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Reading in the Middle Ages (1066-1485)

In 1066 the Battle of Hastings marked the end of the 500 years of invasions. King Harold of Saxon England was defeated by King William, and the Normans now ruled England. King William founded an Abbey at the spot of his victory, Battle Abbey, and to this he gave various lands across the country to meet the costs of the Abbey. One of these areas of land was one of the two manors at Reading, which became known as Battle Manor. This name lives on in names such as Battle Hospital and Battle School. Across most of the country, Saxon Lords were replaced by Normans Lords. In Reading, all of the land had been owned by the King, so there was little change for the local people, compared to parts of the country which were taken over by Norman landowners. In 1086 the Domesday Book listed who owned which pieces of land in the whole country.

The Middle Ages was a time when Reading was dominated by the Abbey and the Wool trade.

In the Middle Ages the Market was the main place for trading. The Market was moved to suit the abbey, from St Mary's Butts to the new Market Place. Here it was more convenient for the servants of the abbey and the many visitors who went through its outer gateway. As well as the market, there were annual fairs which attracted people from further afield.

Travel was difficult however, The roads were very poor, no more than muddy tracks, so it was very difficult for a horse and cart to travel more than a few miles. Even Kings and Queens travelled by horseback rather than in a carriage. The only way that goods could be brought to Reading, and the cloth taken away, was by the Rivers Kennet and Thames.