By Tim Lambert Dedicated to James Lambert Stirling in the Middle Ages Stirling became an important settlement because it is the lowest crossing place over the River Forth. Furthermore, it has a rocky outcrop, which was a natural place to build a fort. (The name Stirling is derived from Striveling, meaning place of strife). By… Continue reading A History of Stirling
Author: Tim Lambert
A History of St Andrews
By Tim Lambert Modern St Andrews St Andrews is named after Scotland’s patron saint. According to legend in the 8th century, a Greek monk called St Rule or St Regulus brought some of the bones of St Andrew to Scotland. In the Middle Ages, people flocked to visit his remains. In those days people believed… Continue reading A History of St Andrews
A History of Cardiff
By Tim Lambert The Roman Fort at Cardiff Cardiff began as a Roman fort. The Romans invaded Wales about 50 AD and about 55 AD they built a fort on the site of Cardiff. In the late 1st century the fort was reduced in size as Wales was now at peace. However, in the mid-3rd… Continue reading A History of Cardiff
A History of Conwy
By Tim Lambert Early Conwy Llywelyn ap Iorwerth or Llywelyn the Great (1173-1240) founded an abbey at Conwy and he was later buried there. However, the town of Conwy was founded by the English king Edward I. After subduing Wales Edward decided to build a chain of castles in Wales to hold down the Welsh.… Continue reading A History of Conwy
A History of Newport
By Tim Lambert Newport in the Middle Ages Newport is a thriving city in Gwent, South Wales. Newport was created after the Normans conquered Gwent in 1093. In the early 12th century they built a castle by a ford in the River Usk. Soon a little town grew up by the castle. In the Middle… Continue reading A History of Newport
A History of Swansea
By Tim Lambert Early Swansea Swansea was once called Sweins eg or ey, which means Swein’s Island. The island stood at the mouth of the River Tawe. Who Swein was is not known for sure but he may have been a Norseman who built a fort on the island about 1000 AD and used it… Continue reading A History of Swansea
A History of Wrexham
By Tim Lambert Wrexham in the Middle Ages In the 1990s evidence was discovered of a small Roman settlement at Wrexham. However, the modern town grew up in the Middle Ages. Wrexham was first mentioned in writing in the 12th century. At the beginning of the 13th century, the Lord of the Manor gave some… Continue reading A History of Wrexham
A History of Belfast
By Tim Lambert BELFAST IN THE 17TH CENTURY The city of Belfast began in the early 17th century. The name Belfast is a corruption of the Gaelic words Beal Feirste meaning mouth of the sandy ford. The town of Belfast grew after 1609 when King James began his policy of settling Englishmen and Scots in… Continue reading A History of Belfast
A History of Cork, Ireland
By Tim Lambert According to tradition Cork was founded by St Finbarr in the 7th century. He built an abbey there. Its name comes from the Gaelic Corcaigh, which means marshy place. For centuries the abbey at Cork flourished and it was famous for learning. However, in 820, the Vikings raided the abbey and the… Continue reading A History of Cork, Ireland
A History of Derry
By Tim Lambert Early Derry Derry is an ancient settlement. Its name is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word doire meaning a grove of oak trees. From the 6th AD onwards century there was a monastery in Derry. (Tradition says St Columba founded it). In time a settlement grew up by the monastery.… Continue reading A History of Derry