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The history of Somerton is long and
illustrious for it begins long before the Roman occupation 1n AD 43 and
410.
However it was the Romans who built fine villas and occupied the South
West. They called their new acquisition, Britannia; from which the
present
day Britain has evolved. Somerton lies close to the beautiful historic
Mendip Hills which have been inhabited by humans since Palaeolithic
period. These early people were know to have lived in the the many
caves which dot the Mendip Hills. Habitation continude onward since
this period. And archaeologist have uncovered extensive
archaeological sites such as those at Cheddar Gorge. Bones from Gough's
Cave have been dated to 12,000 BC while a complete skeleton, known as
Cheddar man, dates from 7150 BC. The caves contain many fine
examples of eary man's artistic leanings, for early man's paintings
have been found in caves such
as Aveline's Hole. Occupation of some caves continued until modern
times, including Wookey Hole. However it was the Saxon's who
settled the area after the Roman's departure.
Surrounding Somerton, are the remains of Roman villas which have been
found in nearby Pitney and Low Hamwhich. These villas were looted
and destroyed after the Romans departed by the Saxons. In 887, the town
was attacked and destoyed by those firece and feared raiders the
Vikings. It was however soon rebuilt by the great warrior King of the
Saxon's King Alfred the Great who built it up to
become the largest and best defended town in the area. Somerton is also
mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1088, as
belonging to William the Conquer, and has the distiction of being was
the first manor to be listed in the survey of Somerset.
Another distiction is, it is believed that Somerton gave rise
to the county being called Somerset, one must admitt the names are very
similar?
Henry V111 bestowed the manor on his illegitimate son, William
de Longespée ( circa 1176 – 1226 ) Who
exactly was
Williams mother remained a closely guarded secret until the
discovery of a charter
of William mentioning "Comitissa Ida, mater mea" (Ida of
comital means position in life. ) and this Ida identified
Willam's mother as the
wife of Roger Bigod, 2nd Earl of Norfolk. Willam de
Longespée assumed the
title of the Earl of Salisbury. primarily
remembered for his command of the English forces at the Battle
of Damme and for remaining loyal to King John. During the reign of King
John, Salisbury was at court on several important ceremonial occasions,
and was appointed to various offices: sheriff of Wiltshire, lieutenant
of Gascony, constable of Dover and warden of the Cinque Ports, and
later warden of the Welsh Marches. He was a commander in the king's
Welsh and Irish expeditions of 1210-1212. The king also granted him the
honour of Eye. In 1791, William de Longespee's tomb was opened and the
well-preserved corpse of a rat which carried traces of arsenic, was
dicovered his skull.? The rat is on display in a case at the Salisbury
and South Wiltshire Museum.After Williams death the town and
surrounding area reverted back to the Crown and Edward II gave it to
his half brother, Edmund Woodstock, who was beheaded in 1330. Edmund
Woodstock crime was to instigated an attempt to restore Edward II to
the throne.
It is no wonder that there has been a town here for over 2,000 years
for the location provides everything they needed. Somerton is located
on the steep slopes of the picturesque valley of the
beautiful river Cary, it borders of Sedgemoor to the north and the
narrower cutting of the Mill Stream to the south. All of which make up
ideal physical features for securing a town, against attackers and
floods, and of course an ample free supply of water. Yes the town is
certainly well situated, and it has been described as one of the most
beautiful 17th century town's in thev West Country, and with delightful
historic buildings and a castellated market cross, this is an
description you can not dispute.
Whatever you choose to do be it, sightseeing, shopping eating in one of
the fine restaraunts or a café or enjoying a relaxing hour
or so in one of the towns traditional public houses drinking
the local beer in Somerton
you will find all these things a pleasure. A warm welcome awaits you in
Somerton and the wondeful history and beautiful location
makes this a town that should be on
every visitor's itinerary.
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