| History
of Frome
 Frome
is the fourth largest town in Somerset, and a wonderful
centre from which to visit the surrounding area. It
is an attractive town built on steep hills with cobbled
streets. Architecturally well preserved, there are more
listed buildings in Frome than in any other Somerset
town.
The first permanent settlement began about 685, when
St. Aldhelm, the Abbot of Malmesbury, set up a mission
station on the banks of the River Frome. It was then
on the edge of Selwood Forest, and was a suitable crossing
place over the river, with ample water supplies from
springs. It was also a good place from which to service
the tracks which used the Mendip Hills/Salisbury Plain
gap.
The church was dedicated to St. John the Baptist, probably
built of stone, and similar to the Saxon church in Bradford
on Avon. The settlement grew on land owned by the King,
and in the Domesday Book (1086) there is a reference
to a market, implying that Frome was already a place
of some importance.
 After
the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539, the Church
lands passed into the hands of the Thynne family, who
later bought more land in the area to build up the Longleat
estate.
Frome was largely unaffected by the Civil War though
the cloth workers were Parliamentary in their sympathies.
However in 1685 the Duke of Monmouth passed through
the town as he tried to raise an army to overthrow James
II. After his defeat at Sedgemoor the Bloody Assizes
resulted in a number of executions in Frome.
The cloth industry, begun in the 14th Century, was
growing in importance by the end of the 17th Century,
and Frome was a prosperous town. Before Bath was ‘discovered’
Frome was the larger and more important town. Competition
from the woollen towns of the north, and a reluctance
to modernise, began the decline of the cloth industry
in the 19th Century. Although the last traces of the
cloth trade did not vanish until the 1960s, other industries
- notably printing - flourished, and there was prosperity,
but no growth.
One of the remarkable things about Frome is that its
population remained almost static for over 100 years,
until the mid-60s, since when it has almost doubled.
But the new estates have not spoiled the town: the centre
did not suffer too badly from the ravages of 60s development
and retains its charm. The people, too, are still as
friendly as ever, and the new blood has served only
to stimulate the town and give it fresh vitality.
In recent years the town has developed a reputation
as a focus for Arts and Crafts. There are a number of
Galleries and contemporary Craft Centres. Many professional
craftspeople work from individual workshops with specialities
ranging from designer jewellery and textiles to musical
instrument makers and an artist blacksmith.
Family History
If you are researching family history around
Frome the Somerset County Record Office in Taunton holds
parish records, census returns, electoral rolls etc.
Archive and Record Office
Obridge Road
Taunton TA2 7PU
Tel (enquiries): 01823 278805
Tel (appointments): 01823 337600
Email: archives@somerset.gov.uk
www.somerset.gov.uk/archives
Frome is very close to the borders with Wiltshire county
and Bath Unitary Authority.
The Wiltshire Record Office is at Trowbridge:
Wiltshire & Swindon Record Office
Libraries HQ
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge BA14 8BS
Tel: 01225 713138
Email: wsro@wiltshire.gov.uk
www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Bath Record Office is at:
The Guildhall
High Street
Bath BA1 5AW
Tel: 01225 477421
Email: archives@bathnes.gov.uk
www.batharchives.co.uk
Frome Museum Library is available during Museum opening
hours. |
