Manor Profile
Merston (absorbed into Oving), West Sussex· Box and Stockbridge Hundred· 1086 – 1920
Merston was held before the Conquest by Earl Gurth (brother of Harold) at 8 hides. In 1086 Oismelin held 6 hides of Earl Roger, with 10 acres meadow, 3 mills, and 2 houses in Chichester.
Roger Martel held c.1240. Through complex inheritance, the manor passed to the Bonville family. William Bonville was beheaded on 19 February 1461 after the second Battle of St Albans. His great-granddaughter Cecily married Thomas Grey, later Marquess of Dorset. In 1544 Henry, Marquess of Dorset conveyed the manor and advowson to Henry VIII.
The Crown granted to John Caryll in 1560. The Caryll family, prominent Catholic recusants, held until 1771 when John Caryll sold to Thomas Longcroft. Longcroft's representatives sold to Richard Godman in 1778. William Langmead purchased from the Godman family around 1920.
Earl Gurth (brother of Harold) held before the Conquest at 8 hides. In 1086 assessed at 6 hides, held by Oismelin of Earl Roger. Value rose from 5 pounds (1066) to 6 pounds (1086). Included 10 acres meadow, 3 mills (value 7s.), 2 houses in Chichester.
| # | Name | From | To | Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Earl Gurth | 1066 | Brother of King Harold. 8 hides TRE. | ||
| 2 | Oismelin | 1086 | Held 6 hides of Earl Roger. Gave tithes to Abbey of Troarn. | ||
| 3 | Roger Martel | 1240 | |||
| 4 | Thomas fitz Roger | 1367 | 1382 | ||
| 5 | John Bonvyle and Elizabeth | 1385 | 1396 | ||
| 6 | William Bonvyle | 1414 | 1461 | ||
| 7 | Thomas Grey, Marquess of Dorset(Marquess of Dorset) | 1475 | 1544 | Married Cecily Bonvyle. | |
| 8 | Crown (Henry VIII) | 1544 | 1560 | ||
| 9 | John Caryll | 1560 | Crown grant | ||
| 10 | Caryll family | 1560 | 1771 | Catholic recusant family. Held for over 200 years. |
Boxgrove Priory
priory · held
Prior held half a fee temp. Edward I.
Church of St Giles: chancel, nave, north aisle, south porch. Rubble/ashlar, partially roughcast. 13th-century chancel and nave. North arcade: four bays, pointed two-chamfered-order arches, cylindrical piers. 12th-century font: square basin with shallow arcading. One bell (1809). Old Rectory: 15th-century timber-framed house north of church, one-bay hall with two-storey solar and buttery wings.
VCH Closing Statement
“William Langmead purchased the manor from the Godman family around 1920.”
VCH Sussex, Vol. 4, pp. 158-160
