In 1887, John Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles described Malmesbury like this:
Malmesbury.-- market town, Wilts, on river Avon, 16 miles NW. of Swindon and 94 W. of London by rail, 325 ac., pop. 3133; P.O., T.O., 2 Banks. Market-day, Saturday. This is a pleasantly situated, ancient, and highly interesting town. William of Malmesbury refers to its monastery having been founded in 670. ...
Of several relics of antiquity existing in the district the best known is the abbey church, the ruins of which are very interesting. Brewing and silk mfr. are the industries of the place. William of Malmesbury (12th century) was precentor of the abbey; and Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), the philosopher, was a native. Malmesbury is a corporate town, and the governing charter (8th William III.) recites previous charters of Athelstan, Henry IV., and Charles I. It returned 2 members to Parliament until 1832, and 1 member from 1832 until 1885.
Malmesbury through time
Malmesbury is now part of North Wiltshire district. Click here for graphs and data of how North Wiltshire has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Malmesbury itself, go to Units and Statistics.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Malmesbury in North Wiltshire | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/142
Date accessed: 18th April 2024
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