History of Wallingford

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Wallingford, founded by King Alfred in the early 10th century is a good example of Saxon burgh or fortified town with the earthwork defences to be seen to this day, possibly the finest surviving in the country. At this time Wallingford was much larger than Oxford and equal in size to the Wessex capital Winchester.

After his victory at Hastings in 1066 William the conqueror met fierce resistance at Southwark so he marched his army to ford the Thames at Wallingford on his way to be crowned King on Christmas day, as he met no opposition and realising the strategic importance of the town he gave instructions for a castle to be built, taking nearly four years to build it was completed in 1071. It was built to the usual Norman plan with Motte and Bailey, then in the early 13th century it was extended and again in the second half making it one of the most important castles in England. Wallingford's was a Royal castle associated with many medieval Kings and Queens, during the civil war it was a royalist stronghold and held out against Cromwell for 16 weeks before surrendering to him, then for a few years it was used as a prison but the danger of it becoming a stronghold once again was to great a risk for it to remain, so in 1652 Cromwell's council of state ordered it to be pulled down stone by stone. Very little now remains of the castle on the green mounds of the beautiful Castle Gardens. King Henry II granted a charter to Wallingford in 1155, 32 years before London received theirs.

The great bridge over the River Thames is over nine hundred feet long and has 19 arches (18 visible), the first recorded evidence of a bridge was in 1141.

Of the 15 churches that existed in the 13th century only 3 remain, St. Leonards, St. Marys and St. Peters.

Wallingford had its own mint from the reign of King Athelstan (924-940A.D.) until the reign of King Henry III (1216-1272A.D). Silver pennies were minted there for over 3 hundred years.

The Town Hall situated in the market place was built during the reign of Charles II in 1670, although it give the appearance of stone it is actually a timber framed building, the outside steps on the western side were added in 1933 when substantial alterations were made. In the main chamber there are boards listing the mayors of Wallingford from 1231 to the present day.

Two of the Towns famous residents were Sir William Blackstone author of the legendary "Commentaries on the laws of England" who is buried in St. Peters and Dame Agatha Christie who moved into her house Winterbook in 1935, she became president of the local dramatic society in 1950 and lived here until her death on 12th January 1976, she was buried in Cholsey just a few miles away.