St. George's Church is an Anglicanchurch in Trotton, a village in the district of Chichester, one of seven local government districts in the English county of West Sussex. Most of the structure was built in the early 14th century. However, some parts date to around 1230,[2] and there is evidence suggesting an earlier church on the same site. In 1904, a largely intact and unusually detailed painting was found on the west wall depicting the Last Judgment as described in Matthew 25:31–46.
The church is dedicated to St. George, patron saint of England. The rector of St George's also oversees the parish of Rogate with Terwick, and most services are held at St. Bartholomew's church in Rogate: just two services a month take place at Trotton.[3] The church is also used once a month by the British Orthodox Church.[3] The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building for its architectural and historical importance.[4]
Historians have disagreed about its age, and the existence of an older church on the same site. The tower has been dated by its architecture to between 1230 and 1240,[5][6] but other historians question this date and suggest the tower and the body of the church both date to the 14th century.[7][8] The porch appears to be a 17th century addition.[9] There is a tomb of Margaret de Camois in the nave. It has been suggested that its location there, rather than the chancel as would be expected for the family of the lord of the manor (which her surname suggests she was), may indicate that the church was built on the site of an earlier, smaller, church and the tomb was in the chancel of that church.[9] Local historian Roger Chatterton-Newman disagrees, saying there would be no need for a church on the site any earlier.[7]
A comprehensive restoration was undertaken by Philip Mainwaring Johnston[10] in 1904. The work cost £700 (£80,000 as of 2023),[11] and a time capsule containing details of the builders, church officials and contemporary world events was buried at the end of the job.[12]
Description and architecture
The church is situated in the village of Trotton, West Sussex, just off the A272 near the River Rother. It stands between the early 15th-century bridge over the river and the 16th-century manor house.[9][13]
The church has a plain, simple Decorated-style exterior, apart from the tower which is Early English style.[1][13] The nave and chancel are in a single chamber, separated by a narrow step instead of a chancel arch.[5][9] The tower stands at the western end of the church, and contains a ring of four bells hung for change ringing.[9][14] The tenor (largest) bell dates from 1908, the others from 1913; all were cast by John Taylor & Co.[14] The church is built of rubble with ashlar dressings. The roof of the main body is tiled; during the 14th century it had a thatched roof, but this was replaced in about 1400.[5] The tower roof is a shingled octagonal cap.[9]
Wall paintings
Wall painting on the west wall
In 1904, the whitewash was removed from the west wall and a wall painting from the very early days of the church was discovered.[2] This, in itself, is not remarkable. Plenty of early churches have wall paintings; however, this one was unusually rich and detailed. In the centre is Jesus Christ, beneath him is Moses and on his right is the "Carnal Man" surrounded by the Seven Deadly Sins. On his left is the "Spiritual Man" surrounded by the Seven Acts of Mercy.[9] These two characters are depicted on the opposite sides of Christ than is usual in such depictions of the Last Judgement.[2] The red paintwork is mostly in good condition, although the Seven Deadly Sins have started to fade.[15]
There are also paintings on the north and south walls depicting the Camoys family. Camoys was the lord of the manor and it appears he had the church built primarily for his family. This would explain the unusual detail in the paintings. They were intended as rich decoration rather than simply for educating an illiterate congregation.[2]
Monumental brass of Margaret, Lady Camoys (d.1310), St George's Church, Trotton. This is the earliest surviving brass of a female figure in England.[16] She wears around her neck a wimple (or gorget) which hides the chin and sides of the face
The nave contains a ledger stone with a brass of Margaret de Camois (died 1310).[2] This is the oldest known brass of a woman in England.[2][15] A 15th-century niche-tomb existed formerly in the south wall, but had been largely removed by 1780.[9][15] The table-tomb of Sir Roger Lewknor (died c. 1478) survives in the north-east corner of the chancel. Its sides display festoon motifs and slender sculpted niches.[15] In the south-east corner is the monument to Anthony Foster (died 1643), formed with pilasters.[15]
St George's Church was listed at Grade I on 18 June 1959.[4] Such buildings are defined as being of "exceptional interest" and greater than national importance.[18] As of February 2001, it was one of 80 Grade I listed buildings, and 3,251 listed buildings of all grades, in the district of Chichester.[19]
The present ecclesiastical parish of Trotton covers a large north–south area of countryside, includes the village of Trotton and the hamlets of Chithurst and Ingrams Green, and is served by St Mary's Church at Chithurst as well as St George's.[20] Both churches are in the Rural Deanery of Midhurst, one of eight deaneries in the Archdeaconry of Horsham in the Diocese of Chichester.[21][22]
Eucharistic services are held on the second and fourth Sundays every month. The church is open during the day for visitors.[3]
^ abcdefghSalzman, L. F., ed. (1953). "A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 4: The Rape of Chichester. Trotton". Victoria County History of Sussex. British History Online. pp. 32–39. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
^Allen, John (28 March 2013). . Sussex Parish Churches website. Sussex Parish Churches (www.sussexparishchurches.org). Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
^UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
Beevers, David; Marks, Richard; Roles, John (1989). Sussex Churches and Chapels. Brighton: The Royal Pavilion, Art Gallery and Museums. ISBN0-948723-11-4.
Chatterton-Newman, Roger (1991). Betwixt Petersfield and Midhurst. Midhurst: Middleton Press. ISBN0-906520-94-0.
Coppin, Paul (2006). 101 Medieval Churches of West Sussex. Seaford: S.B. Publications. ISBN1-85770-306-5.
Pé, Diana (2008). West Sussex Church Walks. PP (Pé Publishing). ISBN978-0-9543690-0-2.
Salter, Mike (2000). The Old Parish Churches of Sussex. Malvern: Folly Publications. ISBN1-871731-40-2.
Vigar, John (1986). Exploring Sussex Churches. Rainham: Meresborough Books. ISBN0-948193-09-3.
Wales, Tony (1999). The West Sussex Village Book. Newbury: Countryside Books. ISBN1-85306-581-1.
Whiteman, Ken; Whiteman, Joyce (1998). Ancient Churches of Sussex. Seaford: S.B. Publications. ISBN1-85770-154-2.
Wilkinson, Edwin (2003). Looking Towards West Sussex Country Churches. Seaford: S.B. Publications. ISBN1-85770-277-8.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to St George's Church, Trotton.
January 31, 2023
george, church, trotton, george, church, anglican, church, trotton, village, district, chichester, seven, local, government, districts, english, county, west, sussex, most, structure, built, early, 14th, century, however, some, parts, date, around, 1230, there. St George s Church is an Anglican church in Trotton a village in the district of Chichester one of seven local government districts in the English county of West Sussex Most of the structure was built in the early 14th century However some parts date to around 1230 2 and there is evidence suggesting an earlier church on the same site In 1904 a largely intact and unusually detailed painting was found on the west wall depicting the Last Judgment as described in Matthew 25 31 46 St George s Church Trotton50 59 45 N 0 48 35 W 50 995893 N 0 809682 W 50 995893 0 809682 Coordinates 50 59 45 N 0 48 35 W 50 995893 N 0 809682 W 50 995893 0 809682LocationPetersfield Road Trotton West Sussex GU31 5EN United KingdomCountryUnited KingdomDenominationAnglicanWebsiteSt George TrottonHistoryStatusParish churchFoundedDisputed c 1240 or 14th century DedicationSt GeorgeArchitectureFunctional statusActiveHeritage designationGrade IDesignated18 June 1959Architectural typeChurchStyleDecorated 1 AdministrationProvinceCanterburyDioceseChichesterArchdeaconryHorshamDeaneryMidhurstParishTrottonClergyRectorRevd Edward DoyleThe church is dedicated to St George patron saint of England The rector of St George s also oversees the parish of Rogate with Terwick and most services are held at St Bartholomew s church in Rogate just two services a month take place at Trotton 3 The church is also used once a month by the British Orthodox Church 3 The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building for its architectural and historical importance 4 Contents 1 History 2 Description and architecture 3 Wall paintings 4 Monuments 5 Churchyard 6 The church today 7 See also 8 References 8 1 Notes 8 2 Bibliography 9 External linksHistory EditHistorians have disagreed about its age and the existence of an older church on the same site The tower has been dated by its architecture to between 1230 and 1240 5 6 but other historians question this date and suggest the tower and the body of the church both date to the 14th century 7 8 The porch appears to be a 17th century addition 9 There is a tomb of Margaret de Camois in the nave It has been suggested that its location there rather than the chancel as would be expected for the family of the lord of the manor which her surname suggests she was may indicate that the church was built on the site of an earlier smaller church and the tomb was in the chancel of that church 9 Local historian Roger Chatterton Newman disagrees saying there would be no need for a church on the site any earlier 7 A comprehensive restoration was undertaken by Philip Mainwaring Johnston 10 in 1904 The work cost 700 80 000 as of 2023 11 and a time capsule containing details of the builders church officials and contemporary world events was buried at the end of the job 12 Description and architecture EditThe church is situated in the village of Trotton West Sussex just off the A272 near the River Rother It stands between the early 15th century bridge over the river and the 16th century manor house 9 13 The church has a plain simple Decorated style exterior apart from the tower which is Early English style 1 13 The nave and chancel are in a single chamber separated by a narrow step instead of a chancel arch 5 9 The tower stands at the western end of the church and contains a ring of four bells hung for change ringing 9 14 The tenor largest bell dates from 1908 the others from 1913 all were cast by John Taylor amp Co 14 The church is built of rubble with ashlar dressings The roof of the main body is tiled during the 14th century it had a thatched roof but this was replaced in about 1400 5 The tower roof is a shingled octagonal cap 9 Wall paintings Edit Wall painting on the west wall In 1904 the whitewash was removed from the west wall and a wall painting from the very early days of the church was discovered 2 This in itself is not remarkable Plenty of early churches have wall paintings however this one was unusually rich and detailed In the centre is Jesus Christ beneath him is Moses and on his right is the Carnal Man surrounded by the Seven Deadly Sins On his left is the Spiritual Man surrounded by the Seven Acts of Mercy 9 These two characters are depicted on the opposite sides of Christ than is usual in such depictions of the Last Judgement 2 The red paintwork is mostly in good condition although the Seven Deadly Sins have started to fade 15 There are also paintings on the north and south walls depicting the Camoys family Camoys was the lord of the manor and it appears he had the church built primarily for his family This would explain the unusual detail in the paintings They were intended as rich decoration rather than simply for educating an illiterate congregation 2 Monuments Edit Ledger stone of Thomas de Camoys 1st Baron Camoys d 1421 and his wife Elizabeth Mortimer Monumental brass of Margaret Lady Camoys d 1310 St George s Church Trotton This is the earliest surviving brass of a female figure in England 16 She wears around her neck a wimple or gorget which hides the chin and sides of the face A 9 foot 2 7 m table tomb in the middle of the chancel contains the remains of Thomas de Camoys 1st Baron Camoys died 1421 although the inscription states 1419 and his wife Elizabeth Mortimer a daughter of Edmund Mortimer 3rd Earl of March Baron Camoys fought at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 and his wife was the inspiration for the character of Gentle Kate in Henry IV by Shakespeare 12 This is an unusually large brass the couple being depicted only slightly smaller than life size and holding hands 15 The monument was described by Ian Nairn and Nikolaus Pevsner as one of the biggest most ornate and best preserved brasses in England 15 The nave contains a ledger stone with a brass of Margaret de Camois died 1310 2 This is the oldest known brass of a woman in England 2 15 A 15th century niche tomb existed formerly in the south wall but had been largely removed by 1780 9 15 The table tomb of Sir Roger Lewknor died c 1478 survives in the north east corner of the chancel Its sides display festoon motifs and slender sculpted niches 15 In the south east corner is the monument to Anthony Foster died 1643 formed with pilasters 15 Churchyard EditThe churchyard contains a Commonwealth war grave of a World War I soldier of the Queen s Royal Regiment West Surrey 17 The church today EditSt George s Church was listed at Grade I on 18 June 1959 4 Such buildings are defined as being of exceptional interest and greater than national importance 18 As of February 2001 it was one of 80 Grade I listed buildings and 3 251 listed buildings of all grades in the district of Chichester 19 The present ecclesiastical parish of Trotton covers a large north south area of countryside includes the village of Trotton and the hamlets of Chithurst and Ingrams Green and is served by St Mary s Church at Chithurst as well as St George s 20 Both churches are in the Rural Deanery of Midhurst one of eight deaneries in the Archdeaconry of Horsham in the Diocese of Chichester 21 22 Eucharistic services are held on the second and fourth Sundays every month The church is open during the day for visitors 3 See also EditList of current places of worship in Chichester DistrictReferences EditNotes Edit a b Beevers Marks amp Roles 1989 p 159 a b c d e f Chatterton Newman 1991 a b c St George Trotton A Church Near You website Archbishops Council 2009 Retrieved 30 December 2009 a b Historic England The Parish Church of St George Trotton with Chithurst 1221344 National Heritage List for England Retrieved 11 November 2013 a b c 2003 p 25 harvnb error no target CITEREF2003 help Pe 1998 p 78 harvnb error no target CITEREFPe1998 help a b Chatterton Newman Roger 1997 Camoys of Trotton Rogate UK Rogate Society Occasional Papers Salter 2000 p 138 a b c d e f g h Salzman L F ed 1953 A History of the County of Sussex Volume 4 The Rape of Chichester Trotton Victoria County History of Sussex British History Online pp 32 39 Retrieved 30 December 2009 Allen John 28 March 2013 Architects and Artists I J K Sussex Parish Churches website Sussex Parish Churches www sussexparishchurches org Archived from the original on 27 September 2013 Retrieved 16 May 2013 UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark Gregory 2017 The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain 1209 to Present New Series MeasuringWorth Retrieved 11 June 2022 a b Wales 1999 p 213 a b Nairn amp Pevsner 1965 p 355 a b Trotton S George Dove s Guide for Church Bell Ringers Retrieved 16 October 2009 a b c d e f g Nairn amp Pevsner 1965 p 356 Macklin Herbert Walter amp Page Phillips John Eds 1969 p 68 St George s Churchyard Trotton with listed casualty Commonwealth War Graves Commission Retrieved 31 January 2019 Listed Buildings Historic England Retrieved 7 April 2015 Images of England Statistics by County West Sussex Images of England English Heritage 2007 Archived from the original on 14 October 2012 Retrieved 2 January 2013 Trotton A Church Near You website Archbishops Council 2009 Retrieved 30 December 2009 Rural Deanery of Midhurst Diocese of Chichester 2009 Retrieved 30 December 2009 Archdeaconry of Horsham Diocese of Chichester 2009 Retrieved 30 December 2009 Bibliography Edit Beevers David Marks Richard Roles John 1989 Sussex Churches and Chapels Brighton The Royal Pavilion Art Gallery and Museums ISBN 0 948723 11 4 Chatterton Newman Roger 1991 Betwixt Petersfield and Midhurst Midhurst Middleton Press ISBN 0 906520 94 0 Coppin Paul 2006 101 Medieval Churches of West Sussex Seaford S B Publications ISBN 1 85770 306 5 Nairn Ian Pevsner Nikolaus 1965 The Buildings of England Sussex Harmondsworth Penguin Books ISBN 0 14 071028 0 Pe Diana 2008 West Sussex Church Walks PP Pe Publishing ISBN 978 0 9543690 0 2 Salter Mike 2000 The Old Parish Churches of Sussex Malvern Folly Publications ISBN 1 871731 40 2 Vigar John 1986 Exploring Sussex Churches Rainham Meresborough Books ISBN 0 948193 09 3 Wales Tony 1999 The West Sussex Village Book Newbury Countryside Books ISBN 1 85306 581 1 Whiteman Ken Whiteman Joyce 1998 Ancient Churches of Sussex Seaford S B Publications ISBN 1 85770 154 2 Wilkinson Edwin 2003 Looking Towards West Sussex Country Churches Seaford S B Publications ISBN 1 85770 277 8 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to St George s Church Trotton Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title St George 27s Church Trotton amp oldid 1095536548, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
