The name Bosham is either derived from the old English 'Bosanhamm' - Bosa’s water meadow as it was known in 750AD, or possibly 'Boscusham' meaning wood hamlet. Formerly in the province of the South Saxons and the Earldom of Wessex, it became Boseham in 1086, 20 years after the Norman conquest. Bede tells us that before St. Wilfrid established Christianity in the Parish a Benedictine monk named Dicul built a monastery here c.680AD. The population in 1901 was 1,149, today it is around 2,700.

Bosham is thought by many to be the birth and burial place of the last Saxon King: Harold, King of England & Earl of Wessex. It was from Bosham that he sailed for Normandy in 1064 and both he and Bosham Church are depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. Other historic characters include King Canute (Cnut) of "turning the tide" fame and Herbert of Bosham, biographer and friend of Archbishop Thomas Becket, murdered by King Henry II... more

Learn about Water issues (fresh and sea) in Bosham

"Better to have been a fisherman at Bosham, my good Herbert,
Thy birthplace, the sea creek, the petty rill, That falls into it the green field,
the grey church the simple lobster basket and the mesh."
Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

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Planning for Bosham & the district’s future:

A new planning framework for the district is being prepared – the Local Development Framework (LDF) by Chichester District Council. It will shape the way we live in the area over the next 10-20 years. More here

Some Bosham Roads flood at high tide

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