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Northiam, St Mary
Travel Information and nearby accommodation
The first mention of a church at Northiam comes from the 11th century, though it seems almost certain that there was an earlier church on this ridge-top spot. It seems that the church, with those at Peasmarsh and Beckley, was granted by Robert of Eu, brother of William the Conqueror, to St Mary-in-the-Castle at Hastings.
The earliest part of the current building is the lower section of the tower, which shows characteristic late Norman work. The Norman church had only a tower and small nave. The church was expanded with the addition of north and south aisles in the 14th century. A stone spire replaced the original upper section of the Norman tower in the late 15th century.
The whole building was restored and enlarged once more in the 1830s. Unfortunately, the Victorian architect Sidney Smirke used sandstone for his rebuilding of the chancel, and this has weathered badly. Smirke also built the very large Frewen Chapel, which rises above the family mausoleum. The exterior of the chapel is lined with heraldic shields, and the interior with an intriguing collection of funeral hatchments and monuments to generations of the family, who still reside in Northiam.
Behind the altar is a very nice set of 17th century wooden panels, the gift of Thankful Frewen. There are two Tudor brasses in the chancel floor, one to Robert Beuford (d. 1518), the other to a member of the Tufton family (d 1538). These brasses are not easily accessible, but rubbings made from the brasses are displayed on the rear wall along with small fragments of other surviving brasses.
Church Lane,
Northiam,
East Sussex,
England
About Northiam, St Mary
Attraction Type: Church
Location: In the centre of the village, just behind the village green. Plenty of free parking nearby.
Location
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Northiam, St Mary Photos
OS TQ825245
Heritage Highlight: The Frewen family chapel, decorated with heraldic designs and monuments.
Heritage Rating:  ?
Photos of Northiam, St Mary
Brass rubbing |
Medieval brasses |
Frewen Chapel interior |
See all Northiam, St Mary Photos
Nearest Accommodation to Northiam, St Mary
Nearest Self Catering Cottages |
 The Lodge -
10.6
miles from Northiam, St Mary
Dallington, East Sussex
Sleeps: 3
Stay from: £300 |
 Seaview Cottage -
14
miles from Northiam, St Mary
Normans Bay, East Sussex
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £320 |
 The Beach House -
15.5
miles from Northiam, St Mary
Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent
Sleeps: 6
Stay from: £475 |
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Nearest Tourist
Information Centre
Rye
Tourist Information Centre
The Heritage Centre
Strand Quay
Rye
East Sussex
England
TN31 7AY
Tel: 01797 226696
Fax: 01797 223460
Email: ryetic@rother.gov.uk
Web: http://www.visitrye.co.uk/
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