ereford owes its origins to its strategic military position on the north bank of the River Wye. Taking advantage of a large gravel mound overlooking a reliable fording place across the river, Saxon settlers fortified the site as a defence against the marauding Welsh. This occurred during the early part of the 7th century. The town grew quickly, receiving its first bishop, Putta, in 676 AD. Its military role was expanded following the Norman conquest in 1066 AD, when it became a royal demesne, attaining its greatest significance during the 13th century. During this time the castle was extended to occupy the entire southeast quarter of the city. A twelve foot high, sandstone perimeter wall with six gatehouses and semicircular bastions at intervals, replaced the existing earth and timber palisade. City status was granted in 1189 AD by decree of Richard I. The Charter relating to this, and others more recent, remain intact.
The city's military importance declined following the subjugation of the Welsh by Edward I, only to be replaced by a growing emphasis on the wool trade. Now the Wye Bridge funnelled fleeces and cloths from the uplands of Wales, through the hands of Hereford merchants to the wider world. This activity declined during the 16th century with the dissolution of the monasteries, the main producers of wool. Hereford's military role was revived for a brief period during the Civil War when the castle changed hands a number of times. For the next two hundred years, the city retained its influence as the regional centre of a thriving agricultural community which produced the famous Hereford breed of cattle, the Ryelands sheep and many improved varieties of apple and pear.
The arrival of the railways in 1854 brought new opportunities. Cheap coal from South Wales gave rise to brick manufacturing on a large scale and the city grew rapidly, leaving a legacy of noteworthy Victorian domestic architecture. The city's industrial development was given added impetus during the Second World War when its rural location and excellent rail links made it ideal for munitions manufacturing. A hard place for the Luftwaffe to find on a dark night, Hereford's location again gave it another role in an altogether new military strategy. The Crown continues to maintain notable military links with the city but these remain unobtrusive.
Today Hereford is supported by a varied mixture of light industry and commerce. Surrounded by some of the most rural landscape in England with around 150,000 people living less than twenty minutes travel from the city centre, Hereford's busy markets continue to draw people from all parts of the UK and abroad. In spite of the recent turbulent economic conditions, Hereford's local economy appears to have retained a degree of buoyancy.
Books about the History of Hereford
© Starblazer 2001
- Hereford
- Paperback / Published 1997
- The Charter Trustees (Hereford) Order 1998
- Great Britain / Paperback / Published 1998
- Final recommendations on the future local government of Hereford and Worcester : a report to the Secretary of State for the Environment
- John Banham / Paperback / Published 1994
- The Future Local Government of Hereford and Worcester
- John Banham, Local Government Commission for England / Paperback / Published 1994
- The Hereford and Worcester (Structural, Boundary and Electoral Changes) Order 1996
- Great Britain / Paperback / Published 1996
- Hereford: a History and Guide
- R. Shoesmith / Paperback / Published 1992
- Hereford: Street Plan and Guide
- Paperback / Published 1995
- Hereford and Leominster
- Paperback / Published 1996
- Hereford and Leominster : Street Plan and Guide
- Paperback / Published 1997
- Hereford on Old Postcards: v.1
- Tim Ward / Paperback / Published 1987
- Hereford on Old Postcards: v.2
- Tim Ward / Unknown Binding / Published 1989
- Hereford Then and Now
- Derek Foxton / Paperback / Published 1988
- Hereford Then and Now: v.2
- Derek Foxton / Hardcover / Published 1991
- Secret Hereford
- Jill Howard Jones / Paperback / Published 1993
- Hereford United: the League Era - a Complete Record
- Ron Parrott / Hardcover / Published 1997
- New Shell guide: Gloucestershire, Hereford and Worcester
- Christopher Catling / Paperback / Published 1990