General background history

The hamlet of Little Woodham is built within the lands of Grange Farm which occupied this site since the Norman Conquest and which in the 16th and 17th centuries was owned by the Brune Family,  Grange Farm forms part of the Parish of Rowner; parish units being central to the origin of community life in the 17th century.

Little Woodham is situated about two miles west of the little town of Gosport as it was in the 17th century. It was a fishing village in the process of developing into a trading port and of significance in its support of Portsmouth.

Across the mouth of the harbour lies Portsea island. Portsmouth town covered a small area near the mouth of the harbour and was, with its key situation on the centre of the south coast, of great importance to the security of the nation. It was a significant Navy and trading port visited by ships and trades from all nations. Due to its international role it presented an intercultural and cosmopolitan aspect rare in 17th century towns. The road links reflected its national significance: the road to London being notably important.

Many children died within one year of birth. If they lived to adulthood and then as women survived the trauma of repeated childbirth's or as men survived accident or disease, they may well have reached old age. Some even exceeding their expected life span limit of 'three score years and ten'.

It is important to remember that the historical interpretation presented at Little Woodham is not intended to be representational of only those people who would have worked on Grange Farm within the Parish of Rowner in the 17th century.

In order to make our presentation as educationally valuable as possible, we represent trades and occupations existing in many parts of Hampshire in the period.