A vision of Britain through time
A vision of Britain from 1801 to now.
Including maps, statistical trends and historical descriptions.
A vision of Britain through time
A vision of Britain from 1801 to now.
Including maps, statistical trends and historical descriptions.
Malmesbury.-- market town, Wilts, on river Avon, 16 miles NW. of Swindon and 94 W. of London by rail, 325 ac., pop. 3133; P.O., T.O., 2 Banks. Market-day, Saturday. This is a pleasantly situated, ancient, and highly interesting town. William of Malmesbury refers to its monastery having been founded in 670. Of several relics of antiquity existing in the district the best known is the abbey church, the ruins of which are very interesting. Brewing and silk mfr. are the industries of the place. William of Malmesbury (12th century) was precentor of the abbey; and Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), the philosopher, was a native. Malmesbury is a corporate town, and the governing charter (8th William III.) recites previous charters of Athelstan, Henry IV., and Charles I. It returned 2 members to Parliament until 1832, and 1 member from 1832 until 1885.
(John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887))
| Linked entities: | |
|---|---|
| Feature Description: | "market town" (ADL Feature Type: "cities") |
| Administrative units: | Wiltshire AncC |
| Place: | Malmesbury |
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