A Short History of Hereford

A S H O RT H I STO RY OF H EREFORD . W I LLI AM COLLI NS , A utho of Mode n H e e fo d The An lican Chu che s r r r r , g r " f H e e fo d The Ma o s o H e e o d o f f &c . r r , y r r r , H E R E FOR D J AKE MAN AND CA RV E R . D E D I CATE D to the Memory of the su pporters of the principle of l - se f government throughout the centuries of the past ; and , in particular , to the Memory of the late Alderman Charles P al ll Anthony , J . and his Municip Co eagues and successors , wh o by their marvellous achievements and noble devotion have laid the foundations of OD O M ERN HEREF RD , upon which the happiness and prosperity of the citizens is now being built . ~ 157569 3 I NTROD UCTI ON . The City of the Wye is a very ancient place ; and the centre of a district of which our knowledge dates back t o the days of J ulius Caesar ; or about fifty years before the birth of Jesus Christ . It was known to the old Britons as erf aw d d Ca y , which means the town of the beechwood ; 6 6 and in the year 7 , the date of the foundation of the bishop k n ric, the name was changed to Hereford , by which it is now to this day . By position , it was a border city and for centuries was the scene of countless fierce border fights first between t i two British tribes , and later, be ween the Engl sh and Welsh AD . 1 0 O peoples , until as late as 4 5, when wen Glendower the champion of the oppressed laborer— swept across it . th with his French Allies , and was defeated North and Sou W h al ales were from t is time form ly annexed to England , as a n V I I I im conquered people , and a century later , Ki g Henry n 00 posed upo them the laws of England . So for 5 years Hereford has ceased to be the rallying point of two hostile races . It is a charming spot geographically, enough , says Canon and Bannister to rej oice the heart of an antiquary , to hold d the fancy of a poet , as it is the gateway to steep woode ll u r hi s , to valleys narrow and secluded , and to inn me able ancient camping grounds . Forgetful of its past , it now reposes peacefully on the sloping banks of its life - giving mountain stream , described by Pope as Clear and artless, pouring through the plain . th e w . Health to the sick , and solace to s ain I t is also enriched by its majestic Cathedral and pro tected h i l by its surrounding l s . ’ We n . have many interesti g stories of the city s past , ul - more or less fancif , which tradition and folk lore have w preserved to us but we have to deal ith sober facts only, I V O C O . INTR DU TI N and the lessons they may teach us . These sober facts we will try to weave into a sort of novel which may tell us something about the joys and the sorrows, the smiles and the tears , th . e triumphs and the failures , of our ancestors Some day in the near future , there may arise in our l wh o midst , a veritable enthusiast of ocal history will relate to us in eloquent and simple language , all we desire to know about Roman and Briton , Briton and Saxon , Saxon and Norman , r Yo kist and Lancastrian , Roundhead and Cavalier ; and later on , all about our spoiled children , like pretty witty Nell Gwynne our great actors , like David Garrick and al later still , all about our prosaic municip doings ; and in this way w e may learn to take a deeper interest in the ‘ a f d ys o auld lang syne . ll Sti , history will not explain everything we may wish to know touching the rise and progress of the city , and this r t uth will bear itself upon us , more and more , as we proceed . Happy if w e learn that only that whi ch is of slow growth is of real service to the community The area in which our facts will be sought and found is t o a I limited its bound ry lines , which extend to 7 miles , and enclose acres of land . The main object of the writer of the following pages is to ’ set forth the city s long and uninterrupted course of events , so as to create a trustworthy picture of one of the most inter esting places of ancient and modern times and to inspire young people to take a more intelligent part in the manage ment of their own Municipal affairs . The history of our old town stands almost alone in many of its unique features , and in the stress and storm through which it has passed still it is fortunate , as just stated, in its geographical position , in the fertility and richness of the adj acent soil, and in the temperament of its inhabitants . n At the same time , it is connected with many of the leadi g events which go to make up the Constitutional History of this great Country. PREFACE . No originality is claimed in the method of treatment , or in the style of presenting this Short History of the City of Hereford . I t has been a pure labour of love to collect and arrange the matter under the various headings , which represent v the natural de elopments of the city , and which it is hoped will convey some information to youthful readers . Where can we find an obj ect that can demand higher qualities, or more lofty emotions than an interest and a ’ own ? pride , in one s city Not to take a personal interest and pride in its development , and in the progress of its di r civic ideals is a sadvantage to ou selves , and to those who will follow us . To be allowed to give but a summary of the facts and hi their interpretation w ch go to make up its history, is i indeed , a privilege not to be l ghtly esteemed . As an old border town , it was rich in romance , turbulent in character , and exciting in episode . Dull indeed must be the heart that is not moved by its past achievements , and modern improvements . As wide and grave responsibilities are being entrusted by P arliament to Municipalities, our first business , as good z u citi ens and loyal patriots , is to familiarise o rselves with the progressive steps of the history of the town in wh ich we live for progress is only possible on the lines of an educated de mocrac hi off y. It is education w ch marks a man from his l fellows , endows him with a persona ity and a pur pose in li fe ; and with additional powers to influence and s O erve his fellowmen . nly in the republic of knowledge can we find equality . di a My sole apology, in ad ng one more book to our loc l i l terature , is the hope that it will help to deepen our interest in the common life of the good old city and stimulate our t al hought in things , municip and political . CONTENTS . D edication Introduction Preface H ow our Knowledge of the Past came to u s t i How Hereford firs came into ex stence , and received its name 6 6 the 1086 - From 7 , the birth of City, to , the date of Domesday Book d . Some of the Ancient Customs , or Laws of Herefor How the Hereford Customs came down to us Th e Herefordshire of Domesday Book The Feudal System explained TwoFamous Names in the Early History of Hereford How Hereford was first governed of d 1 18 18 The Charters Herefor , 9 to 35 Hereford Merchant Guild Craft Guilds The Two Great Hereford Fairs Th e Black Death and afterwards The Civil War of 1642—6 ‘ The Ej ection of I 662 Historic Ol d Hereford The Castle The Black Friars ’ Monastery The White Cross The Wye Bridge CO NTENTS . V I I Butchers’ Row The Ol d House in the High Town The Ol d Town Hall The Cathedral Municipal Government by Act of Parliament . From I 774 to 1854 18 1 12 Ditto . From 54 to 9 How Hereford has Grown The Garden City H ereford as a Heal th Resort The Chi ef Builders of Modern Hereford P arliamentary Representation Names of Present and former Hereford Streets Institutions of Hereford The Cathedral School The Three Choirs ’ Festival Herefordshire General Hospital The Working Boys’ Home The Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital The Public Library, Museum , and Art Gallery The Town Hall The Hereford Y . M . C . A . Y . W . C . A . City Nursing and Maternity Society Secondary School for Boys Charity Organisation Society The Corn Exchange and New Theatre Chronological Table ILLUSTRATIONS . Frontispiece— Modern Map of Hereford I 1 18 Charter of Richard . , 9, Grant of Fee Farm ” . 1 8 II , 3 3, Baili to Mayor 168 . 2 Charles II , Ol d City Wi d em arsh Gate Bye Street Gate Wye Bridge Ol d H al l 1 Town , erected 597 Cathedral ’ St .

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