Here in 1138, Bishop de Blois built a castle at Merdon which is in the parish and which had fallen into ruins by the 16th century when Edward VI granted the manor and the park at Hursley to Sir Philip Hoby.

Queen Mary gave the many back to the church for a short time but it was then given back to the Hoby family by Queen Elizabeth. The manor and the castle were then sold to Thomas Clerke in 1600 who was a difficult lord of the manor and at this time the lodge and park were leased separately, but the two estates were brought together again thirty years later.

The the manor passed into the Cromwell family when Richard Cromwell, who was the eldest son of Oliver Cromwell, married the daughter of the own, Richard Major. Richard lived in Hursley from 1649 until 1658 when then became Protector of England after his father died. Richard's son Oliver took over the estate and the tenants claimed their ancient rights and customs in a long legal battle. I718 saw the manor bough by Sir William Heathcote and he built the manor house known as Hursley House.

In the hamlet of Cranbury another large house was built during the 18th century by the Dummer family and later by the Chamberlaynes.

For the last thirty years of his life John Keble, poet and divine, was the vicar of Hursley, and he wrote The Christian Year and other books of poems and essays and he was the founder of the Anglican high church Oxford Movement.

Buried in the churchyard is Thomas Sternhold wh died in 1549, he is reported to have collaborated with John Hopkins in making metrical translations of the psalms.

The architecture in the vilage is varied and it is a love place lyhing among meadows and trees between Winchester and Romsey. there are some lovely dormer windows that mingle with deep eaves and strange gables some thatch and Tudor Brick and there are some wonderful chimneys to be seen along the main road

POSTCARDS SHOWING THE VILLAGE (Kindly donated by Brian Palmer, Fair Oak)

The remains of the 12th century castle are found a mile outside the village, this was built in 1129 by Henry de Blois who was the Bishop of Winchester and the brother of the French King Stephen, all that is left now is a part of a large gatehouse and some bits of windows and doorways. The 14th century church tower stands like a sentinel over the village, the church having been built by John Keble  from profits he made from his The Christian Year when it became a best seller. He was involved with Tractarianism and was the vicar here for a considerable while and as well as being in love with his work he loved the village dearly. His grave is near to the tower and consists of a red granite stone with a cross, book and chalice, and a school was built in his memory at the end of the village from donations received from all over the world

IMAGES OF HURSLEY

The Butchers shop		Hursley Church
The Dolphin (note the hose, the cellars are being pumped out due to heavy flooding in the are)		The Kings Head Also being pumped out!
The gold Dolphin
<<To Romsey  (The main road through Hursley)To Winchester >>
The Old Saddlery

Grandparents Charles Self and his wife Eliza ,nee Burton. who were both born in Hursley. At the time of the 1881 Census Charles was 54 years and Eliza 53 years, both state born Hursley although the Census Place was Droxford. Unfortunately the address of the Dwelling was not mentioned. Charles' occupation was listed as Coachman  Domestic Servant, My Grandfather John Self aged 14 at that time was an Under Gardener (D). IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION OR CAN IDENTIFY THE HOUSE ABOVE PLEASE CONTACT US