Veteri Ponte, in St. Botolph's, Annington being the ancient Vipont.[1] A tradition exists among the old inhabitants, that a church formerly stood at Annington, near the ponds" (the manor-house is distant only about two fields from the present church: A. H.) "where foundations yet remain: but the Bishop's Registers contain no notice of Vipont Church." (Cartwright.) For a corroboration of this tradition from authentic documents see above in the Note upon Beeding. Mr. Bloxam (Goth. Archit. 66, 67, 77, 8th ed.) considers the church of St. Botolph's to exhibit marks of Anglo-Saxon construction. See the Note on Botolph's.
115. Hardham.—(A.D. 1291) names "Ecclia de Erytheham." The deanery being Midhurst, and the "Prior de Herietham," and the "Prioratus de Ericheham" also occurring, there can be no difficulty in understanding, that Hardham is intended. But see also the Note on Eartham. The priory, which is called "Heringham" occasionally, was founded temp. K. Henry II by Sir Will. Dawtrey. Some ruins were standing not long ago containing Norm. mouldings over pointed arches; (of which a woodcut is given. Cartwright's Dallaway).
116. Hartfield.—This is a church of chancel, nave, south aisle of which the chancel reaches about halfway up the other, south porch, and west tower with shingled spire. The north wall of the nave, retaining the frame of a lancet window, would seem to be of E.E. date at least; but the building must have received extensive repairs, and probably some additions, in the Dec. period, to which style the aisle belongs. Also the windows of both the body and the tower, although the mullions and tracery may be Perp., even debased, as are the east windows, are beneath Dec. arches. The entire tower, unless any older wall should exist under the facing of the lower part, seems to be Dec. In the chancel are, on the north side two, on the south one, two-light Perp. windows under square exterior hoods, like those described below at Laughton, and of the southern window the hood has no return, the terminal ornament being precisely the same as at Laughton. The interior arches of the northern windows, though pointed, are four-centred. The south chancel had a door, now closed. The south and west doors are Dec. In the high chancel is a perfectly plain piscina, mutilated; and
- ↑ For the identification of the Vetus Pons and St. Peter's church there, see the Notes above on Bramher and Beeding (also Suss. Arch. Coll. II, 69.) The name and title de Veteri Ponte or Vipont are derived, not from the Vetus Pons just alluded to, but, from Vipont, near Lisieux, in Normandy. (Ut sup. 77.)
