Earnley

Earnley does not appear in the Domesday Survey, likely being included within Wittering at that time. The earliest recorded grant dates to 780, when Oslac, Duke of the South Saxons, granted land called Earnaleach and Tielesora to the church of St Paul at Selsey cathedral. In 930 King Athelstan granted land at Medmerry in Selsey with the woodland and fields called Erneleia to Bishop Beornheage (VCH Sussex Vol. 4, pp. 201-203).

The 1166 return of knights' fees shows William de Lancing held land likely representing Earnley alongside three others, accounting for one complete fee. By the late twelfth century William de Lancing (son of William and Maud) granted 2 hides to his uncle Luke de Ernele as a quarter knight's fee minus 1 virgate. Around 1260 Luke de Ernele maintained 2 perches of Aldingbourne Park paling, corresponding to his 2-hide holding. By 1284 John de Ernele, son of Luke, held the manor (VCH Sussex Vol. 4, pp. 201-203).

In 1318 John de Ernele or his younger son received a grant of free warren. In 1427 a John de Ernele conveyed the manor to John Michelgrove and Joan his wife. In 1431 William Ernele held the manor, and in 1467 it was settled for life on John Lunsford and Margaret his wife, widow of John Ernele. In 1480 John Ernele, later Attorney-General and Chief Justice, conveyed it to John Clerkson the elder and John Inglere, both great-grandsons of an earlier John Ernele (VCH Sussex Vol. 4, pp. 201-203).

In 1495 Thomas Combe and Elizabeth his wife held the manor and conveyed it to Edward Barttelot. A later Edward Barttelot conveyed the manor to George Fenner in 1561, who transferred it to Richard Erneley in 1564. In 1630 Richard Erneley sold to Richard Taylor, who died seised in 1633 leaving a young son Richard. In 1695 the younger Richard Taylor's son sold to Robert Smith (VCH Sussex Vol. 4, pp. 201-203).

By 1752 Sarah Stuart of Chichester held the manor. In 1773 the Skelton family, through several coheiresses, conveyed the manor to Edward and Francis Diggens. By 1777 John Slade and Elizabeth his wife held the manor. In 1830 William Slade and Elizabeth conveyed it to the Rev. William Woollams Holland, clerk and incumbent of St Andrew's and St Martin's, Chichester. By 1877 the Rev. Mr Willett owned the manor, and in 1934 Willett's trustees still held it (VCH Sussex Vol. 4, pp. 201-203).

The church of Earnley comprises a chancel, nave with bell-cote, and north porch, constructed of rubble with ashlar dressings. The nave is thirteenth century and the chancel fourteenth century. The rectory of Earnley was valued at £4 6s. 8d. in 1291. In 1526 the neighbouring rectory of Almodington was united to Earnley, and by 1535 the joint rectory was valued at £7 5s. 11d. The Ernele arms were: argent on a bend sable three eagles or (VCH Sussex Vol. 4, pp. 201-203).