Selsey Abbey

Selsey Abbey was a significant ecclesiastical foundation in Anglo-Saxon England, established in AD 681 by Saint Wilfrid. It played a crucial role in the evangelization of the Kingdom of Sussex, which was reportedly the last area of mainland England to be converted to Christianity. The abbey served as the episcopal see for the Bishopric of Sussex until this was moved to Chichester following a directive from the Council of London in 1075.

Historical Context and Foundation

The traditional founder of Selsey Abbey is Saint Wilfrid of Northumbria. Wilfrid arrived in the South Saxon kingdom in 681 during a period of exile and remained for five years, actively evangelizing and baptizing the local populace. According to Bede and Stephen of Ripon, the local ruler, King Æðelwealh of Sussex, donated land and a royal vill for the establishment of the monastery. Bede's account suggests that Wilfrid's first act was to free and baptize 250 slaves who came with the estate.

Later historical accounts, including a forged 10th-century charter, credit Cædwalla, a West Saxon prince who had befriended Wilfrid, with confirming the land grant. Cædwalla's subsequent invasion of Sussex and conquest of the South Saxons led to Wilfrid being appointed as supreme counsellor. Despite periods of exile and the absorption of Sussex into the Diocese of Winchester, a new see was created at Selsey by AD 705, with Abbot Eadberht consecrated as the first Bishop of the South Saxons Diocese.

Location and Later History

The exact geographical location of Selsey Abbey remains a subject of debate. While some local legends propose it lies submerged beneath the sea, archaeological evidence and historical interpretations suggest its site was likely near what became the old 13th-century parish church at Church Norton, just north of modern Selsey. This area has yielded artifacts such as a 10th-century bronze belt tab and remnants of what is believed to be Saint Wilfrid's palm cross. The bishopric remained at Selsey for approximately 370 years, enduring through about twenty-two bishops, before its transfer to Chichester in the late 11th century.

The move to Chichester was prompted by the Council of London's decree that episcopal sees should be established in cities. The process of transferring the see and establishing the new cathedral in Chichester likely took several years, with work on the new cathedral commencing in the 1090s. The historical documentation for the early church in Sussex is notably sparse, making a comprehensive reconstruction of its history before the Norman Conquest challenging.