There is evidence of Neolithic, bronze age and iron age occupation on numerous sites in the Alresford area, with a Roman or Romano-British site on nearby Fobdown and to the south-east of the town in Bramdean.
New Alresford was founded in the 12th/13th century, the idea originally being that of Henri de Blois, the Bishop of Winchester and brother of King Stephen of England.
Alresford sent two members to parliament until the population was reduced by the Black Death.
Alresford is a small Hampshire town a few miles east of Winchester.
New Alresford was perhaps the most successful of the Bishop's town foundations, thanks in part to the nearby Winchester-London trade route – this ancient road was realigned to bring it past the southern end of the market street, in order to make the town more attractive to merchants.
New Alresford's growth was due in large part to its role in sheep-farming, the wool trade, and the manufacture of cloth.
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