Devizes

51.348888888889 - 1.9947222222222Koordinaten: 51 ° 21 ' N, 2 ° 0' W

Devizes is a market town and district in the English county of Wiltshire in the south of Britain, about 150 km west of London. The city has about 11,000 inhabitants in an area of 573 ha

Geography

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

Neighboring locations 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

In 1080 Devizes is mentioned for the first time, as the later canonized Osmund Sées, Bishop of Salisbury built a castle there. Since at that time no city was there, the place also not mentioned in the Domesday Book. Because the castle was situated on the borders of the country estates Rowde, Bishops Canning and Potterne, she was also called " castrum ad divisas " or "the castle on the borders of " known. Hence the name " Devizes " comes.

The moth - castle was probably a wood and Erdhügelkonstruktion, which burned down in 1113. It was then rebuilt by Osmunds successor, Bishop Roger of Salisbury as a stone castle. The market rights granted municipal formed around the castle Devizes in 1141st In the English Civil War from 1135 to 1154 between Stephen of Blois and Mathilde changed the owner of the castle several times.

The castle served as a prison, as for Robert of Normandy, the eldest son of William the Conqueror in 1106. Robert was held 20 years in Devizes caught before he was taken to the castle of Cardiff.

During the 12th and 13th centuries settled around the castle merchants and artisans, and the city grew rapidly. The first recorded fair was held in 1228. The original market place was in the square before the church of St. Mary. Where the Marketplace is to be found today, then lay the outer moat.

The main products that were offered in the 16th and early 17th century in Devizes, were wheat, wool and yarns, later came to cheese, ham and butter. Devizes was also known for its textiles, as Serge, felt or Zephyr cotton.

During the English Civil War in 1643, the royalist troops under Sir Ralph Hopton entrenched in the city. Therefore Devizes was besieged by the commander of the parliamentary army, Sir William Waller. The siege was lifted, was advancing as a support army under Lord Wilmot from Oxford. Waller's troops were almost completely wiped out in the Battle of Roundway Down. Devizes remained until 1645 under royalist control until Oliver Cromwell attacked and forced the Royalists to surrender. The castle was destroyed in 1648 by order of the Parliament, it is only a few remains.

In the early 18th century, the market was in Devizes the largest in western England. Meanwhile, hops, cattle, horses and clothing was offered. The wool merchants had come to wealth and built some elaborate houses in the city. Examples are seen in Long Street, in the St. John 's Street and the town square.

Towards the end of the 18th century, the production of textiles brought not much, so that other branches of trade were in the city, such as watchmakers, bell-founder, booksellers, Hatter, grocers and silversmiths. There were also brewers, tobacco processors and snuff manufacturer. While still in the Wadworth brewery beer is brewed, the tobacco processors no longer in place.

In the House of Commons in London, the city is represented by the Conservative MP Michael Ancram.

Traffic

Devizes was also an important stop on the stagecoach on the road from London to Bristol and there arose a variety of coaching hotels like the famous " Bear Inn ".

The Kennet and Avon Canal was built 1794-1810 by John Rennie to connect Devizes with Bristol and London. Near Devizes the canal climbs through 29 sluice gates a height of 72 meters. At Caen Hill Locks 16 follow directly after each other. The canal was at night illuminated with gas lanterns, so that it could be used 24 hours a day. After the construction of the railway in 1850, the canal was used less and less. He was later repaired and has since then served for recreational activities. A good overview of the history of the canal can be found in the museum at the pier in Devizes.

Devizes in 1857 connected to the railway network, as the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway moved from the main line between Chippenham and Weymouth, a branch Holt Junction. 1862 closed the Great Western Railway Devizes to their distance from Reading to Hungerford. This was a direct link from London to Devizes to west England. Later, a detour route via Westbury was built so that no longer had to be driven by Devizes. The breakpoint Devizes was closed in 1966. Today you can find the next station in Chippenham or Pewsey.

Population

In the census of 2001 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:

Education

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

Sports

Every year is performed at Easter the International Canoe Marathon between Devizes and Westminster in London. The distance is 190 km. The competition was held for the first time 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, Players will be called " harp seal " and play in the Southern Counties (South ) League. There is also a hockey club and a cricket club, which was founded in 1850.

Twinning

• France Mayenne, France
• New Zealand Oamaru, New Zealand
• Finland Tornio, Finland
• Germany Waiblingen, Germany