Basing House, Hampshire, was a major English Tudor palace and castle that once rivalled Hampton Court Palace in its size and opulence. Today only the foundations and earthworks remain. Hampshire (abbr. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area  - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 1st UK 49,138,831 377/km² Ethnicity... Allegory of the Tudor dynasty (detail), attributed to Lucas de Heere, ca 1572: left to right, Philip II of Spain, Mary, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Elizabeth The Tudor period usually refers to the historical period between 1485 and 1558, especially in relation to the history of England. ... The quintessential medieval European palace: Palais de la Cité, in Paris, the royal palace of France. ... The Alcázar of Segovia, Spain A castle (from the Latin castellum, diminutive of castra, a military camp, in turn the plural of castrum or watchpost), is a fort, a camp and the logical development of a fortified enclosure. ... Hampton Court Palace with the Union Jack flying. ...

History

Basing House was built in 1535 as a new palace for William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester, treasurer to King Edward VI, Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I. Events January 18 - Lima, Peru founded by Francisco Pizarro April - Jacques Cartier discovers the Iroquois city of Stadacona, Canada (now Quebec) and in May, the even greater Huron city of Hochelaga (now Montreal) June 24 - The Anabaptist state of Münster (see Münster Rebellion) is conquered and disbanded. ... Sir William Paulet (c. ... In many governments, a treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury. ... Edward VI (12 October 1537–6 July 1553) was King of England and King of Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death. ... Mary I Queen of England and Ireland Mary I (February 18, 1516–November 17, 1558) was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from July 6, 1553 (de jure) or July 19, 1553 (de facto) until her death. ... Elizabeth I of England - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

In its final form, Basing House was made up of two linked houses. The Old House was located within a defensive ring of earthworks and walls, whilst the more modern New House was a more domestic building located outside the defenses. A bridge and gateway linked the two across and through the defenses; a link that was to prove fatal in the final battle for Basing House. Taken together, the house had 380 rooms, was five storeys high and was considered by many to be the greatest private house in the country.

At the time of the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642, Basing House belonged to John Paulet, the fifth Marquis of Winchester, who was a supporter of King Charles I. As a consequence, parliamentary troops attacked Basing House on three different occasions, with the defenders successfully driving off the first two. The term English Civil War (or Wars) refers to the series of armed conflicts and political machinations which took place between Parliamentarians and Royalists from 1642 until 1651. ... Events January 4 - Charles I attempts to arrest five leading members of the Long Parliament, but they escape. ... Charles I (19 November 1600–30 January 1649) was King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 27 March 1625, until his death. ... A parliamentarian is a specialist in parliamentary procedure. ...

The final siege started in August of 1645 when Colonel John Dalbier, with 800 troops, took up position around the walls. The garrison held out, despite further reinforcements to the attacking force, until Oliver Cromwell arrived with heavy artillery. By October 13, 1645, the New House had been taken and the defenses of the Old House breached. The final storming took place across the link from the New House. Many valuable goods were carried off and a fire destroyed the building. // Events January 10 - Archbishop Laud executed on Tower Hill. ... Unfinished portrait miniature of Oliver Cromwell by Samuel Cooper, 1657. ... October 13 is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years). ... // Events January 10 - Archbishop Laud executed on Tower Hill. ...

John Paulet had his estates confiscated and was sent to the Tower of London on a charge of high treason, although these charges were later dropped, and the site of Basing House returned to him by King Charles II. His son Charles Paulet became wealthy again as a consequence of his support for William of Orange during the Glorious Revolution. This wealth was used to pull down what was left of Basing House and to build a new house at Hackwood. The Tower of London, seen from the river, with a view of the water gate called Traitors Gate. ... Charles II (29 May 1630–6 February 1685) was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 30 January 1649 (de jure) or 29 May 1660 (de facto) until his death. ... Charles Paulet, 1st Duke of Bolton (c. ... For other men named William of Orange, see William of Orange (disambiguation) William III of England (14 November 1650–8 March 1702; also known as William II of Scotland, William Henry and William of Orange) was a Dutch aristocrat and the Holy Roman Empires Prince of Orange from his... The term Glorious Revolution refers to the generally popular overthrow of James II of England in 1688. ...

Location

Basing House is located in the village of Old Basing, approximately one mile east of the centre of the town of Basingstoke, in the north of the English county of Hampshire. The house is situated close to the upper reaches of the River Loddon. Because of congestion in Old Basing, the car park for the house is situated situated several hundred yards away and is accessed by an attractive riverside walk. Old Basing, a village in North East Hampshire, close to, but fiercely independent of its close neighbour, Basingstoke. ... Location within the British Isles View from Basingstoke railway station forecourt; the chrome yellow buildings stand on the site of older office buildings that have been demolished to build apartments. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area  - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 1st UK 49,138,831 377/km² Ethnicity... Hampshire (abbr. ... The River Loddon is a tributary of the River Thames. ...

grid reference SU662526 The British national grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references commonly used in Great Britain, different from using latitude or longitude. ...

Access

The extensive ruins of Basing House, together with a small explanatory exhibition, are open to the public. At the time of writing (November 22, 2004), the ruins are open from April to September, Wednesday to Sunday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., with an admission charge of £1–2. For more details see the Basing House web page in "External links" below. November 22 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... 2004 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

External links

• Hampshire Country Council webpage