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== History ==
== History ==
The hilltop contains several freshwater springs, which created early settlements. Recent [[archaeological]] excavations have revealed stone town wall defences, which have been dated to the [[Iron Age]] between 800 and 500BC, making Malmesbury arguably the oldest continually inhabited town in England. Malmesbury is recorded in the [[Guiness Book of Records]] as the oldest borough in [[England]], although [[Barnstaple]] has a counter claim: both were given royal borough status around 880AD.
The hilltop contains several freshwater springs, which created early settlements. Recent [[archaeological]] excavations have revealed stone town wall defences, which have been dated to the [[Iron Age]] between 800 and 500BC, making Malmesbury arguably the oldest continually inhabited town in England. Malmesbury is recorded in the [[Guiness Book of Records]] as the oldest borough in [[England]], although [[Barnstaple]] has a counter claim: both were given royal borough status around 880AD.
===Malmesbury Abbey===
Being of great clarity and full of Cotswolds minerals, the springs were regarded as holy wells from the 7th century. This resulted in the creation of a religious community, and the foundation of the 12th century [[Malmesbury Abbey|Abbey]], which once had a [[spire]] taller than that of [[Salisbury Cathedral]]. The present day abbey is the third built on or near the same spot at the north end of the hilltop. [[King Henry VIII]] sold the remainder to a local clothier called William Stumpe, and the extant part of the Abbey is now the parish church. The remains contain a [[parvise]] which still holds some fine examples of books from the Abbey library.
{{main|Malmesbury Abbey}}
Being of great clarity and full of Cotswolds minerals, the hilltop springs were regarded as holy wells from the 7th century. This resulted in the creation of a religious community, and the foundation of the 12th century [[Malmesbury Abbey]], which once had a [[spire]] taller than that of [[Salisbury Cathedral]].
The Abbey was the site of an early attempt at human flight when, in 1010, the monk [[Eilmer of Malmesbury]] flew a primitive [[hang glider]] from a tower. Eilmer flew over {{convert|200|yds|m}} before landing, breaking both legs. During the [[English Civil War]] Malmesbury is said to have changed hands as many as seven times, resulting on hundreds of pot-marks left by bullets and shot on the south, west and east walls.
The present day abbey is the third built on or near the same spot at the north end of the hilltop. [[King Henry VIII]] sold the remainder to a local clothier called William Stumpe, and the extant part of the Abbey is now the parish church. The remains contain a [[parvise]] which still holds some fine examples of books from the Abbey library.

===Battles===

The community was the ancient frontier of two kingdoms, with Tetbury {{convert|5|mi|km}} to the North in [[Mercia]], while Malmesbury was in the [[Wessex|West Saxon Kingdom]]. For centuries, animosity between the two towns was very real. The town was of strategic importance during the [[English Civil War]], being a
The community was the ancient frontier of two kingdoms, with Tetbury {{convert|5|mi|km}} to the North in [[Mercia]], while Malmesbury was in the [[Wessex|West Saxon Kingdom]]. For centuries, animosity between the two towns was very real. The town was of strategic importance during the [[English Civil War]], being a
strong defensive position on the road between [[Oxford]] and Bristol. The south face of Malmesbury Abbey still bears pock-marks from cannon and gunshot.
strong defensive position on the road between [[Oxford]] and Bristol. The south face of Malmesbury Abbey still bears pock-marks from cannon and gunshot.

Revision as of 13:04, 6 February 2010

Malmesbury
Population4,631 (2001 census)
OS grid referenceST94058577
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townMalmesbury
Postcode districtSN16
Dialling code01666
PoliceWiltshire
FireDorset and Wiltshire
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Wiltshire

Malmesbury is a town and civil parish located in the south Cotswold in the county of Wiltshire, England. Sat on a flat and steep sided hilltop surrounded by rivers on three sides, the town is close to Cirencester, Chippenham and Swindon and .

Geography

The key to Malmesbury's existence is defined by its geography, sitting on a flat Cotswolds hilltop at the convergence of two rivers. From the west, the infant Bristol Avon flows from [[Sherston, and from the north west, a tributary either known as the Tetbury Avon or, locally, as The Ingleburn. They flow within 100 yards (91 m) of each other but are separated by a narrow and high isthmus, just a few yards across, which forces the Bristol Avon south and the Tetbury Avon east. This creates a rocky outcrop as a south-facing, gently sloping hilltop, until the two rivers meet on the southern edge of the town. With steep, and in places cliff-like sides, the town was described by Sir William Waller, as the best naturally-defended inland location he had seen.

History

The hilltop contains several freshwater springs, which created early settlements. Recent archaeological excavations have revealed stone town wall defences, which have been dated to the Iron Age between 800 and 500BC, making Malmesbury arguably the oldest continually inhabited town in England. Malmesbury is recorded in the Guiness Book of Records as the oldest borough in England, although Barnstaple has a counter claim: both were given royal borough status around 880AD.

Malmesbury Abbey

Being of great clarity and full of Cotswolds minerals, the hilltop springs were regarded as holy wells from the 7th century. This resulted in the creation of a religious community, and the foundation of the 12th century Malmesbury Abbey, which once had a spire taller than that of Salisbury Cathedral. The Abbey was the site of an early attempt at human flight when, in 1010, the monk Eilmer of Malmesbury flew a primitive hang glider from a tower. Eilmer flew over 200 yards (180 m) before landing, breaking both legs. During the English Civil War Malmesbury is said to have changed hands as many as seven times, resulting on hundreds of pot-marks left by bullets and shot on the south, west and east walls. The present day abbey is the third built on or near the same spot at the north end of the hilltop. King Henry VIII sold the remainder to a local clothier called William Stumpe, and the extant part of the Abbey is now the parish church. The remains contain a parvise which still holds some fine examples of books from the Abbey library.

Battles

The community was the ancient frontier of two kingdoms, with Tetbury 5 miles (8.0 km) to the North in Mercia, while Malmesbury was in the West Saxon Kingdom. For centuries, animosity between the two towns was very real. The town was of strategic importance during the English Civil War, being a strong defensive position on the road between Oxford and Bristol. The south face of Malmesbury Abbey still bears pock-marks from cannon and gunshot.

The Market Cross was built at the end of the 15th Century and was, according to a quote of the time "a place for poor folkes to stand when the rain cometh." Today it remains one of the finest examples of its kind in England

Malmesbury Commoners

At the Battle of Brunanburh in 937, King Athelstan of Wessex defeated an army of northern English and Scots and made a claim to become the first 'King of All England'. He was helped by many men from Malmesbury, and in gratitude is said to have given the townsfolk their freedom, along with 600 hides of land to the south of the town. The status of freemen of Malmesbury was passed down through the generations and remains to this day. It is likely, however, that the title of freeman, or commoner, was given to tradesmen and craftsmen coming into the town during the early Middle Ages, so the claim of direct lineage from the men who fought with King Athelstan to the present day commoners is unlikely, though possible. Since at least the 17th century, however, the right has been only handed down from father to son or son-in-law. There is a maximum of 280 commoners. The organisation is said to be the 'most exclusive club' in the world, as to enter it one has to be born to a freeman or marry the daughter of one. Since 2000, and with the possibility of falling numbers, women were admitted for the first time - the daughters of freemen. The organisation, The Warden and Freemen of Malmesbury, still owns the land to the south of the town, along with dozens of properties, pubs and shops within the town itself, providing affordable housing to townsfolk.

Economy and industry

Traditionally a market town serving the rural area of north west Wiltshire, farming has been the main industry. Even today, the High Street has numerous independent shops and a regular weekly market. Once a centre of the lace-making industry, the industrial revolution had little effect on the town. The towns main employer is Dyson, who have their headquarters on the edge of the town, and employ around 1,600 people. The HQ is now mainly a design organisation, with manufacturing carried out in Malaysia. The town is now a centre for tourism, driven in part by its history and recently by the interest in former poet lauret, John Betjeman.

EKCO Factory

At the beginning of the World War II, the electronics company EKCO moved part of its operations from Southend-on-Sea to Cowbridge House, to avoid the danger of bombing.[1] The company established a shadow factory, to produce the essential new technology radar equipment. The factory continued production after the war and eventually became part of AT&T. The site was in use as offices until 2004 when the owners, Lucent Technologies moved their operations to Swindon.

Education

Tablet describing charitable bequests on the wall of St John's almshouse[2]

Malmesbury has two primary schools, Malmesbury Church of England Primary School and [[St. Joseph's Catholic School]] and one secondary school called Malmesbury School.

Transport

The railway station, built in 1877, was closed down in 1960. The Malmesbury Branch, built by the Great Western Railway split fromthe main London-Bristol line at Dauntsey, although a later connectionwith the northern GWR 'mainline' to the Severn Tunnel and Wales wasmade at Somerford. Just short of its terminus, the line ran through a short tunnel: the only tunnel on the line between Malmesbury andPaddington.

Governance

At the most local level is Malmesbury Town Council, formed as successor to the [[municipal borough]]. The town council is made up of sixteen councillors, who elect annually a town mayor and deputy town mayor from their number.

For elections to Wiltshire Council, Malmesbury forms one electoral division, returning a single unitary councillor.[3]

Places of interest

===Old Bell Hotel===

On the other side of Abbey from Abbey House Gardens is the Old Bell Hotel, which dates back to the 12th century, when it housed the VIP guests making pilgrimages to the Abbey.

Market Cross

In the centre of the town stands the Market Cross, built in c1490, possibly using stone salvaged from the recently-ruined part of the abbey. It was described by John Leland writing in the 1540s as a 'right costly piece of work', which was built to shelter the 'poore market folke' when 'rain cometh'. An elaborately carved octagonal structure, it is recognised as one of the best preserved of its kind in England. It still serves its purpose today, nicknamed 'The Birdcage', because of its appearance, it shelters market traders by day and as a meeting point at night.

The main entrance to Malmesbury Abbey (the South Porch) seen from the graveyard. This picture shows the full modern extent of the Abbey, to the right lies only ruins.
The interior of Malmesbury Abbey

Tower House

A large building of medieval origins, now a private home, Tower House stands at the end of Oxford Street. It contains a high-roofed main hall where it is said Henry VIII dined after hunting in nearby Bradon Forest. In the 1840s, a doctor living in the house, with a passion for astronomy, built a narrow tower protruding high from the roof. It dominates the skyline of the east of the town.

Daniel's Well

A part of the River Avon ([[Sherston, Wiltshire|Sherston]] branch) to the west of the town centre, named after the monk Daniel, who lived at the abbey in the 9th century. He is said to have submerged himself in the cold water every day for decades to quell fiery passions.

Bremilham Church

Near the town lies Bremilham Church, located on Cowage Farm, Foxley-cum-Bremilham, which measures just 4 m by 3.6 m. Its single pew has space for four people and there is standing room for six more. The church, which is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the smallest church in use in Britain, holds one service to mark Rogationtide. The church can be found by heading west from Malmesbury along Foxley Road.

Miscellaneous

  • Malmesbury

natives are known as Jackdaws. This originates from the colony of jackdaws that inhabit the abbey walls and roof.

  • Malmesbury has a

thriving carnival which takes place in the last two weeks of August, with the finale a procession through the town held on the first Saturday in September. It has grown in recent years to now include more than 30 events, ranging from music events to an attempt on the [[world record]] for the largest pillow fight.

  • Malmesbury had a

nine-day wonder in January 1998, when two Tamworth pigs (the Tamworth Two) escaped from the town's abattoir. They swam the Tetbury branch of the River Avon, across a few fields and lived in an orchard for a week. The story made international headlines with tabloid newspapers and TV news stations fighting each other to sight and then capture the pigs. They now live a comfortable life at the South of England Rare Breeds Centre, near Ashford in Kent where they can be visited.

  • Malmesbury is known as the ancestral home of the Hanks family.
  • The

Malmesbury Singers [1] are a choir that practices every Monday during term time in Malmesbury Abbey. They put on two concerts a year.

  • The world music festival Womad Charlton Park was held in Charlton Park in Malmesbury in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
  • Malmesbury

has its own Morris Dancing side - named [[Malmesbury Morris]] - which was founded in 2004. They meet on Thursdays at the Reading Room in Corston, Wiltshire - just South of Malmesbury itself. 1990s, the town gained a new tourism attraction, the [[Abbey House Gardens]], a 5-acre (20,000 m2) garden attraction based around the medieval Abbott's House next to the Abbey. The gardens, which stretch from close to the town centre down to the [[River Avon, Bristol|River Avon]] below, were created by Ian and Barbara Pollar d, also known as 'The Naked Gardeners' and opened to the public in the late 1990s.

Twin towns

People from Malmesbury

For a full list, see: Category:People from Malmesbury

musician and patron saint of Wessex and the abbey's first abbot.

See also

References

  1. ^ Browning, B (2005). EKCO's of Cowbridge: House and War Factory. Cowbridge Publishing. ISBN 978-0955184208.
  2. ^ The inscription reads: Memorand that whereas King Athelstan did give unto the Free School within this borough of Malmesbury ten pounds and to the poor people my almshouse at St John's, ten pounds to be paid yearly by the Aldermen and [[Burgess (title)|Burgess]]es of the same borough for ever. That now Michael Wickes Esquire, late of this said borough and now citizen of London hath augmented and added to the aforesaid gift, viz. to the said Free School ten pounds and to the said almshouse, ten pounds only be paid yearly at St. John's aforesaid within this said borough and by his trustees for ever, and hath also given to the minister of this town for the time being 20s. only by the year for life to preach a sermon yearly on the 19th day of July and to his said trustees 20s. by the year beginning on the 25th day of August. Anno Domini 1694.
  3. ^ [http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/councillors-general-information/councillor-by-division/div-malmesbury.htm Malmesbury Electoral Division (Wiltshire County Council)]


External links