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Map sources for Ringwood at grid reference SU1505

Ringwood is a town in Hampshire, England, on the River Avon, west of the New Forest and north of Bournemouth. The town was traditionally an agricultural centre, but since the closure of its cattle market in 1989, it has increasingly become a dormitory town.

The BBC television comedy series "The Brittas Empire" was filmed at Ringwood Recreation Centre.

Ringwood is the home of the Ringwood Brewery, which produces a variety of cask ales. Ringwood brewery also produce a variety of wines.

Nearby, Matchams Leisure Park is known for various forms of motor sport including motorcross, go-karting and stock car racing.

According to William Camden’s Britannia (1607) the name was originally Regnewood. It was listed in the Domesday Book as Rincewed. It meant 'the wood of the Regni'. The Regni were an ancient people of Britain. (For the 1607 version in Latin and English, see Library of Humanistic Texts. For Edmund Gibson's 1722 English translation, see Archive CD Books , listed as "Camden's Britannia 1588", p133.)

After the Battle of Sedgemoor on July 6, 1685, James, Duke of Monmouth was arrested near Horton (now named Monmouth Ash) and taken to the now named Monmouth House in West Street (between the Market Place and the Fish Inn). It was here where he wrote a letter to James II begging remorse. It was not granted, and he was brought to trial in the Tower of London by the infamous 'Hanging Judge Jefferies.'

Also after the battle of Sedgemoor an elderly local lady, Alice Lisle, gave refuge to two wanted men who were escaping the battle. When her home—Moyles Court (now a private school)—was raided, the men were found and Alice was arrested. She was sentenced to be burned at the stake by the same Judge Jefferies; she received a late reprieve, and the sentence was reduced to beheading. She is buried at St Mary's Church, Ellingham, some two miles from her Moyles Court home. Her tomb can be found to the right of the church entrance; it is easily spotted as the lid has been left unfinished with rough edges.

There is now a pub called the Alice Lisle near to Moyles court.

Coordinates: 50°51′N 1°47′W