By Tim Lambert Early Westbury The town of Westbury in Wiltshire began as a Saxon settlement. It was called west burh, meaning west fortified settlement. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 Westbury probably had a population of about 700. It would seem very small to us but by the standards of the… Continue reading A History of Westbury
Category: Articles
A Biography of Anne Boleyn
By Tim Lambert We are not sure exactly when Anne Boleyn was born, but it was probably around 1501. She was the daughter of Thomas Boleyn and his wife Elizabeth. She had a brother George and a sister Mary. Anne grew up in Hever Castle in Kent but in 1513 she was sent to the… Continue reading A Biography of Anne Boleyn
Last Orders at The Bar
By Gabriella Bowe-Peckham
A History of Gillingham Dorset
By Tim Lambert There was a Roman settlement on the site of Gillingham. However, the modern town began as a Saxon village. Its name was probably Gylla inga ham, which means the village belonging to Gylla. By the time of the Domesday Book, in 1086 Gillingham was a large settlement. It had a population of… Continue reading A History of Gillingham Dorset
A History of Sherborne
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
Localhistories Links Page
By Tim Lambert Below is a list of websites that I like or support. There are many museums, cathedrals, and other attractions around the world that I would recommend to anyone. This is a list of their websites. A The Anchorage Museum Anne Frank House Arundel Castle Arundel Museum B My Blog Bradford on Avon… Continue reading Localhistories Links Page
A Biography of Thomas Hardy
By Tim Lambert Thomas Hardy was a great British writer of the 19th century. Thomas was born in the village of Higher Bockhampton, Dorset on 2 June 1840. His father, also called Thomas was a stonemason. His mother was named Jemima. They had 4 children. (Thomas had a brother and two sisters). Thomas was the… Continue reading A Biography of Thomas Hardy
Stained Glass Windows in St Peters Church Somerstown
By Tim Lambert Here is some brief information about the stained glass windows inside St Peters Church, Somerstown. The North Side of the Church The windows on the north side of the church depict saints of the Early Middle Ages. St Hugo AKA Saint Hugh of Lincoln St Hugo or St Hugh of Lincoln was… Continue reading Stained Glass Windows in St Peters Church Somerstown
A History of Blandford Forum
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
Jack the Ripper in Havant?
By Tim Lambert Havant has a connection with Jack the Ripper. At the time of the murders, in 1888 a letter with a Portsmouth postmark was sent to a magistrate claiming to be from Jack the Ripper. The writer said not to look for him in London because ‘I’m not there’. Shortly afterwards a boy… Continue reading Jack the Ripper in Havant?