The town was the seat of royal power for almost 200 years in the 8th century before London was established as the capital of England following the Norman conquest
When you think of England’s capital, London, with its iconic landmarks like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, it immediately springs to mind. But this wasn’t always so, as 300 years before London claimed the title, a humble market town northeast of Birmingham in Staffordshire held the honour.
Despite being just 12 square miles, making it Staffordshire’s smallest borough and one of the tiniest in the country, Tamworth’s historical significance is immense – it was once England’s capital. In the 8th century, King Offa made Tamworth the seat of Royal power, a status it maintained for nearly two centuries.
While Tamworth was the power centre, and King Offa had a palace there, it wasn’t until the 11th century that Tamworth Castle was constructed by Robert Despenser, William the Conqueror’s steward, reports the Express.
Before and after the renowned Norman conquest of England, Tamworth experienced a prosperous period as local lords built castles in and around the town.
In the 8th century, England was split into kingdoms: Mercia, Northumbria, and Wessex, with Mercia being the largest and most influential.
Tamworth was at the heart of the Mercian Kingdom, and the Mercian Kings spent more time there than anywhere else.
However, London’s position as the capital city was solidified in 1066 when William the Conqueror marched on the city following his triumph at the Battle of Hastings.
Today, the market town retains its historical charm and offers locals a more tranquil lifestyle, with independent shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants dotting the streets of the traditional town centre.
It might shock many, but England has had numerous capitals before London was finally chosen.
In the 10th Century, Athelstan, the first king of all England and grandson of Alfred the Great, declared Malmesbury his capital after vanquishing an army of northern English and Scots.
Not only does Colchester claim to be Britain’s oldest recorded town, but it also became the nation’s Roman capital in AD49.