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St Mary Magdalene, Bolney, Sussex

Location
(50°59′20″N, 0°12′11″W)
Bolney
TQ 262 226
pre-1974 traditional (England and Wales) Sussex
now West Sussex
  • Kathryn Morrison

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Feature Sets
Description

Bolney church has an early 12thc. nave and a slightly skewed chancel with a N chapel. The W tower was added in 1536-38, the N aisle in 1853 and the N vestry in 1912. The S doorway of the nave dates fromc.1100.

History

Bolney is not mentioned in 1086.

Features

Exterior Features

Doorways

Comments/Opinions

The doorway appears to be of an early date, and can be compared with that at Wivelsfield, 5 miles away (also not in Domesday). It has been argued that both doorways are late Anglo-Saxon, rather than early Norman, but they undoubtedly belong toc.1100.

According to the VCH, the chamfered jambs have been recut to widen the opening a little. Inside there are indications of a former tympanum. The imposts were chamfered but have been cut back in the reveals and western face. The door is also medieval.

Bibliography
Victoria County History: Sussex. 7 (Rape and Honour of Lewes). 1940, 139-140
E. A. Fisher, The Saxon Churches of Sussex. Newton Abbot 1970, 51-56.
Rev. J. Dale, 'Notice of the South Doorway of the Church at Bolney' Sussex Archaeological Collections 10 1858, 59-62, with engraving.