In 410 A.D. the Romans withdrew their legions from Britain and the Jutes of Northern Denmark took possession of the Isle of Wight and the area between Southampton and Portsmouth. They erected a fortress on the Common, evidence of which can still be seen. In 730 A.D. the cronicler Bede wrote of Hamble, commenting on its unusual double tide.

"Two tides out of the Northern Ocean do daily meet and encounter near the mouth of the River Hamelea, and when their conflict is ended, return again to the sea whence they came"

Piracy..