BASINGSTOKE

basingstoke, a market-town and municipal borough of hampshire, england, 48 m. w.s.w. from london by the london & south-western railway; served also by a branch of the great western railway. pop. (1901) 9793. the church of st michael and all angels is a fine specimen of a late perpendicular building (principally of the time of henry viii.). the chapel of the holy ghost is a picturesque ruin, standing in an ancient cemetery, built for the use of the local gild of the holy ghost which was founded in 1525, but flourished for less than a century. close to the neighbouring village of old basing are remains of basing house, remarkable as the scene of the stubborn opposition of john, fifth marquess of winchester, to cromwell, by whom it was taken after a protracted siege in 1645. a castle occupied its site from norman times. numerous prehistoric relics have been discovered in the district, and a large circular encampment is seen at winklebury hill. basingstoke has considerable agricultural trade, and brewing, and the manufacture of agricultural implements, and of clothing, are carried on. the basingstoke canal, which connects the town with the river wey and so with the thames, was opened about 1794, but lost its trade owing to railway competition. it was offered for sale by auction unsuccessfully in 1904, but was bought in 1905. the municipal borough is under a mayor, four aldermen and twelve councillors. area, 4195 acres. basingstoke is a town of great antiquity, and excavations have brought to light undoubted traces of roman occupation. the first recorded historical event relating to the town is a victory won here by aethelred and alfred over the danes in 871. according to the domesday survey it had always been a royal manor, and comprised three mills and a market. a charter from henry iii. in 1256 granted to the men of basingstoke the manor and hundred of that name and certain other privileges, which were confirmed by edward