The History of Lyminyton. 



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.* 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. | 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 Memoires, 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 1 service . . xvi.s. ij.rf. 



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.*. 



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 



X 2 155 



