History
Some of Wigan's diverse history - with emphasis on the ordinary Wiganer.
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A personal site about Wigan: its history, locations, events, people - with some pictures.
Thursday 22nd July, 2010
John Leland was an antiquarian who visited Wigan sometime between 1536 and 1542. This is his brief description of the town:
“Wigan pavid, as bigge as Warington and better buildid. There is one paroch chirch amidde the towne: summe marchauntes, sum artificers, sum fermers.”
“Mr. Bradeshau hath a place caullid Hawe a myle from Wigan. He hath founde moche canel like se coole in his grounde very profitable to hym, and Gerade of Ynse dwellith in that paroch.”
Wiganers would be pleased that Leland found Wigan to be “better built” than Warrington. It is sometimes forgotten that Wigan was a thriving prosperous town with fine buildings and paved roads during the reign of Henry VIII.
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