Selsey (St. Peter), a parish, in the union of West Hampnett, hundred of Manhood, rape of Chichester, W division of Sussex, 8 miles (S.) from Chichester; containing 879 inhabitants. The name of this place, according to Bede, is derived from the Saxon Seals-ey, signifying the island of Seals, for the resort of which it was anciently noted. The Saxons, on their first expedition to take possession of the south-western region of Britain, landed upon this peninsula, where they soon afterwards founded a colony; and in the earliest annals mention is made of Selsey as among the more ancient of the Saxon establishments. A monastery dedicated to Blessed Virgin was founded hereabout 681, by St. Wilfrid, who having previously converted many of the South Saxons to Christianity, and obtained of King Aedilwach the lands of this peninsula for its endowment, placed there in some religious, who had been his companions in exile, and whom Eadbercht, abbot in 711, was consecrated first bishop of the South Saxons, and fixed his Episcopal residence at this place. It remained a see till 1075, when William the Conqueror removed the seat of the diocese to Chichester, and Stigand, the last bishop of Selsey, was appointed the first of Chichester. Vestiges of the ancient city are mentioned in old records, as being plainly visible at ebbtide; and bones of large animals, trunks of trees, and fossil shells are occasionally found by the fishermen when dredging for oysters. The parish is bounded on the east and south by Pagham harbour and the English Channel, and, including the beach to low-water mark, comprises 3494 acres, of which 600 are pasture, and 133 common or waste land, the soil is chiefly a hazel mould, well adapted for wheat. The western division is flat and low, and is frequently overflowed by the sea, from which it suffered very severely in the great storm of November 23rd, 1824, when nearly half the parish was under water. The village, consisting principally of one street of neatly-built houses, occupies a dry gravelly site. There is an extensive fishery for prawns, lobsters, and crabs; and on the coast, oysters in great quantities are taken in the winter season; also cod. A court baron is held annually; and there is a fair for toys, &c., on July 14th. The living comprises a discharged vicarage and sinecure rectory united, the former valued in the king’s books at £8. and the latter at £11. 3. 4.; patron, the Bishop of Chichester. The tithes have been commuted for £896. 13., and the glebe comprises 52 acres. The church is a stately edifice, principally in the early English style; in the middle aisle are several coffin-shaped gravestones, with crosses and various other devices, and against the north wall of the chancel is a mural monument of Caen stone, with carved effigies of John and Agatha Lews, of the time of Henry VIII. There is a place of worship for Bryanites; also a national school. Near the church is an intrenched mound, supposed to be a Roman military station. Selsey gives the title of Baron to the family of Peachey.
Source: A Topographical Dictionary of England by Samuel Lewis Fifth Edition Published London; by S. Lewis and Co., 13, Finsbury Place, South. M. DCCC. XLV.
