Category: Histories of British towns, villages and cities

By Tim Lambert Redruth in the Middle Ages The name Redruth is derived from words meaning ‘red ford’. Until the 14th century, Redruth was only a village. Then in 1334, the king granted the right to hold markets and fairs. (In the Middle Ages fairs were like markets but they were held only once a… Continue reading A History of Redruth

By Tim Lambert Romsey in the Middle Ages Dedicated to Gabriella Bowe-Peckham Romsey is a market town in Hampshire, in Southern England. Romsey began as a Saxon village. The place name Romsey is probably a corruption of Rum’s eg, which means Rum’s area of dry land surrounded by marsh. In 907 AD, a Benedictine abbey… Continue reading A History of Romsey

By Tim Lambert Early Rotherham In the 1st century AD, the Romans built a fort by the river Rother. In time civilians moved nearby and a little town grew up. (The soldiers provided a market for the townspeople’s goods). However, in 407 AD, the Roman army left Britain. Afterward, Roman civilization broke down and Roman… Continue reading A History of Rotherham

By Tim Lambert Early Rowlands Castle The Romans made brick and tiles at Rowlands Castle because suitable clay was available. They also made pottery. After the Romans came the Saxons. Saxon graves from the 7th century have been found near Stansted House. Through the centuries Rowland Castle was just a small and quiet village on… Continue reading A History of Rowlands Castle

By Tim Lambert Saxon Salisbury The story of Salisbury began 2,500 years ago when an iron age fort was built on Salisbury Hill about 2 miles north of the modern town center. In the 6th century, the Saxons invaded Wiltshire. In 552 Saxons and Celts fought a battle at Salisbury Hill. The Celts were defeated… Continue reading A History of Salisbury

By Tim Lambert The Romans built a signalling station at Scarborough around 370 AD. At that time Saxons from Germany were raiding eastern England. If their fleet was sighted off Scarborough signal torches were lighted to warn the Roman armed forces. Scarborough in the Middle Ages However, it is believed that the Danes founded the… Continue reading A History of Scarborough

By Tim Lambert Early Selsey Selsey is a seaside town in West Sussex about 7 miles south of Chichester. It was founded by the Saxons. In the 6th century, Saxons led by Aella landed near Pevensey. They carved out a kingdom in southern England called Sussex, the kingdom of the South Saxons. They founded a… Continue reading A History of Selsey

By Tim Lambert Early Shaftesbury The village of Shaftesbury in Dorset was founded by the Saxons. The second part of its name is derived from the Saxon word burh, which meant a fortified settlement. In the late 9th century Alfred the Great created a network of fortified towns across his kingdom. In the event of… Continue reading A History of Shaftesbury

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

By Tim Lambert Early Shepton Mallet There was a Bronze Age settlement on the site of the village of Shepton Mallet. In 1995 the remains of Bronze Age homes and pottery were found in Shepton Mallet. Furthermore, Maesbury Ring, an Iron Age hill fort stands north of the town. Later Shepton Mallet lay just west… Continue reading A History of Shepton Mallet