Historic periods in Hampshire history

Historic Periods in Hampshire History

Visit the different historic periods in Hampshire History from the Romans to the House of Windsor, to find out what happened as Hampshire's history evolved from being the royal capital and home to the Treasury of England to the university city it is now. Take a look at the juxtaposition of some of Hampshire's events alongside what was happening nationally. These periods mirror the periods of our sister project Intriguing History.

Elizabethan Period

Elizabethan Period in Hampshire’s History The Tudor Period encompasses the extraordinary Elizabethan Age when Queen Elizabeth I kept faith, in true Tudor tradition, to the ideals of being a supreme monarch and to the state of monarchy. She was determined to keep these ideals at the forefront of her subjects minds and hearts. In pursuit of this she…

Tudor Period

Hampshire’s History and the Tudor Period with the Reformation and Henry VIII’s patronage much land and wealth would pass to the Tudor’s chosen beneficiaries. Tudor Period in Hampshire’s History The Tudor Period, from 1485-1603 left its mark on Hampshire, as it did in so many other parts of England, in the dissolution of its monasteries. The Reformation brought…

House of York Richard III father of the house and two kings Edward IV and Richard III

York Period

Yorks Period in Hampshire’s History The York Period 1461 – 1485 in Hampshire’s History , the other side of the War of the Roses and how the influence of the York period shaped and formed the face of Hampshire during this time. What connections can we find visible today, documented in the past , mapped and narrated here as…

Agincourt and Michelmersh in Hampshire and the House of Lancaster

Lancaster Period

The Lancaster Period in Hampshire History The period known as the House of Lancaster dated from 1399 to 1471 and was one of England’s most turbulent. The C15th political system was one that focused on ‘personal kingship’, that is, the individual role of the monarch and his relationships with leading noblemen within the kingdom. It…

Plantagenet Period

The Plantagenet Period in Hampshire History Approximately one hundred years after the Norman invasion the Plantagenet Period began. The intrigue around the Plantagenet dynasty is fascinating. What was going on in Hampshire during this tumultuous period from 1154-1399? Winchester and Andover suffered dreadfully during the civil war of Stephen’s reign and much re-building went on…

St Nicholas Church Bishop's Sutton south doorway

Norman Period

Norman Period in Hampshire’s History Hampshire bristles with England’s Norman heritage. It seems as if the Normans were intent on stamping their authority on community after community. The Norman Period in Hampshire’s history 1066 to 1154 builds upon our early Roman and Anglo Saxon roots. As part of this collection we will be identifying Norman sites within…

House of Denmark

The House of Denmark in Hampshire’s History The C10th was to be the last one of Anglo Saxon England. King Alfred’s reign set in motion a dynasty which, would create a united kingdom of England only to have it collapse. In the year 1000 AD a new wave of Viking raids took place and a…

House of Wessex

House of Wessex in Hampshire’s History The period known as the House of Wessex emerged out of period when England was caught up in a series of internal wars as regions of the country struggled to achieve political power. Mercia was the strongest kingdom but when King Offa died in 796 then Wessex emerged as…

Roman Period

Tracing connections between Hampshire and our Roman History. Hampshire is fortunate in having a rich Roman history. Some of the earliest and most active sites such as Hamwic near Southampton, no longer have remains on the ground but are fascinating nevertheless. The villa at Rockbourne can be visited and Hampshire has two major sites of…

Choose from Hampshire's Historic Periods From the on-page menu.

Choose the historic period that is of interest to you. This will take you to a selection of posts and our evolving timeline for that historic period in Hampshire's history. We aim to keep adding to our collection of posts, timeline data, images and map points, to reflect the great diversity of history Hampshire has to offer. Inevitably some periods are more 'active' than others but with the help of the related information on Intriguing History you will be able at least gain an overall impression of the highlights of each historic period.

The Ogham Stone of Silchester

By HLB | June 21, 2021

The Ogham Stone of Silchester. The Ogham Stone of Silchester was discovered in 1893 during an excavation of the ancient town. A well in the town was being excavated. At a depth of about 3m, a pillar of sandstone was found. This phallic shaped pillar stood on a square plinth and is approximately 50cm tall….

John Keats In Winchester

By HLB | November 10, 2020

John Keats in Winchester. For those who know Winchester well one of the most beautiful and restful walks is along one of the chalk streams of the River Itchen. Pick up the path at the end of College Street and walk out of the city towards St Cross. Look out across the water meadows towards…

Prince Arthur Tudor and Dogmersfield

By HLB | May 5, 2020

What is the connection between Prince Arthur Tudor and Dogmersfield? The landscape around us holds historical secrets whether within its fields and forests, atop its hills or along its coastline. Looking out onto a deserted village where cattle now graze or having a picnic alongside a washed out coastal defense it’s often surprising to learn…

Guardian Angel’s Chapel

By HLB | April 7, 2020

The Guardian Angel’s Chapel in Winchester Cathedral was painted in 1241. King Henry III, also known as Henry of Winchester was baptised in the cathedral in 1207. He was the son of King John and assumed the throne at just nine years of age. He was fortunate in having three great men standing beside him,…

The Swing Riots

By HLB | March 25, 2020

The Swing Riots in Hampshire. The Swing Riots of 1830 were an uprising by agricultural workers in parts of Eastern and Southern England. It was a civil unrest that was a long time in the making, the stirrings of unrest began in the 1780’s and then during the Napoleonic Wars faded away somewhat. Fifty years…

Merdon Castle

By HLB | January 17, 2020

Between Standon and Hursley just off the A3090 sits Merdon Castle This little known ancient monument is now in private hands and so getting sight of it is tricky. If you drive along Castle Merdon Lane you can stop and take a look over the wall and you will see the earthworks on which this…