Pitsea was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as ‘Piceseia’.  At the time Pitsea was home to 21 households as well as 190 sheep and 1 mill. 

Wikipedia lists the different variations the town was known as over the years: ‘Pichesey(e), Pikeseye, Pithesey, Petchesey(e), Pisseye, Pitchesey, Pytsay, Pittessey, Pytchey, Pitsey.’

 

‘Pitsea’ is thought to mean ‘Pics Island’ and refers to Pitsea Mount. 

 

Today the town is made up of Burnt Mills, Chalvedon, Eversley, Felmores and Pitsea Mount.

 

The Church of Saint Michael's sits atop Pitsea Mount and overlooks the town of Pitsea as well as Pitsea marshes. 

 

The view from the top of the mount is obscured by the trees and bushes that have grown now the churchyard is no longer tended as it once was.  This isn't to say that the area isn't looked after.  The church fell in to disuse during the early 1980's and was confirmed as redundant in 1983. 

 

In recent years the main body of the church has been removed, the site tidied and the tower used to house a mobile phone mast. The tower is thought to date from the 1600's but the church was rebuilt in the 1870's.

 

Next to the remaining tower lies the grave of Ann Freeman who died on 20 March 1879.  Below her name it reads 'Here lies a weak and sinful worm, the vilest of her race.  Saved through Gods electing love, his free and sovereign grace.'  This appears to be a 'prayer' rather than a character reference.

 

A large landmark in Pitsea is the Tesco Extra Store.  This originally opened in 1978 and, at the time, was the largest supermarket in Europe.  In 1997 it became the first Tesco Extra store.

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