Basing House
Basing House, Old Basingcounty:
coords:
Hampshire
SU6652
otherwise: Love-Loyalty
The place is described in text Cox 1738
- Hampshire
Basing, a Place made famous by its Lords, who did take their Surnames from it, viz. St. Johns, Poynings and Pawlets; ...
He [William Pawlet, Lord St John, Hy VII to ElizI] built a seat here, both for Largeness and Beauty, wonderfully magnificent, which being left to his Successors, John and two Williams, was by the second John, Marquess of Winchester, made a Garrison for King Charles I. in the Beginning of his Wars with the Parliament, and much distressed the Rebel-Party by the Command it had of the Western Roads; insomuch that Basing-House was several Times besieged by their Forces under Colonel Norton, Colonel Morley, and Sir William Waller, who greatly distressed but could not take it.
When the King's Cause declined every where, Cromwell came with his victorious Troops out of the West, and attacked Basing-House, and so vigorously pushed on the Siege, that the Defendants saw it impossible for them to hold out as they had formerly done, and thereupon desired a Parly; but that general was resolved to chast[ize] then for their obstinate Loyalty, and would hearken to no Proposals, intending to take it by Storm; having therefore posted his Army about the House, the Attack was began, and Sir Hardresse Waller's and Colonel Montague's Regiments having forced the Works of the Besieged, mounted the Walls, and got into the House before the Defendants perceived their Danger; many of them were put to the Sword, Major Cuffle was killed by Major-General Harrison, and four hundred Prisoners were taken; among whom was the brave Marquess himself, and Sir Robert Peake, who commanded the Garrison under him. 'Twas taken Octob. 14, 1645.
Hugh Peters was at the taking of this House, and being come to London to make a Report of it to the Parliament, said, 'Twas an House fit an Emperor to dwell in, it was so spacious and beautiful. The Marquess from this Action called the House, Love-Loyalty, which name he had caused to be written with a Diamond in every Window, as if he would have it a perpetual Monument of his Loyalty to his Prince; but this Name so provoked the Enemy, that they burnt it to the Ground. Here was a Bed, 'tis said, valued at 1400 l. and the Plunder was so great, that a private Soldier got 300 l. in Money.
Period - 18th century, early
... On the right hand, a little before we come to the town [Basingstoke], we pass at a small distance the famous fortress, so it was then, of Basing, being a house belonging then the Marquis of Winchester, the great ancestor of the present family of the Duke of Bolton.
This house, garrison'd by a resolute band of old soldiers, was a great curb to the rebels of the Parliament Party, almost thro' that whole war; till it was, after a vigorous defence, yielded to the conquerors, by the inevitable fate of things at that time. The old house is indeed demolish'd; but the successor of the family, the first Duke of Bolton, has erected a very noble fabrick in the same place, or near it, which, however, is not equal to the magnificence which fame gives to the ancient house, whose strength of building only, besides the out-works, withstood the battery of cannon in several attacks, and repuls'd the Roundheads, three or four times, when they attempted to besiege it: 'Tis incredible what booty the garrison of this place pick'd up, lying, as they did, just on the great western road, where they intercepted the carriers, plunder'd the waggons, and suffer'd nothing to pass; to the great interruption of the trade of the city of London.
Not far off [Basingstoke] is Basing house, built by William Pawlet Ld. St. John of Basing, & E. & Marquis of Winchester; a person so favoured for his integrity & councells, that he served in the highest Offices of Trust, under K. Hen. 7th. & K Hen. 8th. K. Ed. 6th. Q. Mar. & Q. Eliz. John Marquis of Winchester that brave Loyalist of the same Family, and Name, made this House a Garrison for K. Charles the 1st. in the beginning of the Civill Wars, and it was several times besieged by the by the Parliament-Party in vain, till Cromwell with his victorious Troops attacked & took it by Storm, the Marquis & St. Tho. Peak who did command under him, were made Prisoners, & this Stately House burnt to the Ground, by the Parliament Army, provoked at the Name of Love Loyalty, wch. the sd. Marq. had given given it, & caused to be written in every Window with a Diamond Ring. The late D. of Bolton, hath rebuilt some convenient Lodgings out of its ruins, but his cheif Seats are Hawkwood, and Abbotstone both near it.
Period - 17th century
Not far distant [from Basingstoke] is Basing-house, once a stately and beautiful Structure, but suffered much in the late unhappy wars.
- Hantshire
Period - 1600s
... Sir William Powlet who being made Baron. Saint John of Basing by King Henrie the Eighth, and created by King Edward the Sixth first Earle of Wilshire, and afterward Marquesse of Winchester, and withall was Lord Treasurer of England, having in a troublesome time runne through the highest honours, fulfilled the course of nature with the satietie of this life, and that in great prosperity, (a rare blessing among Courteours) after he had built a most sumptuous house heere, for the spacious largenesse thereof admirable to the beholders, untill for the great and chargeable reparations his successors pulled downe a good part of it.
Shown on an old map by Norden 1607
- house - Basingestoke extra Hundred - Hamshire
Period - 1590s-1600s
Shown on an old map by Saxton 1575
- house - Southamtoniae
