| Rowner |
| The Medieval settlement of Rowner is in the present
day Ward of Alverstoke and was the home of the Brune family. Rowner lies
west of the line of Palmestone Forts that protect Gosport and along the
western border of the village lies the valley of the River Alver. Near
to the shore are two Victorian Batteries and associated earthworks and
moat defences which were constructed in the middle of the 19th century
and to the north is Bay House which was built for Lord Ashburton in 2838
and has since been converted to a school. Rowner is recorded as Ruenore in the Domesday Survey and is believed to be derived from the old English words that meant a rough landing place. The manor of Rowner was granted to Sir William le Brun in 1277 by Edward I and his family has have connections with Rowner ever since. The church dedicated to St Mary the Virgin is from either the late 12th or early 12th century and was restored in 1874 then a serious fire did considerable damage to the church in 1992 and it was restored once more. There are many forts in this area and one of them Fort Rowner is still used by the services today, the services still have connections here with a huge housing estate built for the Naval families living in Gosport. Near to the church are ruins of an ancient nunnery.
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