Category: Histories of British towns, villages and cities

By Tim Lambert Liverpool in the Middle Ages Liverpool began as a tidal pool next to the River Mersey. It was probably called the lifer pol meaning muddy pool. There may have been a hamlet on the site of Liverpool before the town was founded in the 13th century. It is not mentioned in the… Continue reading A History of Liverpool

By Tim Lambert Dedicated to Lucinda Wilde Roman London The Romans founded London about 50 AD. Its name is derived from the Celtic word Londinios, which means the place of the bold one. After they invaded Britain in 43 AD the Romans built a bridge across the Thames. They later decided it was an excellent… Continue reading A History of London

By Tim Lambert Lostwithiel in the Middle Ages Although it is a small community today the market town of Lostwithiel was once a busy and important port. The story begins at about 1100 when a Lord called Baldwin Fitz Turstin built nearby Restormel Castle. Later in the 12th century, the Lord of the Manor created… Continue reading A History of Lostwithiel

By Tim Lambert Early Loughborough Loughborough began as a Saxon village. At the time of the Domesday Book (1086), Loughborough probably had a population of about 180-200. By the standards of the time, it was a fairly large village. In the 13th century, Loughborough became a busy little town. From the early 13th century Loughborough… Continue reading A History of Loughborough

By Tim Lambert Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Louth Louth began as an Anglo-Saxon village. Its name is probably a corruption of a Saxon word meaning loud (from the loud gushing of the river). In the late 7th century a monastery was built there. However, in the 9th century, the Danes conquered Lincolnshire. They destroyed the monastery… Continue reading A History of Louth

By Tim Lambert Luccombe lies at the bottom of Dunkery Beacon. At 1,750 feet it is the highest hill on Exmoor. Luccombe may mean an enclosed valley. Or it may have been Lufa’s cumb (Lufa’s valley). At any rate, for centuries the people of Luccombe have lived by farming. From the 16th century, there were… Continue reading A History of Luccombe

By Tim Lambert Saxon Luton Luton began when the Saxons conquered Bedfordshire in the 6th century. They created a farm or settlement called a tun by the river Lea. (Lea may be a Celtic word meaning bright river). By the 10th century, the little settlement of Lea tun had grown into a town. Luton would… Continue reading A History of Luton

By Tim Lambert Early Lutterworth Lutterworth began as a Saxon settlement. Its name may be derived from the words Hlutre Worth. The word hlutre meant clear and it may have been an old name for the River Swift. The word worth meant an enclosure (a farm or settlement enclosed by a wooden palisade). At any… Continue reading A History of Lutterworth

By Tim Lambert Early Lymington Lymington began as a Saxon village. The Saxons arrived in what is now South West Hampshire in the 6th century. They founded a settlement called limen tun. The Saxon word tun means a farm or hamlet. Limen is believed to be a Celtic name meaning either elm river or, perhaps,… Continue reading A History of Lymington

By Tim Lambert Medieval Maidstone Maidstone began as a Saxon village. From the 10th century, it was owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury. At the time of the Domesday Book (1086), Maidstone was a large village with a population of perhaps 250. (Most villages would have 100-150 inhabitants). At that time it had 5 watermills,… Continue reading A History of Maidstone