History of Salisbury

Salisbury is a town with some interesting events in its long history and this increases its appeal as a visitor destination. The towns original settlement, known as Old Sarum, is one of its key sightseeing locations and a must for anyone with an interest in the areas fascinating past.

Early days

The earliest signs of settlements in the area that we now know as Salisbury are noted as having started some 2,500 years ago with the building of an Iron Age fort on a site located just two miles north of what is now the town centre. The Saxons subsequently moved into the Wiltshire region, establishing settlements that they were later forced to defend against the Celts, who were defeated and hence fled to the west.

By the early 11th century, a settlement was established on the site that had previously housed the fort. This settlement was later bolstered by the arrival of those forced to flee from a Viking attack in the Wilton area. Around 1069, William the Conqueror constructed a wooden castle from which he could both govern and protect the Salisbury settlement.

The arrival of a bishop in 1075 signified the ongoing development of the settlement which, while smaller than neighbouring Wilton, was by now home to several hundred citizens. Much later, the settlement was abandoned and is now the area popularly known as Old Sarum.

Middle Ages

Todays Salisbury had its true beginnings in the 13th century, when the local bishop moved his seat to a plot of land owned by the church. The bishop set about building a new town on this land, establishing a gridded street system and leasing land to settlers for construction purposes. By 1219, the town had its own market and a popular annual fair at which citizens from all over Wiltshire would buy and sell goods.

In 1227, the town was granted an official charter which ensured the townsfolk certain inalienable rights. The town continued to develop, becoming prosperous off the back of its successful wool trade. By the 15th century, Salisbury was one of the biggest towns in Wiltshire, with a population of around 8,000.

Recent times

At the outset of the 19th century, the towns population was approximately 7,668, which was considered significant for a town of its size. The next 50 years however saw little growth and by 1851, the population had increased by barely a few thousand to 9,500. The latter half of the century however saw more rapid growth, with the figure reaching approximately 17,000 permanent residents by 1901.

During the 19th century, much of Britain benefitted from the Industrial Revolution. However, Salisburys wool trade was allowed to die out and while other cities prospered off the back of textiles, Salisbury remained a simple market town. In the 20th century, the town continued to grow but was still essentially an agricultural centre.

To this day, while Salisburys main industry is now tourism, the town still revolves to some extent around its farming community and its relationship with Wiltshire as an agricultural county.