Table of Contents
Why is Luton called Luton?
Although this is the usually quoted etymology, there is evidence to show that Luton is named so after the Celtic god Lugh, pronounced ‘loo’; the river was once called Lugh and the settlement Lugh’s Town, later becoming Luton.
What was Bedford called in Viking times?
Coins of Danish and Anglo Saxon origin have been found in Bedford. At this time Bedford was known as Bedanforda and was situated on the north side of the river.
Is Luton inner London?
Luton [2] is a large town and local government district in the south-east of England, located 51 km (32 miles) north of London. It used to part of the county of Bedfordshire, but since 1997 it has been an administratively independent unitary authority. It remains part of Bedfordshire for ceremonial purposes.
Why is Luton hated?
One reason for Luton’s bad reputation was its history of extremism. In March 2009, the Islamic extremist group Al-Muhajiroun staged a demonstration as 200 soldiers paraded through Luton after returning from Iraq. They called the soldiers “murderers and baby killers”. “Luton was going through its doldrums.
Why is Bedfordshire called Bedfordshire?
The name of the town is believed to derive from the name of a Saxon chief called Beda, and a ford crossing the River Great Ouse. Bedford was a market town for the surrounding agricultural region from the early Middle Ages. It was the seat of the Barony of Bedford.
How is Bedfordshire divided?
For local government purposes, Bedfordshire is divided into three unitary authorities: the boroughs of Bedford and Luton, and the District of Central Bedfordshire.
Where did the Anglo Saxons settle in England?
The Anglo-Saxons took control of most of Britain, although they never conquered Scotland, Wales and Cornwall. They settle in England in places near to rivers or the sea, which could be easily reached by boat. One of the places they settled in was Tonbridge, in Kent.
Where did the town of Luton get its name?
Earliest settlements in the Luton area can be traced back over 250,000 years, but the town’s foundation dates to the sixth century as a Saxon outpost on the River Lea, from which Luton derives its name.
Where did the Saxons get their name from?
The Saxons were a Germanic tribe that originally occupied the region which today is the North Sea coast of the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark. Their name is derived from the seax, a distinct knife popularly used by the tribe.
What was the economy of Luton during the Great Depression?
The industry dominated the local economy, so much so that during the Great Depression of the 1930s the town’s unemployment was significantly lower than the national average. As production shifted from straw to felt, Luton’s hats were marketed across the globe.