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Reigate
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Reigate is an historic market town in Surrey, England at the foot of the North Downs, and in the London commuter belt. It is one of the main constituents of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead. Reigate and the adjacent town of Redhill form a single urban area.
Colley Hill, one mile north of Reigate, is the fifth highest point in Surrey at 756 feet (230 metres).
Contents
- 1 History
- 2 Travel
- 3 Famous residents
- 4 Education
- 5 See also
- 6 External links
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History
Reigate was originally called Cherchefelle, which means ‘church field’ (or `church hill’) and is mentioned in the Domesday Book.
The Romans made tiles for London villas in Reigate at around 97 AD.
William I granted the land around Reigate to one of his supporters, William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey, who was created Earl of Surrey in 1088. It is believed that his son, William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey, ordered that Reigate Castle be built, though the de Warennes had their southern base in Lewes, Sussex, as well as Sandal Castle and Conisbrough Castle in Yorkshire and a keep on the Warrenne land at Mortemer in Normandy. Around 1150 the de Warennes ordered that a town be constructed below the castle. The new town, Reigate, replaced a nearby settlement known as Cherchefelle.
The name may derive from Roe-deer Gate, as the town was situated near to the entrance to the de Warenne's deer park, which is now Priory Park and Reigate Park. It is reputed that prior to the signing of the Magna Carta, the rebellious barons met in conference to hammer out the details of the document in the caves beneath the castle. The castle later fell into decay and was demolished in 1648 though the grounds and the caves remain as a public garden.
During the 13th century the Reigate Priory was founded for regular Canons of the Order of
St Augustine. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1535 the estate was granted by
Henry VIII to
William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham, who converted the Priory into a residence. The Effingham branch of the Howard family, including the
Earl of Nottingham who as Lord High Admiral commanded the force which defeated the
Spanish Armada, lived there for about 140 years. The building is now used as a school.
Travel
Famous residents
Education
See also
