History of Bedfordshire facts for kids
Bedfordshire is a county in England, located about 25 to 55 miles (40 to 90 kilometers) north of central London. It is known for its rich history and beautiful countryside.
Contents
Bedfordshire's Early History
Ancient Settlers
Long ago, a group of people called the Angles came to Bedfordshire. They liked the area because it had plenty of water and good land for farming. Signs of their settlements have been found, especially south of the River Ouse. For example, a cemetery at Kempston has graves from the fifth century, and a settlement was found near Biggleswade.
Political Changes Over Time
Bedfordshire has a long and interesting political past. In 571, a leader named Cuthwulf defeated the Britons at Bedford and took over four towns. Later, the area became part of Mercia, an ancient kingdom. By the Treaty of Wedmore, it became Danish land, but King Edward took it back between 919 and 921.
The county was first officially mentioned in 1016 when King Canute caused a lot of damage across the shire. When William the Conqueror arrived, there was no strong fight against him in Bedfordshire. The Domesday Book shows that most English landowners were replaced by Norman ones.
Bedfordshire faced tough times during the civil war of King Stephen's reign. The county's income dropped significantly. Later, during the First Barons' War, Bedford Castle was attacked three times before it was destroyed in 1224. The Peasants' Revolt (1377–1381) was less violent here than in other places. Records from Dunstable mention a small uprising and a demand for a special charter.
A large part of the county was once a royal forest, meaning it was protected by special laws, until 1191. In 1638, a tax called ship money was collected in Bedfordshire. During the English Civil War that followed, the county strongly opposed King Charles I.
The first record of Bedfordshire sending members to Parliament was in 1290. By 1295, both the county and the town of Bedford sent representatives. This continued for many years.
How Bedfordshire is Governed
Local Administration Through History
For a long time, Bedfordshire was divided into nine main areas called hundreds. These included Barford, Biggleswade, Clifton, Flitt, Manshead, Redbornestoke, Stodden, Willey and Wixamtree. There was also the special area of Bedford town. Over time, some smaller areas merged into these hundreds.
Until 1574, one sheriff managed both Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The main court for Bedfordshire was held in Bedford. Some areas, like Flitt, were controlled by powerful lords or religious groups.
Modern Local Government
After 1835, changes were made to how towns were governed. Bedford was the first official borough, followed by Dunstable in 1864 and Luton in 1876. The county was also divided into areas for helping the poor, like Ampthill, Bedford, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard, Luton, and Woburn.
In 1875, the county was further divided into urban (town) and rural (countryside) areas for health and sanitation. By 1894, new local councils were created for these areas, leading to the system of urban and rural districts.
In 1964, Luton became a county borough, meaning it managed its own affairs more independently. In 1965, Leighton Buzzard joined with Linslade from Buckinghamshire to form a new urban district within Bedfordshire.
Recent Changes (1974 - Present)
From 1974, a new two-tier system was introduced with a main county council (Bedfordshire County Council) and smaller district councils. These included North Bedfordshire Borough (later renamed Borough of Bedford), Luton Borough, Mid Bedfordshire, and South Bedfordshire.
In 1997, Luton became a unitary authority. This meant it became independent from Bedfordshire County Council for administrative purposes, though it remained part of Bedfordshire for ceremonial events.
In 2009, big changes happened again. The government decided to create two new unitary authorities in Bedfordshire: Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire. Luton remained a separate unitary authority. Bedfordshire County Council was officially closed on April 1, 2009. Now, these three unitary authorities manage local services in the county.
Industries and Farming
Bedfordshire has always been a strong farming county because of its good land. For centuries, especially from the 1200s to the 1400s, sheep farming was very important. Bedfordshire wool was highly valued.
The straw-plait industry, which involves weaving straw, is said to have started in Luton thanks to King James I. He supposedly brought skilled plaiters from Lorraine to the area.
Bedfordshire was also a major center for the English lace industry from the 1500s to the early 1900s. Even though early records are scarce, writers like Daniel Defoe mentioned the high quality of Bedfordshire lace in the 1700s.
Important Families and Estates
Woburn Abbey is a famous estate in Bedfordshire. It has belonged to the Russell family since 1547 and is the home of the Dukes of Bedford, who were once the biggest landowners in the county. Other notable families include the Burgoynes of Sutton and the Osborn family, who have owned Chicksands Priory since 1576.
Religious History
Bedfordshire's religious history is also interesting. In 679, it became part of the new diocese of Dorchester. From 1075 to 1837, it belonged to the Diocese of Lincoln. Then, it moved to the Diocese of Ely. In 1914, the area of Bedfordshire became part of the Diocese of St Albans.
Old Buildings and Architecture
Bedfordshire has many old and beautiful buildings. Some of the most interesting are the remains of old monasteries. For example, part of the Augustinian priory church at Dunstable is now the local parish church. Elstow Abbey near Bedford was once a Benedictine nunnery founded in 1078. You can also see parts of the Gilbertine Chicksands Priory and a Cistercian building at Old Warden.
Many of the county's parish churches are very old and show different styles of architecture. You can find pre-Conquest (before 1066) work in the tower of Clapham church and St. Peter's Church in Bedford. The door of St Mary the Virgin in Stevington is also very old.
Beautiful Norman and Early English styles can be seen at Dunstable and Elstow. Later styles, like Decorated and Perpendicular, are shown in churches like Leighton Buzzard and Felmersham. The church at Marston Moretaine is famous for its large, separate bell tower. Cople church is another great example of fine Perpendicular work.
Cockayne Hatley church has amazing carved wood from an abbey in Belgium, brought there in the 1800s. While Bedfordshire doesn't have many medieval houses, Woburn Abbey is a grand mansion, mostly built in the mid-1700s.
