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National Gazetteer (1868) - Highclere

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The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868

"HIGHCLERE, a parish in the lower half of the hundred of Evingar, Kingsclere division of county Hants, 5 miles S. of Newbury, its post town. This place is described in Domesday Survey as belonging to the bishops of Winchester, who had a palace here in which they occasionally resided, until the bailiwick held by them was transferred to the crown in the reign of Edward VI. It was subsequently given to the Fitz Williams, from whom it passed to the Herberts. The present mansion, called Highclere Castle, was erected on the site of the original edifice by the Hon. Robert Herbert, the ancestor of the earls of Carnarvon, its present proprietors.

The castle stands on elevated ground, 587 feet above sea-level, in the midst of an extensive and wooded park, above 13 miles in circumference. The building is a stately pile of great antiquity, but has recently been modernised and considerably enlarged. The elevated portions, with the pinnacles and perforated work, have a very imposing appearance, each angle being flanked by a tower. A magnificent and massive tower also rises on the western side. A few years ago a gigantic fireplace was discovered in the hall-the most ancient part of the building, where in feudal times the retainers were in the habit of congregating together; and traces of massive walls with secret passages have also been discovered. On many parts of the building are the arms in stone of the Herberts. In the interior are paintings by Vandyck, Reynolds, Gainsborough, &c. Within the park is Siddown Hill, rising 943 feet above the sea-level, and producing many rare plants. On the neighbouring hill, called Beacon Hill, are traces of a Roman camp, and in the vicinity are several barrows, in which a gold clasp, jet necklace, spearheads, &c., have been found.

The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Winchester, value £300. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, was rebuilt by the Attorney-General Sir Robert Sawyer in the reign of Charles II. It contains several interesting monuments. The charities produce £11 per annum. There is a National school, supported by the Earl of Carnarvon. Dr. Jeremiah Millar, the antiquary, was a native of this place."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) - Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]