Friars were established in 1228. At the general cemetery in St. Pancras parish Bishop Ralph Nevill erected the chapel of St. Michael in 1240, but the building is totally removed. (Cartwright's MSS. by Horsfield, Suss. II.) Part of the episcopal palace is of considerable antiquity.—In the (Saxon Chronicle) Chichester is styled "Cisseceastre;" which appears to corroborate the opinion, that the city owes its present name to Cissa, son and successor of Ælle, the founder of the kingdom of the South Saxons. That the spot was previously occupied by the Romans is proved, as well by the termination of the name cester, as by the inscriptions and other remains, which have been exhumed in different parts of the modern city; and it is now deemed to have been the Roman Regnum. (Comp. Horsfield 's Suss. II, 41-44.)
55. Chidham.—The (Nonæ Roll) names "Westham" together with Chidham, but in the title only, not in the body, of the description. What place is intended I cannot conjecture; it can scarcely mean Westham near Pevensey. The church of Chidham is not specially noticed, but is implied under the mention of a "perpetual vicar."
55. Chidingly.—The church consists of chancel, nave with north and south aisles and north porch, and western tower with a stone spire and pinnacles at the angles. The chancel is E.E. The east window was large, of five lights, but the upper portion having been destroyed in modern repairs, the style of it is uncertain. Part of the south aisle is E.E., it having a lancet window at the west end, which the north aisle likewise has. At the east end of the south aisle is a late Perp. chapel, having square-headed windows with heavy mullions. The nave and tower seem to be Dec. with Perp. insertions. In the west, wall of the tower is a Perp. window below the dripstone of a larger. The hood moulding of the west door, in the tower, terminates in buckles, armorial bearings of the Pelham family.
Chidingly Place is situated about a quarter of a mile westward from the church. There are considerable remains of the ancient mansion; but not such as explain the plan of it, or require much remark. The establishment was extensive, the buildings of brick with stone dressings. The earlier portion may date from temp. K. Henry VII; but some certainly belongs to the reign of Q. Elizabeth. The dividing mullions of the windows are very massive. In the spandrils of the entrance to the hall (which last is destroyed) among other ornaments, are carved male figures in
