Taunton, Somerset

Location Map

Taunton is a town in Somerset

Other current and historical names

Location and coordinates are for the approximate centre of Taunton within this administrative area. Geographic features and populated places may cross administrative borders.

Taunton in historic gazetteers

Gazetteer of the British Isles (Edinburgh: Bartholomew, 1887). John Bartholomew

Taunton, parl. and mun. bor., Somerset, on river Tone, 44½ miles SW. of Bristol and 163 W. of London by rail, 1249 ac., pop. 16,614; P.O., T.O., 3 Banks, 5 newspapers. Market-days, Wednesday and Saturday. Taunton, long celebrated for its woollen, and afterwards for its silk mfrs., is now mainly an agricultural town. Among its numerous public buildings are the churches of St Mary Magdalen and St James, built in the reign of Henry VII., and the Wesleyan and Independent colleges. The Shire Hall is a fine new edifice. The castle, now fitted up as a museum, was occupied by Blake during the Civil War; by Monmouth, who here assumed the title of king; and by Judge Jeffreys, who here held his bloody assize. Taunton is a very ancient place, and was a favourite residence of the West Saxon kings. It returns 1 member to Parliament; it returned 2 members from the time of Edward I. until 1885.

Gazetteer of the British Isles (Edinburgh: Bartholomew, 1887). John Bartholomew

Taunton, St Mary Magdalen, par., Somerset, mostly in bor. of Taunton, 1300 ac., pop. 8553.

Gazetteer of the British Isles (Edinburgh: Bartholomew, 1887). John Bartholomew

Taunton, St James, par., Somerset, mostly in bor. of Taunton, 1455 ac., pop. 7067.

Taunton in the Domesday Book

A village in Taunton hundred, in the county of Somerset.

Eight manors recorded in Domesday.

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