HAMPSHIRE 



ed three stories; but there is no trace of beams, 

 and it is more probable that the two ledges were 

 provided, partly as alighting-ledges, partly as a 

 safeguard against rats. In any case they are an 

 unusual feature and add largely to the interest 

 of the whole. 



Few Hampshire dovecotes can hope to rival 

 in interest the one specimen that can be men- 

 tioned here — that found at Basing House, a 

 place which bulks so large in history. Basing 

 House was, under the care of its owner, the Mar- 

 quis of Winchester, a stronghold of Royalist 

 faith and endurance through a portion of the 

 CivilWar, sustaining sieges during upwardsof 

 twoyears,untilatlengthstormedanddestroyed 

 by Cromwell early in October 1645. The im- 

 portance attached to its fall may be judged by 

 the reward of two hundred pounds awarded to 

 Colonel Hammond,who carried to London the 

 good news of the success; and a certain Mr. 

 Peters dilated in glowing terms to a rejoicing 

 Parliament upon the magnitude of both the 

 place and victory. The surrounding fortifica- 

 tionswere over amile inextent; the Old House 

 had stood for several centuries, a **nest of Idol- 



N 177 



