128 



Intrenchments at Aldbourne. 



farm buildings. It is stated in the Tithe Apportionment to contain 

 Oa. 2r. 24p. It is circular and has a fosse six or seven feet deep, 

 and five yards wide. It commands a view of the church and a 

 small part of the town of Aldbourne ; but it would hardly have 

 been constructed for besieging the town as it is a mile and a half 

 from it, a distance too great for the artillery of the reign of King 

 Charles I., and, moreover, there was I believe no fighting anywhere 

 near Aldbourne, except the attack on the rear of General Fairfax's 

 army by Prince Rupert's cavalry, on the 18th of September, 1643, 

 and this occurred near the end of Hunger ford- street, in the town 

 of Aldbourne, where many human skeletons have been found. 



With respect to all these intrenchments it is worthy of conside- 

 ration, whether they were constructed for deer hunting and not for 

 any warlike purpose. 



I was informed by the late Rev. J. Seagram that Aldbourne 

 Chase was a favourite hunting ground of John of Gaunt, who 

 lived at the very curious old mansion at Upper Upham (now the 

 residence of Mr. Frampton), and also occupied a house which stood 

 on the site of the Court-house, situate near Aldbourne Church- 

 yard (now the residence of the Rev. G. P. Cleather), because there is 

 no well at Upper Upham, and no water except rain water. Mr. 

 Seagram also said that the Chase consisted of about 5,000 acres, 



