An Iron Age Scabbard Chape from Liss, Hampshire: A Northern Artefact from a Southern Find-spot

In 2018 an Iron Age scabbard chape was reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, having been discovered during metal-detecting on cultivated land in the parish of Liss, east Hampshire. Although the object is an isolated find, and no other components of the scabbard were discovered, it is a significant discovery. This is because it represents the most southerly evidence for a group of scabbards which are overwhelmingly distributed between the rivers Forth and Humber. This short account provides details of the object and comments on its regional and national significance.

John Philpot – Archdeacon of Winchester and Martyr (1515–1555)

This is the most comprehensive account yet of the life of John Philpot, archdeacon of Winchester cathedral and martyr, burned at the stake in 1555. Included is an outline of his trial from which it is shown that he was promised the position of archdeacon by the ultra conservative bishop of Winchester, Stephen Gardiner. Evidence is also provided from the trial and from his family, contrary to the opinion of Muriel St. Clare Byrne, that he was not related to Clement Philpot who was executed in 1540. A transcript translation of his father's will is provided giving a good indication of his family circumstances. This will was drawn up in 1540 at a pivotal point in English law when, in order to overcome the default position of inheritance through primogeniture, the rules of will writing were altered. This will was written to abide by the rules that existed before the new Statute of Wills was passed by Parliament, and, also, to abide by the new rules set out in the Statute. From this will and other evidence a new genealogy of the Philpot family down to the 1650s is provided. The authenticity of the so-called portrait of John Philpot held at Winchester cathedral is also discussed.

A Summary Report of Excavation on Land West of Horndean Road, Emsworth, 2017

Excavation revealed four distinct phases of Roman enclosure ditches, of which the earliest were of mid-late 1st-century date. These were subsequently recut and augmented during the later 1st and 2nd centuries, to create a series of contiguous rectilinear enclosures, not all of which may have been in contemporary use. A notable density of finds within the north-central part of the excavated area, together with evidence of a small post-ring structure, suggested a focus of domestic activity. A later phase of post-medieval activity was represented by a probable field boundary ditch and a post-built structure of irregular rectilinear plan.

Medieval Activity at Beech Tree Close, Oakley, Hampshire

An archaeological excavation in advance of a housing development revealed a range of deposits dating from the 11th to 13th centuries. The features do not conform to what would be expected either for the nucleus of an isolated farmstead or as part of a medieval village, but they perhaps indicate an area of activity adjacent to a more densely settled area. The deposits were relatively rich in charred plant remains indicating arable production. The parish church, usually considered to be located close to a village centre, lies several hundred metres to the west and if the deposits here do not relate to an independent farmstead, perhaps they pre-date the formation of the nucleated village. One feature is potentially a Saxon SFB (sunken-featured building). Some early Saxon and Roman pottery sherds were also recovered.

The Burrard Neale Memorial at Walhampton – Legend and Reality

The Burrard Neale monument in Lymington was erected ostensibly to celebrate the career of an admiral well known to the local community, Sir Harry Neale. Examination of his career casts doubt on this being the sole motivation. A wider review of his family, associates, and of the circumstances surrounding the erection of the monument engenders further misgivings about the received narrative handed down to later generations.<br/> Although erected to a member of a local family dominant in Lymington, the effect was rather more to perpetuate the Burrard name, which Sir Harry himself had dropped in 1795, and to bestow self-reflected glory on his heir, his brother George.

The Excavation, Recovery and Analysis of an Early 19th-Century Shipwreck from the Solent, Hampshire

The remains of a 19th-century barge were found in the Solent whilst undertaking pre-construction geophysical survey works as part of the Interconnexion France-Angleterre 2 cable route (IFA2) project. Investigations culminated in the excavation, recording and recovery of the remains of the wreck. Although no documentation or records of its loss have been found at the time of writing, the remains highlight the importance of vernacular shipbuilding techniques that were applied by independent shipbuilders scattered along this stretch of coastline.

The Hulks of a 19th-Century Cowes Ketch and a Lighter at Centenary Quay, Woolston, Southampton

The redevelopment of the former Vosper Thornycroft shipyard in Woolston, Southampton led to the discovery of two hulks of 19th-century vessels in remarkable states of preservation. The craft have been identified as those of a Cowes Ketch (also known as a Solent Barge) and a lighter or dumb barge. These are rare examples of local workboats whose numbers, once relatively large, have declined to presumed extinction within the last century. This article presents a summary of the results of the archaeological investigations of the hulks before and after their removal in advance of the construction of a 27-storey tower overlooking the River Itchen.

Late Mesolithic, Middle Bronze Age and Late Iron Age/romano-british Activity at Crowdhill, Fair Oak, Eastleigh

Nine areas, totalling 1.3ha were excavated after evaluation and desk-based assessment at land near Crowdhill, Eastleigh (NGR 448830 119560). Features were densest in Areas 1 and 2, with evidence dating from the Palaeolithic to the early Romano- British period. Three pieces of flint from a Long Blade assemblage were recovered, probably from a small localised scatter. A core tool rough-out, probably for a Mesolithic tranchet axe, was found in a pit with charred hazelnut shells from which two radiocarbon dates were obtained. Two cremation graves, each containing urned deposits, and an urned 'cenotaph' provide information about the inhabitants of the area although contemporary settlement evidence is lacking. By the Late Bronze Age there was evidence for settlement in the form of a pit containing flint-tempered pottery, worked flint and burnt flint along with charred cereal grain. A radiocarbon date was obtained on charred cereal grain from this pit confirming its age. There was sparse evidence for occupation in the late prehistoric period but by the early Romano-British period a number of ditches and intercutting pits as well as artefactual material (pottery, ceramic building material, fired clay and saddle quern fragments) indicates the presence of a small rural settlement in the vicinity of the site.

Bronze Age Funerary and Later Prehistoric Activity at Badminston Farm, Fawley, Hampshire

Archaeological excavations were undertaken by Southern Archaeological Services Ltd. between 1999 and 2010 at Badminston Farm, Fawley, on the eastern edge of the New Forest, adjacent to Southampton Water. The excavations identified evidence of near- continuous human activity from the early prehistoric period to the present day. Mesolithic activity was followed by Early Bronze Age pits, containing 'placed' flint assemblages. Evidence of Bronze Age funerary activity included deflated barrows/ring ditches, and associated cremations. Late Bronze Age ceramics were absent but a hoard of 68 Armorican-type socketed axes may have been a votive offering marking the 'ancestral' barrow which would have been visible here. Other Bronze Age evidence included two burnt mounds and an ill-defined structure possibly associated with weaving. Iron Age activity was represented by a number of pits containing domestic pottery, while Late Iron Age and Romano-British ditches may have formed part of an enclosure. A significant assemblage of non-local worked stone attests to long distance exchange, and the possibility of a nearby farmstead. Medieval activity was represented by pits, ditches and stakeholes, with some evidence of an enclosure or structure associated with grain drying. Later land divisions and a WWII radio communication station dominated more recent use of the site.

An Assessment of the County Review Process in Hampshire 1929–1932

Under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1929, Hampshire County Council along with other administrative counties was required to review the boundaries of the second and third tier authorities within its borders. As well as being a time-consuming process, it could also be a particularly contentious one. In the event, Hampshire used the opportunity to reduce significantly the number of relatively small second tier authorities, particularly rural district councils, and to adjust boundaries which sometimes gave rise to spirited local opposition. The arguments used by the County Council to justify changes and those resisting them, many of which were aired at an Inquiry conducted by a Ministry of Health Inspector at Winchester in late 1931, are considered.