Why is historical research so interesting? Because you find out interesting things. Over the last couple of days I’ve found out about hundreds (they are an Anglo Saxon measure of land area) interesting because they are still used today in at least one very special case; it’s the only way a MP can resign by being assigned to the Chiltern Hundreds.
The Domesday book, it refers to Rowner, showing who owned the land where Rowner church was built in the 11th and 12th Centuries.
There’s not very much left of the original church. I learn’t that’s because the Victorians in their arrogance thought they new better than what came before, and subjected a lot of buildings to what they called restoration, which involved the reconfiguration of old buildings into what the Victorians thought was a new and better shape. I think we would have a better name for it; vandalism is probably a bit of a strong term, but it’s not far from it by the looks of it.
I haven’t done any research in to what impact the Second World War had on Gosport. Apart from really obvious stuff that a person would find out with minimal effort. I found out that Rowner church was damaged by a bomb. Luckily it appears minimal, damaged windows is about it.
I still have some avenues to explore, but it is surprising how quickly information can be gathered. Now I have to admit that I have never been to Rowner Church. I think that is one of the reasons I have been determined to devote a bit of time finding out about it. The research into the church has so far been fascinating. I’m looking forward to producing that part of my project. But, the first item in my list of historical places in Gosport is Gosport Railway Station. I walk or drive past it nearly every day. I know some basic stuff. I wonder what else I can find out?
Bills Posts 