Chennells Brook Castle & William de Braose
wasfuman
Not a mile from where I reside in Horsham, West Sussex, lies the site
of an early residential castle (Motte & Bailey) dating to the end of
the 11th century, presumed constructed by William de Braose or Philip
his son some time before his banishment in 1110. It forms the
northernmost of the string of castles (Bramber, Knepp, and Sedgewick
being the others) which occupy the long strip of the Rape of Bramber.
It lies on the northern fringe of St Leonard's Forest which was at one
time the hunting park of the de Braose's.
Does anyone know anything about this castle? I cannot find any data or
documentary references anywhere except a short 2 page article on the
remains written in 1936 by one Hugh Braun and which was published in
Vol 77 of the S.A.C.
It is unsusual in that it's plan follows a continental design, almost
unheard of in this country, of an attenuated oval cut into two by a
curved ditch to make the inner side of this into a mound area and
leaving the outer spade-shaped portion as a bailey. Furthermore, at
some point subsequent to its foundation it had been converted to water-
defence, not unlike that of Saltwood Castle in Kent.
It had a brief life, constructed possibly as late as the last quarter
of the 11th century, and despite the impressive water defences, it
seems never to have had its timber hall or pallisades replaced in
masonry. There is clear evidence that it had been sleighted at an
early date and never rebuilt.
I have been told that this happened at the time of Philip de Braose's
banishment in 1110 or more probably following the Treaty of
Wallingford in 1154 which was the cause of the destruction of a great
number of these little earth & timber castles.
Can anybody shed any light as to either the true name of this early
Norman castle or any documentary reference to it? Its current name is
taken from its proximity to a habitation known as Chennellsbrook Farm.
kelly 6424
I see it cited in three books about the castles of Sussex ( c. 1980's) on a page called the gatehouse. Just 'googled'it.
KBG
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Doug Thompson
I have not found much more documentation about Chennelsbrook castle than you
have. There is another small article about Chennels Brook Farm in the Sussex
Archaeological Collections Vol. 101, (1963)
But it is likely that the present name of the castle explains its origin.
The first William de Braose had a nephew called William de Chernella. He
originated from the place now called La Carneille near to Briouze in
Normandy, the original home of the Braose family. William de Chernella
witnessed two of William de Braose's charters in England so he clearly
followed him to England and became part of his local entourage.
It seems very likely that the castle at Chennelsbrook may have been occupied
by William de Chernella whose name has been retained in the brook and farm.
The name continued to develop in England and may have been the origin of
some of the Knill and Knelle families.
I have been occupied in some research on this topic with Ana Lupperz.
I have sent a copy of her article on the subject to your private email
address.
I visited the area but could see no trace of any remains. Have you seen
anything?
Doug Thompson
--
http://freespace.virgin.net/doug.thompson/BraoseWeb/stage.htm
On 5/2/09 20:52, in article
1f8c77f8-9ca0-40e0...@p2g2000prn.googlegroups.com, "wasfuman"
Renia
> Good people,
>
> Not a mile from where I reside in Horsham, West Sussex, lies the site
> of an early residential castle (Motte & Bailey) dating to the end of
> the 11th century, presumed constructed by William de Braose or Philip
> his son some time before his banishment in 1110. It forms the
> northernmost of the string of castles (Bramber, Knepp, and Sedgewick
> being the others) which occupy the long strip of the Rape of Bramber.
> It lies on the northern fringe of St Leonard's Forest which was at one
> time the hunting park of the de Braose's.
>
> Does anyone know anything about this castle? I cannot find any data or
> documentary references anywhere except a short 2 page article on the
> remains written in 1936 by one Hugh Braun and which was published in
> Vol 77 of the S.A.C.
British History online has nothing, either, except to say:
QUOTE (from VCH Sx)
In the mid 10th century much of the parish, including land called
Horsham, was detached pasture belonging to Washington manor. (fn. 38)
The estate which four knights held at Washington in 1086 and which
apparently did not lie in Washington parish perhaps included land in
Horsham. (fn. 39) Much land in the parish was later held in demesne,
like Washington, by the Braose family and its successors. (fn. 40)
...
[and]
No manor house of Horsham manor is known; the house called The Manor
House in 1982 belonged to Hewells manor.
ENDQUOTE
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=18351
You may have to nip down to Chichester for some more in-depth searching.
It's likely no one has done any work on this castle, so may be ripe for
research.