WELCOME TO BUCKINGHAM

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE TOWN

Buckingham became the County Town of Buckinghamshire during the 10th century. According to the Saxon Chronicle, Edward the Elder was with his army at Buckingham in 918 AD when he fortified the town during his advance on Danish invaders. Edward’s stronghold probably stood on Castle Hill, later the site of a Norman castle and now occupied by the parish church of St Peter and St Paul.

Buckingham’s symbol since Norman times has been the Swan, first enchained when it became the emblem of Earl Giffard in 1102, but now wears just a ducal coronet around its neck, the chains gone.

Buckingham prospered as a medieval market town. Charters from Mary Tudor in 1554, and Charles II in 1684, established market days and two annual fairs, which still take place today. Catherine of Aragon, first queen of Henry VIII, stayed at Castle House in 1514. Edward VI founded the Latin School in the Town, and Elizabeth I dined at the Manor House while on a journey to Bicester.

During the Civil War, Buckingham’s local gentry took opposing sides. Both Oliver Cromwell and Charles I spent time in the Town, the latter holding a Council of War at Castle House.

In the early 18th century Buckingham was in decline and, after a disastrous fire, much of its centre had to be rebuilt. In spite of the canal and the coming of the railway, Buckingham was little altered until well into the 20th century. Today, it retains much of its traditional market town charm.

If you would like to find out more about Buckingham’s history, download the free App Buxplore and follow the Historic route.