The barque 'Eliza Ramsden', 395 tons, struck Corsair Rock on July 24, 1875 Ref: Victims of the Corsair Rock Page 6]. The telescope was found on board the ship by William Shapter Senior while attempting to tow for salvage.One of the many wrecks in the locality of the Rip and QueenscliffeA brass telescope from the 'Eliza Ramsden'Alexander Dobbie, 24 Clyde Place, Glasgowtelescope, eliza ramsden, corsair rock, salvage, william shapter

Photograph depicts the R.S.S. "A" Team - Winners of Grand Aggregate, Geelong Girls' Interhouse Sports, 1943. Those photographed are: Dot Beckley, Ruth Ramsden, Jean Clarke, Violet Jones (Vice Capt), Jean Jones, Ina Osborne, Flo Louttit, Keith Turner (Coach), Ede Ramsden, (Captain), Pat Height (Mascot). Between the 1920’s and 1950’s the YWCA, Blue Triangle and local committee of representatives organised an Inter House Athletics Day for Girls in Geelong and Melbourne. Local Geelong business, such as the surrounding woollen mills, business firms and church clubs would form teams of seven women to compete in a variety of sports such as bowls, basketball, hockey, cricket and soccer. Events such as these were organised to encourage women to participate in competitive sports and network with other women in the workforce.Photograph depicts the R.S.S. "A" Team - Winners of Grand Aggregate, Geelong Girls' Interhouse Sports, 1943.Top edge - R.S.S. "A" Team - Winners of Grand Aggregate, Geelong Girls' Interhouse Sports, 1943. Bottom edge - Back row - Dot Beckley, Ruth Ramsden, Jean Clarke, Violet Jones (Vice Capt), Jean Jones, Ina Osborne / Sitting - Flo Louttit, Keith Turner (Coach), Ede Ramsden, (Captain), Pat Height (Mascot)textile mills - sporting teams textile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, sport, textile mills - sporting teams, textile mills

Edward George Kilburn, of Ellerker & Kilburn, designed 'Byram' (later renamed 'Goathland', 'Lowa' and 'Tara Hall') for the industrialist George Ramsden in 1888. The mansion, one of the most significant in Kew, was demolished in 1960.This is an original small photograph of this historic Kew mansion with provenance by descent from the first owners of the house.An angled view of the main hallway and staircase of Tara Hall (previously named Byram, Goathland and Lowan). To the right of the staircase in this Studley Park Road mansion, was a large inglenook fireplace surrounded by stucco decoration. The latter was a characteristic of the architect, Edward G. Kilburn’s late style.Inscription reverse: "Interior Tara Hall, demolished 1960. Donated by Grandson [Peter Ramsden] of original owner George Ramsden. Home was also called Goathlands [sic] during its ownership by Sir Malcolm McEacharn. Other owners - Mrs F Treadway, Count O'Loughlin, Dr Edward Ryan, Mrs Evans, Royal Womens' Hosp. KH-324"byram, tara hall, lowan, goathland, edward g. kilburn (architect), george ramsden

Australian aborigines using camels for goods transportation during their 'walkabout'.Bill Ramsden, P9841.basil miller, aborigines

During construction, commentators described the house as being in the ‘Elizabethan style’. The architectural style of the exterior, with its innovatory use of red brick and Italian tiles was more influenced by American models. Edward George Kilburn, of Ellerker & Kilburn, designed Byram for the industrialist George Ramsden in 1888.This is an original small photograph of this historic Kew mansion with provenance by descent from the first owners of the house.The main entrance to Tara Hall (previously named Byram, Goathland and Lowan). The entrance, through a porte-cochère, was located on the east side of the house. Inscription reverse: KH-323 Tara Hall once stood on Studley Pk Road on vast landscaped gardens. Donated by Mr Peter Ramsden, 49 Kamilaroy Road, West Pymble 2073 N.S.W. Dec.1979."byram, tara hall, lowan, goathland, edward g. kilburn (architect), george ramsden

Black and white photograph"Written on back of photograph" Centenary Wall Mathew McDougall Rebecca Ramsden

Depicts seven members of an R.S.&S. Mill 'A' basketball team. Those pictured are: Dorothy Beckley, Ruth Ramsden, Violet Jones, Jean Clark, Jean Jones, Edie Ramsden, Pat Rogan.Between the 1920’s and 1950’s the YWCA, Blue Triangle and local committee of representatives organised an Inter House Athletics Day for Girls in Geelong and Melbourne. Local Geelong business, such as the surrounding woollen mills, business firms and church clubs would form teams of seven women to compete in a variety of sports such as bowls, basketball, hockey, cricket and soccer. Events such as these were organised to encourage women to participate in competitive sports and network with other women in the workforce.Depicts seven members of an R.S.&S. Mill 'A' basketball team.textile mills staff, textile mills sporting teams, textile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, sport, photographs, textile mills - staff, textile mills - sporting teams

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical SocietyA view of Tara Hall from Studley Park Road, originally photographed by J.F.C. Farquhar in 1891 for the photographic album 'Kew: Where We Live', published by Henry Kellett. This image of the mansion has been used in a number of publications. The house was demolished in 1960.tara hall, goathland, byram, ramsden, dorothy rogers

The architect, Edward Kilburn designed Byram in the Arts & Crafts style for the industrialist George Ramsden. Construction began in 1888 and was reputed to have lasted three years. The mansion had frontages to Studley Park Road and Stevenson Street, including gardens laid out with great taste, including pleasure grounds, tennis lawn, fruit and flower garden, and paddock.The size of many of the trees in the garden indicate that many survived from the garden of Clifton Villa, the previous single-storeyed house built on the site by the Stevenson brothers. Byram had views to Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay. The house was demolished in 1960, despite opposition from the National Trust (Victoria), and its gardens subdivided into residential allotments.An early photograph of Goathland (also known as Byram, Lowan and Tara Hall). The photo shows the front of the building during the period of Sir Malcolm McEacharn’s occupation of the house (1901-11). Edward George Kilburn, of Ellerker & Kilburn, had originally designed the house for the industrialist George Ramsden in 1888. When Sir Malcolm McEacharn purchased Byram, he was to rename it as Goathland. This has led to some confusion, as Goathland was also the name used for McEacharn’s other home in St. Kilda. The period of McEacharn’s ownership represented the high point of the mansion’s history. 'Lost Glories: a memorial to forgotten Australian buildings' was published by David Latta in 1986. It tells the story of a number of significant Australian buildings that had previously been demolished. A chapter in the book was devoted to Goathland, later known as Tara Hall. To supplement the text, he sourced photographs from a range of suppliers, chiefly the Royal Women's Hospital which had once owned Tara Hall, but had sold it in 1960. This is one of the photographs donated to KHS by the author."'Goathland', The Residence of Sir Malcolm D McEacharn"byram, goathland, tara hall, lowan, studley park road -- kew (vic.), melbourne mansions, e g kilburn - architect

'Lost Glories: a memorial to forgotten Australian buildings' was published by David Latta in 1986. It tells the story of a number of significant Australian buildings that had previously been demolished. A chapter in the book was devoted to Goathland, later known as Tara Hall. To supplement the text, he sourced photographs from a range of suppliers, chiefly the Royal Women's Hospital which had once owned Tara Hall, but had sold it in 1960. This is one of the photographs donated to KHS by the author.Central Hall, Tara Hall, circa 1957. The central hallway and grand staircase of Tara Hall (previously named Byram, Goathland and Lowan). This photograph provides the clearest evidence of the scale and building materials selected by Edward George Kilburn, of Ellerker & Kilburn, for the industrialist George Ramsden in 1888. These include the murals on the second floor, the use of skylights, and the vaulted wooden panelling. byram, goathland, tara hall, lowan, studley park (kew), george ramsden, sir malcolm mceacharn, edward george kilburn (architect), studley park road (kew)

'Lost Glories: a memorial to forgotten Australian buildings' was published by David Latta in 1986. It tells the story of a number of significant Australian buildings that had previously been demolished. A chapter in the book was devoted to Goathland, later known as Tara Hall. To supplement the text, he sourced photographs from a range of suppliers, chiefly the Royal Women's Hospital which had once owned Tara Hall, but had sold it in 1960. This is one of the photographs donated to KHS by the author.Tara Hall, Studley Park Road, circa 1957. The front of Tara Hall (previously named Byram, Goathland and Lowan). This triple-storey mansion with its elaborate gabled, steeply-pitched roofs and verandah was set back from Studley Park Road and concealed by a high brick fence. E. G. Kilburn, of Ellerker & Kilburn, designed Byram for the industrialist George Ramsden in 1888. Typed inscription on reverse: "Tara Hall at the time it was a home for nurses from the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne. (Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne)."byram, goathland, tara hall, lowan, studley park (kew), george ramsden, sir malcolm mceacharn, edward george kilburn (architect), studley park road (kew)

'Lost Glories: a memorial to forgotten Australian buildings' was published by David Latta in 1986. It tells the story of a number of significant Australian buildings that had previously been demolished. A chapter in the book was devoted to Goathland, later known as Tara Hall. To supplement the text, he sourced photographs from a range of suppliers, chiefly the Royal Women's Hospital which had once owned Tara Hall, but had sold it in 1960. This is one of the photographs donated to KHS by the author. The Grand Staircase of Tara Hall, circa 1957. The central hallway and stairs of Tara Hall, (previously named Byram, Goathland and Lowan). Edward George Kilburn, of Ellerker & Kilburn, designed this Studley Park Road mansion, of which the hallway was a significant feature, for the industrialist George Ramsden in 1888. Tara Hall, one of the great houses in Kew was demolished in 1959-60. Possibly Marc Strizic, photographer (1928-2012). Typed inscription on reverse: "The Grand Staircase of Tara Hall (Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne).byram, goathland, tara hall, lowan, studley park (kew), george ramsden, sir malcolm mceacharn, edward george kilburn (architect), studley park road (kew)

1985 GR 2/1: Back Row: Matthew McDougall, Wesley Newell, Daniel Taylor, Wesley Sullivan, Robert McNamara, Mark Ingram. 2nd Row: Rebecca Darlow, Natalie Turner, Sarah Monki, Kelly Reinhardt, Rebecca Ramsden, Rosalia Mibenzi, Joanne McCarthy Front Row: (?), Michelle Benson, Rebecca Doorbar, Belinda Poulianakis, Rebecca Taualii, Jasmine Ozargin, Fleur Ingamells. Teacher: C Widdowson

The Eliza Ramsden, with its intact clipper bow, is one of Victoria's most aesthetically spectacular shipwreck sites, and thus has both recreational and educational significance. It is archaeologically significant as relics of cultural significance, including a small ship's bell, have been found on the site.Struck Corsair Rock and later sank in South Channel, Port Philip on 24 July 1875. Now a popular diving site. Large Anchor ex Eliza Rambden which was wrecked on Corsair Rock Point Nepean 24/071875 Made of Cast Ironeliza ramsden, shipwrecks, port phillip, anchors

'Lost Glories: a memorial to forgotten Australian buildings' was published by David Latta in 1986. It tells the story of a number of significant Australian buildings that had previously been demolished. A chapter in the book was devoted to Goathland, later known as Tara Hall. To supplement the text, he sourced photographs from a range of suppliers, chiefly the Royal Women's Hospital which had once owned Tara Hall, but had sold it in 1960. This is one of the photographs donated to KHS by the author. The Drawing Room, Tara Hall, circa 1957. A reception room in Tara Hall (previously named Byram, Goathland and Lowan). The room is presumed to be the original drawing room. In the La Trobe collection, there is a drawing by Charlie Hammond, depicting a group of painters who are gilding the elaborate stucco ceiling of this room. The drawing is dated 16 September 1889. The elaborate stucco decoration is characteristic of E. G. Kilburn’s late style. Kilburn, of Ellerker & Kilburn, designed Byram for the industrialist George Ramsden in 1888. Typed inscription on reverse: "A sitting room, one of many handsomely decorated rooms at Tara Hall.( Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne)."byram, goathland, tara hall, lowan, studley park (kew), george ramsden, sir malcolm mceacharn, edward george kilburn (architect), studley park road (kew)

'Lost Glories: a memorial to forgotten Australian buildings' was published by David Latta in 1986. It tells the story of a number of significant Australian buildings that had previously been demolished. A chapter in the book was devoted to Goathland, later known as Tara Hall. To supplement the text, he sourced photographs from a range of suppliers, chiefly the Royal Women's Hospital which had once owned Tara Hall, but had sold it in 1960. This is one of the photographs donated to KHS by the author. Porte-cochere, Tara Hall, circa 1957. The main entrance to Tara Hall (previously named Byram, Goathland and Lowan). The entrance, through a porte-cochère, was located on the side of the house facing east. During construction, commentators described the house as being in the ‘Elizabethan style’. The architectural style of the exterior, with its innovatory use of red brick and Italian tiles was more influenced by American models. Edward George Kilburn, of Ellerker & Kilburn, designed Byram for the industrialist George Ramsden in 1888. Typed inscription on reverse: "Goathland, also known as Tara Hall (Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne)."goathland -- kew (vic), byram -- kew (vic), tara hall - kew (vic), studley park road

Grade 4: 1987 Back Row L-R: Peter Weaver, Daniel Taylor, Wesley Sullivan, Ben Morgan, Ian Brown 3rd Row: Matthew McDougall, Peter Truong, Robbie Walkeley, Shannon Cagliarini, Kelly Reinhardt, Clint Russell, Phillip Luu, Daniel Hunt 2nd Row: Rebecca Ramsden, Sarah Monk, Erika Rauschenbach, Kerrie-Lee Warren, Rebecca Darlow, Natalie Turner, Joanne McCarthy, Nadia Razack Front Row: Chantal Bawden, Jasmine Ozergin, Sarah THorpe, Rebeccas Salt, Kirsty McLelland, Dana White, Rebecca Doorban, Mandy Milgate, Desiree King Teacher: Mrs C. Jones.

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england

William the Conqueror inherited Old Sarum from the last Saxon king of England. It was an ideal site for a royal castle. It was here in 1070 that William paid off his army after a long and bitter campaign in northern England. It was here in 1086 that he called together all the major landholders in England so they could swear allegiance to him. It was a crucial moment. The Domesday Book was being written, a threatened Viking invasion had only just been averted and William's eldest son was in armed rebellion. Old Sarum was an important place where this Norman king of England held power. In 1794 the Ordnance Survey set out to check the accuracy of the first mapping of Southern England, which had begun ten years earlier. From a point just below Old Sarum Lieutenant William Mudge laid out a base-line 36,574 feet (11,253 metres) long. From each end of the line the positions of distant places were plotted using a huge theodolite made in 1791 by Jesse Ramsden. The accuracy of the process, which was repeated all over England, depended on Jesse Ramsden's craftsmanship and on William Mudge's surveying skill in setting out this first base-line from Old Sarum. The nearer end of Mudge's line is marked by an inscribed stone beside the modern A345 at Old Sarum. ordnance survey, william mudge, jesse ramsden, william the conqueror, old sarum, saxon, 1086, england