Montgomery is an historical market town situated in the Mid-Wales/Shropshire border land known as the Welsh Marches. Following the building of the Castle by Henry III in 1223, Montgomery became more established in many aspects; such as markets, trades and fairs. In 1227 the first Royal Charter was granted and as a result businesses began to settle in the area. Montgomery was protected by a wall and a ditch (both of which can still be seen in part) therefore many businesses and trades viewed it as a safe haven to generate their income: as a result, the town developed the characteristics of a small market town. The Markets and Fairs are still apparent today and form an important element of Montgomery's character. Every Thursday the market still takes place in the Town Hall and on the first Thursday of May, the "May Fair" takes place in the "Broad Street" a reminder of the old hiring fair when all the agricultural labour was taken on for the ensuing year. It is clear that the building of the Castle had a significant impact on the history of Montgomery. Its importance is still apparent today as it is continues as a major attraction to the town, with its commanding view of the Severn Valley and flood plain.

 

    Montgomery Castle was built in the Thirteenth Century during King Henry III's campaign against the Welsh Prince Llywelyn ap Iorwerth. The Castle succeeded the earlier motte and bailey Castle at Hen Domen (built by William the Conqueror's henchman Roger de Montgomery) in 1223. Montgomery Castle was an important marker in the history of the country due to its location and structure. The Castle was used by the Herbert family (still the Earls of Powis today) during the Civil War and it was surrendered to the Parliamentarians in 1644. In 1649 it was demolished by the order of Cromwell's Parliament and the owners compensated: it was too strong an outpost to leave in the hands of potential Royalist rebels. However major conservation work and excavation began again in 1964: The Castle as a result remains an important feature of Montgomery today, open with free access to the public all year round.

 

    The importance of Montgomery and its subsequent history can be explored at the Old Bell Museum, which is located on Arthur Street close to the Georgian Town Hall. The Old Bell Museum was a Sixteenth Century Inn and temperance house which was converted into a local History Museum by Montgomery Civic Society - a real gem; well worth a visit. It has exhibitions relating to the Medieval and Norman Castles as one of the many attractions to the museum celebrating the life of the Town. The Museum itself opens at the beginning of April and remains open until the end of September.

 

     Montgomery's history can also be seen through many of its historical buildings, including the Church and Lymore Hall Lymore Hall. Lymore Hall was the home of one of the biggest and most important families in the region in the Sixteenth Century. This family was the Herbert family who were the Lords of Chirbury and Constables of Montgomery Castle from 1504. It was built following the demolition of the Castle and the loss of the Herbert family's former residence, Black Hall. Lymore Hall had many roles in Montgomery, for example it was well known for shooting parties. An important example of these was in November of 1909 when the Prince of Wales (later George V) and other members of the Royal Family attended a 3 day shoot at Lymore (see Game Bag). The Hall was also used for functions up until 1921. In August 1921 the floor collapsed during a church function. Following this accident no public events were held in the hall which was sold in 1929. It was stripped of all its fittings over the following two years and was then sold for demolition.

 

    St Nicholas' Church was founded in the first half of the thirteenth century and has evolved over centuries to the way it exists today. What began as a simple rectangular building has been extended over the years with the addition of a North and South Transept. The South Transept is significant as it would come to house the tomb of Richard Herbert (father of the celebrated churchman and poet George Herbert) and would later become known as the Lymore Transept. The Lymore Transept also contains two medieval effigies whose identities are greatly debated. The church is also home to a number of interesting graves such as the Robber's Grave: the "robber" was wrongly accused of robbing and assaulting a labourer; he was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged. He prayed to God on the scaffold asking that no grass should grow on his grave for a generation as a sign of his innocence. Interestingly, it has been claimed that his grave remained bare of grass for at least a century - some of the older residents of the town remember a bare patch in the shape of a cross from their youth.

 

     One of the many historical features close to the town which attracts visitors to the area is Offa's Dyke which is particularly popular with walkers who follow this national trail along its whole length or just enjoy short stretches locally where the original earthwork is still quite clear. Offa's Dyke runs for approximately a mile close to Montgomery. The Dyke follows the whole length of the boundary of England and Wales and is believed to have been built on the orders of King Offa, who was King of Mercia, which is the area nowadays roughly equivalent to the Midlands. King Offa was one of the great rulers of Anglo-Saxon times: the Dyke was constructed on his orders with the purpose of protecting his Kingdom from raids by the Welsh.