Old Hampshire Mapped
Leland's Hampshire 1635-43
Transcription (36)Ports Bridge to Southwick
Portsdown
Southwick
Black Canons
East Bere Forest
West Bere Forest
From Porteberidge partely by Portdown a playn ground, partely by woodde, to Southwike a 4. miles.
Southwik is a good bigge thorough fare but no celebrate market. The fame of it stoode by the priory of the Blake Chanons there and a pilgrimage to our Lady.
Minns:- The priory was originally founded within Portchester Castle in the reign of Henry I., but within fifty years was removed to Southwick, the church and buildings being within the limits of the present park.
Here lyith by est Southwike a great forest ground wel woddyd caullid Est Bere, welle replenished with deere.
Minns:- The Forest of Bere included about 16,000 acres of land, and in 1800 contained about 200 head of deer. In 1850 it was disafforested and divided among the commoners.
There is a nother chace and forest ground of this name a 3. or 4. miles by west of Winchestre, and is caullid the Forest of West Bere.
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