Marlborough
342779
224136997
2008-07-07T14:06:06Z
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{{dablink|This article is about the English town. For other places called ''Marlborough'' see [[Marlborough (disambiguation)]]}}
{{infobox UK place|
|country = England
|official_name= Marlborough
|shire_district= [[Kennet (district)|Kennet]]
| shire_county = [[Wiltshire]]
|region= South West England
|population=8009 (2001 census)
|os_grid_reference=
|latitude= 51.4167
|longitude=-1.7167
|dial_code=
|postcode_district =
|postcode_area=
|post_town=
|constituency_westminster=
}}
[[Image:Marlborough Wednesday Market 17.05.06c.jpg|thumb|250px|Marlborough on a Wednesday Market morning]]
[[Image:Marlborough College.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Marlborough College]]
[[Image:Marlborough St Mary.JPG|thumb|250px|St Mary's Church]]
[[Image:Marlborough Main Square.JPG|thumb|250px|Main square]]
'''Marlborough''' ({{Audio|En-uk-Marlborough.ogg|pronunciation}}; [[Help:Pronunciation|IPA]] {{IPA|/ˈmɔːlbrə/}} "''Maul''bruh") is a market town in the [[England|English]] county of [[Wiltshire]] on the [[A4 road|Old Bath Road]], the old main road from [[London]] to [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]].
==History==
The first sign of human habitation is the pre-historic mound ([[tumulus]]), in the grounds of [[Marlborough College]]. It is possibly of similar age to the larger [[Silbury Hill]] five miles to the west. Legend has it that the Mound is the burial site of [[Merlin (wizard)|Merlin]] and that the name of the town, Marlborough comes from Merlin's [[Tumulus|Barrow]]. The town's motto is ''Ubi nunc sapientis ossa Merlini'' - ''Where now are the bones of wise Merlin''<ref>[http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getconcise.php?id=155 Wiltshire County Council - Wiltshire Community History Get Population/Census Information<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>.
Further evidence of human occupation comes from the discovery of the ''Marlborough Bucket'' an [[Iron Age]] ''burial bucket'', with decorations of human heads and animals on sheet [[Bronze Age|bronze]].
[[Roman Empire|Roman]] remains and coins have been found two miles to the East of Marlborough, at [[Mildenhall, Wiltshire|Mildenhall]] (Cunetio).
A later [[Saxons|Saxon]] settlement grew up around The Green and two early river crossings were made at Isbury Lane and Stonebridge Lane.
The first written record of Marlborough dates from 1087 when the [[Domesday Book]] was finished. The town received its town charter in 1204.
* In 1067, [[William I of England|William the Conqueror]] assumed control of the Marlborough area and set about building a wooden [[motte and bailey]] [[castle]], sited on the pre-historic mound. This was completed in around 1100 and stone was used to strengthen the castle, in around 1175.
* William also established a [[Mint (coin)|mint]] in Marlborough, which coined the William I and the early [[William II of England|William II]] silver pennies. The coins display the name of the town as Maerlebi or Maerleber.
* William I established the neighbouring [[Savernake Forest]] as a favourite Royal hunting ground and Marlborough Castle became a Royal residence. [[Henry I of England|Henry I]] observed Easter here, in 1110. [[Richard I]] (''Coeur de Lion'') gave the castle to his brother [[John of England|John]], in 1186. [[Henry II of England|Henry II]] stayed at Marlborough Castle, in talks with the King of [[Scotland]]. King John was married here and spent time in Marlborough. He even established a [[Treasury]]. Later, [[Henry III of England|Henry III]] was also married here.
* Henry III held [[Parliament of England|Parliament]] here, in 1267, when the ''[[Statute of Marlborough]]'' was passed (this gave rights and privileges to small land owners and limited the right of the King to take possession of land). This seven-hundred-year-old law states that no one shall seize his neighbour's goods for alleged wrong, without permission of the Court. It is the oldest piece of [[England|English]] law which has not yet been repealed.
* The castle fell into disrepair by the end of the 14th century but remained Crown property. [[Edward VI of England|Edward VI]] then passed it to the [[Seymour family]], his mother's relatives.
* The 1204 Charter granted the Borough an annual eight-day fair, commencing on 14 August, the vigil of the Feast of the [[Assumption of Mary|Assumption of Our Lady]] ([[August 15|15 August]]), in which "''all might enjoy the liberties and quittances customary in the fair at [[Winchester]]''". He also established that weekly markets may be held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. These continue to this day.
* In 1498 [[Thomas Wolsey]] was ordained priest in (the now redundant) St Peter's church. He later rose to become a [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinal]] and [[Lord Chancellor]].
* In 1642, Marlborough's peace was shattered by the [[English Civil War]]. The [[Seymour family|Seymours]] held the Castle for the [[Cavalier|King]] but the Town was for [[Roundhead|Parliament]]. With his headquarters in nearby [[Oxford]], [[Charles I of England|King Charles]] had to deal with Marlborough. "''A Town the most notoriously disaffected of all that Country, otherwise, saving the obstinacy and malice of the inhabitants, in the situation of it very unfit for a garrison... this place the King saw would prove quickly an ill neighbour to him, not only as it was in the heart of a rich County, and so would straighten him, and even infest his quarters.''" The King sent Lord [[George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol|Digby]] to take the town of Marlborough. He left Oxford at the head of four hundred horses, on the 24th November. When he arrived, he chose to parley first, thus giving the inhabitants a chance to prepare defences and to recruit troops. They mustered about seven hundred poorly-armed men. At this point, the Town issued a reply to Digby. "''The King's Majesty''" he declared, "''providing he were attended in Royal and not in war like wise, should be as welcome to that Town as ever was Prince to People; but as to delivering up the good Town of Marlborough to such a traitor as Lord Digby ... they would sooner die''". After some early skirmishes, Royalist troops infiltrated the Town down its small alleyways. The Town was captured and looted and many buildings were set ablaze. One hundred and twenty prisoners were marched in chains to Oxford. The Town was later abandoned by the King and took no further part in the war.
* On [[April 28]], 1653, the Great Fire of Marlborough burnt two hundred and fifty houses to the ground. Fire swept through the Town again in 1679 and again in 1690. This time, an [[Act of Parliament]] was passed "''to prohibit the covering of houses and other buildings with thatch in the Town of Marlborough''".
* In 1689, [[William III of England|William III]] created [[John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough|Sir John Churchill]], the distinguished Army general, Earl of Marlborough. In 1702, William's successor, [[Anne of Great Britain|Queen Anne]] created Churchill [[Duke of Marlborough]].
* Nobel Prize winning author [[William Golding]], author of ''[[Lord of the Flies]]'', grew up in the town. Golding lived on a house in the Green. Golding was educated at the former Marlborough Grammar School, where his father was a science master.
==Modern times==
In 2004, Marlborough celebrated 800 years of its Town Charter, among the celebrations was a street play by the Marlborough Players entitled "Wheels of Time" and a visit from HRH Prince Charles. During the rebuilding of the town after the Great Fire of Marlborough in 1653 which destroyed almost the entire town, the high street became what is claimed to be the widest in England. This allows ample space for a local market which is held twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Every summer the town holds a [[jazz]] festival with local pubs, clubs, hotels and various other venues playing host to live jazz music over the course of a weekend. Every October the high street is closed for the two Saturdays either side of [[October 11]] for the Marlborough [[Mop Fair]]. This was originally a hiring fair for agricultural workers seeking employment but now has become a [[funfair]]. The right of the town to close the road to hold the fair is set down in the Charter.
On the north side of the high street is the Merchant's House, which is currently under restoration but part of which is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays in summer. The house was built following the Great Fire of 1653. It was the property of a silk merchant and, rarely for a house of this type in a town centre, still retains its original room pattern. Of great interest are the wall paintings recently uncovered, which are undergoing careful conservation. One room painted in a striped pattern, copying silk hangings, is perhaps unique in Great Britain.
===Administration===
The local authority is [[Kennet District Council]]. In the Church of England structure the Marlborough Deanery is part of the [[Salisbury Diocese]] and contains the united Benefices of Marlborough and Preshute, The Whitton, The Ridgeway and The Upper Kennet Benefice.
===Education===
The town is known for the location of the leading [[Public school (UK)|public school]], [[Marlborough College]]. The college is located on the west side of the town.
The town's comprehensive state secondary school, [[St John's School and Community College]], is considered an above average school by [[OFSTED]]. It was formed when the former Marlborough [[Grammar School]] and [[Secondary modern school]] were amalgamated.
===Transport===
Although once served by two different [[railway]] lines (the [[Great Western Railway]] and the [[Midland and South Western Junction Railway]]) the town no longer has any direct rail access. However, the nearest [[railhead]], either by connecting [[bus]] or by [[park and ride]], is [[Bedwyn railway station]]
===Culture and sport===
* The Marlborough Choral Society performs three concerts per year.
* The Marlborough Concert Orchestra was founded in 2006 and puts on concerts in the town.
* The Marlborough Running Club organises the [[Marlborough Downs Challenge]]
==Nearby places==
'''Towns and cities:''' [[Devizes]], [[Calne]], [[Tidworth]], [[Hungerford]], [[Newbury, Berkshire|Newbury]], [[Swindon]]
'''Villages:''' [[Aldbourne]], [[Avebury, Wiltshire|Avebury]], [[Burbage, Wiltshire|Burbage]], [[Fyfield, Wiltshire|Fyfield]], [[Great Bedwyn]], [[Lockeridge]], [[Mildenhall, Wiltshire|Mildenhall]], [[Pewsey]], [[Milton Lilbourne]], [[Ramsbury]], [[Collingbourne Ducis]], [[Manton, Wiltshire|Manton]], [[Clatford]], [[Chiseldon]], [[Ogbourne St. George]], [[Ogbourne St. Andrew]], [[Draycot Foliat]]
'''Places of interest:''' [[Avebury]], [[Savernake Forest]], [[Crofton Pumping Station]], [[Silbury Hill]], [[Wilton Windmill]], [[Stonehenge]], [[Stourhead]]
==External links==
{{commons|Category:Marlborough}}
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/image_galleries/historic_marlborough_photos_gallery1.shtml Historic Marlborough photos] at [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire BBC Wiltshire]
* [http://www.stjohns.wilts.sch.uk St Johns School Website]
* [http://www.marlboroughcollege.org Marlborough College]
* [http://www.mco.org.uk Marlborough Concert Orchestra]
* [http://www.marlboroughchoral.org Marlborough Choral Society]
* [http://www.marlboroughrunningclub.co.uk Marlborough Running Club]
* [http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getcom2.php?id=155 Wiltshire county website entry] - includes a wealth of historical information
* [http://www.merchantshousetrust.co.uk/merchistory.htm Merchants House Marlborough]
* [http://www.marlboroughjazz.co.uk/ Marlborough Jazz Festival]
* [http://www.kennetvaleband.co.uk/ Kennet Vale Brass]
* [http://www.welovemarlborough.co.uk We Love Marlborough]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Wiltshire}}
[[Category:Towns in Wiltshire]]
[[Category:Articles including recorded pronunciations (UK English)]]
[[da:Marlborough]]
[[id:Marlborough, Inggris]]
[[he:מרלבורו]]
[[ro:Marlborough]]
[[fi:Marlborough (Englanti)]]
[[vo:Marlborough (Wiltshire)]]