My thoughts: Ulvritone/Newbury was on the edge of the wide marshy bog which was the Kennet pre- conquest and impossible or at least very difficult to cross there. William the bastard, having come up from Winchester via the downs and wayfarers walk , crossed the kennet west at Hamstead marshall where the river was narrower and planted at least one castle there to guard the crossing, headed north then cut up to Wallingford and then London having wasted large areas behind him to cow the saxons. The mound at speen may have been slightly later to dominate the east west roman road and the track that runs past Donnington castle site and up to Oxford and Ermin street.
That’s a very interesting concept. Thanks for sharing. There is always so much extra detail that surfaces after I release these videos that I often want to go back and reshoot! 😂 The thing is: I’m not an expert, I’m just sharing my research in a fun way.
Absolutely brilliant. As a Newbury lad, raised, but not not born here, this is fascinating. I may have been 18 months old when I came here but it will always be home to me. It's a wonderful town with so much history and so much to offer those who chose to live here. Fascinating history. Wonderful to see the history explored here.
Not just a fascinating story, Phil but, unusually for RUclips videos like this, your commentary is slick and professional. Looking forward to watching more of your videos now you have got me hooked (I am an ex-Newbury resident now living in the Far East).
Thanks for the compliments Pedr. I love to make them but they are very time consuming. This one turned out to be a bit of an Albatross, taking a year to create. Hopefully I can make subsequent ones more quickly! There is a lot to uncover in Newbury. Roll on the summer!
@@PhilipCutting you have a great presenting style, very natural and excellent editing. Your passion for the subject shines through as well, but at the same time you seem to be able to get the information across in a way we can all easily follow. You’d have been an inspiring history teacher !
@@sfc282d Wow, thank you! I’m blushing now! Seriously though, Newbury is such a fascinating place: it’s not very big but has strong connections to some of the most important events and people in history. I have so many stories to tell but no time to do them justice. 😕
Great little video Phil! So, the only way to really find out more is to knock on Speen house door with a shovel. ! I don’t live far away at all, and love exploring google earth, and Speen house is definitely in a substantial setting. I suspect the exact area overlooks Donnington castle, as you can just about see it, looking to your left, in between the two roundabouts over the A34 bridge. Maybe there was a connection of some sort..
Good summation. The function of a castle is to command the landscape and the travel ways which for Newbury are clearly North South and East West orientated, together with the river, which rules out Hampstead Marshall. As to where I have no idea but Donnington does meet all of the above.
My thoughts:
Ulvritone/Newbury was on the edge of the wide marshy bog which was the Kennet pre- conquest and impossible or at least very difficult to cross there.
William the bastard, having come up from Winchester via the downs and wayfarers walk , crossed the kennet west at Hamstead marshall where the river was narrower and planted at least one castle there to guard the crossing, headed north then cut up to Wallingford and then London having wasted large areas behind him to cow the saxons.
The mound at speen may have been slightly later to dominate the east west roman road and the track that runs past Donnington castle site and up to Oxford and Ermin street.
That’s a very interesting concept. Thanks for sharing. There is always so much extra detail that surfaces after I release these videos that I often want to go back and reshoot! 😂 The thing is: I’m not an expert, I’m just sharing my research in a fun way.
@@PhilipCutting Love your stuff Phil, keep posting.
Absolutely brilliant. As a Newbury lad, raised, but not not born here, this is fascinating. I may have been 18 months old when I came here but it will always be home to me. It's a wonderful town with so much history and so much to offer those who chose to live here. Fascinating history. Wonderful to see the history explored here.
Thanks for your comments. I’m amazed that Newbury is linked with so many events and people that changed the course of history.
Newbury has so much history to it - this is a fantastic watch thanks
Hi, thanks for your compliment. Sorry for the delay in responding! All the best.
Not just a fascinating story, Phil but, unusually for RUclips videos like this, your commentary is slick and professional. Looking forward to watching more of your videos now you have got me hooked (I am an ex-Newbury resident now living in the Far East).
Thanks for the compliments Pedr. I love to make them but they are very time consuming. This one turned out to be a bit of an Albatross, taking a year to create. Hopefully I can make subsequent ones more quickly! There is a lot to uncover in Newbury. Roll on the summer!
Dear Philip, thank you for this informative video. Good to have a local guide who is a brother :)
Thanks for your nice comments! Maybe one day we will meet in person?
@@PhilipCutting Dear Philip the first chance to meet is coming soon. I write more in an email :)
Another great video Phil, these are so professional.
Thanks Niki! It’s very nice of you to say so! 🙂
@@PhilipCutting you have a great presenting style, very natural and excellent editing. Your passion for the subject shines through as well, but at the same time you seem to be able to get the information across in a way we can all easily follow. You’d have been an inspiring history teacher !
@@sfc282d Wow, thank you! I’m blushing now! Seriously though, Newbury is such a fascinating place: it’s not very big but has strong connections to some of the most important events and people in history. I have so many stories to tell but no time to do them justice. 😕
Hi Philip, good to see you again. Excellent presentation, as always. Greetings from Spain.
Thanks Neale. It’s a year since the last one. I’m so much busier now! All the best!
Great little video Phil! So, the only way to really find out more is to knock on Speen house door with a shovel. ! I don’t live far away at all, and love exploring google earth, and Speen house is definitely in a substantial setting. I suspect the exact area overlooks Donnington castle, as you can just about see it, looking to your left, in between the two roundabouts over the A34 bridge. Maybe there was a connection of some sort..
Saying that, it appears newbury castle would have preceded Donnington before it became crenellated..
Thanks Cristian, Donnington Castle is another whole can of worms! But that’s for another time! 🙂
An excellent piece on Newbury history
Thanks Peter. I appreciate it!
Good to meet you today, very good video, you would definitely give David Starkey a run for his money
Thanks for you kind words! I enjoy making the videos, though I’m not an expert! You’re very talented yourself!
An interesting story very well told and presented. Paul.
Thanks for your kind words! It was fun to make!
Great as always Phil 👍.
Thanks Lucas. It’s been a year since the last one. Fascinating legend.
I enjoyed this so much! Love learning new things about where I live!
Thanks Rosy Sews. I owe everything to my camera operator! 😉
Top notch stuff
Thank you Keiran! I’m glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate your comments.
Very interesting, thank you.
You’re welcome, Caroline, it was great to make!
very informative thank you
Thank you! It was fascinating to research!
Good summation. The function of a castle is to command the landscape and the travel ways which for Newbury are clearly North South and East West orientated, together with the river, which rules out Hampstead Marshall. As to where I have no idea but Donnington does meet all of the above.
Interesting comments! Thanks for your kind words. A fascinating legend though!
Πολύ ενδιαφέρον. Great work, very interesting...I m sure that one day we learn more details about it.
Thanks Timos. What a violent world back then! It’s no better now!
Fab!!!