The Indigenous population of Hampshire

[Dave the Walrus]

Hi Everybody,

It seems that Winchester's prosperity and importance has varied all through history and it seems to have had a larger population in the 10th Century, than it did in 1801.

I suspect that the farming community would have had much more to do with Winchester than Southampton and Portsmouth. In effect, the two types of trade polarised around Winchester and Southampton: Winchester as a market town and Southampton for fishing and the shipping industry.

If my ancestors in the late 18th century came from a farming background I would think that they would have had more to do with Winchester, than Southampton. I expect that fishermen don't become farmers and farmers don't take up fishing. Would there have been any other important market towns in Hampshire before the 1750's?

Dave

[Redroger]

Don't forget Basingstoke Dave.

[Little Nell]

Dave,

I think your generalisations may be too sweeping.  Winchester was important in medieval times as a religious centre - there were several religious houses there.  The Bishop of Winchester was also an important figure politically at various times, particularly in the 12th century.

It was the centre of the local wool trade and Southampton was the port from which the wool was exported to the continent and in exchange, England imported wine from France.  I'm not sure that Southampton has ever been strong on the fishing front.  They built some good ships though and the Mayflower set off from there as well. 

The New Forest was not an area which was good for agriculture, which was why it was used for hunting.

Nell

[Redroger]

Correct Nell, trade, wine etc, and military departures for the wars with France. Latterly a major passenger and now cruise port, but no major fishing activities.

[kliffy]

My Understanding is that 10 to 20 % of the population was actually of Saxon Blood and that those Romano-Celts that had lived here for a thousand years or more, just started learning the Saxon customs and lanuage etc.

It would appear from watching digging for Britain that not all Romans left either, so I am sure there are people descended from Roman Soldiers, from North Africa out there somewhere.

At least that what the TV programmes I have watched has suggested, and one of them talked about genocide with the Jutes being all but wiped out I think.

Kliffy

[Redroger]

BUT according to Oppenheimer, it makes little if any difference as we are all from the same root anyway, the Ice Age refuge in Northern Spain.

[kliffy]

As previously said, My knowledge is from watching quality TV programmes, and having a interest, in getting my DNA tested one day.

From DNA testing, it is possible to identify if you have Celtic, Anglo/Saxon and Norwegian Viking Origins on your Maternal or Paternal side, but that is only two lines, there are so many ancestors inbetween, that the test can't pick up, so it is only part of a persons make up, and not the full story of who you are.


I think there was a school Teacher from Somerset who was related on the Maternal side to a 2,000 year old skeleton near where he lived, so maybe the apples do not fall to far from the tree.

I think I recall Danish (The jutes) being indistinguishable from Angle and Saxon DNA, since they where from Northern Germany and Norman DNA couldn't readily be identified I think.

Kliffy

[Redroger]

IF I remember correctly, the skeleton from the Cheddar Gorge, featured on meet the Ancestors was some 8,000 years old. Remarkable they were able to get DNA from it. I have had a Y chromosome DNA test a few months ago, and am digesting the continuing results. There are numerous threads about DNA on this site if you want some reading. There were a variety of special pricing offers at WDYTYA last February if you fancy taking one there, but as I say there are many offers around. The people you mention have indistinguishable DNA profiles, but remember we are all the same people anyway according to Oppenheimer.

[kliffy]

Didn't realise the skeleton was 8,000 years old, you can check Teeth now, for an Isotope reading, it can pinpoint where the person grew up.

It is all fascinating stuff.

We may be of Different cultures, but we are the same people.