Devizes

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Coordinates: 51 ° 21 ′  N , 2 ° 0 ′  W

Map: United Kingdom
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Devizes​
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United Kingdom

Devizes [ dɪˈvaɪzɪz ] is a market and county town in the English county of Wiltshire in southern Great Britain, about 150 km west of London . The city has about 11,000 inhabitants on an area of ​​573 ha.

geography

Devizes is located 131 meters above sea level in the fertile plain of Pewsey .

Neighboring places are:

the cities: Calne , Chippenham , Marlborough , Swindon , Melksham , Warminster , Salisbury , Andover , Tidworth

the villages: Potterne, Roundway, Bishops Cannings, Horton, Coate, Bromham, Etchilhampton, Wedhampton, Stert, Poulshot, Seend, Sells Green, Rowde, Rowdefield, All Cannings, Great Cheverell, Littleton Panell, West Lavington, Market Lavington, Worton

and the districts: Nursteed, Dunkirk

history

Devizes is first mentioned in 1080 when Osmund von Sées , later canonized , Bishop of Salisbury, built a castle there. Since there was no city at that time, the place is not mentioned in the Domesday Book . Because the castle stood on the borders of the Rowde , Bishops Canning and Potterne estates , it was also known as “castrum ad divisas” or “the castle on the borders”. Hence the name "Devizes" comes from.

The moth was likely a wood and mound structure that burned down in 1113. Then it was rebuilt as a stone castle by Osmund's successor, Bishop Roger of Salisbury . The town of Devizes, which was built around the castle, received market rights in 1141. During the English Civil War from 1135 to 1154 between Stephan von Blois and Mathilde , the castle's owners changed several times.

The castle also served as a prison, including for Robert of Normandy , eldest son of William the Conqueror in 1106. Robert was imprisoned in Devizes for 20 years before he was brought to Cardiff Castle .

During the 12th and 13th centuries, traders and craftsmen settled around the castle and the town grew rapidly. The first traditional market took place in 1228. The original market square was in front of St. Mary's Church. At that time the outer moat was where the market square can be found today.

The main products offered in Devizes in the 16th and early 17th centuries were wheat, wool and yarn, later cheese, ham and butter were added. Devizes was also known for its textiles such as serge , felt and zephyr cotton .

During the English Civil War in 1643, the royalist troops under Sir Ralph Hopton holed up in the city. Therefore Devizes was besieged by the commander of the parliamentary army , Sir William Waller . The siege was lifted when a support army under Lord Wilmot advanced from Oxford . Waller's forces were almost completely wiped out in the Battle of Roundway Down . Devizes remained under royalist control until 1645 when Oliver Cromwell attacked and forced the royalists to surrender. The castle was destroyed in 1648 on the instructions of Parliament, only a few remains have survived.

In the early 18th century, the Devizes market was the largest in western England. Meanwhile, hops , cattle, horses and clothing were also offered. The wool merchants had made their fortunes and built some lavish houses in the city. Examples can be seen on Long Street, St. John's Street, and Market Square.

Towards the end of the 18th century, the production of textiles was no longer profitable, so that other branches of trade formed in the city, such as watchmakers, bell-makers, booksellers, hatters, grocers and silversmiths. There were also brewers, tobacco processors, and snuff manufacturers. While beer is still brewed in the Wadworth Brewery today, the tobacco processors are no longer on site.

The city ​​is represented in the House of Commons in London by Conservative MP Michael Ancram .

traffic

Devizes was also an important stopping point for stagecoaches on the road from London to Bristol and a large number of post office hotels such as the well-known "Bear Inn" were built.

16 of the 29 locks on the Kennet Canal near Devizes

The Kennet and Avon Canal was built by John Rennie from 1794 to 1810 to connect Devizes with Bristol and London. In the vicinity of Devizes, the canal overcomes a height of 72 meters through 29 lock gates. 16 locks follow one another on Caen Hill . The canal was lit with gas lanterns at night so it could be used 24 hours a day. After the construction of the railway in 1850, the canal was used less and less. It was later repaired and has been used for leisure activities ever since. A good overview of the canal's history can be found in the museum on the wharf in Devizes.

Devizes was connected to the railroad network in 1857 when the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway moved a branch to Holt Junction from the main line between Chippenham and Weymouth . In 1862 the Great Western Railway Devizes joined its Reading to Hungerford line . This gave a direct connection from London via Devizes to the west of England. A bypass was later built over Westbury so that there was no longer any need to drive through Devizes. The Devizes stop was closed in 1966. Today you can find the nearest train station in Chippenham or Pewsey .

Residents

At the 2001 census, the city had 11,296 inhabitants, in 2006 there were already 13,300.

Attractions

  • Market cross: the market cross was built in 1814. It tells the instructive story of Ruth Pearce:
Market cross in Devizes
“On January 25, 1753, Ruth Pearce of Potterne , that county, agreed with three other women to buy a sack of wheat at the market, each paying an equal share. One of these women noticed a shortfall when collecting the shares and asked Ruth Pearce for this amount. Ruth Pearce claimed to have already paid and said that if she did not, she should drop dead on the spot. She repeated this terrible wish several times when, to the dismay and horror of the bystanders, she fell to the ground and died, still holding the money in her hand. "

education

In addition to the primary schools, Devizes has a secondary school that offers a special branch of sports. Other primary schools can be found in the districts of Wansdyke , Nursateed , Potterne and Southbroom .

Sports

Every year at Easter the International Canoe Marathon between Devizes and Westminster is held in London. The distance is 190 km. The competition was first held in 1948 and was one of the first canoe marathons in the world.

The local football club is called Devizes Town FC and plays in the Western Football League . The rugby club Devizes RFC was founded in 1876, the players are called "harp seals" and play in the Southern Counties (South) League . There is also a hockey club and a cricket club, which was founded in 1850.

Personalities

Town twinning

Web links