Once upon a time, many years ago . . . . .
The story begins with the following statement quoted from the Domesday Book commissioned in 1085 by King William (The Conqueror) which has been slightly altered by the webmaster to appear more legible:
The King himself holds HOLEEST. It was then assessed at 29 HIDES and half a VIRGATE. When Hugh de Pont received it from William the Conqueror there were 22 HIDES and half a VIRGATE. The other 7 HIDES were to be found on the Isle of Wight.
*A 'HIDE' was a unit of taxation assessment denoting value rather than area - A 'VIRGATE' was a quarter of a hide.
William the Conquerer
A picture of the original chest which housed the Domesday Book. The Domesday book was commisioned in December 1085 by William the Conqueror, who invaded England in 1066. The first draft was completed in August 1086 and contained records for 13,418 settlements in the English counties south of the rivers Ribble and Tees (the border with Scotland at the time).
In the time of Edward the Confessor 'King of England', born in 1003, Holdenhurst was held by Tostig, Earl of Northumbria and brother to King Harold II. For his maltreatment of the Northumbrians Tostig was deprived of his Earldom. Later he rebelled against Harold and was killed fighting along side the Norwegian King Harold Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge near York, on the 25th September 1066 (about three weeks before the Battle of Hastings). It is possible that men from the village of Holdenhurst fought at Stamford Bridge. King Hardrada was also killed during the battle.
The completed 'Holdenhurst Village' website will include many illustrations, maps and photographs - in the meantime I would like to hear from any families that once visited, lived or were married in the village, especially if you have any old photographs or paintings that show any of the buildings within the surrounding area that hopefully you would allow me to use within the site - Thank You, Kim Leachman.

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