By Tim Lambert Early Arundel Arundel began as a Saxon village. It has been suggested that its name is derived from the Norman-French word for swallow, Arondel. A more likely explanation is that is a corruption of the Saxon words harhune dell meaning horehound (a type of plant) valley. At any rate by the time… Continue reading A History of Arundel
A History of Ashford
By Tim Lambert Early Ashford Ashford in Kent began as a Saxon village but in the early 13th century it grew into a small market town. In 1243 Ashford was given a charter. (A document granting the people certain rights). The charter was renewed in 1348 and 1466. As well as weekly markets Ashford was… Continue reading A History of Ashford
A History of Aylesbury
By Tim Lambert Aylesbury in the Middle Ages Aylesbury started as a Saxon settlement called Aegel’s burgh. Burgh is a Saxon word meaning fort or fortified settlement. It is possible Saxon Aylesbury had a ditch and earth rampart with a wooden palisade on top. By the 11th century, Aylesbury had a mint and probably had… Continue reading A History of Aylesbury
A History of Bakewell
By Tim Lambert Early Bakewell The Derbyshire town of Bakewell started as a Saxon settlement. It was called Beadeca’s wella, which meant Beadeca’s springs. Baedeca must have been a Saxon who settled by the warm springs that rise at Bakewell where limestone meets shale. Bakewell was mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a kind of national… Continue reading A History of Bakewell
A History of Banbury
By Tim Lambert Banbury in the Middle Ages Banbury started as a village called Banna’s burh. (Burh is a Saxon word. It means a fortress or fortified settlement in time it became corrupted to ‘bury’). In the 12th century, the Bishops of Lincoln owned the village of Banbury. One of the bishops built a castle… Continue reading A History of Banbury
A History of Basingstoke
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