Aldwick Hundred
The Hundred of Aldwick was the primary administrative and judicial division for the Bognor Regis area throughout the Saxon and Medieval periods. In the Saxon "Hundred" system, these districts were designed to consist of 100 "hides" (a hide being a unit of land sufficient to support one family).
1. Geography and Extent
The Hundred of Aldwick was unusually shaped, consisting of a large coastal block and several "detached" inland portions. It was part of the Rape of Chichester.
The Coastal Core: This included Aldwick, Bognor, Pagham, and Bersted.
The Detached Parishes: Remarkably, the Hundred also included inland areas like Slindon, Tangmere, and East Lavant.
The Reason: These lands were grouped together because they were all owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Hundred was essentially a "liberty," meaning the Archbishop had jurisdiction over these lands rather than the local Earl or Sheriff.
2. The "Moot" (The Meeting Place)
Every Hundred had a meeting place where the "Hundred Court" was held every few weeks to settle land disputes, deal with petty crimes, and collect taxes.
Location: While the exact spot of the Aldwick Moot is lost to history, it is traditionally believed to have been an open-air site near the historic center of Aldwick village (likely near the high ground around Barton Manor or the original Aldwick Farm).
The Suitors: Local freemen were required to attend these meetings to act as witnesses or jurors, a system that formed the basis of the English common law jury.
3. Transition from Pagham to Aldwick
In the early Saxon period (c. 7th–9th centuries), this area was often referred to as the Hundred of Pagham.
The Name Change: By the time of the Domesday Book (1086) and into the 12th century, the name shifted to the Hundred of Aldwick.
The Significance: This shift suggests that the administrative "weight" moved from the religious center at Pagham to a more secular or manorial center at Aldwick.
4. Administrative Responsibilities
The Hundred of Aldwick was responsible for:
The Hue and Cry: If a crime was committed, the men of the Hundred were legally bound to hunt the criminal.
Taxation: Collecting the "Danegeld" and later royal taxes.
Infrastructure: Ensuring the "rifes" (ditches) and coastal defenses were maintained to prevent flooding.
