Chichester Photos

Bosham Church (near Chichester)

Bosham Church, founded in AD 850, was later enlarged in King Canute's reign. Canute, the Viking ruler of Norway and Denmark as well as England, owned the manor of Bosham. Canute's eight-year old daughter is believed to have drowned in the brook outside the church; her tomb was discovered during repairs to the church. King Canute's demonstration that he could not turn back the rising tide is said to have occurred at Bosham. It is probably a myth, but shows how strongly Canute's name was associated with the village. In 1064, King Edward 'The Confessor', sent his brother-in-law, Harold Earl of Wessex, to visit William Duke of Normandy, to settle the succession to the English throne. Harold set off from Bosham after a service at the church. This incident is recorded in the Bayeux Tapestry.