The Story of Guildford

Guildfords history dates from Saxon times, and the town has been the residence of kings and many famous men and women, particularly since Henry II turned the Norman castle into a luxurious palace in the twelfth century. Also amongst the towns famous and influential faces was George Abbot, who became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1611 and was one of the translators of the King James Bible and founded Abbots Hospital in 1619 an early example of sheltered housing, which still fulfils that role to this day. High above the town is the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Consecrated in 1961, it was the first cathedral to be built in the South of England since the Reformation. Below it is the University of Surrey, which received its Royal Charter just a few years later. Guildfords people and visitors throughout history come to life in this well-researched account, which also examines the towns architectural development and heritage, from the castle and medieval guildhall to the modern cathedral and beyond, portraying Guildfords significance on a national and sometimes international scale.