Old Hampshire Mapped

Blome's Hampshire

a fair Colledge, called Winchester Colledge or School, having a Warden, Masters, and an Usher, and is endowed with liberal maintenance. It is a place well inhabited and frequented; and its Markets, which are on Wednesdays and Saturdays, are well provided with all sorts of provisions, especially that on Saturdays.

It is dignified with the Title of Marquess, which at present is invested in the person of the Right Honorable John Paulet, Marquess of Winchester, &c.

The Bishops of Winchester are Chancellors to the See of Canterbury; and successively Prelates of the noble Order of the Garter. This Diocese conteineth (Besides this County, with the Isle of Wight) Surrey, and the Isles of Jarsey and Garnsey. It hath two Arch-Deacons, the one of the Winchester, and the other of Surrey.

St. Crosses Hospital.

Near unto Winchester is St. Crosses Hospital, pleasantly seated on a fine River, and endowed with liberal maintenance for the relief of twelve poor men, called Brothers, having a Master, Steward, and Sub-officers; and here, according to the institution of the House, bread and drink is given to all Travellers that will require the same.

St. Mary Magdalens-hill.

On St. Mary Magdalens-hill, within a mile of this City was an Hospital, now ruinous.

Southampton.

Southampton, commodiously seated on an Arm of the Sea, capable to receive ships of a considerable burthen to its Keys, which are fair and very convenient for the lading and unlading of goods: the opportunity of which hath made it to be a place of good trade, and well inhabited by Merchants, and Shop-keepers. The Town is well built and large, numbring five Parish Churches, besides an Hospital called Gods-house, wherein the unfortunate Richard Earl of Cambridge, who was beheaded for Treason lyeth interred; and for its security is fenced about with a double Ditch and strong walls, on which are several Watch-towers, and hath seven Gates for entrance; And the better to secure its Haven, here was built a strong Castle, which time hath reduced to ruin, seated on so great an eminence, that it cannot be ascended but by steps. This Town is said to be raised out of the ruins of the ancient Clausentum of the Romans, where they had a strong Fort, the better to secure the South-coast of these parts from the Saxons. And here it was that the powerful Canute, caused his Chair to be placed on the Sea-shoar, and proudly commanded the Waves not to approach him, or come upon his Land, but being disobeyed, he acknowledged God the Supream Lord and Governour, and in a religious devotion gave up his Crown to the rood at Winchester. It is at present a Town and County of itself, governed by a Major, Bailiffs, and Burgesses, enjoyeth large immunities, sendeth Burgesses to Parliament, is dignified with the Title of an Earldom, which at present is in the person of the Right Honorable Charles Palmer, Earl of Southampton, and Baron Limrick, &c. and its Market on Tuesdays and Thursdays, are not very great except for provisions.

Portsmouth.

Portsmouth, at present one of the best Garisons and Sea-port-towns in England, by reason of its commodious scituation, which makes it to be a place exceedingly resorted to by shipping; and is one of the usual places or stations of the Navy Royal, where his Majesty hath his Store-houses, and Docks for the building and equipping his ships; which adds no small benefit to the Town, which is large, well built, very populous, enjoyeth a good trade, and is well provided with all necessaries; amongst which, hath store of courteous women, who are much visited by the hot and eager Sea-men. This Town is seated on the Isle of Portsey, so made by the Sea, and its [two]