TOWNSPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT ON
CHICHESTER
BY LISAMARIE LAMB
Chichester is the county town of West Sussex, and- in a simultaneously endearing and contrary way- is also West Sussex’ s only city thanks to the stunning Chichester Cathedral. Look at Chichester on a map and you will see it sandwiched perfectly between the South Downs on one side and Chichester Harbour on the other; both of these are considered to be Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and along with stunning beaches, a beautiful and dramatic coastline, and plenty of modern amenities, Chichester really does have it all.
History in Brief
Chichester was an important area during the Roman invasion of 43AD; it was where weapons were stored, and where soldiers built their barracks. In fact, so comfortable was the area around Chichester, that some of the more senior members of the Roman military decided to make it a more permanent place to live and built villas there. An aerial view of the city will show long, straight roads that radiate out from a central point – this is exactly how the Romans built roads, and something that Chichester has kept for millennia. As well as by building roads, the Romans branded Chichester with their recognisable stamp by also constructing a massive wall( that measured in at almost seven-foot thick), Roman baths, and an amphitheatre.
The Romans made way for the Anglo-Saxons towards the end of the fifth century AD. The Saxons were more than happy to make use of the buildings and structures that the Romans left behind, including the enormous city wall... or what was left of it. In 878-879, Alfred the Great concluded that whatever had been inside those walls must have been pretty special, so he rebuilt them and then rebuilt the city itself.
Chichester has remained an important and well-loved city for many centuries. It was even used as a bargaining tool and given as a gift when Roger de Montgomerie, first Earl of Shrewsbury, received the city in its entirely just after the Battle of Hastings, for fighting so well- the title‘ Earl of Arundel’ was created just so that the dominant landowner of the time could have a title. Today, the city is as popular as ever.
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