Basingstoke is a populous market-town, of considerable antiquity, pleasantly situated in a fertile part of the county, surrounded by agreeable woods. It derives a great trade from its thoroughfare situation, and the inhabitants make a considerable quantity of malt, which they sell to the inhabitants of the neighbouring towns and villages.

According to Doomsday book, Basingstoke was always a royal manor. Henry III. founded an hospital here, for the maintenance of aged and impotent priests : it stood on the north side of the river, a little below the town-bridge, and there are some remains of it still to be traced. The Church is an ancient gothic structure, the south side of which is of stone, the north side of alternate layers of stone and flint. The advowson of this church, which is very valuable, belongs to Magdalen College, Oxford. Near the church is a good Free-school, for the instruction of youth in grammar. There are also three Charity-schools, one of which is supported by the company of Skinners, in London, for 24 boys, who are both clothed and instructed in useful learning.

The Market-house is a very convenient structure, over which is tha Hall, where the sessions for the town are held twice a year, and where the magistrates meet every Saturday to do business. The government of the town is vested in a mayor, recorder, seven aldermen, seven capital burgesses, and two sergeants-at-mace: the inhabitants of Basingstoke amounted in 1811 to 2656; the number of houses 512. The weekly market is on Wednesday. At this market there is a great quantity of corn bought and sold, the conveyance of which is greatly facilitated by the canal from the river Wey, in Surrey, to this town.

On the north side of the town of Basingstoke, on an eminence, are the remains of a once-beautiful building, called Holy Ghost Chapel. It was erected in the beginning of the reign of Henry VIII. by Sir William, afterwards Lord Sandes, who, with Richard Fox, Bishop of Winchester, obtained a licence from that prince to found a free chapel here, and thereupon to establish a guild, by the name of the Brotherhood, or Guild, of the Holy Ghost. To this brotherhood an estate was given by Sir William Sandes, for the maintenance of a priest, to perform divine service in the chapel, and therein likewise to instruct youth in literature. This fraternity escaped the general dissolution, and remained till the first year of Edward VI. when an act of parliament passed, whereby free chapels, and chantries of all sorts, and the estates belonging to them, were given to the king's use. It remained with the crown till the year 1556, when it was established, and so continued till the Civil War, during the reign of Charles I. when this, with many other church-lands, was seized and alienated, and the chapel and school shut up. The building, when entire, was a beautiful edifice, and elegantly finished, as is still apparent from its remains; but from the ravages of time, and neglect of repairs, it is now in ruins. Part of the eastern and south walls only remain standing, and a hexagonal turret to the southwest, almost entire, which was formerly a staircase. Lord Sandes, the founder, is by Camden said to be buried in this chapel. In a vault in this chapel, about a century ago, a Mrs. Blundin was unfortunately buried alive; after a lethargy of four days she was interred by torch light: the next morning some schoolboys, who were playing in the churchyard, heard noises proceeding from the vaults; they gave the alarm, but the vault could not be opened in time to save the unfortunate lady, who was found suffocated and bathed in her blood.

Among the eminent natives of Basingstoke we have first to notice John de Basingstoke, or Basingstochius, a person remarkable for virtue and great learning; he was particularly favoured by the celebrated Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln, who presented him to the archdeaconry of Leicester. He died in 1252, in the reign of Henry III.

Sir James Lancaster, an eminent navigator in the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and James I. who was one of the earliest traders to the East Indies. He was a considerable benefactor to his native place.

Dr. Joseph Warton, F.R.S. was born at Basingstoke about the year 1722, and was remarkable for his extensive knowledge of classic literature, and several excellent works: among which his "Essays on the Writings and Genius of Pope," is particularly valuable. He died in March, 1800, universally regretted.

The Rev. Thomas Warton, B. D. the late poet-laureat, was also a native of Basingstoke. He was born in the year 1728, and became very early distinguished for his mental powers and poetical genius. Among his many literary productions, his editions of Theocritus, and of the smaller poems of Milton, are highly curious and valuable; but the History of English Poetry, in three volumes, quarto, is his most important work. "He was considered as one of the chief literary characters of his age, equal to the best scholars in the elegant parts of classical learning, superior to the generality in literature of the modern kind; a poet of fine fancy and masculine style; and a critic of deep information, sound judgment, and correct taste." He died at Oxford in May, 1790.

About one mile southwest from Basingstoke is Hackwood Park, the seat of the Right Hon. Thomas Orde Poulett, Baron Bolton, lord lieutenant and custos rotulorum of the county of Hants. The park is about eight miles in circumference, and well wooded and watered, particularly in one part a walk is seen a mile long, planted on each side with chesnut trees, and in another quarter a walk of almost the same extent inclosed within two rows of limes; these avenues have been very much improved, by being broken into walks and glades, admitting several beautiful distant views.

A fine equestrian statue of George I. presented by that monarch to the Duke of Bolton, stands upon a very elevated pedestal, near the southern extremity of the reservoir of water. The park abounds with game of every kind, and may, with some propriety, be said to be overstocked. There is also a farm in the park, well stocked with cattle and domestic poultry of all kinds. The house is a stately and magnificent building, situated near the western boundary of the park, encompassed by about 100 acres of pleasure ground. The apartments are capacious, and the disposition of them displays the abilities of the architect. The furniture is elegant, and the pictures, which are very numerous, are the performances of some of the best Flemish and Italian masters.

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BASINGSTOKE is a municipal borough and market town on the river Loddon, and the head of a union, petty sessional division, and county court district, with stations on the London and South Western and Great Western railways, 8 miles north-east from Odiham, 46 miles from London by the old road and 47 ¾ by railway, 19 north-east from Winchester, 15 ½ south from Reading, 16 south-east from Newbury and 32 north from Southampton, Northern division of the county, and hundred of Basingstoke and in the rural deanery of Basingstoke and archdeaconry and diocese of Winchester: here also is the terminus of the Basingstoke canal; a light railway was commenced in July 1898 to Alton.

The town was incorporated by charter of James I. confirmed by Charles I. and this charter continued in force until the passing of the “Municipal Corporations Act, 1835” (5 and 6 William IV. c. 76), under which it is governed by a mayor, four aldermen and twelve councillors. Magistrates for the town are also appointed under a commission of the peace, in pursuance of the Act. The police force, formerly under the control of the town council, is now merged in the county police.

Basingstoke sent members to Parliament from the 23 Edw. I. (1294—5) to 4 Edw. III. (1330—31), when at the solicitation, as is supposed, of the inhabitants the privilege ceased.

The town is lighted with gas from works in the Basing road, erected in 1834 by a company, incorporated in 1887; and is supplied with water pumped from a well in the Reading road to the tanks at South view, the height of which affords sufficient pressure to throw a constant supply of water to a considerable height, in cases of fire, through hydrants in different parts.

The church of St. Michael and All Angels is a building of stone in the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, nave of four bays, with clerestory, aisles, side chapel (now used as an organ chamber), south porch and an embattled western tower, with angle turrets, containing 8 bells: the nave is said to have been erected in the reign of Henry VIII. under the direction of Fox, Bishop of Winchester, and is of good example of the architecture of that period: galleries have been erected on both sides of the church: there are seven stained windows and a carved oak pulpit on stone base, placed in memory of the Rt. Rev. Samuel Wilberforce D.D. bishop of Winchester, 1869—73: a small library, the gift of Sir George Wheler, vicar here 1685—94, is deposited in the parvise above the south porch. There are 1,400 sittings. The registers date from the year 1638. The living is a discharged vicarage, net yearly value £297, with one acre of glebe, in the gift of the President and Fellows of Magdalen College, Oxford, and held since 1890 by the Rev. Henry Richard Cooper Smith D.D. of that college, surrogate, and chaplain to the Basingstoke union. There are two mission rooms attached to the church, one in Beading road and the other at May street, both served by the parochial clergy.

The Catholic church, dedicated to the Holy Ghost, and situated in the Burgess road, was founded in 1869, and rebuilt in 1878.

The Congregational chapel, founded in 1662, was until 1710 in Cross street; the present edifice in London street, a building in the Classic style, erected in 1710, was enlarged in 1860, renovated in 1883 at a cost of £1,400, and redecorated in 1894, at a cost of £177. The chapel will seat about 700. In rear is a school-room with class-rooms, built in 1872 and 1888, at a total cost of £1,500.

There is also a Congregational chapel at Worting Town End, and Primitive Methodist, Countess of Huntingdon, Wesleyan and Particular Baptist chapels; places of worship for the Brethren and the Society of Friends, and “Barracks” for the Salvation Army.

The Cemetery, situated at the highest point of the town, with the ancient burial ground, or “Liten,” in which stand the ruins of the Holy Ghost chapel, covers an area of 6 ¼ acres: it contains two mortuary chapels, and is controlled by the town council, acting as a burial board: the Holy Ghost chapel, a once beautiful edifice in the Late Perpendicular style, was built by Sir William Sandys kt. afterwards Baron Sandys, of the Vine, who, with Richard Fox, Bishop of Winchester, obtained a licence to found a free chapel here for a guild, and therein likewise to instruct youth in literature: the existing remains consist of the south and east walls and a hexagonal tower at the north-west angle.

The Society of Friends have a small burial ground adjoining the cemetery.

The Town Hall, erected in 1832, consists of a reading room, justice and council rooms, with retiring room, and on the upper floor a spacious hall, with ante-room, town clerk's and borough surveyor’s offices: in rear of the building is a market for the sale of meat, poultry, fish and vegetables: the cost of erection and the site amounted together to upwards of £10,000, and in 1887 a handsome clock tower was erected at the sole expense of Lieut.-Col. John May, at a cost of £2,000.

The Corn Exchange, erected at a cost of between £4,000 and £5,000, and opened in February, 1865, is a handsome building, with 150 stands: a stage & proscenium has since been added, and the building is now used for theatrical entertainments and public meetings: the capital was originally raised by shares of £25 each, which have been paid off by the corporation, to whom the building now belongs.

The principal market day is Wednesday for corn and cattle; there is also a market on Saturday for meal, poultry, fish and vegetables; new shops in connection were added in 1885.

Basingstoke is situated in the centre of an extensive agricultural district, and has a considerable trade in corn, malt, coals, timber and other merchandise. Here are large iron foundries for the manufacture of agricultural and other implements, clothing factories, coach and carriage works, and breweries.

The K Company of the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment, formed in 1875, has its armoury at the New Drill Hall on Sarum hill, opened in Jan. 1884: this is a structure of brick and corrugated iron, with a total depth of 100 feet and a frontage of 50 feet, and has been arranged for the purposes of public entertainments, a stage with fittings and dressing rooms having been erected at one end. Attached to the hall is the New Masonic Hall, built in 1885. The whole was built at the expense of Lieut.-Col. May, at a cost of about £3,000.

The Mechanics’ Institute and Club, New street, affiliated to the Hants Union Club, was established 1841: the present hall, built in 1870, at a cost of £1,200 (including £300 for site), is a brick building, and contains a club room, capable of holding 200, large reading room, library of 3,500 volumes, class rooms, and librarian’s residence: it is supported by the subscriptions of members, of whom there are now (1898) 340.

There was formerly here an hospital for aged and infirm clergy, founded 1261 by Walter de Merton, Bishop of Rochester and founder of Merton College, Oxford, and dedicated to SS. Mary and John the Baptist.

The charities belonging to the town are very considerable, and were left by the Duke of Bolton, Sir James Lancaster, Richard Aldworth esq. founder of the Blue Coat School; Richard Deane, Francis Russell and John Hall esqrs. and Messrs. Wigg, Smith, Payne, Stocker and Pemerton, and in modern times by the Rev. James Blatch, late vicar, Robert Cottle, Charles Webb, Dr. Sheppard and Mrs. Sheppard, his widow, who was also a benefactor to the National Schools for boys and girls. The amount for distribution in money and kind is now (1898) £485 yearly.

There are almshouses in London street, founded in 1607 by Sir James Deane knt. for 8 aged persons, two of whom are elected from the parish of Deane: there is an annual distribution of £123 6s. 8d. among the inmates, each of whom receives 6s. 4d. per week and 13s. 4d. at Christmas. Almshouses, in Hackwood road, were founded by Joseph Page esq. of Enfield, Middlesex, in 1806, for three indigent persons, each of whom receives 63. weekly and coals; there are also three almshouses in Reading road, unendowed, for three poor widows, each of whom receives £1 13s. 4d. at Christmas from the corporation charities.

The Cottage Hospital, in Hackwood road, was built and furnished in the year 1878, at a cost of nearly £2,000: its object is to supply the sick and suffering poor with medical attendance and careful nursing in a quiet home: it will bold 13 beds, and during the year 1897 relief was afforded to 66 patients: the hospital depends for support on voluntary contributions.

St. Thomas’ Home, situated on the north side of the town on an elevated and healthy site, and erected in 1878 from designs by Mr. A. E. Barker, architect, is the Central Diocesan Home for friendless and fallen women: it comprises five cottages, two laundries, chapel, superior's and warden’s rooms, infirmary, general kitchen and offices, and is available for 60 inmates: it is superintended by the sisters of St. Thomas the Martyr, Oxford. The chapel, erected in 1885, at a cost of £1,684, was designed by Mr. Woodyer, architect. The Rev. Reginald F. Bigg-Wither M.A. is Warden and the Bishop of the diocese Visitor.

Among the eminent natives of this place may be noticed John de Basingstoke, a distinguished scholar of the 13th century, and archdeacon of Leicester about the year 1230; also Sir James Lancaster knt. an eminent navigator in the reign of Elizabeth; Dr. Joseph Warton F.R.S, who was headmaster of Winchester College, and his brother, the Rev. Thomas Warton B.D. professor of poetry at the University of Oxford and poet laureate, born here in 1728: the father of the Wartons, who was vicar of Basingstoke, and also professor of poetry at Oxford, is interred in the chancel of St. Michael’s church.

Hackwood House, about a mile south, the property of Lord Bolton, is a large and handsome mansion, designed by Inigo Jones; it stands in a well-wooded park of about 700 acres, stocked with deer and abounding with fine old oak, beech and other timber trees, and is now in the occupation of Mrs. Hoare.

Excavations made on the South View estate, Basingstoke, by Mr. C. F. Cooksey, in June, 1882, resulted in the discovery first of some urn burials, and subsequently of a Celtic hut dwelling, in which three finely-wrought arrow-heads and some bronze ornaments were found.

The corporation are lords of the manor, and hold a court leet, their jurisdiction extending over 19 tithings; and there are numerous landowners.

The soil is chiefly loam; the subsoil is chalk. The land is mostly arable, producing abundant crops of sainfoin, turnips, wheat, barley and oats.

The area is 4,172 acres, about 107 of which are common, restricted to certain householders of the town; rateable value, £44,549; the population in of the municipal borough in 1891 was 8,213, and parish 7,960.

Winklebury is a large circular camp; 2 miles north-west.

Petty Sessions are held at the Town hall every alternate Wednesday, at 12 noon. The following places are included in the petty sessional division:-Andwell, Basing, Bramley, Bradley, Church Oakley, Cliddesden, Deane, Dummer, Ellisfield, Farleigh Wallop, Herriard, Hartley Wespall, Mapledurwell, Mortimer West end, Nately Scures, Newnham, North Waltham, Nutley, Preston Candover, Popham, Pamber, Sherborne St. John, Silchester, Stratfield Turgiss, Stratfieldsaye, Sherfield-upon-Loddon, Tunworth, Up Nately, Tipton Grey, Winslade & Kempshott, Weston Patrick, West Sherborne, Worting, Woodmancott, Wootton St. Lawrence, Weston Corbett.

Volunteers

1st Volunteer Battalion Hampshire Regiment (K Co.), Armoury & Drill Hall, Sarum hill, Lieut.-Col. J. May, commanding (temporary); A. E. Grant, sergt.-instrctr.

Basingstoke Union

Board day, friday, fortnightly.

The Union comprises the following places:-Andwell, Basing, Basingstoke, Bradley, Bramley, Church Oakley, Cliddesden, Deane, Dummer with Kempshott, Easttop, Ellisfield or Illsfield, Farleigh Wallop, Hartley Westpall, Herriard, Mapledurwell, Mortimer West End, Nateley Scures, Newnham, North Waltham, Nutley, Pamber, Popham, Preston Candover, Sherborne St. John, Sherfield-upon-Loddon. Silchester, Steventon, Stratfieldsaye, Tunworth, Up-Nately, Upton Grey, West Sherborne or Monk Sherborne, Weston Corbett, Weston Patrick, Winslade, Woodmancott, Wootton St. Lawrence, Worting. The population in 1891 was 20,619; area, 77,760 acres; rateable value in 1898 was £144,013.

Workhouse, Basing, to hold 426 inmates, now (1898) 170.

Places of Worship, with times of services

St Michael & All Angels Church, Church street, Rev. H. R. Cooper Smith D.D. vicar; Revs. J. W. S. J. Danbury B.A., J. Hawkesworth M A., F. A. Gage Hall, R. E. Inglis B.A. curates; 11 a.m. 3.30 & 7 p.m.; daily 7.45 a.m. & 5.30 p.m.

St. Mary’s Church, Eastrop, Rev. Richard Woodroffe Boyce, rector; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.

Holy Ghost, Catholic, Burgess road, served from Reading; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.

Friends’ Meeting House, Wote street; 10.30 a.m.

Baptist (Ebenezer), Church street; 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; tues. 7.30 p.m.

Congregational, London street, Rev. Alfred Capes Tarbolton; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; wed. 8 p.m.

Congregational, Worting Town’s end; 3 & 6 p.m. Countess of Huntingdon’s, Wote street, Rev. George Pritchard Silcox; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; wed. 7.30 p.m.

Primitive Methodist, Flaxfield road, Rev. Samuel Ainsworth; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; tues. 7.30 p.m.

Wesleyan, Church street, Rev. William Walker Thackray; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; thurs. 7.45 p.m.

Southern Assembly Rooms; 3.30 & 6.30 p.m. Sundays.

Essex Hall, Essex st.; service, 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m. sun.

Salvation Army Barracks, Reading rd.; 11 a.m. 3 & 6.30 p.m.; wed. 8 p.m.

Schools

Queen Mary’s School, formerly the Holy Ghost school, on the Worting road, was founded & endowed by Lord Sandys in 1555: it was rebuilt on a new site in 1855, under the direction of a scheme of the Court of Chancery, dated 11th June, 1852: a new schoolroom was added in 1874, & in 1879 additional class rooms & dormitories were built, & in 1893—4 a laboratory and workshop was erected for the purposes of technical instruction: the premises are available for 150 boys & there are now (1898) 85 boys; attached are 3 acres of recreation ground. The Crown has the patronage; the Queen is the visitor; the governing body consists of 11 trustees, of whom 3 co-optative, 4 elected by the Town Council, 4 by the Municipal Charity Trustees: the school has an endowment of £300 yearly, arising from land and houses.

A School Board of 7 members was first formed May 14, 1885; Francis Samuel Chandler, Church street; clerk to the board; Charles James Finlinson, 7 Church street, attendance officer.

Board, near the Southern road, opened on Feb. 16th, 1888, at a cost of £12,000; for 1,300 children; average attendance, 450 boys, 500 girls & 300 infants.