In the parish of Owslebury, the stately masonry of Marwell Hall stands in the centre of the now well known Marwell Zoological Park. The Hall dates mainly from 1815, but the original building, part of which still stands, was a fourteenth century manor known as Marwell Woodloke, at one time a residence of King Henry VIII. Contrary to history, which states that Jane Seymour and Henry VIII were betrothed the day after Anne Boleyn’s execution, the Owslebury version, firmly believed by all veterans, is that the King and his bride-to-be were about to begin the ceremony when Anne was being executed. Jane Seymour is reputed to have been secretly married to Henry VIII in Marwell Hall in 1536. Her father, Sir Henry Seymour, was in fact given the house and estate by Henry VIII after the dissolution of monasteries. Until then it had belonged to the Bishops of Winchester. There exists a popular belief that within these ancient walls a tragedy occurred in which a young bride, weary of dancing on the night of her Christmas wedding, perished by hiding in an old oak chest which closed upon her with a spring lock, her mouldering remains coming to light many years later with the opening of the chest, a sprig of mistletoe beside them. This prompted Thomas Haynes Bayly (1823-1877) to write the Ballard “The Mistletoe Bough”. These few facts and fantasies will, I feel sure, create further interest for those who seek the intriguing wild life and natural beauty of Marwell Zoological Park.

Owslebury 1940

Owslebury — “Oselbryig” in the days of King Edgar the Peaceful, is today pronounced “uzzelbury” and sounds as it should, purest Hampshire. Whether it takes its name from Shakespeare’s ousel cock, or from an Anglo Saxon gentleman by the name of Osla, is still an unsolved problem.

The Ship Inn

The Ship Inn, originally called the Britannia Inn, dates back to 1681. The Inn was used as recently as 1900 for the Customary Court of Marwell Manor, who met for the conduct of such business as came within its concern.

Owslebury Corn Mill and Wind Pump

Recorded in 1870, the Owslebury corn windmill was the last working mill of its type in Hampshire. Unfortunately by 1900 it was derelict, and near to the site of the commit! (where the new school stands now) was built a wind pump in 1870. The wind pump was pulled down as recently as 1950.

Owslebuy Church 1912

The original church, dedicated to St Andrew, and much of which still remains, dates from Edward I and the thirteenth century. During the reformation, the owner of Marwell, Sir Henry Seymour, in his zeal for the newly reformed religion, dragged a Romish priest from the altar while he celebrated Mass and shot him. To be fair, the priest in question had openly cursed Sir Henry and his posterity with bell, book and candle.