The Barttelots are said
to have come over with William the Conqueror and owned property in
the area by at least 1296, marrying into the de Stopham family to
create the local dynasty. At one time, it was said, the Barttelots
could ride from Stopham to Horsham without leaving their lands.
The church dates from
the late 11th century and is little altered, still showing the
remnants of Saxon building styles especially in two very tall arches
in the north and south walls of the nave and the triangular arch into
the later tower.
The chancel is divided
from the nave by a circular Norman arch and is unusual in having
another arch at the east end creating a separate sanctuary.
The east
window is much later (15th century) and could have been
transferred from the Barttelot's original house nearby when they
moved to a much bigger place on the River Arun next to Stopham
Bridge. Originally, it is thought, the sanctuary could have been a
circular apse.
The stained glass in
the east window and the north nave window is a 17th
century tribute to the nobility and lineage of the Barttelots. The
east window is filled with their armorial bearings, and the nave
window with a remarkable picture of Sir Brian de Stopham, who died in
1273, and a 17th century Barttelot. It was made in
Flanders and is signed Roelant.
The Barttelots are also
memorialised in brass. Brasses cover the aisle from nave to chancel,
recording members of the family from John and Joan in 1428 to Richard
and his two wives (and nine children!) from 1614.
The Barttelot family
still live in the area, but sadly their grand country house has been
converted into flats.
