On outside below great east window a short buttress has a niche for an image at the top. Nave (i.e. chancel) and both aisles on a grand scale, very lofty and highly ornamented; style, transition from E.E. to Dec., thus agreeing well with the date, assigned for the erection of the building. Of the original nave no trace is visible, but considerable vestiges of the transepts, with entrances and porches, yet exist, including indications of a central tower. A trefoil-headed piscina, in good preservation, remains in the eastern angle of the ruins of the south transept. The church contains five stone Effigies and a Brass of an ecclesiastic. The former memorials are described by Mr. Cooper as "fine monuments: three are canopied tombs of crosslegged secular warriors: one of a young man, who had not been knighted, usually, though erroneously, called a priest: and the fifth of a lady in the dress of Edward III's time, often mistaken for a nun." (History of Winchelsea, by William Durrant Cooper, F.S.A., 8vo, Lond. 1850, p. 132.)—The ruins at the residence called The Friars appear to have been the chapel of the monastery, but the west end terminates in a very fine, lofty arch, in good condition, and it is evident, that this compartment of the establishment, whatever might be its use, did not extend beyond the arch. The mullions and tracery of all the windows have been removed. The east end is semi-hexagonal, like that of the church of Bayham Abbey, which is greatly larger. There are traces of arches, two at least, as if for sedilia. Doors in the side walls of the jambs of the western arch prove the floor to have been considerably below the sills of the windows, wherefore perhaps the altar (if this was the chapel) stood on a raised platform. The style of this work closely resembles that of the church. In wall of courthouse are two small niches, with holes in the stones for gratings to protect the images; and a moulded doorframe.—The two gateways of the town yet standing are small, that toward Eye the largest.—In the Note on Winchelsea, pp. 304, 305, a quotation from the records of Eye gives a name as Climesden, but inaccurately, it appears. "Clivesden (i.e. Cliffend)"—Note:—"This has always been printed Climesden; for the correct reading we are indebted to Mr. John Phillips of Hastings. The family of Clivesend were benefactors to Battle Abbey of lands at Brooke, and of 3 a. of land at Guestling, lying near the wood of Cumfunte." (Hist, of Winchelsea, p. 20.) The spot thus called is stated to be on the southern side of the town. The family name Clivesend certainly justifies the interpretation above given of the term Clivesden; otherwise perhaps it might be a question, whether it does not properly signify "the valley of the cliff."—Detailed particulars of the ancient, but decayed, town of Winchelsea will be obtained in the above mentioned History by Mr. W. D. Cooper.
278. Wiston.—Chancel, nave, south aisle with a private chapel at the east end, and west tower. Some E.E., some Dec., and some late Perp. work. The private chapel seems to have been originally E.E., but to have been enlarged, or nearly rebuilt, in the debased Perp. period, when the aisle also was enlarged. Church contains some old oak benches.
