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On the River Dun in the Kennet Valley is the small market town of Hungerford, Berkshire. This town of nearly six thousand people marks the boundaries of South East England and South West England.
The town of Hungerford dates back to 1173 and a hundred years later it was referring to itself as a borough. John Gaunt, the medieval Lord of the manor was kind enough to allow the inhabitants of the area to fish on the River Kennet. It is recorded that the coachman of Queen Elizabeth died in Hungerford during a Royal visit.
There is an impressive history of Royal visitors. The Earl of Essex and his army spent some time in the town during the English Civil War. The Earl of Manchester’s Calvary also had a stay in Hungerford though it was not by choice. They were quartered there during the war. The Kings own forces stopped by in November of 1644. William of Orange was offered the crown during the Glorious Revolution of 1688 while he was staying at the local Bear Inn.
Current history of the town includes the horrible Hungerford massacre that happened on August 19 1987. Local laborer, Michael Robert Ryan shot and murdered sixteen people including his mother. He wounded fifteen more before killing himself. This event in history is remembered as the most brutal criminal crimes involving a firearm and it led to the Firearms Act in 1988. This new act banns the ownership of semi-automatic rifles.
Hungerford still recognizes Hocktide, the annual celebration that dates back hundreds of years. The town crier gathers the Commoners to the Hocktide Court at the town hall and two ‘Tutti Men’ and the ‘Orange man’ make their rounds. Six ‘Tutti girls’ from the local school accompany them collecting kisses from the Commoners. The celebration of Hocktide is in recognition of when King Alfred rid the land of the Danes. Hungerford is the only town left in the country that still takes part in this tradition.
Discover your next hotel in Hungerford or select somewhere to stay from these UK hotels.
Joyous Celebration – I Love The Lord (Live In Cape Town)
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