Winchester

Winchester is a city in southern England, with a population of 40,000 within a 3 mile radius of its centre. It is the seat of the City of Winchester local government district, which covers a much larger area, and is also the administrative capital of the county of Hampshire. Winchester was formerly the capital of England, during the 10th and early 11th centuries.

History

Settlement in the area dates back to pre-Roman times, and there is evidence of Iron Age hill forts around the city. Under the Romans the town, then named Venta Belgarum, was of considerable importance.

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The town has historic importance as the capital of the ancient kingdom of Wessex from 519. Although it was not the only town to have been the capital, it was established by King Alfred the Great as the main city in his kingdom in 827. Winchester remained the capital of Wessex, and then England, until some time after the Norman Conquest when the capital was moved to London. A serious fire in the city in 1141 accelerated its decline.

Related Topics:
Wessex - 519 - King Alfred the Great - 827 - Norman Conquest - 1141

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William of Wykeham (1320-1404) played an important role in the history of the town; as Bishop of Winchester he was responsible for much of the current structure of the cathedral and also founded Winchester College.

Related Topics:
William of Wykeham - Bishop of Winchester - Winchester College

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During the middle ages, the city was an important centre of the wool trade, before going into a slow decline. St. Swithun was Bishop of Winchester in the mid ninth century.

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The famous novelist Jane Austen died in Winchester on 18 July 1817 and is buried in the cathedral.

Related Topics:
Jane Austen - 18 July - 1817

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The ancient Pilgrims' Way begins at Winchester, and runs to Canterbury.

Related Topics:
Pilgrims' Way - Canterbury

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Winchester is also famous for the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, one of the oldest acute hospitals in the area.

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