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
Category: Articles
A History of Bodmin
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
A History of Boarhunt
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
A History of Botley
By Tim Lambert Early Botley Botley is a thriving village in Hampshire. Centuries ago the Romans built a road from Chichester to a town near Southampton. The road passed the site of modern Botley and a settlement grew up there. However, the present settlement at Botley began as a Saxon village. Its name means Botta’s… Continue reading A History of Botley
A History of Boston, Lincolnshire
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
A History of Bolton
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
A History of Bournemouth
By Tim Lambert The Development of Bournemouth Until the early 19th century the area where Bournemouth now stands was just heathland where cattle grazed. Then in 1810, a man named Tregonwell visited the beach with his wife. She loved the area and persuaded him to build a house there. He purchased 8 1/2 acres and… Continue reading A History of Bournemouth
A History of Bridgwater
By Tim Lambert Bridgwater in the Middle Ages Bridgwater began as a Saxon village in Somerset. At the time of the Domesday Book (1086), Bridgwater probably had a population of about 160, which made it a fairly large village. At that time Bridgwater had a watermill where grain was ground into flour to make bread… Continue reading A History of Bridgwater
A History of Bradford
By Tim Lambert Bradford in the Middle Ages Bradford began as a village by a ford. Brad meant broad. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the village by the broad ford had grown quite large (by the standards of the time) with perhaps 300-350 people. Bradford was turned into a town when… Continue reading A History of Bradford
A History of Bridport
By Tim Lambert Early Bridport Bridport was once an important settlement. In the late 9th century Alfred the Great created a network of fortified settlements across his kingdom called burhs. In the event of a Danish attack, all the men from the area could gather together in the local burh to fight. Bridport was one… Continue reading A History of Bridport