Romans. In Domesday, the famous Roger de Yvery held one hyde here; but its woods were thrown into the Forest, and for this reason the manor was only rated at one half. No mention is made of its salt-works, though we know, from a grant of Richard de Redvers, in 1147, confirming his father's bequest of the tithe of them to Quarr Abbey, that they were then probably in existence.[1] Larger than Portsmouth, in 1345, it contributed nearly double the number of ships and men to Edward III.'s fleet for the invasion of France. We must not, however, conclude that it has decreased.[2] Larger now than
- ↑ The grant is given in the Appendix to Warner's South-West Parts of Hampshire, vol. ii., p. i., No. 1.
- ↑ Like those of Christchurch, the Corporation books of Lymington are full of interest, though they do not commence till after 1545, the previous records being generally supposed to have been burnt by D'Annebault in one of his raids on the south coast. Du Bellay, however, who, in his Mémoires, has so circumstantially narrated the French movements, says nothing of Lymington having suffered, nor can I find it mentioned in any of the State papers of the time. Take, for instance, the following entries from the Chamberlain's books:—
"1643. Quartering 20 soldiers one daie and night, going westward for the Parliam' service xvi.s. ij.d. 1646. For bringinge the toune cheste from Hurst Castell ij.s. 1646. Watche when the allarme was out of Wareham iiij.s 1646. For the sending a messenger to the Lord Hopton, when he lay att Winton with his army, with the toune's consent xiiij.s. 1648. For keeping a horse for the Lord General's man iij.s. x.d. 1650. Paid to Sir Thomas Fairfax his souldiers going for the isle of Wight with their general's passe xij.s." Such entries to an historian of the period would be invaluable, as showing not only the state of the country but of the town, when the town-chest had to be sent four miles for safety; and proving, too, that here (notice the fourth entry), as elsewhere, there were two nearly equally balanced factions—one for the King, the other for the Commonwealth. I may add that a little
