St Botolph's, West Sussex

 

A church has stood on this lovely spot for a thousand years, on one of the first trade routes of Britain, used by the Romans to carry tin from the mines of Cornwall to the sea port of Pevensey. The Saxons, added a north aisle around 1250 – you can see the arches they built to break through. Later as the population and congregation declined, the church was returned to it’s original size and the arches on the north wall were filled in.

By 1300 the church had become known by its present name, St Botolph, a Saxon hermit who became the patron saint of travellers. Previously it had been St Peters by the Old Bridge. Botolph’s saints day is 17th June.

Round the other side of the church are two low windows giving slant views inside, believed to be for lepers from the nearby hospital to remotely take part in the mass going on at the altar.

St Botolph’s is cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust protecting historic churches at risk. We are gradually working our way round these ancient and lovely bits of history in our county.

This afternoon we visited St Botolph's for the first time, along with a neighbouring ancient church and castle ruins at Bramber. Cold but sunny.