By Tim Lambert Early Cerne Abbas Cerne Abbas is a village in Dorset with charming street names such as Piddle Lane, Duck Street, The Folly, and Kettle Bridge. According to legend St Augustine who was sent by the Pope in 597 to preach to the Saxons founded St Augustine’s Well. However, the legend is unlikely… Continue reading A History of Cerne Abbas
Category: Histories of British towns, villages and cities
A History of Chalton
By Tim Lambert Chalton began as a small Saxon settlement on the edge of Hampshire in the 6th century. It was originally called cealc tun. The Saxon word cealc meant chalk and tun meant a farm or hamlet. So it was the little hamlet on the chalky ground. For centuries Chalton was a small and… Continue reading A History of Chalton
A History of Chard
By Tim Lambert Chard in the Middle Ages Chard began as a Saxon settlement. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 Chard had a population of about 150. To us, it would seem tiny but by the standards of the time, it was a fairly large village. At the time of the Normans… Continue reading A History of Chard
A History of Chelmsford
By Tim Lambert Roman Chelmsford The Romans built a small town on the site of Moulsham. It was called Caesaromagus (Caesar’s marketplace). It served as a local market town halfway between London and Colchester. The same craftsmen worked in Roman Chelmsford as in every town, such as carpenters and blacksmiths. Chelmsford was fortified in the… Continue reading A History of Chelmsford
A History of Chelsea
By Tim Lambert Early Chelsea Chelsea began life as a Saxon village some miles from the thriving town of London. The name Chelsea is derived from the Saxon words cealc hythe. The word hythe meant a landing place for boats. The word cealc meant chalk so perhaps it was a chalky landing place for boats.… Continue reading A History of Chelsea
A History of Cheltenham
By Tim Lambert Early Cheltenham Cheltenham Spa began as a Saxon village. At the time of the Domesday Book (1086), it was a small village with a population of less than 200. However, Cheltenham became a focal point for the surrounding villages. In 1226 King Henry III gave the people of Cheltenham the right to… Continue reading A History of Cheltenham
A History of Chester
By Tim Lambert Roman Chester Chester began when the Romans built a fort next to the River Dee about 75 AD. The Roman fort was called Deva. At first, the fort was made of wood. It had a ditch outside and an earth embankment with a wooden palisade on top. At the beginning of the… Continue reading A History of Chester
A History of Chesterfield
By Tim Lambert Dedicated to John Harvey The Roman Fort Chesterfield began as a Roman fort, which was built around 70 AD. However, by the early 2nd century the area was pacified and the Romans moved on. The old fort was abandoned. However, the Roman fort gave its name to Chesterfield. However, by the 10th… Continue reading A History of Chesterfield
A History of Chichester
By Tim Lambert Dedicated to Belinda Russell Roman Chichester In 43 AD the Romans invaded Britain and about 44 AD they built a fort on the site of Chichester. It was by a source of water (the river Lavant) and close to a harbor so supplies could be brought by ship from France. Soon the… Continue reading A History of Chichester
A History of Chippenham
By Tim Lambert Early Chippenham Chippenham was first recorded in 853 when the sister of Prince Alfred (the future King Alfred of Wessex) got married there. In 878 the Danes captured Chippenham. But King Alfred escaped. He rallied his men and defeated the Danes at the Battle of Edington. At the time of the Domesday… Continue reading A History of Chippenham