Stafford

It is believed that the first settlement on the site of Stafford was founded around 700 by St. Beorthelm . The name comes from the words of others. ford et al. staithe (a place for a meal).

The marshland, located in the vicinity of the Sow River near its confluence with the Trent River, was of great strategic importance. At the beginning of the 10th century, Ethelfleda of Mersia , the daughter of King Alfred the Great , built a Burg on this site (from the other English, Burh - a fortified place).

After the Norman conquest of England in 1066, the Normans faced fierce resistance in this place, so a castle was built to control the conquered lands around 1090. The castle was originally made of wood, but was later rebuilt from stone. The walls of the castle were destroyed in the XVII century during the revolution by supporters of the parliament, and later they were restored. Initially, the castle was ruled by representatives of the Anglo-Norman clan Tosny ( old Tosny , 1st Stafford clan), and from the end of the 12th century, through the marriage, the castle passed under the control of the Bagot clan ( Old Bagot , 2nd Stafford clan)

In 1206, King John the Landless granted Stafford the status of a city. From that moment on, Stafford became one of the malls that sold mainly wool and fabrics.

In 1299, Edmund Stafford received the title of Baron Stafford , and his eldest son Ralph Stafford , 2nd Baron Stafford, in 1351 received the title of Earl of Stafford . Ralph's possessions were named Staffordshire , whose administrative center was the city of Stafford.

In 1837, the Birmingham - Warrington railway line passed through Stafford.

In 2006, Stafford celebrated the 800th anniversary of obtaining the status of a city, the festival, organized on this occasion, was visited by Queen Elizabeth II .

Stafford is the largest wooden house in England of the Elizabethan era (the so-called Ancient High House, English Ancient High House ), built in 1594. Currently, it houses a museum.

One of the attractions of the city are the ruins of Stafford Castle.

Also in the city is the church of St. Chad (XII century) and the church of St. Mary (XIII century).

The city produces electrical and mechanical equipment. In addition, shoe enterprises are located in it, and salt is also mined.

Stafford has 3 football clubs.

• Stafford Rangers is a semi-professional club, founded in 1876, playing in one of the regional leagues of the 9th English division in the 2011/12 season.
• Brockton is an amateur club, founded in 1937, in the 2011/12 season performs in one of the regional leagues of the 10th English division.
• Stafford Town is an amateur club, founded in 1976, in the 2011/12 season in the 2011/12 season it plays in one of the regional leagues of the 10th English division.

Also in the city are based 2 rugby, 1 hockey and 1 cricket clubs.

• Brassi, Thomas (1836-1918) - English economist and politician.
• McLaughlin, Patrick (b. 1957) - British politician.
• Knight, John Prescott (1803–1881) - English portrait painter.
• Walton, Isaac (1593–1683) - English writer, founder of the biography genre in English literature.
• Haycock, Peter John (1951-2013) - British guitarist and composer.

• Stafford // Encyclopedic Dictionary. - M. , 2009.

• Stafford Encyclopædia Britannica. The appeal date is February 18, 2012. Archived May 25, 2012.