A Hampshire archivist has told of her fear that the four-centuries-old Broadlands archives could be broken up or sold abroad. Janet Smith, county archivist at the Hampshire Record Office, said that breaking up the material would be “dreadful.”
She added that many of the researchers who use its database often go on to the University of Southampton to follow up their findings with the Broadlands archive. The special collection has been kept by the university for more than 20 years.
The archives are worth about £2.85m and the university has first refusal for the purchase.
You can read more at http://www.thisishampshire.net/news/4737234.Archives_could_be_sold_abroad/.
You dont make it clear in your article about the national importance of the Broadlands Archives. Broadlands is a large family estate which was the home of Lord Palmerston (Prime Minister in 19th century), and Lord Louis Mountbatten of Burma, last Viceroy of India and uncle of our present Queen. Both the Queen and Prince Charles honeymooned at Broadlands.
More locally, probably thousands of people in Romsey and the surrounding area had dealings with the estate, either as employees on the many farms, contractors or visitors. For example, in that archive should be a massive birthday card, signed by nearly a 1000 Romsey Guides and Scouts, celebrating Lord Louis' birthday in Jubilee Year.
To lose this archive from Hampshire would be a travesty.
Posted by: Sandra J Smith | November 13, 2009 at 06:01 AM
This is certainly a great tragedy in the making. There is one thing for sure: if Lord Brabourne has any manorial records in the lot of what is for sale they will not -- by law -- be allowed to leave the British Isles. Manorial records are a precious and sacred part of British history and can't be batted about the world for any price.
Parenthetically, I see an interesting article on Wikipedia about Lord Brabourne and his extremely close friendship with the Royal Family. One can't help but wonder the motive behind such a sale but I wouldn't be surprised if the world econonmic situtation had something to do with it. I know some fabulous and ancient historical holdings in Sussex were sold for just such a reason in the 1800s.
We can only hope that any buyer would have an interest in keeping the collection together and continuing to allow open access for researchers.
Terri England
Posted by: Terri England | November 13, 2009 at 08:02 AM