The Bowles of Sussex

under construction

William Bolle, a Sussex Hermit

In 1402, William Bolle, the rector of Aldrington, Sussex, requested and received permission to adopt the holy life of an 'anchorite' or religious hermit.

MINUTE OR RECORD.
"Likewise on the 20th day of the month of December, in the Cathedral Church of Chichester. the Lord (Bishop) secluded Master William Bolle, his Chaplain, rector of the Parochial Church of Aldrington in his Diocese into a certain dwelling place in the cemetery to the north of the said church; to exercise and live therein the life of an anchorite to the end of his life."

See also A Sussex Hermit, the story of William Bolle which contradicts the above as it states that William was still living in his cell at Chichester Cathedral in 1415. In case that site disappears, I have included a copy of the text of the article here.