Category: Histories of British towns, villages and cities

By Tim Lambert Roman Exeter (Isca Dumnoniorum) Exeter began as a Roman town. The Romans arrived in the Southwest about 50 AD they built a wooden fort on a hill near the river Exe at the lowest point where it could be easily crossed. (Exe is derived from a Celtic word meaning ‘the water’). However,… Continue reading A History of Exeter

By Tim Lambert Falmouth in the 17th Century and 18th Century Penryn is a much older town than Falmouth. It has been a market town since the 13th century. The story of Falmouth begins in the 17th century. A man named Sir John Killigrew created a busy little town and port at Falmouth in 1613.… Continue reading A History of Falmouth

By Tim Lambert Fareham in the Middle Ages Fareham began as a Saxon village. It was called Ferne Ham. The Saxon word ham meant a village or settlement so it was the village by the ferns. The original settlement was on a hill near where the church of St Peter and St Paul now stands.… Continue reading A History of Fareham

By Tim Lambert Dedicated to Helen St John-Mosse Early Farnham There was a Roman settlement on the site of Farnham. Pottery kilns were discovered in the 20th century so an industry existed there. The remains of a Roman villa and bath were also found, on the site of Roman Way. However, the modern town of… Continue reading A History of Farnham

By Tim Lambert Early Fratton In the 6th century, the Saxons landed on Portsea Island. At that time most of it was marshy but the Saxons built a settlement in the middle of the island. It was called Frodda ing tun, which means the tun (farm or village) belonging to Frodda. In time the name… Continue reading A History of Fratton, Portsmouth

By Tim Lambert Saxon Frome Frome began as a Saxon village. The name Frome is believed to come from a Celtic river name fram, meaning, brisk or fair. The history of Frome begins in the 7th century AD. About 685 the Abbot of Malmesbury, St Aldhelm, founded a monastery there. Soon a settlement grew up… Continue reading A History of Frome

By Tim Lambert There was a Roman settlement on the site of Gillingham. However, the modern town began as a Saxon village. Its name was probably Gylla inga ham, which means the village belonging to Gylla. By the time of the Domesday Book, in 1086 Gillingham was a large settlement. It had a population of… Continue reading A History of Gillingham

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

By Tim Lambert The Glastonbury Myths There are many legends about Glastonbury so let us start with these. St Dunstan was Abbot of Glastonbury Abbey between 940 and 960. He then became Archbishop of Canterbury and he was buried when he died. In 1188 the monks of Glastonbury abbey produced a body, which they claimed… Continue reading A History of Glastonbury

By Tim Lambert Roman Gloucester Gloucester began as a Roman town. It lies at the first point where the river Severn can be easily crossed so it was a natural place to build a town. About 49 AD the Romans built a fort to guard the river crossing at Kingsholm. In 64 AD they built… Continue reading A History of Gloucester