Historic Hereford City

Saxon times (around the 5th century)

This is when Hereford is first mentioned – when it became the centre of Magonsæte, a minor sub-kingdom of the greater Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia. A Diocese was founded and a Bishop called Putta started to build a cathedral made of wood.

What is now the Castle Green, close to existing Hereford Cathedral, Hereford Cathedral was used as a burial ground and served as such for hundreds of years. It’s well worth a walk around and is well signposted from the Cathedral.

Great Insta spot

In the AD600’s, with its own King and Bishop, Hereford was a military town and armies used to cross the river at a ford near where the Victoria Foot Bridge now stands. The footbridge, which was opened in 1898, is a lovely structure spanning the river with some great views of the current cathedral – ideal for some modern day insta or Facebook shots!

Fun fact

Here is Saxon for Army and ford is a crossing, and it’s thought this is where the name Hereford came from.
In AD 736, Bishop Cuthbert is documented as leading a cathedral community in ‘Hereford’

Murdered then martyred

A bit later (we said this was simple so we’re not getting bogged down by dates) the King of East Anglia, Ethelbert, visited Hereford and was murdered. He was buried out of the city in a settlement called Marden.

Ethelbert was martyred Shrine of St Ethelbert | Hereford Cathedral and a stone church was built to commemorate him on the site where the Cathedral now stands and where his remains now lie.

Danish without pastries

While all this was going on the Danes also known as the Vikings invaded and were defeated at Hereford which was given a royal charter for its trouble. Around 950 AD it was declared that part of Hereford south of the River Wye was, in fact, Wales!
At this time, money was tight, but luckily pilgrims came to Hereford to visit the resting places of Saints Ethelbert and Guthlac both enshrined in the cathedral bringing in some cash enabling the then Bishop, Athelstone, to ramp up the continued building of the cathedral.

One in the eye for Harold

Spinning ahead to AD1035 and Hereford became a Shire town and an Earldom. Annoyingly, in AD1055 there was a battle on the edge of Hereford and the town and the cathedral were burned down and loads of people were murdered.
A chap called Harold Goodwinson turned up to start rebuilding Hereford – he’d later become King Harold and get an arrow in the eye at the Battle of Hastings – 1066 and all that.

Trading up

William the Conqueror sent one of his best men to Hereford and a castle was built and trade in the city was ramped up. Hereford Market was moved and lots of French people came and settled in the city. There was quite a bit of fighting at this time and the castle was further improved to keep the Welsh and the Saxons at bay.

1300s and the Mappa Mundi

The largest medieval map, the Mappa Mundi is created. Drawn on calf skin, it shows how scholars of the time thought the world may have looked. The Mappa now resides in its own building adjacent to the Cathedral, which it shares with the Chained Library. The Largest Medieval Map | Mappa Mundi Hereford It’s a must see when you visit the city.

The city (technically still a town at this point) saw outbreaks of Bubonic Plague about now but work on the cathedral continued – and would do so until the present day.

Cider central

Hereford has been associated with cider for centuries and it was first mentioned in the 1420 Wycliffe version of the bible which used the early word ‘sidir’ to describe a strong drink from England. Homepage | Cider Museum

Links to the Crusades

Hereford’s links with the Hospitallers and Templars began in the 12th Century. They’d been off fighting the Crusades in the Holy Land and ended up in Herefordshire where they’d been gifted land on which they built a Commandery.

They moved into the city and set up next to a Priory of Blackfriars. Unfortunately, the Priory was destroyed during the Dissolution of Monasteries. Both the Priory and the Hospital then came to be owned by Sir Thomas Conningsby in the early 1600s Coningsby Hospital, Hereford Ideal place to have a chill in the gardens.

Old or Black and White?

In the centre of Hereford stands the Old House (or Black and White House, depending who you ask), built in 1621 by a butcher.
It’s now a museum and a real insight into Jacobean living. It’s a must visit Hereford museums and Art Gallery – Herefordshire Council

Famous locals

The King’s Mistress

Eleanor Gwyn was born in Hereford in 1650 – there’s a bit of dispute as some think she was born in London…but we’re claiming her! She became the actress, Nell Gwynne and her comic performances were praised by Samuel Pepys – he called her ‘pretty, witty, Nell’.
Nell’s mostly known for being the longtime of lover of King Charles II and selling oranges in her youth. She died aged just 37. A blue plaque marks her birthplace on Gwynne Street, just round the corner from the cathedral.

Famous actor born

David Garrick was born in Widemarsh Street in Hereford in 1717. Incredibly influential in theatrical practice in the 18thCentury. A mate of Samuel Johnson, his portrayal in Shakespeare’s Richard III was iconic (apparently). When he died, he had a public funeral at Westminster Abbey and was buried at Poet’s Corner.

Post 1800’s round up

If you’re still reading – we salute you. We’re flagging a bit so it’s one liners from now on!

• • The River Wye once had a quay and tow path used for transport – long gone now.
  • 1810: The Butter Market was opened in the centre of the city selling all sorts – it still does and is worth a visit.
  • 1825: There were 56 pubs and inns in Hereford!
  • More bits were added to the cathedral (ongoing theme).
  • 1864: A Royal Sturgeon was caught in the Wye – it was 8ft long and 4ft in circumference.
  • 1882: A water tower was built at Broomy Hill on the edge of the city – it’s now a museum of all things water and it’s fascinating with lots of steam engines and things Welcome To the Waterworks Museum – Hereford
  • 1888: Henry Percy Bulmer opened his cider factory in 1888. The Bulmer family are synonymous with cider to this day. Age Gate
  • 1904–11: Sir Edward Elgar whose greatest hits included Enigma Variations and the Pomp and Circumstance Marches – lived at Plas Gwyn, a big house in the Hampton Park area of the city between 1904 -11
  • 1916: 8 school girls were killed in a fire at the Garrick Theatre (named after aforementioned David) in Broad Street, performing for 1st WW soldiers.
  • 1924: Hereford United FC was formed. The non leaguers famously knocked out 1st Division Newcastle United in 1972. They reached their height in 1976-77 season getting into the 2nd Division but have since tumbled down the leagues and currently reside in the National League North. Take in a game at Edgar Street Hereford FC – The Official website of Hereford FC
  • 1960: Sssshhhh – this bit is a secret. 22 SAS, the regiment formed by Sir David Stirling in 1941, based itself at Stirling Lines on the outskirts of the city. They moved to the old RAF Credenhill site in 2000. Watch the BBC1 drama Rogue Heroes for the history. BBC One – SAS Rogue Heroes Tip: if people say they’re in ‘The Regiment’ they’re not, if they don’t say they are …well, they could be.
  • 1978: The Pretenders was formed in the city, fronted by Chrissie Hynde. Lead guitarist, James Honeyman Scott, died in 1982 aged just 25 and is buried at Lyde Church between Hereford and Leominster. Pipe and Lyde – Wikipedia

We hope you found this interesting, and it’ll enhance your visit to the city of Hereford as part of your stay at Discover Parks. Read our other blogs on Shopping In Hereford and Eating out in Hereford.