History of Christchurch, Dorset

The Constable's House and Priory; seen from the Town Bridge.

Christchurch is a town, civil parish and former borough in the county of Dorset on the English Channel coast, adjoining Bournemouth in the west, with the New Forest to the east. Historically in Hampshire, it joined Dorset with the reorganisation of local government in 1974 and is the most easterly borough in the county. The town has existed since 650 AD and its close proximity to the Cotentin Peninsula made it an important trading port and a potential target for invasion during the Napoleonic and Second World Wars.[1][2][3]

Situated at the lowest crossing points of the Avon and Stour, it was originally known as Twynham, from "tweon eam", meaning (the settlement) between two rivers.[4] It was not until the construction of the priory in 1094 that the town became known as Christchurch. In Saxon times the harbour was one of the most important in England[5] and the town became both a Royal manor and a burgh.[6] During its turbulent history, the town has witnessed battles between Saxons, when Aethelwold stormed the ramparts; between Royalists and Parliamentarians during the civil war, and between smugglers and excise men during the 18th century.[7][8][9]

Today the town is a popular tourist destination, with one-and-a-half-million annual visitors.[10]

  1. ^ Hodges, Michael A. (2003). Christchurch: The Golden Years. Dorset Books. p. 5. ISBN 978-1-871164-38-1.
  2. ^ Hodges, Michael A. (2003). Christchurch: The Golden Years. Dorset Books. pp. 88–94. ISBN 978-1-871164-38-1.
  3. ^ Clark, Katie (16 September 2010). "How Hitler's Armies Planned to Seize Christchurch". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  4. ^ Stannard, Michael (1999). The Makers of Christchurch: A Thousand Year story. Natula Publications. p. iii. ISBN 978-1-897887-22-6.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Stannard 1999 1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Powell, Mike (1995). Christchurch Harbour. Briar Park Business Centre, Stour Rd, Christchurch: Natula Publications. p. 31. ISBN 1-897887-07-8.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Moxey 1997 87 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Moxey, Sarah (1997). Avon Valley Footpath Guide. Halsgrove. pp. 89–90. ISBN 978-1-874448-26-6.
  9. ^ Powell, Mike (1995). Christchurch Harbour. Briar Park Business Centre, Stour Rd, Christchurch: Natula Publications. pp. 46 &47. ISBN 1-897887-07-8.
  10. ^ Christchurch Borough Council (March 2008). "The State of Christchurch: A Profile of Christchurch and Its Residents (5th Edition)". p. 4. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2010.