#7 'A history of Chailey in 50 images'

The seventh image in my history of the parish in 50 weekly images. This project is turning into quite a challenge. I had four images in mind for the 13th century but haven't been able to take either of the first two. One was the Weplesburn stream which marks the northern parish boundary and is mentioned in 1197 but I couldn't get access to it. The other are the ridge and furrow field strips - I was hoping that the shadows from low late afternoon sunlight would reveal these but actually the sunlight at that time of day is blocked by a row of trees on the ridge to the west. So, slightly earlier than expected, this entry takes us to the middle of the 13th century.

In 1269 the parish church of St Peter was mentioned in an inquiry into the property of Richard de Plaiz who is believed to have been the founder. The church must of course be older than 1269, we know for example that Robert de Purleigh was its rector in 1256 and that the chancel - which is built from rough local sandstone - dates from at least 1250.

Previous entries in this history are on: 5th, 8th, 22nd and 27th January, 2nd and 11th February.