Yarmouth Isle of Wight Lewis Topographical Dictionary of England 1845
Monday, May 18 YARMOUTH (ST. JAMES), a market-town and parish, and formerly a representative borough, in the liberty of WEST MEDINA, Isle of Wight incorporation and division of the county of SOUTHAMPTON, 10 miles (W.) from Newport, and 94 (S. W.) from London, by Portsmouth, and 105 by Southampton; containing 567 inhabitants. This place, which derives its name from its situation on the river Yar, was formerly of much greater extent and importance than it is at present; it suffered severely from attacks of the French, by whom, in the reign of Richard II., it was pillaged and entirely burned, and on two subsequent, occasions it was nearly destroyed by them. The town field, laid out regularly in right angles, though now destitute of buildings, clearly appears to have been originally the site of a part of the town. Yarmouth is situated on a bank sloping to the sea, on the eastern point of land at the mouth of the Yar, and consists of several neat streets, for the most part running east and west: the houses, which are of freestone, are in general well built and of neat appearance, and public baths have been recently established. At its western extremity are a castle and small fort, erected by Henry VIII., the latter occupying the site of a church, or ancient religious house, and consisting of a platform with eight guns, and houses for the garrison.
