By Tim Lambert Edinburgh in the Middle Ages Edinburgh began as a fort. Castle Rock is an easily defended position so from the earliest times it was the site of a fort. In the 7th century, the English captured this part of Scotland and called this place Eiden’s burgh (burgh is an old word for… Continue reading A History of Edinburgh
A History of Glasgow
By Tim Lambert Glasgow in the Middle Ages Glasgow was probably founded in the 6th century when St Mungo built a church at a place called Glas Gu. (It means green place). A fishing settlement at the green place eventually grew into a small town. Glasgow was given a bishop in 1115, indicating it was… Continue reading A History of Glasgow
A History of Inverness
By Tim Lambert Dedicated to Tim and Bec Raynes Inverness in the Middle Ages Inverness is often called the capital of the Highlands. Inverness means the mouth of the River Ness. It is an ancient settlement. In the 6th century AD, St Columba is supposed to have visited the Pictish king Brude at his fortress… Continue reading A History of Inverness
A History of Perth Scotland
By Tim Lambert Perth in the Middle Ages The fair city of Perth was made a town or burgh by King David I in the early 12th century. There was probably already a settlement there but it was an obvious place to create a new town. It was at the first spot where the River… Continue reading A History of Perth Scotland
A History of Stirling
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
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