Manor Profile
Aldingbourne, West Sussex· Box and Stockbridge Hundred· 692 – 1857
Also known as: Gates, Genstedegate, Westergate-Woodhouse
Westergate was part of the Aldingbourne episcopal manor, included in Nothelm's Saxon benefaction of 10 cassatos at Genstedegate. By 1247 it was established as a prebendal estate attached to the prebend of Gates in Chichester Cathedral.
John de Mitford was the first certainly identified prebendary (papal provision 2 July 1326). The prebend held lands and rents in Aldingbourne and Sidlesham. In 1535 the prebend was valued and the lands were farmed.
A 1649 survey described 340 acres of common and few fields. Woodhouse Closes was the former manor-house site, containing only a barn by then. William Cawley held during the Commonwealth (1649-1653) but the property returned to the prebendary at the Restoration. It eventually came into the hands of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
Part of the Bishop of Chichester's Aldingbourne holding. Saxon charter: Nothelm's benefaction included 10 cassatos at Genstedegate. Likely represented by one holding of the three clerks at Domesday.
| # | Name | From | To | Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bishop of Selsey / Chichester | 692 | 1247 | Part of Aldingbourne episcopal manor. | |
| 2 | Prebendary of Gates, Chichester Cathedral | 1247 | 1648 | John de Mitford first identified prebendary (1326). | |
| 3 | William Cawley | 1649 | 1660 | Commonwealth purchase | |
| 4 | Prebendary of Gates | 1660 | Restoration | ||
| 5 | Ecclesiastical Commissioners | ecclesiastical reform | Succeeded to prebendal estates. |
Boxgrove Priory
priory · held · 1537
Held from 12th century to Dissolution.
"The Tudors" at Westergate: mid-16th-century cottage with original timber-framing and curved braces below wall-plate. Woodhouse Closes: former manor-house site; by 1649 contained only a barn.
VCH Closing Statement
“The manor came into the hands of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.”
VCH Sussex, Vol. 4, pp. 134-138
