Category: Articles

By Tim Lambert Danish and Saxon Bedford The town of Bedford was founded by the Danes. There may have been an existing settlement when they conquered this part of England in the late 9th century. Whether there was or not the Danes created a town at Bedford. They made a burh or fortified settlement north… Continue reading A History of Bedford

By Tim Lambert Roman Bath There is a legend that Bath was founded in 860 BC when Prince Bladud, father of King Lear, caught leprosy. He was banned from the court and was forced to look after pigs. The pigs also had a skin disease but after they wallowed in hot mud they were cured.… Continue reading A History of Bath

By Tim Lambert Dedicated to John Robinson ROMAN BISHOP’S STORTFORD Bishop’s Stortford began as a Roman settlement. It was on Stane Street, a major Roman road between London and Colchester. The many travelers through the area caused the small town to grow. In those days of slow communications, it would have taken days to travel… Continue reading A History of Bishop’s Stortford

By Tim Lambert Birmingham in the Middle Ages Birmingham is the second-largest city in England. It began as an Anglo-Saxon village. In the early 12th century it grew into a town. In 1166 the King gave the Lord of the Manor, Peter De Birmingham, the right to hold a weekly market at Birmingham. Once a… Continue reading A History of Birmingham

By Tim Lambert Early Birkenhead Birkenhead was once the headland with birch trees. It is not known exactly when the first settlement was founded at Birkenhead but in the mid-12th century, a Benedictine Priory was built there. At some point, a little hamlet grew up nearby and in 1277 King Edward I stayed at Birkenhead.… Continue reading A History of Birkenhead

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 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 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 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 Early Bodmin Bodmin is an ancient trading place. It lies on a route that crosses Cornwall from 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… Continue reading A History of Bodmin