Category: Histories of British towns, villages and cities

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 Dedicated to Helen St John-Mosse 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… 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

By Tim Lambert Early Sherborne The small market town of Sherborne was founded by the Saxons in the 7th century when they conquered this part of England. Its name comes from the Saxon words scir burne, meaning clear stream. For centuries Sherborne was an important settlement. In 705 Aldhelm became the first bishop of the… Continue reading A History of Sherborne

By Tim Lambert Shrewsbury in the Middle Ages Shrewsbury began as an Anglo-Saxon town. It was first mentioned in the year 901. Its place name ending ‘bury’ showed it was once a fortified settlement called a burgh. (The Saxons created a network of fortified settlements across England). Shrewsbury was probably protected by a ditch with… Continue reading A History of Shrewsbury