- Chichester
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Chich·es·ter (chĭchʹĭ-stər)
A municipal borough of southern England near the English Channel east of Southampton. Called Regnum by the Romans, it was a major port in the Middle Ages. Population: 24,300.
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I. Chichesterthe main town of West Sussex, England. It is known for its 18th–century architecture and for the Chichester Festival, a theatre festival that takes place every summer.II. Francis Chichester (1901–72)an English yachtsman. In 1960 he won the first race across the Atlantic for people sailing alone in yachts. He is best remembered for sailing alone round the world at the age of 65 in 1966–7. He was made a knight in 1967.* * *
It is located northeast of Portsmouth. The basic plan of the Roman town is preserved in the modern one. The area is mainly residential and agricultural. Chichester is noted for its early Norman cathedral, begun in the late 11th century, and for its pastoral landscapes.* * *
city, Chichester district, administrative county of West Sussex, historic county of Sussex, England. It lies on the coastal plain of the English Channel at the foot of the chalk South Downs a mile from the head of Chichester Harbour, with which it is connected by canal. The basic plan of the Roman town (Noviomagus Regnensium) is preserved in the modern city, and the elaborate octagonal Market Cross (1501) marks the town centre. Alongside is the cathedral, founded when the see was transferred from nearby Selsey in 1075 and dedicated in 1108. There are examples of the Norman and the Early English styles of architecture. It is unique among English cathedrals in having a detached Perpendicular-style bell tower, a skillful replacement of the original 14th-century structure, which collapsed in 1861. The bishop's palace nearby retains its Early English-style chapel. Several medieval churches, as well as part of the medieval city wall, are preserved. There are also many Georgian buildings.During the Middle Ages Chichester was an important centre of the English wool trade, and its wool staple (right to trade in wool) was probably established as early as 1314. It was incorporated earlier than 1135, the date of the extant charter.Chichester remains an agricultural market and is a district shopping and service centre and the county town (seat) for West Sussex, as well as a cultural centre of distinction. The extensive sheltered harbour is a sailing resort, and Goodwood (3 mi northeast) is the scene of a fashionable English horse-race meeting. Pop. (2001) 27,477.district, administrative county of West Sussex, historic county of Sussex, England. It comprises the smaller City of Chichester plus a wide rural area. The district is mainly residential and agricultural with most of the land designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Great Landscape Value. Chichester is known for its cathedral and harbour for sailing; there is a Roman palace at Fishbourne, a villa at Bignor, and the Cowdray ruins at Midhurst. Area 304 square miles (787 square km). Pop. (2001) 106,445.* * *
Universalium. 2010.