History of Berkshire

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Please help improve this article or section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (July 2007)

Ancient extent of Berkshire

Historically, Berkshire has been bordered to the north by the ancient boundary of the River Thames. However, much of the border with Oxfordshire for the western part of the county was moved in 1974.

Alfred the Great was born in Wantage, previously in Berkshire but now in Oxfordshire. The Great Western Railway reached Didcot in 1839. MG (part of Morris Motors) was founded in Abingdon in 1929.

The Vale of White Horse and parts of Oxfordshire south of the River Thames were previously part of Berkshire, but were lost to the county in 1974. Conversely, the Caversham area of Reading north of the Thames was traditionally part of Oxfordshire, but is now in Berkshire.

Important historical abbeys include Abingdon Abbey, Dorchester Abbey and Reading Abbey.

Oscar Wilde was imprisoned in Reading Gaol after his court case.

The county is known as the Royal County of Berkshire since the Royal residence of Windsor Castle is in the county. Politically, the county is now made up of unitary authories.