30 C O N T E X T 1 2 6 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 S streets had progressively expanded in all directions within the historic core of the city, a quarter of the original Saxon town was shown to have been cleared to facilitate the erection of the cathedral precinct and the related ecclesiastical institutions. The once-broad market street had shrunk so greatly that a market square had been created on its eastern side to house the street vendors, later to be swallowed almost entirely itself by the expanding buildings. Graham Scobie demonstrated that Winchester was not so much a product of ordered Saxon town planning but that it grew within the natural topography. It had developed its current unique and charming pattern due to the strategic drainage and redirection of water courses. Its continued evolution is a result of constant habitation since prehistoric times. StuartWest Winchester city centre walking tour On an intermittently rainy afternoon, Michael Craze, a Blue and Green Badge Guide, guided 23 delegates through a small part of Winchester city centre. His role and experience dictated the nature of the tour, which was a brief window on to some of the city’s history through a sample of its buildings rather than one majoring on conservation issues. Craze talked about the early history of the city and influences on its layout from its origins as an iron-age enclosure, its developing street pattern during Roman times and the advantage taken by King Alfred of local topography to build on the natural land terraces. Winchester became a medieval capital city with its cathedral, royal palace and mint. The population in 1100 was 8,000, substantially exceeding that of 1800, when it had fallen to 5,000. A first visit to the God Begat House in High Street evoked discussions about the likely age of the existing building, which Craze identified as the original site of a messuage belonging to Queen Emma, the mother of Edward the Confessor. The current building dates back to the 15th century, with later remodelling and interesting repair techniques. Delegates would have liked a more in-depth visit to play detectives at deciphering the building’s history. From there, the walk concentrated on two streets, St Peter’s and Jewry Streets. The first revealed typical remodelled earlier timber-framed buildings with added brick elements and a modest classical house, reputedly by Christopher Wren (given his local connections). A lively debate arose while looking at the late 18th century Catholic church and its 1920s replacement. This centred on the principle of re-using architectural features, an archway moved first from the medieval leper hospital to the 18th century church and then the 20th century one.Would we do it now? Michael Craze with delegates in the library created from the former Corn Exchange (Photo: RobertWalker) Michael Craze perseveres despite the rain.
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