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THE RUINED NAVE |
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It is, however, the opinion of some that this building was designed and intended to serve for something more than the parish church of a rapidly rising sea-port ; for, not only was the church--even as at first built-a grand cruciform structure, but the original Norman airless choir was taken down and rebuilt on a greatly enlarged scale and in the most sumptuous style. |
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Although all direct historical reference is wanting, it is not improbable to assume that the monks, settled by de Braose at Sele Priory, were designed to be removed to Shoreham. |
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This idea seems to receive some contirmation from the fact that William, son of Philip de Braose, gave to the monks of Florent, " the land at Shoreham of Ulnare the clerk," which the deed states " Saracenus formerly held." This gift he and his brother Philip made at the altar of St. Peter in the Church of Sele possession being given to David, a monk of St. Florent in the presence of his court. De Braose also gave to the monks of Sele Priory, " in honour of the Blessed Mother of God, a house situated on the north side of the Church of St. Mary at Shoreham, free from all customary payments." |
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The description of the position of this house seems to apply to " The Cottage "-formerly St. Mary's Cottage-a building of considerable antiquity, whose walls may well have been standing at the time when de Braose gave his monks " a house situated on the north side of the Church of St. Mary." Possibly the land of Ulnare the cleric may have been the garden-land adjoining to the west, on which it was designed to erect conventual buildings. In recent years the cottage has received very careful restoration at the bands of the owner. |
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The foundations of the ruined Norman nave of the Church were excavated and examined during the summer of 1915, when some interesting discoveries were made. These included a south porch of spacious dimensions-apparently erected during the fifteenth century-and some of the original floor tiling. At the same time, part of the choir pavement was taken up and the foundations of the original semi-circular apse disclosed. |
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At what period the nave fell to ruin is uncertain. The tradition -long accepted-that this took place during the fifteenth century, is now a matter of doubt. It was believed that the present west end comprising one bay of the nave, was built up at that time; and the doorway which has Norman details, constructed into a pointed arch from stones brought from the former western entrance. |
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185 |
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