Se 
By T. H. Baker. 241 
manor for the time being, but not by the King himself, and as’ the 
castle at Mere was built about the time the royal palace at Gilling- 
ham was allowed to fall to decay it is clear that since that period 
no royal personage has dwelt at Mere Park. 
The tract of ground enclosed as a park consists of about 550 
acres, on the borders of the parish adjoming Hast Knoyle and 
Sedgehill, whilst outside the boundary a deer leap is claimed of the 
width of 184ft., and the wood upon it is the right of the possessor 
of the park. On the south side it is bounded by Gillingham, where 
is also a deer leap. The ancient residence, now destroyed, was 
situated at Higher Park, and was originally moated round. The 
modern house, at Lower Park, was built about 1726. 
A. curious letter dated 9th of January, 1552, was written by Sir 
John Zouche (who was then steward of the park and lordship of 
Mere, and who probably resided at the mansion in the park at the 
time), from which it appears that it was then intended to sell the 
entire manor of Mere, to which he was opposed :— 
“To the right honorable the King’s Maiesties Commyssioners appointed for 
the sale of his Highness landes.” 
“Jt may please your honoures to be advertysed, I have been enformed that 
there is sute made unto yowe for the purchasse of the Lordshipp of Myeare, in 
the countye of Wilteshyre, whereof I have the Stuardshipp and keping of the 
Parke, by grant of our late soverayne Lord, King Henry theight. And because 
I knowe the royaltie of the thing, and what number of gentlemen of great 
revenue dwell within it,'and hold their lands of it, what a lardge circuyte of 
grounde it occupyethe, above XXti myles compasse, that it is parcell of the 
auncyent revenue of the King Maiesties Crowne of his Duchie of Cornwall: And 
that it is a lordshipp royall, with a faier parke belonging unto yt, I thought it 
my parte to advertyse your honours thereof to thintente that if any further suite 
be made unto yowe in the case, yowe may, for the reasonable considerations before 
~ yemembred, staye from proceeding with the partie suying to entre into bargayne- 
In dede the late Lord Sturton, in the tyme of the late King Henry theight, 
was very desirous of the purchase of it ; which when his maiestie understode, 
he did furthwith stay it, although the money were before hand paid. Thus I 
thought my duety to opyn unto yowe; whiche done, I shall most humbly beseche 
God to prosper yowe all in all your doinge. And so rest at your commandment. 
Frome Wilton, the ixth of January, 1552. 
“Yo hono™ most humbly at commaundment, 
“JoHn ZoucHs.” 
1577, Mr ffrancis Zouch was keeper of the park at Mere. 
