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Henry II landed in Southampton in 1174, dressed as a pilgrim. He walked to Canterbury in penance for killing the Archbishop, Thomas A. Becket. Canterbury became renowned for miracles and we had an influx of French arriving in Southampton wanting to walk to Canterbury. A very wealthy Norman by the name of Gervase Ia Riche felt sorry for his fellow country man so much so that he purchased the bottom end of town. He had almshouses built and a hospice called Maison Dieu (House of God, Gods House Tower). The lawns laid to the old bowling green (Britains oldest bowling green) and St. Julian’s Church was built and named after the patron saint of pilgrims.

He left it to Richard the Lion Heart, who left it to his brother King John. In 1343 Edward III gave it all to his wife Queen Phillipa to start her new school Queens College Oxford. Which is why we have Oxford Street, College Street, John Street and Queens Park. The bulk of that estate is still owned by Queens College Oxford.

When Richard The Lion Heart was caught in the crusades and held to ransom it was Gervase la Riche that visited him and paid the bulk of the ransom.

Richard The Lion Heart was king for only nine years, of that he only spent 6 months in England and the only Christmas he spent in England was in the royal castle in Southampton. The Three lions of England are Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine and their son Richard the Lion Heart. Of these three, none of them spoke English, they were Normans so spoke French.

Bernard Street was originally Bridge St. Peter and Thomas Bernard paid to have the canal filled in (Canal Walk) which the bridge crossed over.

Latimer Street is named after a protestant bishop Hugh Latimer, burned at the stake in 1555.

61 Oxford Street was the home of Lucia Foster Welch (died March 1940). She was Southampton's first Lady Mayor, councillor alderman and first sheriff. Southampton is the only town in England were the Mayor has the title of Admiral of The Port. So Lucia Foster Welch was England's first Lady Admiral.

Written by Genevieve Bailey
 





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