Chronicles (1 of 6): The Description of BritaineHolinshed, Raphael
History
Chronicles (1 of 6): The Description of Britaine
Holinshed, Raphael
Great Britain -- History -- To 1485; Great Britain -- History -- Tudors, 1485-1603
[Sidenote: Southhampton.]
Now come we to the hauen of Southhampton, by Ptolomie called Magnus
portus, which I will briefelie describe so néere as I can possiblie. The
bredth or entrie of the mouth hereof (as I take it) is by estimation two
miles from shore to shore. At the west point therof also is a strong
castell latelie builded, which is rightlie named Caldshore, but now
Cawshot, I wote not by what occasion. On the east side thereof also is a
place called Hoke (afore mentioned) or Hamell hoke; wherein are not
aboue thrée or foure fisher houses, not worthie to be remembred. This
hauen shooteth vp on the west side by the space of seuen miles, vntill
it come to Hampton towne, standing on the other side, where it is by
estimation a mile from land to land. Thence it goeth vp further about
thrée miles to Redbridge, still ebbing and flowing thither, and one mile
further, so farre as my memorie dooth serue mée. Now it resteth that I
describe the Alresford streame, which some doo call the Arre or Arle,
and I will procéed withall in this order following.
[Sidenote: Alresford.]
The Alresford beginneth of diuerse faire springs, about a mile or more
fr[=o] Alresford, or Alford as it is now called, and soone after
resorting to one bottome, they become a broad lake, which for the most
part is called Alford pond. Afterward returning againe to a narrow
chanell, it goeth through a stone bridge at the end of Alford towne
(leauing the towne it selfe on the left hand) toward Hicthingstocke
thrée miles off, but yer it commeth there, it receiueth two rils in one
bottome, whereof one commeth from the Forrest in maner at hand, and by
northwest of old Alresford, the other fr[=o] Browne Candiuer, that goeth
by Northenton, Swarewotton, Aberstone, &c: vntill we méet with the said
water beneath Alford towne. Being past Hichinstocke, it commeth by
Auington to Eston village, and to Woorthie, where it beginneth to
branch, and ech arme to part it selfe into other that resort to Hide and
the lower soiles by east of Winchester, there seruing the stréets, the
close of S. Maries, Wolueseie, and the new college verie plentifullie
with their water. But in this meane while, the great streame commeth
from Worthie to the east bridge, and so to saint Elizabeth college,
where it dooth also part in twaine, enuironing the said house in most
delectable maner. After this it goeth toward S. Crosses, leauing it a
quarter of a mile on the right hand: then to Twiford (a mile lower)
where it gathereth againe into one bottome, and goeth six miles further
[Sidenote: Otter.]
to Woodmill, taking the Otter brooke withall on the east side, and so
into the salt créeke that leadeth downe to the hauen.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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