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On a sunny September evening, ten of us visited Holy Trinity Church Bosham and were met by the Reverend Tom Inman who gave us a short history of the Church which is the oldest site of Christianity in Sussex. For over 1600 years Christians have worshipped there. At the foot of the two arch columns are stones of the original Roman basilica. The Chancel is one third Saxon, one third Norman (herring bone masonry) and one third early English (12th century). The Sanctuary is early English with a magnificent five-light East window (c1180). The tower may have been built as a watchtower. During the Danish raids the women and children were taken up for safety. Below the raised platform in the South aisle (c1250) is the ancient crypt thought to be the site of the missionary monastery of an Irish Monk called Dical and his five brethren. We then celebrated the Eucharist in the tiny crypt handing to one another the bread and wine of Holy Communion. On the wall was a picture of part of the Bayeux Tapestry showing King Harold and a companion entering Bosham Church prior to sailing in 1064 to Normandy. In medieval times Bosham was an important port. Tradition tells how a daughter of King Canute was buried near the tablet in the floor of the Church. In 1865 a coffin was uncovered containing the bones of a child of about 8 years old. There is a Norman octagonal Font which once held a cover to prevent the holy water being taken for witchcraft. We then made our way to The Anchor Bleu where we had an evening meal, some opting for vegetarian, some fish and chips and others a variety of individual dishes. It was a most pleasant evening out only marred by the fact that Winifred was not well enough to join us. Pat Winter |
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page last updated 1 NOVEMBER 2000 |
