Category: Articles

By Tim Lambert Preston in the Middle Ages Preston began as a village. It was called Priest’s tun, which means a priest’s farm or estate. In the 12th century, it grew into a town. This was partly because of its position. Firstly Preston is on a river. In those days it was much cheaper to… Continue reading A History of Preston

By Tim Lambert Dedicated to Vanessa Wood Portsmouth in the Middle Ages Portsmouth was founded about 1180 when a merchant called Jean De Gisors founded a little town in the South-West corner of Portsea Island. Jean De Gisors was a merchant who owned a fleet of ships. He was also a landowner who owned land… Continue reading A History of Portsmouth

By Tim Lambert Roman Portchester Portchester is, of course, famous for its castle. It began when the Romans built a fort in the late 3rd century (the exact date is unknown). At that time fierce Saxons from Germany were attacking Eastern and Southern England and the Romans built a chain of coastal forts to stop… Continue reading A History of Portchester

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 Saxon Reading Reading began life as a Saxon settlement. Reading was originally called Reada ingas, which means the people of Reada. Reada was a Saxon leader who settled in the area with his tribe in the 6th century. The early settlement was probably in the area of St Marys Butts. (In the… Continue reading A History of Reading, Berkshire

By Tim Lambert Early Widley and Purbrook A Roman road from Chichester to Clausentum (Southampton) went through the site of Purbrook. However, the modern village of Widley was founded by the Saxons. A settlement at Purbrook grew up in the 18th century. Until the 19th century, a great forest stretched across Southeast Hampshire. On the… Continue reading A History of Purbrook

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 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 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 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