SELSEY, a parish in the hundred of MANHOOD, rape of CHICHESTER, county of SUSSEX, 8 miles (S.) from Chichester, containing 766 inhabitants. The living comprises a discharged vicarage and a sinecure rectory united, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chichester, the former rated in the king's books at £8, and the latter at £11. 3. 4., and in the patronage of the Bishop of Chichester. The church, dedicated to St. Peter, is a stately pile, principally in the early style of English architecture: in the middle aisle are several coffin-shaped gravestones, with crosses and various other devices; and against the north wall of the chancel is a monument to John and Agatha Lewes, of the time of Henry VIII. This parish is peninsular, having Pagham harbour on the north, the English channel on the east and south, and, at high water, a narrow stream on the west, which is crossed by a ferry a little below Littlesham, and also by a small bridge. Its name, according to Bcde, is derived from the Saxon Seals-ey, signifying the island of Seals, for the resort of which animals it was anciently noted. The village, consisting principally of one street of neatly-built houses, occupies a dry gravelly site. A court baron is annually held here, and there is a fair for toys, &c., on July 14th. A school-house was erected for children of the parish by the late Rev. William Walker. Near the church is a circular intrenched mound, supposed to be an ancient British work. A monastery, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, was founded here, about 681, by St.Wilfred, who, having previously converted many of the South Saxons to Christianity, and obtained of King Edilwach the lands of this peninsula for its endowment, placed therein some religious who had been his companions in exile, of whom Eadbercht, abbot in 711, was consecrated first bishop of the South Saxons, and fixed his episcopal seat at this place, but Bishop Stigaiidus, in 1075, procured its translation to Chichester. Vestiges of this ancient little city are mentioned, in ancient re cords, as being plainly visible at ebb-tide, and at such times are said to be still discernible, with remains of its cathedral. Selsey gives the title of baron to the family of Peachy.