Telephone01278 433 066   Local history  If you are interested in
English history, then Bridgwater is an incredibly rich part of
the country. And if you haven’t had an interest in history, then
come and experience what we have to show you in our local area,
and we would be surprised if you don’t become fascinated and
want to know more.  Here is a potted history of some of the
events that happened here over the past 2000 years, and what you
can find if you look around.  Saxon Times   Bridgwater began as
a Saxon village called Brygg meaning jetty or quayside. There
was no bridge here, and ships would sail upstream to Taunton and
Langport. There was a watermill where grain was ground to flour
to make bread for the villagers, perhaps the same site as the
one at the top of Blake Street.  878 AD – the Danes landed at
Combwich leading to a major battle at Cannington. These raids
continued up the rivers and deeper into Somerset until Alfred
finally beat them at Edington.   The last Saxon lord of Brygg
was Earl Merlswa