47 



CHAPTER IV. 



Hampstead Heath. 



The first case of attempted inclosure which the Society 

 had to grapple with was that of Hampstead Heath : 

 perhaps the most important of all the London Com- 

 mons, not by reason of its size, but from its position, 

 and its natural beauties, and salubrity, which make it 

 more popular and frequented than any other. On 

 Bank Holidays it is often visited by over 100,000 

 persons, and is most inconveniently crowded. It con- 

 sisted in 1865, before the addition of Parliament Hill, 

 of not more than 240 acres, but these were so dispersed, 

 that the Heath appeared to be much larger. From its 

 great height above London, it enjoys healthy breezes, and 

 presents beautiful views over the surrounding country. 



The Manor of Hampstead, of which the Heath is 

 the waste, is conterminous with the Parish. It is 

 mentioned in Domesday Book as having always 

 belonged to the Abbot and Convent of Westminster. 

 It remained in these hands till the dissolution of the 

 religious houses by Henry VIII., who granted it to 

 Sir Thomas North, from whom it passed through 

 various hands, by descent or purchase, till it became, 

 in 1743, the property of the Maryon family, the 

 ancestors of the present owner, Sir Spencer Maryon 

 Wilson, of Charlton. His. predecessor in the title, Sir 



