Malmesbury itself is the oldest borough in England dating back to the 7th Century, and is the burial place of the 9th century Anglo Saxon King Athelstan, who was a grandson of the great King Alfred, famous for defeating the Danes and of burning the cakes legend.
The Abbey is of Norman origin and stands on the remains of an existing monastery. It is well known for a famous monk called Elmer, who in the 12th century made himself wings and attempted to fly, like Icarus of the Greek legend, by throwing himself off of the tower and crashing 200 metres away injuring him seriously. He broke both his legs, but survived until he was a very old man.
The medieval Market Cross is situated at the top of the town by the Abbey's Tolsey Gate entrance, and which I have always personally felt was a much better example than the one in Chichester.
The Market Cross, as the name suggests, was the place where traders in medieval times used to bring their goods to be bought and sold. Malmesbury is situated in an area of the Cotswolds that was well known for its wool trade as well as being a good farming area.
The Market Cross still has the original stone seating all around it, and can be seen as you drive up the High Street where it stands proud at the top of the High Street.
