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I Location

II General Description

The earliest part of the church is the S transept tower (c.1180). The rest of the building (nave, S aisle, N transept and chancel) was rebuiltc.1220-30. The N and S transept arches have reeded consoles with snake-like neckings (cf: South Berstead).

III Exterior Features

1. Doorways

(i) S Transept tower, W side

The W doorway of the tower comprises three orders.

The remainder of each jamb is carved with chevron: lateral chevron on both face and soffit, flanking a central engaged shaft in the form of an angled chevron roll. The ashlar spandrels of the doorway are carved with a blind lozenge (S) and a blind roundel (N). Each is defined by a thick roll moulding, and the roundel has an inner ring of dogtooth. Flanking the doorway are very narrow, plain, round-headed niches.

Dimensions

First order

The inner order has a rounded section, which is stopped towards the bottom of the jambs, but continues without interruption through the jambs and trefoil-shaped arch.

Second order

Round-headed, and carved with continuous point-to-point chevron. This is created by two confronting rows of lateral chevron, one on the soffit and the other on the face of the arch, and by undercutting the exposed arris. Each unit of chevron comprises a large flat triangular surface and a single roll.

Third order

The third order is divided into two parts by impost blocks of rounded profile (or roll). The round-headed arch is carved with three rolls separated by deep hollows. The inner and outer rolls are keeled. Beyond them, descending onto the same impost course, is a dogtooth label with a lead weathering. The jambs of the third order are topped by very worn engaged capitals, which are small and attenuated in form, and appear to have been carved with waterleaf.

2. Windows

(i) S transept tower, second stage (first floor), W, S and E sides

These three tall, narrow lancets are set within pilaster buttresses. They have pointed heads and are surrounded by two continuous, overlapping orders: the inner order comprises a simple roll moulding; the outer order is of lateral chevron (cf: doorway, second order). The tips of the chevron touch the inner roll, and the interstices have been undercut

VII History

'Clepinges' is mentioned in the Domesday Book. It was held by Almensches Abbey (a convent in Normandy). In the late 12thc. or early 13thc., Ralph, archdeacon of Hereford, held the church from Almeneches for four marks a year, maintaining two nuns there. The S transept, with its tower, was probably added to an older buildingc.1180. It may have been the first phase in the comprehensive rebuilding programme which followed in the early 13thc.

The tower doorway and windows have certainly been restored, although a representation of the church from the SW, dated 1804, offers evidence that the essential designs are original. Photographs of 1858 (by E Hopkins, NMR DD76/189 and BB84/13) shows the jambs of the doorway in poor condition: only five original courses, including the capital, survived on the right (the rest had been replaced by chamfered blocks); the column, capital and chevron on the left were completely worn and the inner order seems to have been coated in a pale substance and etched with masonry joints. The same photographs show the W window blocked, and with chevron on the jambs and sill but not on the head. The upper part of the tower was rebuilt during the restorations of 1874-75 by G M Hills. A photograph of 1888 (by Professor F M Reynolds, NMR BB48/884) shows that the head of the W window had been renewed.

VIII Comments/Opinions

The S transept tower doorway and windows are 'Transitional' (Romanesque/Early English) in style, and probably date fromc.1180. Typical Transitional features include waterleaf, dogtooth and keeled mouldings. It is not uncommon for chevron to occur within the context of a Transitional ensemble in Sussex, but the virtuoso application of the motif at Clymping is difficult to parallel elsewhere in the county. In contrast, the sober interior of the Early English church, erected by the subsequent generation, is highly restrained. See entry for Bailiffscourt for other possible Clymping sculpture.

IX Bibliography