WHIPPINGHAM, a parish in the liberty of EAST-MEDINA,
Isle of Wight division of the county of
SOUTHAMPTON, 3 miles (N. by E.) from Newport, containing
2068 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in
the archdeaconry and diocese of Winchester, rated in
the king's books at £19- 1. 5., and in the patronage of
the Crown. The church, dedicated to St. Mildred, is a
large structure, principally in the later English style,
with a tower and spire. The parish lies on the east
side of the navigable river Medina, and is boundedon.
the north-east by the Motherbank; it contains the po->
pulous hamlet of East Cowes, which is separated from
West Cowes by the river. On the brow of a neighbouring
hill is East Cowes castle, erected by Mr. Nash, for
his own residence and commanding some fine sea views;
it has one square, and two circular, embattled towers.
Old Castle point, on this coast, is the site of a fort
constructed in the reign of Henry VIII. At Barton, in
this parish, was an oratory of Augustine monks, founded
in 1282, by John de Insula, the remains of which have
been converted into a farm-house.