Malmesbury

Malmesbury is a town in Wiltshire, England and lies on the River Avon. Its population is 4631 (as of 2001).

Malmesbury is the oldest borough in England and known for its dating from the 12th century abbey. The monastery itself is older but, for King Æthelstan is considered their patron. A large part of the abbey is still there, although fire and Henry VIII have destroyed some parts. Among the most famous personalities of the abbey from the Middle Ages include the historian William of Malmesbury and the Benedictine monk Eilmer of Malmesbury, which a first gliding flight in the 11th century is attributed.

Personalities

  • Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), early modern political philosopher, mathematician and philosopher of the early modern period

Economy

Although Malmesbury was once a center for the production of lace, the industrial revolution had little impact. In 1877 it was connected to the UK rail network; the station was closed in 1960. Malmesbury is the headquarters of the technology company Dyson, which is known in particular for vacuum cleaners.

Twinning

  • Niebüll in (Schleswig -Holstein), Germany
  • Gien (Loiret ) in France
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