Category: Histories of British towns, villages and cities

By Tim Lambert Early Bishops Waltham Bishops Waltham began as a Saxon village. The name Bishops Waltham is derived from the words Wald meaning wooded area and ham meaning settlement. It became known as Bishops Waltham after 904 when the king gave the manor to the Bishop of Winchester. A church was built in Bishops… Continue reading A History of Bishops Waltham

By Tim Lambert Early Blackburn In the Middle Ages Lancashire was a poor area with few towns. At that time Blackburn was just a village. However, in the 16th century, Blackburn grew into a small market town. As well as weekly markets it also had annual fairs (in those days fairs were like markets but… Continue reading A History of Blackburn

By Tim Lambert Early Blackpool For centuries Blackpool was a hamlet by the sea. Then during the 18th century, it became fashionable for the well-to-do to travel to the seaside during the Summer. (In those days people believed that bathing in seawater could cure diseases). Visitors came to Blackpool from the middle of the 18th… Continue reading A History of Blackpool

By Tim Lambert Early Blandford Forum Blandford Forum began as a Saxon settlement by the River Stour. (It’s believed the river’s name is derived from a Saxon word meaning strong or mighty). At the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, Blandford was called Blaneford. It’s not certain where the ‘Blane’ part of the name… Continue reading A History of Blandford Forum

By Tim Lambert Blendworth is a hamlet in Hampshire. It’s believed it was originally called Blaenda’s worth. A worth was an enclosure or farmstead. But the original settlement at Blendworth was slightly east of the present one. At the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 Blendworth was part of the manor of Chalton. (England… Continue reading A History of Blendworth

By Tim Lambert Early Boarhunt The little village of Boarhunt in Hampshire does not get its name from boars or hunting! It is a corruption of burh funta, which meant the funta, (stream) by the fort (burh). At the time of the Domesday Book Boarhunt was a little village although it did have 2 watermills… Continue reading A History of Boarhunt

By Tim Lambert Early Bodmin Bodmin is an ancient trading place. It lies on a route that crosses Cornwall North to South called the Saint’s Way. In the past, it was sometimes called the Mariner’s Way because merchants from Wales, Ireland, and Northern France often crossed Cornwall overland from the Camel to the Fowey rather… Continue reading A History of Bodmin

By Tim Lambert Bognor in the 18th century Bognor Regis began as a Saxon village. For centuries Bognor remained just a hamlet. The inhabitants made a living from fishing and smuggling. They also grew wheat and barley and raised cows, sheep, and pigs. However, Bognor was changed forever when a rich London hatter named Richard… Continue reading A History of Bognor Regis

By Tim Lambert Bolton in the Middle Ages Bolton began as a small village. However, Bolton grew larger and more important in the early Middle Ages. In 1251 Bolton was made into a town. It was given a charter, a document giving the inhabitants certain rights. They were allowed to hold a market. In the… Continue reading A History of Bolton

By Tim Lambert Boston in the Middle Ages According to legend Boston is named after St Botolph. It is said he came to the area in the 7th century and built a monastery and church next to an existing settlement. The settlement was renamed Botolph’s tun (town). However, this story is disputed by some historians… Continue reading A History of Boston, Lincolnshire