Exploring the local area
I’m afraid I haven’t yet managed to get round to starting any dyeing projects, as we are spending so much time with our granddaughter and also trying to explore a little of the local area.
We recently made a trip to Bosham, a delightful village near Chichester and known to be the oldest site of Christianity in Sussex. Bosham has many beautiful old buildings, including a wonderful church dating back to Saxon times, some parts of which have survived from this period. Perhaps Bosham is most famous for being depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. Harold, Earl of Wessex, the future king, had a home in Bosham and in the scene from the tapestry he is shown riding to Bosham and entering the church, before embarking on his ill-fated trip to Normandy in 1064.
Bosham church also has a memorial to one of King Canute’s daughters who, according to tradition, drowned and was buried in the church. In 1865 a small stone coffin was found which was thought at the time to be from the 11th century. When in 1954 the coffin was again exposed a second larger coffin was found nearby containing some bones. However, without closer examination, precise dating of the coffins is difficult and the truth of this story has not been verified.
A view of Bosham church tower
The interior of Bosham church
A copy of the section of the Bayeux tapestry showing King Harold's visit to Bosham church
This part of Sussex has many other historical sites to visit and next on our list is the Roman Palace at Fishbourne, which has the most remarkable Roman mosaics. We visited the palace many years ago but a further visit is certainly well overdue. The other museum I’m looking forward to revisiting is The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton. So expect more about these two places in due course.
The journey home once again took us over the downs, which are among the most characteristic features of the Sussex landscape.
A view over the downs
nice to see you settling in to your new surroundings. I like reading about other peoples neighborhoods it gives me a chance to ‘travel’ without leaving my den.