The History of Lymington. 155 



Eomans. 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 w'ere then 

 probably in existence.* 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. f Larger now than 



* The grant is given in the Appendix to Warner's South- West Parts of 

 Hampshire^ vol. ii., p. i., No. 1 . 



f 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, how- 

 ever, who, in his Memoi?-es, has so circumstantially narrated the French 

 movements, siys nothing of Lymington having suffered, nor can I find the 

 fact 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 dale and night, going 



westward for the Parliam* service 

 1646. For bringinge the toune chestefrom Hurst Castell 

 1646. Watche when the allarme was out of Wareham 

 1646. For the sending a messenger to the Lord Ilopton, 



when he lay att Winton with his army, with 



the toune's consent ..... 



1648. For keeping a horse for the Lord General's man 

 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 tlie 

 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 



X 2 1.55 



