Winchester
Winchester (19th century)The place is described in text Cobbett 1830
... The fertility of this vale [River Itchen], and of the surrounding country, is best proved by the fact, that, besides the town of Alresford and that of Southampton, there are seventeen villages, each having its parish church, upon its borders. When we consider these things we are nor surprised that a spot, situated about half way down this vale should have been chosen for the building of a city, or that that city should have been for a great number of years a place of residence for the Kings of England.
...
Winchester, which is at present a mere nothing to what it once was, stands across the vale at a place where the vale is made very narrow by the jutting forward of two immense hills. From the point where the river passes through the city, you go, whether eastward or westward, a full mile up a very steep hill all the way. The city is, of course, in one of the deepest holes that can be imagined. It never could have been thought of as a place to be defended since the discovery of gunpowder; and, indeed, one would think that very considerable annoyance might be given to the inhabitants even by the flinging of the flint-stones from the hills down into the city.
...
... up upon the downs to the north of Winchester race-course. Here, looking back at the city and at the fine valley above and below it, and at the many smaller valleys that run down from the high ridges into that great and fertile valley, I could not help admiring the taste of the ancient kings, who made this city (which once covered all the hill round about, and which contained 92 churches and chapels) a chief place of their residence. There are not many finer spots in England; and if I were to take in a circle of eight or ten miles of semi-diameter, I should say that I believe there is not one so fine. Here are hill, dell, water, meadows, woods, corn-fields, downs; and all of them very fine and very beautifully disposed. ...
Shown on an old map by Perrot 1823
- Hamp
Period - 19th century, early
a city in Hampshire, governed by a mayor, with a market on Wdnesday and Saturday. The walls, which are greatly decayed, are a mile and a half in circuit, and through them are four gates. Here are eight churches, beside the cathedral, ... On a fine eminence overlooking the city, stood the castle, ... Near the site of this castle is the shell of a palace, built by Charles II, but never finished: it is now converted into a barrack for 1800 infantry, and the wings fitted up for the officers. ... Winchester was of great note in the time of the Saxons, and here Egbert was crowned the first sole monarch of England. Here Henry II held a parliament, king John resided, Henry III was born, Richard II held a parliament, and Henry IV was married, as was also Mary I. The number of inhabitants was 5826 in 1801, and 6705 in 1811. It is seated on the Itchen, which is navigable hence to Southampton, 21m NW Chichetser, and 62 W by N [sic] London. Lon. 1 12 W, lat. 51 4 N.
Hampshire ...Southampton is the county-town, but the assizes are held at Winchester.
Itchen or Alre, a river in Hampshire, ... flows by Winchester ...
