Winchelsea Church, South East, England

While the church is the primary medieval building we need to look at the history of the town to understand it.   Due to coastal erosion the town petitioned the king for help in 1236 but it wasn’t until 1282 that the king send his treasurer and mayor of London to report on the state of Winchelsea.  The report came back that it was in a parlous condition with a large part already having been destroyed the rest in imminent danger. 

It was agreed that the town was of great value to the realm and it should be rebuilt on a safer site but that it was beyond the financial resources of the inhabitants to do so.  They advised that national funds should be lent for the purpose.  Edward I set up a new site for the town and plans were drawn up for roads, wharves, cellars, public buildings and a church. 

The king seems to have taken a personal interest in this town and paid visits in person. The town was planned to be much larger than what we see today.  Winchelsea suffered from attacks by the French in the 14th and 15th centuries. It was burnt and pillaged.  What is remarkable about the town is that the layout of the town and plots of land are much today as they were when created in the 13th century. 

The church was planned to be large and magnificent and whether it was ever fully completed is unknown but today only the chancel and chapels remain. They appear out of proportion when viewed on their own but we can imagine that the site would have held a much larger church on the two acres that were set aside of its building.