Ludgershall, Wiltshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ludgershall |
|
|---|---|
 Ludgershall Castle |
|
 Ludgershall
|
|
| Population | 4,427 (in 2011) |
| OS grid reference | SU265508 |
| Civil parish |
|
| Unitary authority |
|
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ANDOVER |
| Postcode district | SP11 |
| Dialling code | 01264 |
| Police | Wiltshire |
| Fire | Wiltshire |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
|
| Website | Town Council |
Ludgershall ( LUG-ər-shawl, with a hard g) is a town and civil parish 16 miles (26 km) north east of Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. It is on the A342 road between Devizes and Andover. The parish includes Faberstown which is contiguous with Ludgershall, and the hamlet of Biddesden which is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the east on the border with Hampshire.
Contents
History
There is evidence of settlement in the late Bronze Age or early Iron Age at Windmill Down on the western edge of the parish.
The entry in the Domesday Book (1086) reads as follows: "Edward of Salisbury holds Ludgershall. Alfward held it before 1066; it paid tax for one hide (about 24 acres). Land for 3 ploughs. In Lordship 2 ploughs, 3 slaves; 8 Cottagers with 1 plough. Pasture 3 furlongs long and 1 furlong wide; woodland ½ league long and 2 furlongs wide." The value was 100 shillings.
Ludgershall was originally called "Litlegarsele", often rendered as "lytel", small and "garsheath", a grassy place thus a "small grazing area" or "little grass heath".
Buildings and structures
Castle
In 1141 the Empress Maud took refuge in Ludgershall Castle as she fled from King Stephen's army. She was accompanied by Milo Fitzwalter and escaped disguised as a corpse to Vies (Devizes) and thence to Gloucester. Some 600 years later a seal was found by a ploughman, bearing a knight in armour and holding a lance shield with the inscription "Sigillum Millonis De Glocestria". It is thought Fitzwalter threw away the seal to avoid identification when he escaped as a beggar. During succeeding centuries Ludgershall Castle was occupied by many distinguished persons and royalty frequently resided there. The village grew around the castle.
The town now features the remains of this 12th century fortified royal residence known as Ludgershall Castle. Three large walls still remain of the private residence, which was turned into a hunting lodge by King Henry III but fell into disuse by the 15th century. The property is now under the care of English Heritage. Extensive earthworks remain, although a large section of the original plot is now a private residence.
Cross
The remains of a Medieval preaching cross known as Ludgershall Cross are situated in the town centre. This is also under the care of English Heritage. It was re-erected some time in the early 19th century in the area that formed the old market place, near the present Queen's Head pub at the end of High Street. It is some 12 feet in height and in 1897, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, an ornamental iron fence was erected around the cross. The cross has carved representations on four sides but they are badly eroded. It is thought the original sculptured panels represented:
- North side – The Ascencion
- South side – The three Marys
- East side – The Crucifixion
- West side – Command to St Paul
The railings were designed by A. H. Huth and bear a crown in each corner. A local Masonic lodge, The Border Lodge no.3129, consecrated in 1905 and meeting at the old Prince of Wales House hotel building, uses the preaching cross as its emblem.
Church
The Anglican Church of St James dates from the 12th century and is Grade I listed.
Biddesden House
Biddesden House, now a Grade I listed house and home to an Arabian Horse stud farm, is described in the Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870–72) as being the chief residence of the parish of Ludgershall.
Corunna Barracks
During the Second World War, Army depots were built to the north and south of Tidworth Road. The War Office transferred the Army Medical Store to a site west of the railway station. The US Army prepared vehicles for the invasion of Europe at the depot in 1943. The barracks are now home to 26 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers.
The modern town
The town of Ludgershall has developed considerably over the years and is now an important town supporting a number of flourishing businesses and a considerable amount of housing. It is likely to expand further over the next several years with the current proposals for a new business park on 33 acres (13 ha) on the outskirts of the town, and the redevelopment of former MoD properties in the area. The community is well provided for in terms of entertainment and shops with two pubs and social clubs, a number of small independent traders, and two supermarket chains.
Images for kids
-
St James' Church
-
Ludgershall station in the 1900s
See also
In Spanish: Ludgershall para niños
