The Rev. Paul Trathen has a full explanation here.
But here’s the brief version- it involves a chap called Lancelot Andrewes. To quote Rev. Paul:
“The principle things to know about Andrewes?…
-he was the chief translator of what we now know as the Authorised Version of the Bible;
-he was a polyglot, mastering 24 languages, and able to preach with such power and precision that he was the preacher-of-choice to both Kings Charles;
-he was a great benefactor, giving generously of both private estate and income and the livings of the Church, entrusted to him during his times as Bishop of Chichester, Ely and Winchester;
-and his life as a scholar saw him build up and endow Pembroke College, Cambridge, who will, doubtless, also be remembering him today in chapel…
..and there is a connection to St Nicholas Rawreth? Yes, indeed.
-at the bottom of the hill that runs down from the churchyard of St Nicholas, lies the Chichester Hotel. During the 16th century the hall was the home of the Andrewes family; Lancelot was made Bishop of Chichester from 1605 until 1607, and it is to be considered likely that the hall was named by him for the eponymous city.
[The preacher at his funeral is recorded to have said of Lancelot Andrewes: “He was born in this city of London of honest and godly parents, who besides his breeding in learning left him a sufficient patrimony and inheritance, which is descended to his heir at Rawreth in Essex.”];
-it is, further, likely that, because of the family having lived here for a period, the parish living of St Nicholas, Rawreth, remained in Lancelot’s private gift of patronage in his later life;”
Just as a matter of interest – if you haven’t yet read Adam Nicolson’s ‘Power and Glory’, then you should – it’s the story of the making of the King James Bible. A fabulous book, takes you right back to a fascinating period in English history.
Thanks for the recommendation, Sid! I shall give it a read, if I can squeeze some time!