Further to this ongoing discussion, the relevant part of VCH Wilts Vol
III can be seen online at
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=40265
Admittedly that volume was first published in 1956, but is a useful
starting point.
Relations between the authorities in the town and in the Close were
strained at various times in Salisbury's history; 'New Sarum' had been
founded by the then Bishop Richard Poore, and he and his successors
benefited from their rights over tenements, trade and the market. Nor
until a new charter was granted in 1612 was the city corporation largely
freed from the bishop's control.
Both sides 'visited' during the Civil War, though in general the city
was of Parliamentarian persuasion, and the Close supported the Royalist
cause. Because Salisbury had no real military value it escaped serious
damage, and was used by both armies for rest and recovery on journeys to
and from the West. During the Commonwealth period the jurisdiction of
the city extended over the Close as well as the town, but with the
Restoration the Close reverted to ecclesiastical administration. In
terms of the appointment of constables, I'm sure it would be possible,
from the corporation records at Wiltshire & Swindon Archives, to
discover whether (and when) they were employed for the Close as well as
the city parishes during this time.
By the way, the area within the ramparts of Old Sarum is c 12 hectares.
Jane Howells
[co-author 'Salisbury Past']
-----Original Message-----
From: From: Local-History list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Hideaki Inui
Sent: 14 January 2008 09:16
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [LOCAL-HISTORY] 'close' of New Sarum?
To All,
I wonder if you could tell me the meaning of 'close' of New Sarum found
in the mid-17th cen.
document (QS). ('close' meant 'close borough'?)
Hideaki
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