Document of the month

18th century Basingstoke

In 1762, when the Duke of Bolton decided on a survey of his estates in Basingstoke, his properties were so scattered about the town that he needed a map of the whole town to make sense of it all. The result was 8 maps covering the town centre, the six Common Fields and Basingstoke Down, together with a book of reference listing all his properties and tenants. It is a treasury of information on land ownership at a critical time; just before enclosure swept the old field strip system away.

The illustrated document - Hampshire Record Office reference 23M72/P1/1- shows part of the town centre section with details of Old Market Square and the town hall.