By Tim Lambert Basingstoke in the Middle Ages Basingstoke began as a Saxon village. By the time of the Domesday Book (1086), it had a population of about 200. By the standards of the time, it was quite a large village. In Basingstoke, there were 3 watermills, which ground grain into flour. Basingstoke also had… Continue reading A History of Basingstoke
A History of Bath
By Tim Lambert Roman Bath There is a legend that Bath was founded in 860 BC when Prince Bladud, father of King Lear, caught leprosy. He was banned from the court and was forced to look after pigs. The pigs also had a skin disease but after they wallowed in hot mud they were cured.… Continue reading A History of Bath
A History of Bedford
By Tim Lambert Danish and Saxon Bedford The town of Bedford was founded by the Danes. There may have been an existing settlement when they conquered this part of England in the late 9th century. Whether there was or not the Danes created a town at Bedford. They made a burh or fortified settlement north… Continue reading A History of Bedford
A History of Beverley
By Tim Lambert Beverley in the Middle Ages Beverley means beaver stream (beavers were once common in Britain). In about 705 a monastery was founded by the stream. In 721 John of Beverley, the Bishop of York died and was buried at the monastery. He was canonized (declared a saint) in 1037. It was said… Continue reading A History of Beverley
A History of Birkenhead
By Tim Lambert Early Birkenhead Birkenhead was once the headland with birch trees. It is not known exactly when the first settlement was founded at Birkenhead but in the mid-12th century, a Benedictine Priory was built there. At some point, a little hamlet grew up nearby and in 1277 King Edward I stayed at Birkenhead.… Continue reading A History of Birkenhead
A History of Birmingham
By Tim Lambert Birmingham in the Middle Ages Birmingham is the second-largest city in England. It began as an Anglo-Saxon village. In the early 12th century it grew into a town. In 1166 the King gave the Lord of the Manor, Peter De Birmingham, the right to hold a weekly market at Birmingham. Once a… Continue reading A History of Birmingham
A History of Bishop’s Stortford
By Tim Lambert Dedicated to John Robinson ROMAN BISHOP’S STORTFORD Bishop’s Stortford began as a Roman settlement. It was on Stane Street, a major Roman road between London and Colchester. The many travelers through the area caused the small town to grow. In those days of slow communications, it would have taken days to travel… Continue reading A History of Bishop’s Stortford
A History of Bishops Waltham
By Tim Lambert Early Bishops Waltham Bishops Waltham began as a Saxon village. The name Bishops Waltham is derived from the words Wald meaning wooded area and ham meaning settlement. It became known as Bishops Waltham after 904 when the king gave the manor to the Bishop of Winchester. A church was built in Bishops… Continue reading A History of Bishops Waltham
A History of Blackburn
By Tim Lambert Early Blackburn In the Middle Ages Lancashire was a poor area with few towns. At that time Blackburn was just a village. However, in the 16th century, Blackburn grew into a small market town. As well as weekly markets it also had annual fairs (in those days fairs were like markets but… Continue reading A History of Blackburn
A History of Blackpool
By Tim Lambert Early Blackpool For centuries Blackpool was a hamlet by the sea. Then during the 18th century, it became fashionable for the well-to-do to travel to the seaside during the Summer. (In those days people believed that bathing in seawater could cure diseases). Visitors came to Blackpool from the middle of the 18th… Continue reading A History of Blackpool