Bramber
Encyclopedia
Bramber is a village and civil parish
in the Horsham
District of West Sussex
, England
. It is located on the northern edge of the South Downs
and on the west side of the River Adur
. Nearby are the communities of Steyning
to the west and Upper Beeding
to the east, and the other side of the river. The closest historical connection, however, is with the village of Botolphs
to the south. The ecclesiastical parishes of Bramber and Botolphs were united possibly as early as 1526, but certainly by 1534 with the priest living at Botolphs. Later the priest's official residence became the imposing Bramber mansion and landmark now called 'Burletts' and located on Clays Hill. (The union of the civil parish councils followed 400 years later in 1933).
On a small hill stands the remains of a Norman
castle, held during the 11th to 14th centuries by the Braose Lords of Bramber
, a family noted for its impact on the medieval history of the southern Welsh Marches
. The castle church (dedicated to St Nicholas) still stands. Originally built as the castle chapel, this is now the parish church of Bramber, and is the only part of the Bramber Castle
site not in ruins. The church attracts large numbers of tourists, and is the oldest post-conquest Norman church in Sussex. Bramber Castle originally protected and gave its name to the traditional sub-division of the county of Sussex known as the Rape of Bramber
.
Another Bramber tourist attraction is St Mary's House, a late 15th century timber-framed
house on a site associated with the Knights Templar
, which was a monastic hostel for pilgrims and for monks who collected the tolls at Bramber bridge, a 170 feet (51.8 m) long bridge over the River Adur, incorporating a Chapel (dedicated to St Mary the Virgin) on its central span, though now reduced to a flat bridge of just a few feet over a tributary of the river, following silting, and a change of course. (This should not be confused with the nearby Beeding Bridge, a hump-back bridge which now spans the main course of the river). King Charles II
is claimed to have stayed at St Mary's House during his escape to France after defeat at the Battle of Worcester
. The Monarch's Way
long-distance footpath, following Charles's supposed route to Shoreham-by-Sea
, crosses the Adur at Bramber.
Just outside Bramber, in the direction of Botolphs village, there was a medieval hospital and nunnery, caring for sufferers of leprosy
, and dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. Although long since closed, this part of Bramber is still known (by corruption of the saint's name) as the 'Maudlin District'. Maudlyn House stands on the site of the hospital, and nearby roads include Maudlin Lane, Maudlyn Park, Maudlyn Parkway, and Maudlyn Close.
Historically, Bramber returned two members (MPs) to the unreformed House of Commons. Amongst the most famous politicians to serve as Member for Bramber was William Wilberforce
, the anti-slavery campaigner, and independent Tory
politician.
Taxidermist Walter Potter
was a native of Bramber, and is buried in its churchyard. His museum (of taxidermist's tableaux) was once a popular tourist destination. The museum building still stands, part having been incorporated into an Indian restaurant, and part having become motor garages for houses.
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in the Horsham
Horsham (district)
Horsham is a local government district in West Sussex, England. Its council is based in Horsham. The district borders those of Crawley, Mid Sussex, Mole Valley, Chichester, Arun and Adur....
District of West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is located on the northern edge of the South Downs
South Downs
The South Downs is a range of chalk hills that extends for about across the south-eastern coastal counties of England from the Itchen Valley of Hampshire in the west to Beachy Head, near Eastbourne, East Sussex, in the east. It is bounded on its northern side by a steep escarpment, from whose...
and on the west side of the River Adur
River Adur
The Adur is a river in Sussex, England; it gives its name to the Adur district of West Sussex. The river was formerly navigable for large vessels up as far as Steyning, where there was a large port, but over time the river valley became silted up and the port moved down to the deeper waters nearer...
. Nearby are the communities of Steyning
Steyning
Steyning is a small town and civil parish in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England. It is located at the north end of the River Adur gap in the South Downs, four miles north of Shoreham-by-Sea...
to the west and Upper Beeding
Upper Beeding
Upper Beeding is a village and civil parish in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England. It is located at the northern end of the River Adur gap in the South Downs four miles north of Shoreham-by-Sea and has a land area of 1877 hectares...
to the east, and the other side of the river. The closest historical connection, however, is with the village of Botolphs
Botolphs
Botolphs, formerly called Annington, is a tiny village in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England. It is in the Adur Valley southeast of Steyning on the road between Steyning and Coombes...
to the south. The ecclesiastical parishes of Bramber and Botolphs were united possibly as early as 1526, but certainly by 1534 with the priest living at Botolphs. Later the priest's official residence became the imposing Bramber mansion and landmark now called 'Burletts' and located on Clays Hill. (The union of the civil parish councils followed 400 years later in 1933).
On a small hill stands the remains of a Norman
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
castle, held during the 11th to 14th centuries by the Braose Lords of Bramber
Lord of Bramber
The lord of Bramber was, in the medieval period, the tenant in chief of the honour of Bramber. Bramber is today a small village in Sussex, England, but the medieval honour consisted of a large portion of Sussex, including Bramber castle....
, a family noted for its impact on the medieval history of the southern Welsh Marches
Welsh Marches
The Welsh Marches is a term which, in modern usage, denotes an imprecisely defined area along and around the border between England and Wales in the United Kingdom. The precise meaning of the term has varied at different periods...
. The castle church (dedicated to St Nicholas) still stands. Originally built as the castle chapel, this is now the parish church of Bramber, and is the only part of the Bramber Castle
Bramber Castle
Bramber Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey castle in the village of Bramber, West Sussex overlooking the River Adur .William De Braose constructed the castle c1070, along with the Norman church, on a natural mound and most of the surviving masonry dates from this time...
site not in ruins. The church attracts large numbers of tourists, and is the oldest post-conquest Norman church in Sussex. Bramber Castle originally protected and gave its name to the traditional sub-division of the county of Sussex known as the Rape of Bramber
Rape of Bramber
The Rape of Bramber is one of the rapes, the traditional sub-divisions unique to the historic county of Sussex in England. Bramber is a former barony, originally based around the castle of Bramber and its village, overlooking the river Adur.-History:...
.
Another Bramber tourist attraction is St Mary's House, a late 15th century timber-framed
Timber framing
Timber framing , or half-timbering, also called in North America "post-and-beam" construction, is the method of creating structures using heavy squared off and carefully fitted and joined timbers with joints secured by large wooden pegs . It is commonplace in large barns...
house on a site associated with the Knights Templar
Knights Templar
The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon , commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders...
, which was a monastic hostel for pilgrims and for monks who collected the tolls at Bramber bridge, a 170 feet (51.8 m) long bridge over the River Adur, incorporating a Chapel (dedicated to St Mary the Virgin) on its central span, though now reduced to a flat bridge of just a few feet over a tributary of the river, following silting, and a change of course. (This should not be confused with the nearby Beeding Bridge, a hump-back bridge which now spans the main course of the river). King Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
is claimed to have stayed at St Mary's House during his escape to France after defeat at the Battle of Worcester
Battle of Worcester
The Battle of Worcester took place on 3 September 1651 at Worcester, England and was the final battle of the English Civil War. Oliver Cromwell and the Parliamentarians defeated the Royalist, predominantly Scottish, forces of King Charles II...
. The Monarch's Way
Monarch's Way
The Monarch's Way is a long-distance footpath in England that approximates the escape route taken by King Charles II in 1651 after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester.Most of the footpath is waymarked...
long-distance footpath, following Charles's supposed route to Shoreham-by-Sea
Shoreham-by-Sea
Shoreham-by-Sea is a small town, port and seaside resort in West Sussex, England. Shoreham-by-Sea railway station is located less than a mile from the town centre and London Gatwick Airport is away...
, crosses the Adur at Bramber.
Just outside Bramber, in the direction of Botolphs village, there was a medieval hospital and nunnery, caring for sufferers of leprosy
Leprosy
Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Named after physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen, leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract; skin lesions...
, and dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. Although long since closed, this part of Bramber is still known (by corruption of the saint's name) as the 'Maudlin District'. Maudlyn House stands on the site of the hospital, and nearby roads include Maudlin Lane, Maudlyn Park, Maudlyn Parkway, and Maudlyn Close.
Historically, Bramber returned two members (MPs) to the unreformed House of Commons. Amongst the most famous politicians to serve as Member for Bramber was William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce
William Wilberforce was a British politician, a philanthropist and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire...
, the anti-slavery campaigner, and independent Tory
Tory
Toryism is a traditionalist and conservative political philosophy which grew out of the Cavalier faction in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It is a prominent ideology in the politics of the United Kingdom, but also features in parts of The Commonwealth, particularly in Canada...
politician.
Taxidermist Walter Potter
Walter Potter
Walter Potter was an English taxidermist noted for his anthropomorphic dioramas featuring mounted animals mimicking human life, which he displayed at his museum in Bramber, Sussex, England...
was a native of Bramber, and is buried in its churchyard. His museum (of taxidermist's tableaux) was once a popular tourist destination. The museum building still stands, part having been incorporated into an Indian restaurant, and part having become motor garages for houses.
See also
- Bramber (UK Parliament constituency)Bramber (UK Parliament constituency)Bramber was a parliamentary borough in Sussex, one of the most notorious of all the rotten boroughs. It elected two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons in 1295, and again from 1472 until 1832, when the constituency was abolished by the Great Reform Act.-History:The borough consisted of...
- Bramber railway stationBramber railway stationBramber was a railway station on the Steyning Line which served the village of Bramber. The station was patronised by tourists visiting nearby Bramber Castle, Potter's Museum and the many tea gardens in the village...
- Bramber CastleBramber CastleBramber Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey castle in the village of Bramber, West Sussex overlooking the River Adur .William De Braose constructed the castle c1070, along with the Norman church, on a natural mound and most of the surviving masonry dates from this time...
- Rape of BramberRape of BramberThe Rape of Bramber is one of the rapes, the traditional sub-divisions unique to the historic county of Sussex in England. Bramber is a former barony, originally based around the castle of Bramber and its village, overlooking the river Adur.-History:...