Pamber

The name Pamber probably derives from the word Pannacium which meant a fee for grazing land. The modern parish was in early times entirely forest and was hunted by King John on many occasions. By the reign of Henry III (1216-72) much of the forest was being converted to arable land and the proceeds from cutting the timber were used for building the Great Hall at Winchester.

There were no lords of the manor of Pamber, but the bailiwick or jurisdiction of the forest was held by John de St. John in the time of Edward I. The bailiwick continued with the St. John family and their descendants the de Poynings until Henry VIII granted the governorship of Pamber Forest to Sir William Paulet (later Marquis of Winchester) in 1535. Other lands in the parish of Pamber were held by the Brocas family of Beaurepaire for many years.

There is no record of a church at Pamber until 1564 when the villagers complained to the Provost and Fellows of Queens College, Oxford, for neglecting to provide them with a minister. Eventually the parishioners were given leave to use the remaining church of the mediaeval priory of Monk Sherborne, also known as Pamber Priory.

In prehistoric times the area was inhabited by Bronze Age people according to archaeological finds. The site of a Roman kiln has been discovered and there are earthworks to the south of the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester).

Further information on attractions to discover in the area and other interesting villages to visit is available.  For information on public services for Pamber please take a look at the Tadley local pages.