A History of mediaeval bedwyn and its origins
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In the days of King Alfred, there was a royal estate called Bedwyn. The land of the modern parishes of Burbage, Grafton, Great Bedwyn, and Little Bedwyn once belonged to the territory of this estate. Bedwyn lies approximately 75 miles west of London, near the market town of Marlborough in rural north-east Wiltshire. Any visitor to the area will inevitably come across Savernake forest. In the mediaeval period, the lives of local inhabitants were dominated by this forest. In the modern age, Savernake still dominates the area, although in a slightly more pleasant way. It forms an attractive landscape of great beauty, and has become a popular centre of relaxation and recreation. It is also a place of antiquity, and it preserves a human history reaching back several thousand years.
The Origins of Bedwyn is a series of volumes on the early history of this fascinating area. Most of these volumes focus on the mediaeval period; it has not been the intention to record the recent history of Bedwyn. Many of the volumes are now in the process of being written. As they become available, they will be published online, and advertised here. This website is intended to supplement the books and to publish further information.
The Origins of Bedwyn is a series of volumes on the early history of this fascinating area. Most of these volumes focus on the mediaeval period; it has not been the intention to record the recent history of Bedwyn. Many of the volumes are now in the process of being written. As they become available, they will be published online, and advertised here. This website is intended to supplement the books and to publish further information.
Latest News
July 2020
The history of Bedwyn soldiers who lost their lives in the Great War is held on the website Bedwyn1914.
January 2021
Further volumes of the Origins of Bedwyn are being published in January 2021, and will be available on the Apple Store.
The history of Bedwyn soldiers who lost their lives in the Great War is held on the website Bedwyn1914.
January 2021
Further volumes of the Origins of Bedwyn are being published in January 2021, and will be available on the Apple Store.
PUBLICATIONS
PUBLISHED
Volume I - Bedwyn Historians (January 2021)
Volume II - Bedwyn Bounds (January 2021)
Volume III - Bedwyn Minster (February 2021)
Volume IV - West Bedwyn (February 2021)
Volume IX - Wolfhall Manor is on the Apple Store. Click the button below for a sample.
PUBLISHED
Volume I - Bedwyn Historians (January 2021)
Volume II - Bedwyn Bounds (January 2021)
Volume III - Bedwyn Minster (February 2021)
Volume IV - West Bedwyn (February 2021)
Volume IX - Wolfhall Manor is on the Apple Store. Click the button below for a sample.
SCHEDULED
Spring 2021
Volume V - East Bedwyn is under review.
Volume X - Merchants of Bedwyn is under review.
IN PROGRESS
Summer 2021
Volume VI - Burbage Manors is in progress.
Volume VII - Minor Manors is in progress.
Volume VIII - Savernake Forest is in progress.
Spring 2021
Volume V - East Bedwyn is under review.
Volume X - Merchants of Bedwyn is under review.
IN PROGRESS
Summer 2021
Volume VI - Burbage Manors is in progress.
Volume VII - Minor Manors is in progress.
Volume VIII - Savernake Forest is in progress.
Wexcombe Down, top of Page : The 90 feet long Tow barrow lies immediately below the horizon overlooking Fairmile. It was excavated in August 1914 on the outbreak of World War One. In the same month, the inn at Scots Poor closed. The archaeologist, OGS Crawford, was working at Tow barrow, and he claimed to be one of the very last customers to partake of its ale. He has a special connection with Bedwyn, for he published the first modern interpretation of the Saxon boundaries.
Other images : Chisbury camp, Stokke manor house, Durley, and Frogmore lane, Great Bedwyn.
Other images : Chisbury camp, Stokke manor house, Durley, and Frogmore lane, Great Bedwyn.
