BROCKENHURST, a chapelry in the parish of
BOLDRE, eastern division of the hundred of NEW-FOREST,
New Forest (East) division of the county of
SOUTHAMPTON, 4 miles (N. by W.) from Lymington,
containing. 818 inhabitants. The village is of Saxon
origin, and is mentioned in Domesday-book -under the
name Broceste, wherein it is stated .to contain a church;
this "edifice, which is a chapel of ease to Boldre, stands
on an artificial mound, and, though somewhat disguised
by subsequent alterations, exhibits various portions of
early Norman architecture, and contains a large and
curious antique font, Henry Thurston, in 1745, gave
property, now producing £24 per annum> for the instruction,
of children; this sum, together with voluntary
contributions, is applied to the support of a school
on Dr. Bell's plan. The surrounding scenery is of an
interesting character: Watcombe House, in Brocket
hurst Park, was 'for three years the residence of John
Howard, the philanthropist. Various tumuli are dispersed
over a heath, called Sway Common, on the southwest
of the village; some of them lie. within the area
of an intrenchment on the brow of a hill, a short distance
south-east of Setley wood; and two have a regular
fosse and vallum.