Leominster

Leominster was the site of one of the earliest Christian foundations in the county. Not long after the Saxons settled in the area around Leominster, the ruling family converted to Christianity. It is said that Merewalh, King of Mercia, built a convent here. One of the primary sources for the conversion of Merewalh and of Saxon Leominster is the story of St. Mildburga, abbess of Wenlock and daughter of Merewalh. The life stories of saints are an important historical source for this period when written sources are scarce. (Joe Hillaby, "Early Christian and Pre-Conquest Leominster: An Exploration of the Sources", in Transactions of the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club, Volume XLV Part III, 1987)

Despite being an important ecclesiastical centre, Leominster did not become a town until the 1120s. Even in the Domesday Book it is recorded as a manor, albeit a wealthy one. It had a royal connection as it had belonged to Edith, wife of King Edward the Confessor and sister to Harold Godwinson. 

Bishop Richard de Capella founded a small borough around a triangular market place close to the precinct gates. (Today it can still be seen between Drapers Lane and High Street on the west and Corn Street to the south.) In 1170 Henry II granted a fair.

This borough grew so quickly that the citizens of Hereford became worried by the competition. The king was persuaded to move Leominster's market from Saturday to Friday, and the Leominster Michaelmas fair was stopped altogether in 1281 because it was seen to damage the fair held in Hereford in October (on the feast day of St. Denis).  

But the rivalry between Hereford and Leominster was not just carried out in court. In the 13th century the burghers of Hereford attacked Leominster, stole goods worth an estimated £2,000 and burned down a large part of the town (Joe Hillaby 1987, see above).

During the Middle Ages Leominster flourished. Its success was based primarily on the production of wool, leather and cloth. This industrial growth was aided by a number of water mills. Excavations during the 1990s on the former Poultry Packers site have shown that this area was used for industrial purposes from the mid-12th century to the 15th century. The discovery of a mid-14th century seal at the site suggests that not only were goods being produced but quantified and inspected prior to distribution.

[Original author: Toria Forsyth-Moser, 2002]