Old Hampshire Mapped

Blome's Hampshire

within land those of Malwood, Winchester, and Odiam, a place so strong, that in the reign of King John, thirteen English men defended the Fort for fifteen dayes against the powerful assault of Lewis of France.

New Forest

In this County is New-Forest, formerly called Ytene, being about 30 miles in compass; in which said tract William the Conqueror (for the making of the said Forest a harbour for Wild-beasts for his Game) caused 36 Parish Churches, with all the Houses thereto belonging, to be pulled down, and the poor Inhabitants left succourless of house or home. But this wicked act did not long go unpunished, for his Sons felt the smart thereof; Richard being blasted with a pestilent Air; Rufus shot through with an Arrow; and Henry his Grand-child, by Robert his eldest son, as he pursued his Game, was hanged among the boughs, and so dyed. This Forest at present affordeth great variety of Game, where his Majesty oft-times withdraws himself for his divertisement.

It is severed into forty Hundreds, whose names are set down in the Mapp, in which are numbered 253 Parish Churches; and is traded unto by 18 Market-towns, besides those in the isle of Wight, which I shall anon treat of.

Winchester, called by the Britains, Caer Gwent, and by the Romans, Venta Belgarum; a City of great antiquity, being built by King Rudhudibras about 900 years before the birth of Christ; in the Romans time it was of note for being the place where rich embroideries were made for their Emperours: In the time of the Saxons it was twice consumed by fire, and by them rebuilt, and made the Royal Seat of the West Saxon Kings, and the chief Episcopal See; and here did Egbert and Elfred, their most renowned Monarchs, receive their Crowns and regal Scepters; and here K. AEthelstane erected six houses for his Mint: But the Danes over-running all, this City sufficiently felt their fury in the reign of King Ethelbright; and in the time of the Normans, after its misfortune by fire, it was repaired, and honoured with the keeping of the publick Records of the Kingdome; and lastly it was sore oppressed in the time of the civil Wars of Maud and Stephen; but in the reign of King Edward the third, it began to raise up its drooping head, and was by him appointed the Mart for Wooll and Cloth. This City is also famous for being the Sepulcher of so many Kings and Queens: amongst which, those of most note were Egbert in Anno 836. King Ethelwolfe son to Egbert, in Anno 857. Elfred the Founder of Oxford, in Anno 901. Elfwith Queen to Elfred, in Anno 904. King Edmund in Anno 924, with his sons Elfred and Elfward. King Edred in Anno 955. King Edwy in Anno 956. Emme in Anno 1032, with her Danish Lord Canute, in Anno 1035. Hardicanute, son to Canute, in Anno 1042. And to conclude, Richard and Rufus of the Normans, in Anno 1100. It is a City pleasantly seated in a Valley, betwixt Hills, and on the banks of a delightful River, which after about ten miles course falleth into an arm of the Sea, on which Southampton is seated. As to its extent, it is a place of about a mile and an half in circuit within the walls, which gives entrance into its Suburbs by four Gates. It is a fair City, and garnished with good buildings, both publique and private, though not without waste, and unbuilt ground within its walls; for Divine worship, hath at present but five Parish Churches, besides its cathedral dedicated to the holy Trinity, a large and beautiful Structure, wherein are interred those Kings and Queens before named; adjoining to which are the Prebends houses: other buildings of note are the Bishops Palace, called Woolvey-house. A fine Hall where the Assizes and Sessions are kept for the County; in which said Hall hangeth up King Arthurs round Table, which is kept as a Monument. Without the City in the Suburbs is [a]