Shermanbury

In the Domesday Book, based on a survey completed in 1086, the manor of Shermanbury, then called Salmonesberie, is held by Ralph from William de Braose, having been formerly held by Azor from King Harold. There are two ploughs, one belonging to the lord and one shared by one villager and three smallholders. There is a small church and four slaves. There are three other manors in Shermanbury parish, Woolfly, also held by Ralph, and Morley and Sakeham held by William son of Ranulph. The parishes of Shermanbury and Cowfold comprised the Saxon hundred of Hamfelt, and was on the eastern boundary of the Norman Rape of Bramber. Shermanbury's Saxon name indicates its past function: the burh or…

The Anglican church of St. Giles () is well away from the modern roads, approached along a tree-lined bridleway leading to Shermanbury Place, east of the Brighton road. A small church is mentioned in the Domesday Book, but the present structure is of 14th-century origin. The roof is made from Horsham stone slates with a weatherboarded bell tower at the west end, containing two bells. The door and stone roofed porch are at the west end. Inside 18th century pews have the names of farm houses to which they were allocated painted on the backs: Perrymans, Sakeham, Vadgers, Pooks, and so on. It is now locked, but the church warden will show people round on request. Its wildflower-rich graveyard…