OSYTH-GHICH (ST.), a parish in the hundred of
TENDRING, county of ESSEX, 11 miles (S. L.) from Colchester,
containing 1414 inhabitants. The living is;a
perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry of Colchester,
and diocese of London, and in the patronage of F. Nassau,
Esq. The church is a large, irregular building,
some parts being of considerable antiquity, and others
of the time of Henry VI.: in the chancel are two hand- .
some' monuments in alabaster, erected to the memory
of the two first Lords D'Arcy, and their wives. A
creek, or arm of the river Coin, dividing into two
branches, leads to two wharfs in this parish, and is
navigable for barges and sloops. At the south-eastern
boundary are a martello tower, for the defence of the
coast, and a signal station. A school is endowed with
land producing about £7 per annum. This place,
remarkable for the remains of its noble monastery,
derives its name from St. Osyth, daughter of Redwald,
King of East Anglia, who, having made a vow of virginity,
retired hither, where she founded a church and a
nunnery; these were afterwards plundered by the Daneswho
beheaded the foundress near an adjacent fountain
About the year 1118, Belmeis, Bishop of London, esta;
Wished a priory for Augustine canons on the supposed
site of the nunnery, which, at the dissolution, had a
revenue of £758. 5. 8. The quadrangle of this building
is almost entire, excepting part of the north side, where
are some modern apartments; the entrance is by abeau
tiful gateway of hewn stone, mixed with flints,'. having
two towers and posterns; to the east are three towers
one larger and loftier than the rest.