Manor Profile
Birdham, West Sussex· Manhood Hundred· 1336 – 1953
Also known as: Broomer
Birdham Broomer originated as a sub-manor within the larger Birdham estate. In 1329 the heirs of Robert de Sortell held half a knight's fee. Robert de Bromore held the 1/12 fee from 1336 until his death in 1349. The manor passed to the Earl of Arundel.
In 1423 the earl's executors gave Birdham Broomer to the hospital of Holy Trinity, Arundel. Upon the hospital's suppression, the Crown acquired it. In June 1546 the Crown granted it to Sir Richard Lee, who sold it within a year to Thomas Carpender.
In 1561 Thomas Shelley purchased the manor, then promptly transferred it to Sir Richard Sackville. Sackville conveyed it, together with the main Birdham manor, to the Crown in 1565. Queen Elizabeth granted both manors to the Dean and Chapter of Chichester in exchange for other property.
The Dean and Chapter retained Birdham Broomer except during the Commonwealth, when it was sold to William Cawley and others and transferred to Thomas Butterie in 1655. It is now held by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
No separate Domesday entry. Birdham Broomer originated from the 1/12 fee held by Robert de Bromore in the 14th century, part of the larger Birdham manor which was assessed at 3.5 hides in 1086 under Earl Roger de Montgomery.
| # | Name | From | To | Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert de Sortell (heirs) | 1329 | subinfeudation | Held half a knight's fee in 1329. | |
| 2 | Robert de Bromore | 1336 | 1349 | inheritance | Held the 1/12 fee. |
| 3 | Earl of Arundel(Earl of Arundel) | 1349 | 1423 | acquisition | Executors gave it to the hospital of Holy Trinity, Arundel, in 1423. |
| 4 | Hospital of Holy Trinity, Arundel | 1423 | 1546 | gift from earl's executors | Held until suppression of the hospital. |
| 5 | The Crown | 1546 | 1546 | Dissolution | |
| 6 | Sir Richard Lee | 1546 | 1547 | Crown grant (June 1546) | |
| 7 | Thomas Carpender | 1547 | 1561 | purchase from Sir Richard Lee | |
| 8 | Thomas Shelley | 1561 | 1561 | purchase | |
| 9 | Sir Richard Sackville | 1561 | 1565 | transfer from Shelley | |
| 10 | The Crown (Elizabeth I) | 1565 | 1565 | conveyance from Sackville |
Hospital of Holy Trinity, Arundel
hospital · held manor · 1423 – 1546
Given by the executors of the Earl of Arundel in 1423.
Dean and Chapter of Chichester
cathedral · held manor · 1565
Granted by Elizabeth I in 1565 in exchange for other property.
Ecclesiastical Commissioners
church_commission · current holder
Now held by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
Birdham Broomer was a sub-manor within the larger Birdham estate, originating from the 1/12 fee held by Robert de Bromore.
Birdham Court Barns descended with Birdham Broomer from 1565, both held by the Dean and Chapter of Chichester and then the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
VCH Closing Statement
“It is now held by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.”
VCH Sussex, Vol. 4, pp. 199-201
