HAMPSHIRE 



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

 and it is more probable that the two ledgeswere 

 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, underthe care of itsowner, the Mar- 

 quis of Winchester, a stronghold of Royalist 

 faith and endurance through a portion of the 

 Civil War, sustaining sieges during upwards of 

 two years, until at length stormed and destroyed 

 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- 

 tions were over amile in extent; the Old House 

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

 N 177 



