During the years 925 to 939 AD, during the reign of King Athelstan the first King of all England, Malmesbury was the country's Capital, and is England's oldest Borough with a Charter going back 1100 years.
The Abbey is more than 800 years old, and include a suitable house to entertain and host the numerous visitors, who came to consult the Benedictine Monks and browse in the Abbey library. The Old Bell consisted in those days, of two Great Halls around a huge central chimney breast, which rose from the present first floor level some 30 feet to soaring oak beams and painted walls. Over the centuries the Hotel has been extended and altered, but visitors can still find traces of the original hostelry in this Grade I Listed Building.
Some time between the years 1000 and 1010, Elmer, The Flying Monk launched himself in a man made glider, from Malmesbury Abbey and covered a distance of over 200 yards before landing. He became the first authenticated aeronaut in the world, but broke both his legs in the process and was lame ever after.
Abraham Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks was a Malmesbury woman, who moved with her husband to Hardin, Kentucky, where on 12th February 1809, she gave birth to Abraham, sadly she died when he was still very young.
America can certainly trace some of her most colourful forebears back to Malmesbury. George Washington's family came from Garsden Manor just two miles from Malmesbury. His ancestor's links with parliament were also very strong, and Sir Lawrence Washington served as a Member for Malmesbury in the Cavalier Parliament of 1661.
Sir Lawrence is buried in Garsden Church, and the Memorial Plaque bears the Washington Coat of Arms, the "Mullets and Bars" which became America's famous "Stars and Stripes" flag.
The Penns of Pennsylvania also originally came from this district, from a village called Minety some five miles from Malmesbury. An old house called "The Mansells", in Minety has the initials E.P. on the door lintels, and was the home of Admiral Sir William Penn, father of the famous William.
Malmesbury has had a long and fascinating history and is one of England's best kept secrets. The Old Bell actually stands on the site of a Saxon Castle built by Alfred the Great (of burnt cakes fame) as part of the Wessex defences.
Occupying a hilltop position, almost completely surrounded by the River Avon, Malmesbury is ideal for discovering the unspoilt delights of England's villages, towns and countryside.
