Old Hampshire Mapped
Cox's Hampshire
Transcription (54)Southwick
Henry VI
Margaret of Anjou
Stafford, Lord
Charles I
Buckingham, Duke of
Norton Family
Civil War
Southwick, where Holinshed tells us, King Henry VI. was married to Margaret, the Daughter of Reyner, Duke of Anjou. Humphrey, Lord Stafford, in the Reign of Edward IV. was entitled Lord Stafford of Southwick, but we are not certain that he was Lord of the Manor here.
To this Place King Charles I. came, when he accompanied his Favourite, George Duke of Buckingham, who was going to Portsmouth to embark in his second Expedition against the French, and staying some Time in this Village, he received the unwelcome News of the Duke of Buckingham's Murder, whereupon he returned immediately to London, full of Grief and Surprize, giving Order only to secure the Rogue.
This Village has long been the Seat of the Norton's, a Family very ancient in this County, and of good Note; for Thomas de Norton was the representative in Parliament for it, 14th of King Edward III. and in the Sheriffs Rolls there is scarce any Family in this Shire before them; for John de Norton held that Office in the 6th of King Edward II. almost 500 Years ago: Robert de Norton, in the twelfth Year of the same King, and James de Norton the Year after. Several others of the same Name are also found there.
In the Civil Wars of this Nation, Colonel Norton of this Family, signalized himself in the Parliament for these Parts, till the Rump usurped the Sovereignty, and impiously laid violent Hands upon the King's sacred Person. Richard Norton Esq; the Owner of this Manor and Seat at present, is a Gentleman of great Worth and Honour, a Patron of Wit, and Encourager of Learning, and has represented this County in divers Parliaments. More to the East is
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