Salisbury 72119 224974824 2008-07-11T07:24:23Z Graham87 194203 revert to my last edit but re-add the interlanguage links, the article says what league the football club's at the top - not sure about City Hall addition {{about|the city in the United Kingdom|the capital of Zimbabwe formerly named Salisbury|Harare|other uses|Salisbury (disambiguation)}} {{infobox UK place| |country = England |official_name = Salisbury |population = 45,000 (2006) |shire_district = [[Salisbury (district)|Salisbury]] |shire_county = [[Wiltshire]] |region = South West England |constituency_westminster = [[Salisbury (UK Parliament constituency)|Salisbury]] |post_town = SALISBURY |postcode_district = SP1, SP2 |postcode_area = SP |dial_code = 01722 |os_grid_reference = SU145305 |latitude = 51.0740 |longitude = -1.7936 }} '''Salisbury''' ({{IPAEng|ˈsɒlzbri, ˈsɔːlzbri}} ('Solzbry') or {{IPA2|ˈzɔːwzbri}} ('Zawzbry') — moving from [[Received Pronunciation|RP]] to [[West Country dialects|local dialect]]) is a [[city status in the United Kingdom|cathedral city]] in the [[England|English]] [[Counties of England|County]] of [[Wiltshire]]. The city forms the largest part of the [[Salisbury (district)|Salisbury district]]. It has also been called '''New Sarum''' to distinguish it from the original site of settlement at Salisbury, [[Old Sarum]], but this alternative name is not in common use. Similarly, a native of Salisbury may be known as a "Sarumite"{{Fact|date=February 2007}}, but this term is also not commonly used. In 1990 Salisbury was [[Town twinning|twinned]] with [[Saintes]] in [[France]], and in 2006 with [[Xanten]] in [[Germany]]. The city is located in the south-east of Wiltshire, at the edge of [[Salisbury Plain]]. [[Salisbury railway station]] serves the city, and is the crossing point between the [[West of England Main Line]] and the [[Wessex Main Line]] making it a regional interchange. Salisbury is at the confluence of five rivers: the [[River Nadder|Nadder]], [[River Ebble|Ebble]], [[River Wylye|Wylye]] and [[River Bourne, Wiltshire|Bourne]] are [[tributary]] to the [[River Avon, Hampshire|Avon]] ([[Brythonic language|Brythonic]] for 'river'), which flows to the south coast and into the sea at [[Christchurch, Dorset]]. == History == {{refimprovesection|date=March 2008}} The location was chosen for a settlement because of the abundance of water. The city's origins go back to the [[Iron Age]]. The [[Roman Empire|Roman]]s called it "Sorviodunum". In modern [[Welsh language|Welsh]] the city is Caersallog. There was a battle between the West [[Saxons]] and the Britons here, after which the place was called "Searoburh". The [[Normans]] built a castle and called it "Searesbyrig" or "Seresberi". By [[1086]], in the [[Domesday Book]], it was called "Salesberie". The site of the castle is now known as [[Old Sarum]]. Old Sarum was a [[rotten borough]] that was abolished as at the time, one [[Member of Parliament|MP]] represented three households. The ''bury'' element is a form of ''borough'', which has cognates in words and place names throughout the [[Germanic languages]]. For a fuller explanation, see [[borough]]. [[Image:Salisbury Cathedral from Cathedral Yard.jpg|thumb|left|[[Salisbury Cathedral]] from the [[Cathedral]] Close. At 123 metres (404 feet), the spire is the tallest in the UK.]] The origins of the name "Sarum" are obscure. It most likely derives from the fact that Sarum came into use when documents were written in contracted [[Latin]]. It was easier to write Sar with a stroke over the "r", than write the complete word "Saresberie". That mark was also the common symbol for the Latin termination "um". Hence "Sar" with a stroke over the r was copied as "SarUM". One of the first known uses of "Sarum" is on the seal of Saint Nicholas Hospital, Salisbury, which was in use in 1239. Bishop Wyville (1330-1375) was the first Bishop to describe himself "episcopus Sarum".<ref>Victoria History of Wiltshire'' Vol. VI, pp. 93-94</ref> [[Image:Salisbury Cathedral West Front.jpg|thumb|right|Great West Front of Salisbury Cathedral]] ===Cathedral=== The first [[Salisbury Cathedral]] was built at Old Sarum by St Bishop [[Osmund]] between 1075 and 1092. A larger building was built on the same site circa 1120. However, deteriorating relations between the clergy and the military at Old Sarum led to the decision to re-site the cathedral elsewhere. Thus the city of '''New Sarum''', known as Salisbury, was founded in 1220, and the building of the new [[Salisbury Cathedral|cathedral]] begun by Bishop [[Richard Poore]] in that year. The main body was completed in only 38 years and is a masterpiece of [[Early English Period|Early English architecture]]. Some stones which make up the cathedral came from Old Sarum, others from the [[Chilmark Quarries]] from where they were floated down the [[River Nadder]] in small boats. The {{convert|123|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall spire was built later and is the tallest spire in the UK. The cathedral is built on a gravel bed with unusually shallow foundations of {{convert|18|in|cm}} upon wooden faggots: the site is supposed to have been selected by shooting an arrow from Old Sarum, although this can only be legend as the distance is over {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=off}}. It is sometimes claimed the arrow hit a white deer, which continued to run and died on the spot where the Cathedral now exists. The cathedral [[library]] contains the best preserved of the four surviving copies of the [[Magna Carta]]. In 1386, a large mechanical clock was installed at Salisbury Cathedral, the oldest surviving mechanical clock in Britain. ===The City=== In 1219 Richard Poore, the then Bishop of Sarum decided to establish a [[New town#United Kingdom|new town]] and cathedral on an estate in his possession (confusingly known as ''Veteres Sarisberias'' - Old Salisburys) in the valley, on the banks of the River Avon. The town was laid out in a [[grid pattern]], and work started in 1220, with the cathedral commencing the following year. The town developed rapidly, and by the 14th century was the foremost town in Wiltshire. The [[city wall]] surrounds the Close and was built in the 14th century. There are five gates in the wall; four are original, known as the High Street Gate, St Ann's Gate, the Queen's Gate, and St Nicholas's Gate. A fifth was created in the 19th century to allow access to [[Bishop Wordsworth's School]] located inside the Cathedral Close. A room located above St Ann's Gate is where the composer [[Handel]] stayed, and whilst there wrote several works. During the [[Great Plague of London]], [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] held court in the Close. The novel ''[[Sarum (novel)|Sarum]]'' by [[Edward Rutherfurd]], published in 1987, is an imaginary retelling of the history of Salisbury. == Demography == Salisbury has a population of 45,000. As of the 2004 census<ref>British government census statistics for race and ethnicity. [http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=277143&c=Salisbury&d=13&e=16&g=498191&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1200045314577&enc=1&dsFamilyId=87]</ref> 98.67% of the population was white, 96.41% of which was [[White British]], 0.30% of the population was [[British Asian|South Asian]], 0.13% was black, 0.16% was [[Han Chinese|Chinese]], 0.57% were mixed race. 88.50% of the population were born in [[England]],<ref>British government census statistics for country of birth. [http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=277143&c=Salisbury&d=13&e=16&g=498191&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1200045314577&enc=1&dsFamilyId=85]</ref> 4.77% were born elsewhere in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], and 3.12% were born elsewhere in the [[European Union|EU]] (including the [[Republic of Ireland]]). 3.60% of the population were born outside of the EU. 78.29% of the population declared their religion as [[Christianity]],<ref>British government census statistics for religion. [http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=277143&c=Salisbury&d=13&e=16&g=498191&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1200045314718&enc=1&dsFamilyId=95]</ref> while 13.58% stated "no religion" and 7.17% declined to state their religion. The second largest actual religion in Salisbury was [[Islam]] with adherents accounting for 0.24% of the population. == Economy == [[Image:SalisburyMarket20040724 CopyrightKaihsuTai.jpg|thumb|left|The 15th century ''Poultry Cross'' in the Market Place originally marked the section of the market trading in poultry.]] Salisbury holds a [[Marketplace|market]] on Tuesdays and Saturdays and has held markets regularly since [[1227]]. In the 15th century the Market Place was dotted with stone crosses marking the centres for certain trades and goods. Today only the ''Poultry Cross'' remains, to which [[flying buttress]]es were added in [[1852]]. In [[1226]], [[Henry III of England|King Henry III]] granted the [[Bishop of Salisbury]] a charter to hold a [[fair]] lasting 8 days from the Feast of the [[Assumption of Mary]] ([[15 August]]). Over the centuries the dates for the fair have moved around, but in its modern guise, a [[funfair]] is now held in the Market Place for three days from the third Monday in October. However, there is still an ancient law stating that the fair can be held in the Cathedral Close. The world famous [[Stonehenge]] [[prehistoric]] [[stone circle]] is about 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Salisbury and greatly aids the local economy. The city itself, Old Sarum and the original cathedral also attract visitors. Shopping centres include The Old George Mall, The Maltings, and Winchester Street. Major employers include [[Salisbury District Hospital]], [[Friends Provident]] and pyrotechnics company [[Pains Wessex]]. ==Culture== [[Image:SalisburyHighStreet20040724 CopyrightKaihsuTai.jpg|thumb|right|Salisbury High Street]] Salisbury was an important centre for [[music]] in the 18th century. The [[grammar]]ian [[James Harris (grammarian)|James Harris]], a friend of [[Handel]], directed concerts at the Assembly Rooms for almost 50 years up to his death in [[1780]], with many of the most famous musicians and singers of the day performing there.<ref>''Music and Theatre in Handel's World: The Family Papers of [[James Harris (grammarian)|James Harris]] 1732-1780'', by Donald Burrows and Rosemary Dunhill, Oxford University Press, USA (March 29, 2002)</ref> Salisbury has a strong artistic community, with galleries situated in the city centre, including one in the public library. In the 18th century, [[John Constable]] made a number of celebrated [[landscape art|landscape paintings]] featuring the cathedral spire and the surrounding countryside. Salisbury's annual International Arts Festival, started in 1973, and held in late May to early June, provides a programme of theatre, live music, dance, public sculpture, street performance and art exhibitions. Some buildings in Salisbury are reputed to be haunted. [[Ghost]] tours are popular with locals and visitors. One such building is the local Odeon [[Movie theater|cinema]] located in the House of John Halle. It is the oldest building in the UK to contain a cinema. ==Geography== Salisbury is located in a [[valley]]. The [[geology]] of the area, like much of South Wiltshire and [[Hampshire]], is largely [[chalk]]. The [[river]]s which flow through the city have been redirected, and along with landscaping, have been used to feed into public gardens. They are popular in the summer, particularly ''Queen Elizabeth Gardens'' as the water there is shallow and slow-flowing enough to enter safely. Close to Queen Elizabeth Gardens are [[water meadows]], the water is controlled by [[weir]]s. Because of the low-lying land, the rivers are prone to flooding particularly during the winter months. The ''Town Path'', a walkway that links Harnham with the rest of the city, is at times unpassable. A cause of concern to the people of Salisbury is the lack of adequate roads. There is no [[motorway]] that links the [[port]]s of [[Southampton]] and [[Bristol]] meaning that all traffic must pass through the city. The closest town is [[Wilton, Wiltshire|Wilton]] which is the former county town of Wiltshire. To the north the town of [[Amesbury]], which includes [[Stonehenge]]. Other places, to the [[west]] of the city, include [[Barford St Martin]], [[Tisbury]] and [[Gillingham (Dorset)]]. To the east can be found the [[garrison town]] of [[Tidworth]], and slightly further lies [[Andover, Hampshire|Andover]]. [[Alderbury]] and [[Romsey]] are to the south, as is Salisbury's largest neighbour, Southampton. Finally to the north are [[Warminster]] and [[Westbury, Wiltshire|Westbury]]. To the north and east is [[Salisbury Plain]]. Much of this area is used by the [[British Armed Forces|British military]] for training. There are [[military]] [[airfield]]s at [[Boscombe Down]], [[Middle Wallop]], [[Netheravon]] and [[Upavon]] ([[RAF Upavon]]). There are civil [[airfield]]s at [[Old Sarum]] (where the experimental aircraft the [[Edgley Optica]] was developed and tested) and at [[Thruxton]] near [[Andover]]. == Leisure == [[Image:Salisbury racecourse.jpg|right|thumb|Salisbury [[Racecourse]] with the [[cathedral]] in the distance.]] * The Bishop's Walk on the edge of the city provides excellent views * The city has a [[football (soccer)|football]] team, [[Salisbury City F.C.]], and a [[rugby football|rugby]] team * The Five Rivers Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool is located just outside of the ring road and was opened in 2002 * The local theatre is the Playhouse * Salisbury is well-supplied with [[Public house|pubs]]. One, 'The Haunch of Venison', overlooking the market, still operates from a 14th century building. One of its attractions is a [[Mummy|mummified]] hand, supposedly severed during a game of cards. The hand vanished on [[16 March]] [[2004]] but later reappeared under mysterious circumstances and can still be seen [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/3515304.stm] * The City Hall is a multi-purpose entertainment venue and hosts comedy, musical performances as well as seminars and conventions * [[Salisbury Racecourse]] is a [[flat racing]] course to the south-west of the city * Salisbury Arts Centre has exhibitions, workshops and an underground music scene with bands playing most weekends == Media == Salisbury is served by two local [[Radio broadcasting|radio stations]]. [[Spire FM]] is the local commercial station, and [[BBC Radio Wiltshire]] is the regional public service station for the whole county of Wiltshire. The [[Salisbury Journal]] is the local [[newspaper]]. Local event information can be found on [[The Best of Salisbury]] website. For region-specific [[television]] services, Salisbury falls into the [[BBC South|BBC Southern Region]]. Commercial TV is supplied by [[Meridian Broadcasting|ITV Meridian]]. Salisbury now has its own "On Demand" Video TV Station called ''Vision News TV'', found at [http://www.Vision-News.tv]. It serves West [[Hampshire]], [[South Wiltshire]] and [[North Dorset]]; providing local news, views and stories affecting the area. While most of the material is professionally produced, the station encourages the public to submit their own videos, photos and written reports. == Areas within and around Salisbury == {| width="100%" | width="50%" valign="top"| <!-- FIRST COLUMN --> * Alderbury * [[Amesbury]] * Bemerton Heath * Bishopdown * Bishopdown Farm * Bodenham * Britford * Churchfields * Clarendon * Constable Court * East [[Harnham]] * Ford * The Friary * Fugglestone Red * Homington * Laverstock | width="50%" valign="top"| <!-- SECOND COLUMN --> * Lower Bemerton * Milford * Netherhampton * Nunton * [[Odstock]] * Paul's Dene * Petersfinger * Riding's Mead * Quidhampton * Shady Bower * Solstice Park * Spire Views * Stratford-Sub-Castle * West [[Harnham]] |} ==Notable residents== *Former [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]] [[Edward Heath]] lived and died in Salisbury. He lived in the Cathedral Close. His funeral took place in the cathedral and was attended by many respected political figures. *The former [[Iron Maiden]] vocalist, [[Paul Di'Anno]] lives in Salisbury. *The actor [[Anthony Daniels]] (who played [[C3PO]] in the six ''[[Star Wars]]'' films) was born there. *[[John Levene]] (Real name John Anthony Blake), who played [[Sergeant Benton]] in ''[[Doctor Who]]'', was born and brought up in Salisbury. *[[Ralph Fiennes]] lived in Salisbury and went to [[Bishop Wordsworth's School]] in the Cathedral close, as did rugby international [[Richard Hill (flanker)|Richard Hill]] *Comedian, actor and writer [[David Mitchell (actor)|David Mitchell]] was born in Salisbury. *Nobel prize winner and author of ''[[The Lord of the Flies]]'', [[William Golding]] worked as a teacher at Salisbury's [[Bishop Wordsworth's School]]. *Author [[Susan Howatch]] lives in Salisbury. Her "Starbridge" and "St. Benet's" series of novels are set in Starbridge, a fictional cathedral city based on Salisbury. == Trivia == {{Trivia|date=June 2007}} * The Debenhams department store is said to be haunted by [[Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham]] - the store is on the site where he was beheaded in 1483 * [[Harare]], the capital of [[Zimbabwe]], was formerly named Salisbury * The BBC TV series ''[[Archer's Goon]]'' was filmed in Salisbury * There is a [[sundial]] in St Thomas's Square * Old Sarum was the first place [[William I of England|William the Conqueror]] visited having defeated [[Harold Godwinson|King Harold]] at [[Hastings]] * [[Winston Churchill]] and [[Dwight D. Eisenhower|Dwight Eisenhower]] are said to have met in the small room at the front of the The Haunch of Venison pub whilst planning the [[D-Day|D-Day landings]] ==References== <references/> * [http://www.britainexpress.com/Where_to_go_in_Britain/Destination_Library/salisbury.htm Britain Express] * [http://www.history.ac.uk/cmh/gaz/wilts.html www.history.ac.uk] with dates of charter for medieval fair. == External links == {{commonscat|Salisbury}} *{{wikitravelpar|Salisbury (England)}} *{{dmoz|/Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/Wiltshire/Salisbury/|Salisbury}} *[http://www.salisbury.gov.uk/ Salisbury District Council] *[http://www.visitsalisbury.com/ Official tourism website] *[http://www.salisbury.ac.uk/ Salisbury College] *[http://www.salisburyplayhouse.com/ Salisbury Playhouse] *[http://www.salisburyartscentre.co.uk/ Salisbury Arts Centre] *[http://www.salisburyfestival.co.uk/ Salisbury International Arts Festival] * [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/image_galleries/historic_salisbury_photos_gallery1.shtml Historic Salisbury photos] at [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire BBC Wiltshire] *[http://www.salisburymuseum.org.uk/ Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum] *[http://www.oldstratforduponavon.com/salisbury Old Postcards of Salisbury] {{UK cities}} {{Wiltshire}} [[Category:Salisbury| ]] [[Category:Cities in England]] [[bg:Солсбъри]] [[ca:Salisbury]] [[cs:Salisbury]] [[cy:Caersallog]] [[da:Salisbury]] [[de:Salisbury]] [[et:Salisbury]] [[es:Salisbury (Reino Unido)]] [[eo:Salisbury]] [[fr:Salisbury (Angleterre)]] [[id:Salisbury, Inggris]] [[it:Salisbury]] [[he:סולסברי]] [[nl:Salisbury]] [[ja:ソールズベリー]] [[no:Salisbury]] [[pl:Salisbury (Anglia)]] [[pt:Salisbury]] [[ro:Salisbury]] [[ru:Солсбери (Великобритания)]] [[simple:Salisbury]] [[fi:Salisbury]] [[sv:Salisbury, England]] [[vi:Salisbury]] [[tr:Salisbury]] [[vo:Salisbury]]