Old Hampshire Mapped
Cox's Hampshire
Transcription (8)Christchurch
Twinamburn
Christchurch Castle
Christchurch Priory
de Ridvers, Richard
Flambard, Ralph
Durham, Bishop of
Mews, Peter, Sir
Eterick, William
customs officer
smuggling
Avon, River
Alaun, River
Stour, River
Christ Church, where it meets the Stour which comes out of Dorsetshire: This is a large and populous Town and Borough, governed by a Mayor, Recorder, Bailiffs, Aldermen and Common Council. 'Twas anciently called Twinamburn, because it was situated between the two forementioned Rivers, and is now called commonly Christ Church, from the Dedication of the Church to Christ.
Here was a strong Castle formerly, built by Richard de Ridvers, and a College of Prebendaries, founded in the Times of the Saxons; but being faln to decay thro' Age, Ralph Flambard, Bishop of Durham, repaired it and restored the Prebendaries; whom Richard de Ridvers, Earl of Devonshire in the Reign of King Henry I. richly endowed, as they continued to the Dissolution.
The Market is here on [ ] weekly, and the Fairs on [ ] It sends its Representatives to Parliament, which are at present Sir Peter Mews Knt. and William Eterick Esq; Here are also several Officers employed to look after the Customs, but it is rather to prevent Merchants smuggling their Goods in these remote Parts, than in expectation of raising Moneys by that Impost on Merchandize, there being no foreign Trade maintained here worth mentioning. The Stour and Avon being united at this Town, pass on in one Stream for some Space, and empty themselves into the Sea at one Mouth.
Ptolemy calls the Avon the Alaun: Mr. Camden is of Opinion, that that is the true Name, because there are several Villages lying upon it, that bear some similitude to it, as Allinton and Allingham, or Ellingham; for he thinks it not probable that so many Rivers in England should be called by the general Name Avon, which in the British Language signifies a River, and have no particular Name of Distinction. Having surveyed the Towns on this River, we shall steer our course Eastward, and there we meet with
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