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What in the Name? Savile
Savile Town is in Dewsbury a corridor town, sandwiched between Leeds &
Bradford, in West Yorkshire (England). Running alongside the river Calder which
runs parallel to the main artery "Savile Road', a town formed hundreds of years ago by
its connections to the family of Lord Savile.
The
Savile family are said to have owned land in Dewsbury from at least 1370.
The Saviles were a powerful and wealthy family with homes at Rufford Abbey in
Nottinghamshire and in London, although Thornhill Hall, near Dewsbury, was their
chief residence during this period. Sir George Savile died in 1614 and there is
a monument to him, his wife Ann, and his son George, in Thornhill Parish Church.
From 1639, at least, Shelf, as part of the huge manor of Wakefield, came under
the jurisdiction of the Saviles, for in that year Thomas, Baron Pontefract,
Viscount Savile, was granted office of high steward for life
Dewsbury has its earliest roots circa 627 AD when
Monk Paulinus founded a Christian settlement on the banks of the River Calder.
Dewsbury, the name Dewsbury
comes from the old Mercian name of Deusberia. The suffix beria means strong
hold, so translated it literally means Stronghold of Deus, Deus probably was
some local person in-charge of the fort. When modern English evolved, the word
was changed to Dewsbury. The Doomsday book of 1086, has a entry for Deusberia,
so the name was in existence by then. The Mercians took control of the area in
the mid 650's A.D. So the name could date back from that period, but it cannot
proved when the Deusberia name was first used.) West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Dewsbury is a medium
sized market town renowned for its Victorian architecture. Many of the buildings
have been restored to their magnificent splendour. A history full of industrial
development was a key part of Dewsbury's prosperity. Most of the mills
have disappeared, but plenty of fine Victorian architecture still stands and,
unlike some towns, the heart of Dewsbury has not been ripped out and the town
still retain its charm as a traditional market town - enhanced by the removal of
the grime from buildings, a modern ring-road, excellent shopping facilities with
lots of safe space for pedestrians - and of course, Dewsbury's famous market.
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During the Industrial Revolution, Dewsbury became the centre of the Heavy
Woollen District. The local invention of the rag-grinding machine in 1813
allowed discarded cloth to be reprocessed. This cloth was called "shoddy and
mungo" and as a result Dewsbury became a major manufacturer of quality blankets,
coats and military uniforms.
Many of the old mills have gone and given way to modern industrial premises and
processes. However, the town's heritage is preserved with many Victorian town
centre buildings and shops, a particularly good example is the Town Hall,
pictured left.
King George V
and Queen Mary visited in 1918 to thank the people of Dewsbury for their help
during the First World War when many of the shoddy and mungo mills were
producing army uniforms. Two Dewsbury soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross
for their bravery during the war, they were Sergeant William Ormsby V.C. and
Private Horace Walker V.C. who now have roads named in their honour.
Dewsbury has become very multi-cultural in the last
50 years and now boasts one of the biggest Asian populations in West Yorkshire.
Former government Chief Whip Ann Taylor used to be the town's MP and the Commons
connections also include former Speaker of the House Betty Boothroyd who was
born in Dewsbury.
The town is
not short of stories to tell about other famous people. Legend has it that Stan
Laurel's family lived in the area too, although there are conflicting reports as
to whether or not the great comedian ever visited himself. Fans of tennis
familiar with the name Greg Rusedski may be surprised to learn that his
mother-in-law is from Dewsbury!
The
town's main sporting club is the
Dewsbury Rams | 
