Sent: 29 April 2009 16:25
To: tim broughton
Subject: The Abbreviation of Hampshire

Our reference: xxxxxxx

Dear Mr Broughton

Thank you for your email regarding the abbreviation of the word Hampshire to Hants.

I have briefly researched the history of the abbreviation to Hants and it would seem that this abbreviated form is derived from the Old English Hantum plus Scir (meaning a district governed from the settlement now known as Southampton) and the Anglo-Saxons called it Hamtunschire. At the time of the Doomsday Book (1086) this was compressed to Hantescire.

I am sure that there is further information available both online, and from the county libraries, should you wish to look into this in more depth.

Best wishes

Sarah McCarthy-Fry
Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North

From: tim broughton

Sent: 30 April 2009 21:50

To: Sarah McCarthey-Fry MP
Subject: The Abbreviation of Hampshire

Dear Sarah

How kind of you to get back in touch to solve the conundrum of the abbreviation of Hampshire! I should have known the answer lay buried, but not forgotten, in the history of our ancient Isle. You must be mighty relieved I wasn’t asking about Yorkshire – the thought of you having to read the Domesday book all the way through to Y strikes me as a bit of an ordeal. 

You’ll be pleased to know I have also managed to adapt my rhyme to accommodate your explanation. It now runs as follows:

Grab the first syllable and the S from Shire, 

whack ‘em together and we’ll never tire!

Except for Hampshire,I’ll tell you why.

It shortens to Hantsjust ask McCarthy-Fry!

And just like that, the headaches have gone! 

Thank you Sarah. I wish you, your household and your legitimate second household all the best.

Tim