London oozes main character energy, and so it’s quite difficult to imagine a time when this big old city of ours wasn’t the capital. But there are, in fact, a fair few cities that held the title prior to London. Which cities, I hear you ask? Well, pop the kettle on and make yourself comfy, folks – because due to popular absolutely no demand whatsoever, I’m about to give you another Secret London history lesson. Aren’t you lucky?
Which cities were capital of the UK before London?
Malmesbury
Rumour has it that this quaint little market town in Wiltshire was one of the first capitals of the UK. Who’d have thought it? Dating back to the medieval times, the town was built around an Abbey, and boasts the title of the oldest borough in England. The very first King of England (Athelstan) supposedly hailed Malmesbury his capital after proclaiming himself King there, and the ancient town is where he is buried. Malmesbury also became a key battle ground during the English Civil War, and the Abbey still has the battle wounds to show for it.
Colchester
Colchester is a historic city in Essex and served as the first capital of the UK. Colchester is the oldest recorded town in Britain, and was the first spot to be given the status of a Roman Colonia. However, Colchester wasn’t actually officially made a city until 2022. Around 50AD, Colchester was the home of the governor of Brittania at the time, Catus Decianusm and was used as the centre of power for the Romans.
Tamworth
When the Romans left Britain, several Kingdoms popped up across the country, and each one had its own capital. During the 7th century, for example, King Offa named Tamworth – a market town in Staffordshire – the capital of his Kingdom, Mercia.
Winchester
At around the same time, the Kingdom of Wessex had emerged. King Alfred the Great named Winchester as his capital city, and the gorgeous Hampshire spot remained the capital for a few hundred years.
Northampton
After being recaptured from the Vikings by the Anglo-Saxons during the 10th century, Northampton had a moment in the limelight – and was the capital city of the UK for approximately 200 years.
York
The cathedral city of York spent time as the capital of two different Kingdoms within Britain during the Anglian settlement. Starting off as the capital of the Kingdom of Northumbria and then going on to be the capital of the Kingdom of Jorvik after being captured by the Vikings.
Oxford
Last, but by no means least, we have Oxford – a city that actually became the capital around the same time as London did. I know what you’re thinking: how does that work? During the Civil War in the 17th century, King Charles I was expelled from London by Oliver Cromwell‘s parliamentary forces. So, Charles I claimed Oxford as his capital whilst Cromwell claimed the City of Westminster as his. Oxford’s reign as the capital was fairly short-lived, whilst London’s continued. And the rest, my friends, is history.
So, there you have it – all the cities that boasted the coveted title of the UK’s capital before London. We’re pretty happy that London has the crown now, though -because Secret Malmesbury doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, does it?