By T. II. Baker. 



241 



manor for the time being, Jbut not by the King himself, and as the 

 castle at Mere was built about the time the royal palace at Grilling- 

 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 adjoining East Knoyle and 

 Sedgehill, whilst outside the boundary a deer leap is claimed of the 

 width of 18Jft., and the wood upon it is the right of the possessor 

 of the park. On the south side it is bounded by Grillinghani, 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 lie was opposed : — 



"To the right honorable the King's Maiesfcies Cornmyssioners appointed for 

 the sale of his Highness landes." 



" It may please your honoures to be advertysed, I have been enforrned 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 tbeight. 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 royal], 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 

 remembred, 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 r hono ,s most humbly at commaundment, 



"John Zouche." 



1577, Mr ffrancis Zouch was keeper of the park at Mere, 



* 



