/58. Probate Registry Fee Lists, 1870-1908

 

Ep/I/59. Seal Matrices, 1841-1958

 

Ep/I/60. Baptismal Returns, 1851

 

Ep/I/61. Statistical Returns, 1906-1928

 

Ep/I/62. Confirmation Books and Papers, 1798-2000

 

Ep/I/63. Queen Anne's Bounty Papers, 1715-1908

 

Ep/I/64. The Papers of Bishop Burrows, 1912-1928

 

Ep/I/65. Bishop Bell's Enquiry, 1957

 

Ep/I/66. Letters Testimonial, 1570-1841

 

Ep/I/67. Ordination Papers, 1663-1829

 

Ep/I/68. Papers relating to Stipendiary Curacies, 1692-1960

 

Ep/I/69. Institution and Collation Papers, 1570-1934

 

Ep/I/70. Resignations, 1563-1908

 

Ep/I/71. Sequestration Papers, 1560-1929

 

Ep/I/72. Dispensations for Plurality, 1840-1930

 

Ep/I/73. Proxies, 1567-1610

 

Ep/I/74. Forms of Service, 1801-1908

 

Ep/I/75. Papers relating to the Bishop's Palace, 1608-1804

 

Ep/I/76. Appointments of Chaplains and Schoolmasters, 1736-1844

 

Ep/I/77. Genealogical Papers, 1796-1847

 

Ep/I/78. Papers relating to Charities, 17th century-1894

 

Ep/I/79. Convocation Returns, 1881

 

Ep/I/80. S.P.C.K. and S.P.G. Papers, 1799-1858

 

Ep/I/81. Bishop Gilbert's Oxford Papers, 19th century

 

Ep/I/82. Dissenters' Meeting House Certificates, 1804

 

Ep/I/83. Parish Papers [1549]-1856

 

Ep/I/84. Miscellaneous Accounts and Receipts, 1814-1863

 

Ep/I/85. Episcopal Accounts and Receipts, 1754-1863

 

Ep/I/86. Diocesan Papers, 1548-1937

 

Ep/I/87. Extra-Diocesan Papers, 1707-1834

 

Ep/I/88 Handlists and Files relating to the Episcopal records

 

Ep/I/89 Church of England Temperance Society: Chichester Diocesan, Branch, 1879-1921

 

Ep/I/90 Orders in Council, 1837-1937

 

Ep/I/90A Registers of Orders in Council, 1837-1905

 

Ep/I/91 Rural Deanery records, 1848-1976

 

Ep/I/92 Diocesan Registrar's Letter Books, 1917-1931

 

Ep/I/93 Schemes and Orders under the 1968 Pastoral Measure, 1971-1982

 

Ep/I/94 Lay Readers' records, 1877-1951

 

Ep/I/95 Registrar's Office papers, c1880-1936

 

Ep/I/96 Registers of Licences of Buildings for Divine Worship and the Celebration of Marriages, 1848-1961

 

Ep/I/97 Clergy Discipline book, 1897-1977.

 

Ep/II : THE ARCHDEACONRY OF LEWES:

 

Ep/II/1. General Subscription Book, 1604-1751

 

Ep/II/2. Marriage Licence Registers, 1586-1943

 

Ep/II/2A. Marriage Licences, 1784-1825

 

Ep/II/3. Marriage Licence Bonds and Affidavits, 1780-1936

 

Ep/II/4. Instance Books, 1581-1920

 

Ep/II/5. Deposition Books, 1580-1694

 

Ep/II/6. Citation Books, 1619-1641

 

Ep/II/7. Excommunication Books, 1675-1687

 

Ep/II/8. Miscellaneous Court Papers, 1716-1868

 

Ep/II/9. Detection Books, 1550-1721

 

Ep/II/10. Libri Cleri, 1600-1913

 

Ep/II/11. Registers of Orders, 1586-1798

 

Ep/II/12. Letters of Orders, 1747-1812

 

Ep/II/13. Procuration Books and Papers, 1628-1901

 

Ep/II/14. Churchwardens' Presentments, 1641-1917

 

Ep/II/14A. Ministers' Articles of Enquiry, 1808-1903

 

Ep/II/15. Registers of Presentments, 1637-1719

 

Ep/II/16. Parish Register Transcripts, 1592-1912

 

Ep/II/16A. Papers found with the Transcripts, 1813-1878

 

Ep/II/17. Church Terriers, 1615-1729

 

Ep/II/18. Church Inspection Books, 1686-1724

 

Ep/II/19. Registers of Deaths, 1661-1732

 

Ep/II/20. Probate Commissions, 1720-1742

 

Ep/II/21. Probate Diary, 1645-1646

 

Ep/II/22. Administrators' Account Book, 1670-1684

 

Ep/II/23. Caveat Book, 1671-1728

 

Ep/II/24. Returns of Nonconformists, 1603-1727

 

Ep/II/25. Meeting House and Faculty Registers, 1662-1852

 

Ep/II/26. Faculty Registers and Muniment Books, 1803-1918

 

Ep/II/26A Papers relating to licences for worship etc, 1868-1878

 

Ep/II/27. Faculty Papers, 1732-c1946

 

Ep/II/28. Register of Non-Resident Clergy, 1804-1853

 

Ep/II/29. Formulary, 17th century

 

Ep/II/30. Induction Mandates, 1752-1924

 

Ep/II/31. Visitation Papers, 1755-1920

 

Ep/II/32. Churchwardens' Declarations, 1910-1920

 

Ep/II/33. Office Account Books, 1862-1894

 

Ep/II/34. Assessors' Election Papers, 1885-1919

 

Ep/II/35. Registrars' Private Correspondence, 1823-1910

 

Ep/II/36. Registrars' Office Papers, 1836-1879

 

Ep/II/37. Registrars' Miscellanea, 1852-1895

 

Ep/II/38. Seal Matrices, 1912-1946

 

Ep/II/39. Baptismal Returns, 1851

 

Ep/II/40. Education Papers, 1823-1868

 

Ep/II/41. Church Building Papers, 1704-1935

 

Ep/II/42. Parish Papers, 1586-1854

 

Ep/II/43. Appointments of Officials, 1782-1922.

 

Ep/III. : THE DEAN OF CHICHESTER'S PECULIAR:

 

Ep/III/1. General Subscription Book and Papers, 1739-1840

 

Ep/III/2. Presentations and Nominations, 1590-1833

 

Ep/III/2A. Grant of Next Presentation, 1578

 

Ep/III/3. Marriage Licence Bonds and Affidavits, 1666-1908

 

Ep/III/4. Act Books, 1484-1853

 

Ep/III/5. Deposition Books, 1607-1677

 

Ep/III/6. Miscellaneous Court Papers, 1580-1838

 

Ep/III/7. Churchwardens' Presentments, 1621-1828

 

Ep/III/7A. Ministers' Articles of Enquiry, 1825-1828

 

Ep/III/8. Parish Register Transcripts, 1591-1912

 

Ep/III/9. Probate Papers, 1608-1739

 

Ep/III/10. Administration Bonds, 1666-1857

 

-- Testaments and Wills, 1536-1857

 

-- Probate Diaries, 1577/8-1857

 

Ep/III/11. Appointments of Officials, 1642-1792

 

Ep/III/12. Office Account Books, 1678-1862

 

Ep/III/13. Faculty Papers, 1805-1847

 

Ep/III/14. Institution Papers, 1642-1801

 

Ep/III/15. Resignations, 1571-1713

 

Ep/III/16. Sequestration Papers, 1768-1834

 

Ep/III/17. Dispensation for Plurality, 1784

 

Ep/III/18 Order in Council, 1952.

 

Ep/IV. : THE EXEMPT DEANERY OF PAGHAM AND TARRING:

 

Ep/IV/1. Marriage Licence Bonds and Affidavits, 1692-1907

 

Ep/IV/2. Act Books, 1538-1856

 

Ep/IV/3. Deposition Books, 1611-1661

 

Ep/IV/4. Miscellaneous Court Papers, 16th-19th centuries

 

Ep/IV/5. Detection Book and Liber Cleri, 1581-1591

 

Ep/IV/6. Churchwardens' Presentments, 1602-1811

 

Ep/IV/7. Parish Register Transcripts, 1610-1912

 

Ep/IV/8. Church Terriers, 1615-1665

 

-- Testaments and Wills, 1516-1858

 

-- Probate Diaries, 1568-1858

 

Ep/IV/9. Administration Bonds, 1694-1857

 

Ep/IV/10. Administrators' Accounts, 1610-1685

 

Ep/IV/11. Office Account Book, 1718-1735

 

Ep/IV/12. Churchwardens' Subscription Book, 1835-1846

 

Ep/IV/13. Faculty Papers, 1783-1855

 

Ep/IV/14. Church Building Papers, 1819-1830.

 

Ep/V. : THE EXEMPT DEANERY OF SOUTH MALLING:

 

Ep/V/1. Marriage Licence Registers, 1620-1732

 

Ep/V/2. Marriage Licence Affidavits, 1862-1881

 

Ep/V/3. Act Books, 1613-1865

 

Ep/V/4. Acts of Court, 1724-1865

 

Ep/V/5. Deposition Book, 1604-1621

 

Ep/V/6. Excommunication Book, 1673-1680

 

Ep/V/7. Miscellaneous Court Papers, 1581-1843

 

Ep/V/8. Libri Cleri, 1606-1845

 

Ep/V/9. Register of Presentments, 1682-1719

 

Ep/V/10. Parish Register Transcripts, 1662-1908

 

Ep/V/11. Caveat Book, 1684-1734

 

Ep/V/12. Office Account Books, 1787-1881

 

Ep/V/13. Accounts, 1833-1874

 

Ep/V/14. Miscellanea, 1618-1881

 

Ep/V/15. Visitation Papers, 1832-1845

 

Ep/V/16. Churchwardens' Declarations, 1835-1845

 

Ep/V/16A. Ministers' Articles of Enquiry, 1875

 

Ep/V/17. Dissenters' Meeting Houses Certificates, 1773-1852

 

Ep/V/18. Faculty Papers, 1747-1821

 

Ep/V/19. Licences to Non-Resident Clergy, 1838-1845

 

Ep/V/20. Licences to Stipendiary Curates, 1824-1845

 

Ep/V/21. Church Building Papers, 1812-1835

 

Ep/V/22. Registrars' Correspondence, 1787-1800, 1827-1856.

 

Ep/VI. : EPISCOPAL ESTATES:

 

Ep/VI/1. Cartularies, 13th-16th centuries

 

Ep/VI/2. Rentals, 1552-1894

 

Ep/VI/3. Land Tax Redemption, 1798-1843

 

Ep/VI/4. Account Books, 1521-1871

 

Ep/VI/5. Original Accounts, 1724-1891

 

Ep/VI/6. Rough Account Books, 1838-1900

 

Ep/VI/7. Daybooks, 1833-1861

 

Ep/VI/8. Ledgers, 1832-1853

 

Ep/VI/9. Cash Books, 1836-1854

 

Ep/VI/10. Miscellaneous Account Books, 1833-1864

 

Ep/VI/11. Pie Powder Court Book and Papers, 1582-1801

 

Ep/VI/12. Manor Court Books, 1502-1692

 

Ep/VI/13. Aldingbourne Court Rolls, 1648-1701

 

Ep/VI/14. Aldingbourne Court Books, 1670-1948

 

Ep/VI/15. Aldingbourne Draft Court Books, 1737-1791

 

Ep/VI/16. Aldingbourne Court Abstracts, 1606-1768

 

Ep/VI/17. Aldingbourne Rentals, 1725-1895

 

Ep/VI/18. Aldingbourne Survey, 1647

 

Ep/VI/19. Aldingbourne Court Papers, 1692-1948

 

Ep/VI/19A,20. Amberley Court Rolls, 1295-1508, 1641-1687

 

Ep/VI/21. Amberley Court Books, 1670-1936

 

Ep/VI/22. Amberley Draft Court Books, 1737-1844

 

Ep/VI/23. Amberley Court Abstracts, 1606-1763

 

Ep/VI/24. Amberley Surveys [1644]-1866

 

Ep/VI/25. Amberley Court Papers, 1647-1921

 

Ep/VI/26,27. Amberley Inclosure Award, 1828

 

Ep/VI/28. Amberley Leases

 

Ep/VI/28A Amberley Accounts, 1466-1467

 

Ep/VI/29. Cakeham Court Rolls, 1641-1697

 

Ep/VI/30. Cakeham and Manhood Court Books, 1670-1937

 

Ep/VI/31. Cakeham and Manhood Draft Court Books, 1737-1791

 

Ep/VI/32. Cakeham Court Abstract, 1761

 

Ep/VI/33. Cakeham Surveys, 1647-1853

 

Ep/VI/34. Cakeham Court Papers, 1700-1937

 

Ep/VI/35. Ferring and Fure Court Rolls, 1642-1687

 

Ep/VI/36. Ferring and Fure Court Books, 1670-1935

 

Ep/VI/37. Ferring and Fure Draft Court Books, 1736-1791

 

Ep/VI/37A. Ferring and Fure Court Abstracts, 1761

 

Ep/VI/37B. Ferring and Fure Surveys, 1647-1851

 

Ep/VI/38. Ferring and Fure Court Papers, 1700-1909

 

Ep/VI/38A, 39. Manhood Hundred Court Rolls, 1400-1483, 1671-1697

 

Ep/VI/40. Manhood Hundred Court Papers, 1700-1863

 

Ep/VI/41. Streatham Court Rolls, 1660-1688

 

Ep/VI/42. Streatham and Tipnoke Court Books, 1670-1935

 

Ep/VI/43. Streatham and Tipnoke Draft Court Books, 1737-1791

 

Ep/VI/44. Streatham Parliamentary Survey, 1647

 

Ep/VI/45. Miscellaneous Records relating to Streatham and other Manors, 1619-1868

 

Ep/VI/46. Streatham Court Papers, 1699-1939

 

Ep/VI/47. Tipnoke Hundred Court Rolls, 1670-1687

 

Ep/VI/48. Tipnoke Hundred Court Papers, 1700-1848

 

Ep/VI/49. Birdham Common Inclosure Award, 1793

 

Ep/VI/50. West Wittering Common Inclosure Award, 1793

 

Ep/VI/51. London Estate Registers of Leases, 1700-1854

 

Ep/VI/52. London Estate Rentals, 1722-1846

 

Ep/VI/53. London Estate Leases, 1719-1883

 

Ep/VI/54. London Estate Miscellanea, 1548-1854

 

Ep/VI/55. Sussex Estate Registers of Leases, 1661-1869

 

Ep/VI/56. Sussex Estate Leases, temp. Eliz. I - 1882

 

Ep/VI/57. Miscellaneous Surveys, 1750-1880

 

Ep/VI/58. Correspondence (Episcopal Estates), 1743-1863

 

Ep/VI/59. Correspondence (Railways), 1836-1853

 

Ep/VI/60. Estate correspondence, 1903-1948.

 

Ep/VII. : THE ARCHDEACONRY OF HASTINGS:

 

Ep/VII/1. Induction Mandates, 1912-1924

 

Ep/VII/2. Visitation Papers, 1913-1962

 

Ep/VII/3. Churchwardens' Articles of Enquiry, 1913-1961

 

Ep/VII/4. Churchwardens' Declarations, 1915-1922

 

Ep/VII/5. Assessors' Election Papers, 1912-1922

 

Ep/VII/6. Seal Matrices, 1912-1938

 

Ep/VII/7. Marriage Licence Affidavits, 1912-1936

 

Ep/VII/8. Orders in Council, 1912-1966

 

Ep/VII/9. Church Inspection Papers under 1955 Measure

 

Ep/VII/10. Correspondence, 1930-1952.

 

Ep/VIII. : THE DEAN OF BATTLE'S PECULIAR:

 

Ep/VIII/1. Probate and Administration Papers, 1610-1852

 

Ep/VIII/2. Miscellaneous Court Papers, 1689-1754

 

Ep/VIII/3. Visitation Papers, 1731-1844

 

Ep/VIII/4. Presentations, 1731-1920

 

Ep/VIII/5. Marriage Licences and Affidavits, 1814-1921

 

Ep/VIII/6. Building Papers, 1863-1924

 

Ep/VIII/7. Licences to Stipendiary Curacies, 1837-1902

 

Ep/VIII/8. Seal

 

Ep/VIII/9. Historical Notes, 1899

 

Ep/VIII/10. Faculty Papers, 1919

 

Ep/VIII/11. Tithe Books and Papers, 1733-1897.

 

Ep/IX : CHICHESTER THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE, 1839-1994:

 

Ep/IX/1 Registers and journals, 1839-1956

 

Ep/IX/2 Minute books of C.T.C. Ltd, 1926-1967

 

Ep/IX/3 Reports, 1910-1927

 

Ep/IX/4 Prospectuses, 1925-1980

 

Ep/IX/5 Printed lists of students, 1885-1897

 

Ep/IX/6 Printed ordination lists, 1921-1965

 

Ep/IX/7 Daily activities, 1855-1982

 

Ep/IX/7/1 Rules

 

Ep/IX/7/2 Timetables

 

Ep/IX/7/3 Devotions

 

Ep/IX/7/4 Lecture lists and visiting speakers

 

Ep/IX/7/5 Student societies

 

Ep/IX/8 Special events, 1882-1990

 

Ep/IX/8/1 Programmes and orders of services

 

Ep/IX/8/2 Invitations

 

Ep/IX/8/3 Appeals

 

Ep/IX/8/4 Other memorabilia

 

Ep/IX/9 College papers and correspondence, 1904-1989

 

Ep/IX/10 College buildings, 1883-1988

 

Ep/IX/11 Obituaries and biographies, 1879-1990

 

Ep/IX/12 Private manuscripts and papers, 1840-1965

 

Ep/IX/13 Private correspondence, 1933-1961

 

Ep/IX/14 Printed books and pamphlets, 1564, 1833-1969

 

Ep/IX/15 Press cuttings, 1913-1985

 

Ep/IX/16 Films, photographs and recordings, 1879-1993

 

Ep/IX/16/1-3 Albums

 

Ep/IX/16/4 College photographs

 

Ep/IX/16/5 Team and club photographs

 

Ep/IX/16/6 Portraits

 

Ep/IX/16/7 College buildings and college life

 

Ep/IX/16/8 Special events

 

Ep/IX/16/9 Other photographs

 

Ep/IX/16/10 Films and slides

 

Ep/IX/16/11 Recordings

 

Ep/IX/17 Records of St. Bartholomew's parish church, 1869-1965

 

Many volumes have been foliated or paginated more than once, but it is advisable always to follow the pencil foliation when using a book in the collection; it has been a rule in compiling this Catalogue to use what is believed to be the most recent foliation. A higher folio or page number preceding a lower (e.g. ff.10-3, pp. 312-260) indicates that the volume has been used from both ends.

 

It should be emphasized that the printed catalogue mark under which any records are described is the one which should be quoted; the earlier (and often confusing) catalogue marks, if they are found on documents, should be ignored

Date: 14th - 21st centuries
Arrangement:

Miscellaneous papers (e.g. Ep/I/15), have been sorted into chronological order so far as is possible.

 

The previous sortings to which the documents have been subjected and the fact that they received numbers which have been quoted in print has caused difficulties. In brief, however, documents have only been transferred from one class to another in cases where it was unavoidable because of earlier mis-sorting. The original groupings made in the 1950s (Ep/I/1-57, II/1-37, III/1-13, IV/1-13, V/1-18, VI/1-60 and VII/1-7) have been retained although they sometimes include unrelated documents; the index should solve any problems arising from such errors in the original classification. New numbers have been added (Ep/I/58-88, II/38-43, III/14-17, IV/14, V/19-21, VII/8 and VIII) to provide references to "stray" documents and later accessions

Related material:

There still remains at the Diocesan Registry some records (e.g. Bishops' Registers and Faculty Papers) which overlap in date some others described in this catalogue.

 

For lists of rural deaneries in the Archdeaconry of Chichester, the Archdeaconry of Lewes and the Archdeaconry of Hastings see the 'Chichester Diocesan Directory'

Held by: West Sussex Record Office, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Creator:

Diocese of Chichester

Physical description: Approx. 313 series
Access conditions:

Unrestricted

 

Access to certain documents may be restricted either because of their content or their recent date, or because of their age and fragile condition

Custodial history:

On 21 July 1949 the Bishop of Chichester, acting in accordance with the Parochial Registers and Records Measure, 1929, established a Record Office for his Diocese with the agreement of the County Council of West Sussex. In February 1951, Dr. Bell arranged for the deposit of his episcopal archives in the Diocesan Record Office at Chichester on "permanent loan" under the care of the County Archivist.

 

An examination of certain sections of these records will disclose many gaps, especially for the earlier periods; whether the loss may be attributed to the sacking of the Cathedral during the Civil War, or to the neglect of generations of registrars, or to the wanton destruction of "old papers", we shall never know, but of the three possibilities the second is the least likely

Publication note:

For an explanation of the parish boundaries, and in particular of the confusion over the various parishes of St. Peter, see W. D. Peckham, 'The Parishes of the City of Chichester', in Sussex Archaeological Collections, vol. 74, pp. 65-97

Subjects:
  • Chichester Theological College
Administrative / biographical background:

AREAS OF JURISDICTION:

 

Ep/I. THE DIOCESE OF CHICHESTER was coterminous with the County of Sussex except for:--

 

(1). Four peculiar jurisdictions, i.e. that of the Dean of Chichester, the exempt deanery of Pagham and Tarring, that of the Dean of Battle, and the exempt deanery of South Malling. These were abolished 1 Jan. 1846 (Order in Council, 8 Aug. 1845) when the first two became part of the Archdeaconry of Chichester and the other two part of the Archdeaconry of Lewes.

 

(2). North and South Ambersham which were detached portions of Steep parish (co. Hants., dio. Winchester) transferred to Selham in Sussex in 1844 (7 & 8 Vict. c. 61) but not to the Diocese of Chichester until 1916 (London Gazette, 18 Aug. 1916).

 

(3). Tunbridge Wells (King Charles the Martyr) which was created a consolidated chapelry in the Diocese of Canterbury in 1889 partly out of the parish of Broadwater Down and later transferred to the Diocese of Rochester.

 

The area of the ARCHDEACONRY OF CHICHESTER has remained unchanged except for (1) and (2) above and by an Order in Council (15 Aug. 1929) when the parishes of Colgate St. Saviour, Crawley with West Crawley, and Ifield were transferred from the Archdeaconry of Lewes to that of Chichester, and Bramber with Botolphs was transferred from Chichester to Lewes. In 1943, Lower Beeding was transferred from Chichester to Lewes.

 

Until the mid-19th century the four Rural Deaneries in the Archdeaconry of Chichester were those of Arundel, Boxgrove, Midhurst and Storrington; there are now nine.

 

Ep/II. The area of the ARCHDEACONRY of LEWES was the rest of the county until the creation of the Archdeaconry of Hastings in 1912. The changes in the Archdeaconry are referred to under the Diocese and Archdeaconry of Chichester (Ep/I above). The four Rural Deaneries until the mid-19th century were those of Dallington, Hastings, Lewes and Pevensey; there are now nine.

 

Ep/III. THE DEAN OF CHICHESTER'S PECULIAR comprised the Chichester parishes of St. Andrew, St. Bartholomew, St. Martin, St. Olave, St. Pancras, St. Peter the Great [Subdeanery], St. Peter the Less [incorrectly known as St. Peter-juxta-Guildhall], and New Fishbourne, Rumboldswyke and the precinct of the Close. The peculiar was not subject to visitation by the Archdeacon; jurisdiction was vested in the Bishop during a vacancy. The peculiar jurisdiction was abolished 1 Jan. 1846 (see Ep/I above).

 

Ep/IV. THE EXEMPT DEANERY OF PAGHAM AND TARRING was in the hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury and comprised the following parishes and chapelries: South Bersted, Chichester All Saints, Durrington, Heene, East Lavant, Pagham, Patching, Slindon, Tangmere, West Tarring and Plaistow in Kirdford. Other areas of jurisdiction were:--

 

Chichester: The Headacre, in parish of St. Pancras [in 1705 described as "the Fourteen houses in the parish of St. Pancrass which are within the peculiar Jurisdiccon of the Archbishop of Canterbury", Ep/IV/4/12. Site unknown.].

 

Chichester: The Vintry ["infra warda vocat' le ventr' Cicest' jurisdictionis peculiaris", Ep/IV/4/13. Possibly in Upper St. Martin's Lane or Crooked S Lane. (1590].

 

Horsham: The Bishoprick [also frequently called Bishopsbridge].

 

Bognor St. John: site of proposed chapel (in parish of South Bersted) consecrated 1822, and first curate appointed 1839.

 

This peculiar was never inhibited and was abolished 1 Jan. 1846 (see Ep/I above).

 

Ep/V. THE EXEMPT DEANERY OF SOUTH MALLING, also in the hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury, comprised Buxted, Edburton, Framfield, Glynde, Hadlow Down, Isfield, Lewes St. Thomas-at-Cliffe, Lindfield, Mayfield, Ringmer, South Malling, Stanmer, Uckfield and Wadhurst, with chapelries at [East] Chiltington, Hartfield, Withyham and Wivelsfield. A very small part of East Grinstead was also included in this jurisdiction which was never inhibited and was abolished 1 Jan. 1846 (see Ep/I above).

 

Ep/VII. THE ARCHDEACONRY OF HASTINGS was created by Order in Council, 24 June 1912, and was to 'comprise and consist of the Rural Deaneries of Pevensey I, Pevensey II, Hastings I, Hastings II and Dallington and the parishes of Frant, Tidebrook and Wadhurst'. The area now comprises seven rural deaneries.

 

Ep/VIII. THE DEAN OF BATTLE'S PECULIAR was the lowey, or liberty, of Battle Abbey. Although the incumbent of Battle is still styled the Dean of Battle, the peculiar jurisdiction was abolished 1 Jan. 1846 when the deanery became part of the Archdeaconry of Lewes; since 1912 it has been in the Archdeaconry of Hastings. The parish register transcripts are Ep/II/16/10 (Battle) and II/16/138 (Netherfield)

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