By Tim Lambert Roman Worcester The city of Worcester was founded by the Romans about 50 AD. It stood on the Roman road from Wroxeter to Gloucester so a considerable amount of traffic passed through. Soon Worcester was a flourishing little town. In Roman Worcester, there were many craftsmen such as blacksmiths, carpenters, bakers, and… Continue reading A History of Worcester
A History of Worthing
By Tim Lambert Early Worthing Worthing began as a Saxon village. It may have been called Worth or Wurtha ingas which means the settlement (belonging to) the people of Worth or Wurtha. Whatever the origin of its name for centuries Worthing was just a hamlet where farmers lived. However, in the 18th century, its fortunes… Continue reading A History of Worthing
A History of Yeovil
By Tim Lambert Yeovil in the Middle Ages Yeovil was founded in the 8th century after the Saxons conquered this part of Somerset. What does the name Yeovil Mean? It is believed to be a corruption of the Celtic word Gifl, meaning forked river. In time the village of Yeovil grew into a little town.… Continue reading A History of Yeovil
A History of York
By Tim Lambert Roman York The Romans founded the city of York. They invaded Yorkshire in 71 AD and built a fort between the rivers Ouse and Foss. By the mid-2nd century, a small town grew up by the fort. Craftsmen and merchants came to live there because the soldiers in the fort provided a… Continue reading A History of York
A History of Aberdeen
By Tim Lambert Aberdeen in the Middle Ages The name Aberdeen probably comes from the word aber (meaning mouth of the river) Don. Aberdeen was probably founded by the 8th century AD as a fishing settlement. However, by the early 12th century Aberdeen had grown into a town. One sign of this came in 1136… Continue reading A History of Aberdeen
A History of Ayr
By Tim Lambert Ayr in the Middle Ages In 1197 a castle was built by the River Ayr. Shortly afterward, in 1205, King William the Lion created a burgh at Ayr. He laid out streets and set aside plots of land for building houses. William also started a market at Ayr. (In those days there… Continue reading A History of Ayr
A History of Dumfries
By Tim Lambert Early Dumfries The Scottish king William the Lion made Dumfries a Royal Burgh in 1186. In the late 12th century a castle was built in Dumfries but it was demolished in the early 14th century. In 1395 Robert III gave Dumfries a charter. (In the Middle Ages a charter was a document… Continue reading A History of Dumfries
A History of Sheffield
By Tim Lambert Sheffield in the Middle Ages Sheffield takes its name from the River Sheaf. It was once called the Sceaf, which means border so it was the border river. Sheffield was founded in the early 12th century by the Lord of the Manor, William de Lovetot. He built a castle on the site… Continue reading A History of Sheffield
A History of Shrewsbury
By Tim Lambert Shrewsbury in the Middle Ages Shrewsbury began as an Anglo-Saxon town. It was first mentioned in the year 901. Its place name ending ‘bury’ showed it was once a fortified settlement called a burgh. (The Saxons created a network of fortified settlements across England). Shrewsbury was probably protected by a ditch with… Continue reading A History of Shrewsbury
A History of Soberton
By Tim Lambert Early Soberton In the 6th century AD, a people called the Jutes from Denmark invaded central Hampshire. A tribe called the Meon settled there and they gave their name to the River Meon. They founded Soberton. At first, it was called Sud (South) bere (barley) tun (farm or settlement). By the time… Continue reading A History of Soberton