Publications
Looking Back in Sussex: The Story of the Manhood and West Wittering down to Domesday, by W. E. P. Done, published 1953 (176 pp., Faber & Faber Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 97] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
the story of the Manhood and West Wittering down to Domesday
Review by L. F. [L. Fleming] in Sussex Notes and Queries, May 1954:The author of this pleasant, well written and well produced book quotes Belloc to attest his love of Sussex, and sees his theme with a poet's more than an historian's eye.
He discourses of early man in this country, before the Conquest, from a local stance, perhaps, but not very much of Sussex or the Manhood. Some of the early chapters are good, well-digested Gordon Childe. For Roman times the author invokes V.C.H. Sussex III. But a "caveat" must be entered. S. E. Winbolt's services to Sussex archaeology were outstanding, especially in popularising field work. But both he and Heron-Allen were sometimes carried away by their enthusiasm. For instance the head of Germanicus, illustrated in V.C.H., was Roman but not of local origin. Closer examination revealed that it had been repaired in modern times. And the legend of the Roman foundations of Bosham Church was contradicted, by inference, in Clapham's "English Romanesque Architecture," and in Baldwin Brown's "Anglo-Saxon Architecture."
Regarding the Belgi, no evidence from excavations has yet been found to confirm that these people occupied the site of Chichester. I do not know the evidence for the author's assertion that the Belgi stormed the Trundle. The author's speculations on Pagham Harbour and Cumeneshora-Kynor, following S.A.C. liii, 8, but the author, information in "History of Pagham." I am loth to give up Cumeneshora-Kynor, following S.A.C. liii, 8, but the author, after Eric E. Barker, S.A.C. lxxxvi, 64, may be right.
Chapter XIII affords a useful summary of the descent of the South Saxon monarchy. The last two chapters come home and are valuable in drawing attention to interesting topics, the former extent of commons and roadside wastes in the district, and the possible course of Roman roads.
There is no reference to Dr. Wilson's reports on the excavations directed by him on behalf of the Chichester Civic Society, nor to the aerial photographs lately taken of the Selsey peninsula, that have given rise to interesting hypotheses regarding the Roman economy. Further light on the subjects discussed in the book under review, can be shed by excavation, work for experts as the author says, but for the amateur too.
He discourses of early man in this country, before the Conquest, from a local stance, perhaps, but not very much of Sussex or the Manhood. Some of the early chapters are good, well-digested Gordon Childe. For Roman times the author invokes V.C.H. Sussex III. But a "caveat" must be entered. S. E. Winbolt's services to Sussex archaeology were outstanding, especially in popularising field work. But both he and Heron-Allen were sometimes carried away by their enthusiasm. For instance the head of Germanicus, illustrated in V.C.H., was Roman but not of local origin. Closer examination revealed that it had been repaired in modern times. And the legend of the Roman foundations of Bosham Church was contradicted, by inference, in Clapham's "English Romanesque Architecture," and in Baldwin Brown's "Anglo-Saxon Architecture."
Regarding the Belgi, no evidence from excavations has yet been found to confirm that these people occupied the site of Chichester. I do not know the evidence for the author's assertion that the Belgi stormed the Trundle. The author's speculations on Pagham Harbour and Cumeneshora-Kynor, following S.A.C. liii, 8, but the author, information in "History of Pagham." I am loth to give up Cumeneshora-Kynor, following S.A.C. liii, 8, but the author, after Eric E. Barker, S.A.C. lxxxvi, 64, may be right.
Chapter XIII affords a useful summary of the descent of the South Saxon monarchy. The last two chapters come home and are valuable in drawing attention to interesting topics, the former extent of commons and roadside wastes in the district, and the possible course of Roman roads.
There is no reference to Dr. Wilson's reports on the excavations directed by him on behalf of the Chichester Civic Society, nor to the aerial photographs lately taken of the Selsey peninsula, that have given rise to interesting hypotheses regarding the Roman economy. Further light on the subjects discussed in the book under review, can be shed by excavation, work for experts as the author says, but for the amateur too.
The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, West Wittering, by W. E. P. Done, published 1958 (pamphlet) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 6549]
Saxon Cross in West Wittering Church, by W. E. P. Done, published May 1961 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XV no. 7, article, pp.228-229) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8233] & The Keep [LIB/500217] & S.A.S. library
The Parish Church of SS. Peter and Paul, West Wittering, by His Honour W. E. P. Done, published 1965 (pamphlet, 40 pp., West Wittering Parochial Council) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8250][Lib 4971] & East Sussex Libraries
Review by G. D. J. [G. D. Johnston] in Sussex Notes and Queries, Mat 1966:This edition is greatly enlarged and incorporates many new points of interest (the main ones being pointed out in the Preface). It is very well compiled and is a mine of information about the Church and its origins and at the same time very readable and should interest all in the Manhood. The mediaeval stone ladder or stairway to the Bells is included in the photographs reproduced as plates - all of which are clear.
Notes on the Sussex Family of Savage, by W. E. P. Done, published 1967 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 105, article, pp.76-83) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2190] & The Keep [LIB/500324] & S.A.S. library