Australium Saxonum praesul, episcopali cathedra sublimari uidebatur." The places mentioned are Selesey, Wystrynges, Icchenor, Bridham, Egesawyda, Brimfaston, Sidelesham, Aldyngborne, Ludesey, Geinstedesgate, Amberle, Hoghton, Waltham, Mondeham, most of which are easily identified. (Cod. Dipl. II, 341.) Ælfsin was made Bishop of Winchester A.D. 951, appointed Archbishop of Canterbury A.D. 958 on the decease of Odo, whose grave he contemptuously trampled upon, with reproaches for having so long kept himself out of that dignity, and died in crossing the Alps on his way to Rome to obtain the Pope's confirmation. (Francisci Godwini de Præsulibus Angliæ Commentarius, 51, 210.)
The Gewissi belonged to the West, not the South, Saxons, and the confusion in the above quotation will probably be deemed some evidence that the document was really compiled long after its ostensible date. It is however to be observed, that after the departure of Archbp. Wilfrid, who had converted the South Saxons, about A.D. 680, the people were, quoad sacra, for many years under the superintendence of the bishop of Winchester, which city belonged to Wessex; but the first bishop of Selsey was consecrated, it was said by Nothelm Archbp. of Canterbury, A.D. 711, though Nothelm did not become archbishop till A.D. 735 (Godwin, ut sup. 500); after which event it does not appear, that any interruption occurred in the succession of the Selsey episcopate, so that no excuse was afforded for mixing together the Gewissi and the South Saxons.
223. Shermanbury.—In this parish stood an ancient moated manor-house, called Ewhurst, of which little or nothing remains but the gateway. (Cartwright.)
224. Shipley.—Thorpe (Reg. Roff.) contains a notice of the church of Shipley, A.D. 1332.—The existing building has a central tower on Norm. arches, with a flat oak ceiling. The church chest contains a reliquary of wood, seven inches long by six inches high, enamelled and gilt on the side and ends, the subject being the crucifixion and angels, with X P Σ over the cross. "The church was formerly served by a chaplain appointed by the impropriator, remotive at pleasure; but since Queen Anne's Bounty has been extended to the benefice, it has become a perpetual curacy, &c." (Cartwright; who gives a plate of the reliquary.)
In Shipley stood the ancient Castle of Knepp, of which some small remains are yet visible. (Horsfield's Suss. II, 246.)
