Marlipins stands in the High Street at Shoreham-by-Sea, and when passing, the building seems to say ' look at me, I'm still here', and like the facade of the building it has a somewhat chequered history.

 

Marlipins - view from the High Street

 

Shoreham is an ancient town and was here before the Normans came. In olden days it was known as 'Soraham' and the village here along with the church were of Saxon origin. The church, St. Mary's de Haure (St. Mary of the harbour), can be seen in the Sussex churches section or Click here.

 

Once the Normans came, the town was raised from a modest beginning to one of the most important ports on the south coast all within a hundred years. Marlipins was sited in the centre of the old town around 1100 until the sea washed away the southern part of 'New Shoreham' in the 14th and 15th centuries which crippled the town's trade and the harbour.

 

Built in the 13th century from Caen stone, the exact purpose of this building is still unknown. It has during it's remarkable past been used for many purposes by crown, commerce and clergy but is now a museum holding a history of the building itself and Shoreham-by-Sea.

 

The name 'Marlipins' has caused many to ponder on it's title and some explanations have been proffered, though none have been accepted as it's true meaning. Perhaps the purpose of this building and it's unusual name will be lost forever in the sands of time, or maybe you know different!

 

Built in the early 12th century, it is basically Norman in origin and was more likely to have been built for some civic use. The De Braose family held the Rape of Bramber in which lay the port of Shoreham and taxes were collected with much vigour by the bailiffs and it would seem likely that the building was a store and office for containing such taxes which in those days were often paid in kind - casks of wine, lasts of hides, sacks of wool, etc were given in lieu of coin.

 

This photograph is of the ground floor which is now a few feet lower than the road and footpath outside. The central beam running the length of the building is 40 foot in length and is made from a single piece of oak .

 

 

The museum houses some fine exhibits of both modern and historical origins. And a full history of Shoreham-by-Sea can be found here along with other worthwhile publications. There are artifacts from the very beginnings of life around Sussex through to the wars with a bent on the sea trade around the area.

 

A day out in Shoreham is well worth while, taking in 'Marlipins', both old and new Shoreham churches, the old toll bridge are worth a visit, as is the distinctly 'art deco' style of Shoreham airport.

 

This exposed section of the flint walling can be seen on the upper floor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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