Manor Profile
Oving, West Sussex· Box and Stockbridge Hundred· 1100 – 1339
Also known as: la Grave, Grove, Groves
Martinesgrave, later known as Grove or la Grave, originally belonged to the city of Chichester. Henry I granted 10 pounds' land value to William de Fresne (de Fraxino). By 1166 it constituted 1 fee of the honour of Arundel. In 1187 it was in the king's hands and tallaged 10s.
The manor passed through several hands rapidly: Niel de Broc (late 1189), Robert de Tregoz (who gave crofts to Boxgrove Priory), and back to William de Fresne. Fresne forfeited as a Norman, and the Crown granted first to Robert de Vilers, then to William, Earl of Arundel in 1223. Fresne recovered and alienated to John de Gatesden, who conveyed to Boxgrove Priory.
On the division of Earl Hugh's fees in 1244, the half fee held by Gatesden was assigned to John FitzAlan, who confirmed it to Boxgrove. A smaller 1/20 fee was held by John de la Grave and assigned to Robert de Tateshale. By 1303 the fee had fragmented: 1/80 held by Ralph de la Grave, 1/80 by Robert le Botiller, and 1/40 by Richard de Picheford. In 1339 John de la Grave held 1/40 of William de Bernak.
No separate Domesday entry. Originally part of the city of Chichester, like Drayton.
| # | Name | From | To | Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William de Fresne (de Fraxino) | 1100 | grant from Henry I | 10 pounds land value. Originally belonging to city of Chichester. | |
| 2 | Robert de Tregoz | 1196 | Had 10 pounds land 1196. Gave two crofts (Elbrugge, Leacroft) to Boxgrove Priory. | ||
| 3 | William de Fresne (recovered) | recovered as of right | |||
| 4 | William, Earl of Arundel | 1223 | Crown grant | After Fresne forfeiture. | |
| 5 | John de Gatesden | 1244 | alienation from Fresne | ||
| 6 | Boxgrove Priory (half fee) | 1244 | 1537 | confirmed by John FitzAlan | |
| 7 | John de la Grave (minor fee) | 1244 | 1339 | 1/20 fee assigned to Robert de Tateshale 1244. By 1303 fragmented. In 1339 held 1/40 of William de Bernak. |
Boxgrove Priory
priory · held · 1244 – 1537
Half fee confirmed by John FitzAlan in 1244. Held until Dissolution.
No medieval structures survive. The place-name survives as "Groves" on the road from Chichester to Bognor, between Colworth and Oving.
VCH Closing Statement
“In 1339 John de la Grave held 1/40 of William de Bernak.”
VCH Sussex, Vol. 4, pp. 165-170
