KING John and the Sheriff of Nottingham are best kown as the villains in the legend of Robin Hood.

The pair's links to a Hampshire town are explored in a new exhibition - "King John: Runnymede and Romsey" at King John's House in Romsey which marks the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta and re-investigates whether King John really did live in the house that bears his name!.

There is evidence that King John (1199-1216) came to Romsey on several occasions, and that he built himself a hunting lodge in the town c1206. When he sent his daughter, Joan, to be educated by the nuns of Romsey Abbey, John arranged for her to make it her home. His son, Henry III, later gave this building to the Abbess of Romsey Abbey. So far so good, but sadly, in recent years, modern technology has shown that this is not the building known as King John’s House since 1927.

But if we move a few miles north of Romsey, then a surprisingly strong connection with King John and Magna Carta can be found in the notorious character known as William Brewer. William’s base was at Ashley Castle in the Somborne area.

Hampshire-born William Brewer started his career in the reign of Henry II, when he was a forester administering often brutal Forest Law on behalf of the king. When John became king, William Brewer found favour by his ruthless fund-raising techniques that made him as detested as his master.

Gradually, William became King John’s staunchest supporter and was rewarded in many ways. He became sheriff of Hampshire on three occasions and sheriff of Nottingham twice. Was he, indeed, the inspiration for Robin Hood’s famous villain?

On the plus side of this undoubtedly cruel man it should be said that he was loyal to the end and even beyond John’s death. And he did surprising and positive things – developing a settlement at Stockbridge and (in 1201) founding Mottisfont Abbey. Indeed, he ended his days as a Cistercian monk at Dunkeswell Abbey, Devon, which he had also founded.

King John’s confidence in his dubious ally may be seen in his own words to the abbot-elect Hugh of Bury St Edmunds in 1215 - ‘Go to William Brewer, for he will fully explain my wishes to you’. From now until July 31, you can go to King John’s House where there is an exhibition about these key characters in the story of Magna Carta.

King making

  • CHILDREN are being invited to create their own design of King John of England signing the Magna Carta in 1215. It's all part of school half term activities at Romsey's King John's House Heritage Centre. 

Next Wednesday (May 27) there will be workshops between 10am and 11am, Noon and 1pm and 2pm and 3pm. All materials will be provided by staff at King John's House. This includes clay. There is a £5 charge and pre-booking is advised. Contact Romsey Tourist Information Centre on 01794 5122200 for more information.