About Wiltshire

Country: England
Region: South West England
Established: Ancient
Area: 3,485 km2 (1,346 sq mi)
Population: 751,500
Largest settlement: Swindon

Wiltshire is a county in South West England. It borders Gloucestershire to the north, Oxfordshire to the north east, Berkshire to the east, Hampshire to the south-east, Dorset to the south, and Somerset to the west.

The name Wiltshire originates from the Old English term Wiltunscir, meaning "the shire of Wilton". The ancient town of Wilton, once the principal town of the county, gave its name to the county. 

History:
Wiltshire existed from around 800 AD and was first mentioned as Wiltunscir in the 9th century. Wilton was once the Anglo-Saxon capital of the Kingdom of Wessex. 

Prehistoric Times:
Wiltshire has a lot of evidence of prehistoric activity and settlement.
The most famous is the Neolithic monument called Stonehenge. Silbury Hill is Europe’s largest prehistoric earthwork.
  During the Iron Age settlers built hill forts including Barbury Castle.

Roman Times:
During the Roman times Wiltshire became wealthy du
e to numerous farming villas and pottery making. Roman roads, including the Ermin Way, crossed the county.

Anglo Saxon Times:
Wiltshire was conquered by the West Saxons (Wessex) in the mid-6th century, but Northwest and West Wiltshire remained in British (Celtic) hands until the 7th century.
Archaeological evidence of burials and place names reveal details of settlement, culture, and the gradual displacement of the native British population.

Norman Times:
Wiltshire became strategically significant when William the Conqueror established a castle and held a pivotal council in 1086 for his barons. The Domesday Book recorded land redistribution, with much of the land falling to the Church and Crown, as well as major lay barons. 

Tudor and Stuart Times:
During the Tudor and Stuart times Wiltshire saw the decline of some of the old aristocratic families and the rise of new ones, due to land ownership and political influence. The Stuart era brought social instability, with religious conflict, the impact of the Elizabethan Poor Law's loss, population growth, and widespread plague impacting life. The period also saw shifts in women's economic roles, with research indicating they performed significant labour in agriculture, trade, and finance, in addition to domestic duties. 

Industrial Revolution Times:
The Industrial Revolution was centred on the woollen cloth industry by the 19th century. This period saw the growth of mills and the adoption of new technologies. Trowbridge Museum shows this history with its working looms and Spinning Jenny. Key infrastructure developments included the Kennet & Avon Canal and the growth of the Great Western railway network.

Victorian Times:
During the Victorian era Government acts impacted land use and migration to America occurred due to economic concerns. New technologies like the telegraph and innovations in architecture shaped the county's landscape and society.

Modern Times:
Modern Wiltshire features a tourism industry, with a tech driven economy in the north and continued connection to its agricultural past through modern farming techniques. The county also boasts a thriving arts and culture scene