History of Wilton
Wilton, an ancient capital of Wessex, is a quintessential English market town redolent with history spanning more than 2000 years. The town gave its name to Wiltshire and the famous Wilton Carpets, which are still made here today.
Wilton lies 3 miles west of Salisbury, located at the confluence of the Wylye and Nadder rivers and has a number of independent shops. Market day is Thursday and, with free parking and a cashpoint, you have easy access to the wide range of traditional family – owned shops, pubs, cafés and other services. Within a short walk of the Market Square and Old St Mary’s Church Ruin, you will find the famous Italianate Church and a delightful river walk along the Wylye, running from St John’s Square through the Flouse Hole conservation area to Castle Meadow.
With Wilton House and Wilton Village (previously Wilton Shopping Village), Wilton offers a unique and varied day out for families of all ages.
Wilton Town Centre from a drawing dated approx 1568AD
Wilton Town Charters
Wilton Town Council is fortunate enough to have several charters in it’s possession relating to the town, the earliest of which dates back to King Henry 1st in 1100AD. We have recently had these photographed and hope to be able to make them more accessible online soon.
Wilton can trace it’s Mayors back to 1256AD. You can view a full list of the Mayors of Wilton by clicking here
Henry IV Charter: 1400AD
This Charter, written in medieval Latin, reads:
“Henry, by the grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland, to all Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Dukes, Earls, Barons, Justices, Sheriffs, Ministers, and all his faithful bailiffs and subjects, greeting.
We have inspected a charter of confirmation of the Lord Henry [Henry III], formerly King of England, our progenitor, made in these words:
“Henry, by the grace of God King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou, to his Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots… greeting. We have inspected a charter which the Lord Henry [Henry II], the King our grandfather, made to the Burgesses of Wilton of the Guild Merchant, in these words:
‘Henry, King of England, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou… Know ye that I have granted to my Burgesses of Wilton of the Guild Merchant all their freedoms and free customs throughout my whole land, namely toll, passage, and all customs, as well and fully as they ever had them in the time of King Henry our grandfather [Henry I]… And I forbid that anyone unjustly disturb them or their goods upon pain of a ten-pound forfeiture.’
We have also inspected a charter of confirmation of the Lord John, formerly King of England, our father, confirming the same liberties…”
[The text continues to list further inspections of charters granted by King Edward I and King Edward III, confirming Wilton’s ancient market rights and legal exemptions from tolls across the realm].
Now we, ratifying and approving the aforesaid concessions, freedoms, and customs, and all things contained in the said charters, do for ourselves and our heirs, as much as in us lies, accept, approve, and by the tenor of these presents, grant and confirm them to our beloved now Burgesses of the town of Wilton and their successors, as the said charters reasonably testify, and as they and their ancestors have reasonably used and enjoyed those liberties and customs.
In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent.
Witness myself at Westminster, on the twentieth day of May, in the first year of our reign [1400].”
Henry VI Charter: 1433AD
This Charter, written in medieval Latin, reads:
“Henry, by the grace of God, King of England and France and Lord of Ireland, to all to whom these present letters shall come, greeting.
Know that we, of our special grace and from our certain knowledge and mere motion, have granted and given licence, and by these presents do grant and give licence for us and our heirs, as much as in us lies, to our beloved the Mayor and Burgesses of our town of Wilton in the County of Wiltshire and their successors, that they and their successors may forever have and hold, and may be able to have and hold, one market every week on Wednesday at our said town of Wilton, to be held through the whole day.
And that they may have and hold there two fairs each year, to be held annually: namely, one on the day of St. George the Martyr and for the three days then immediately following, and another on the day of St. Giles the Confessor and for the three days then immediately following, together with all liberties and free customs, profits, and emoluments to such market and fairs pertaining or belonging;
Provided that the said market and fairs be not to the injury of neighbouring markets and fairs.
Wherefore we will and firmly command for us and our heirs, that the aforesaid Mayor and Burgesses and their successors may forever have and hold the aforesaid market and fairs at our predicted town of Wilton in the manner aforesaid, together with all liberties, free customs, profits, and emoluments to such market and fairs pertaining or belonging, so that the market and those fairs be not to the injury of neighbouring markets and fairs, as is aforesaid.
And this without any express mention of the true yearly value of the premises or of any other gifts or grants made to them by us or any of our progenitors in these presents, or any statute, act, or ordinance made or provided to the contrary, or any other thing, cause, or matter whatsoever in any wise notwithstanding.
In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent.
Witness myself at Westminster on the twenty-fourth day of May in the eleventh year of our reign [1433].”