About Buckinghamshire

Country: England
Region: South East England
Established: Ancient
Area: 1,874 km2 (724 sq mi)
Population: 852,500
Largest settlement: Milton Keynes

Buckinghamshire is a county in South East England. It is bordered by Northamptonshire to the North, Bedfordshire to the north east, Hertfordshire to the east, Greater London to the south east, Berkshire to the south, and Oxfordshire to the west.

The name Buckinghamshire is Anglo-Saxon and means The district (scire) of Bucca's home , an Anglo-Saxon landowner.

History:
The county has been named Buckinghamshire since the 12th century, although the county has existed since it was part of the kingdom of Mercia around 585 to 919.

Prehistoric Times:
Early Neolithic middens, rubbish dumps, have been found with evidence of cereal production and long term habitation. Tools from the Middle Stone Age have been discovered. Several hillforts have been discovered in the hills. Bronze Age artefacts including daggers, rapiers, and axes, have been found in the river. 

Roman Times:
Roman times saw the construction of roads which were crucial trade routes connecting London to other parts of Britain. Some evidence of settlements and villas exists.

Anglo Saxon Times:
The Saxons settled in the area leading to the establishment of many villages and hamlets. They named many places in the county and the modern layout of Buckinghamshire today is still largely shaped by their original settlement patterns. 

Norman Times:
William the Conqueror and his followers seized much of the land and redistributed it among themselves and their loyal followers. 

Anglo-Norman, a dialect of Old French, became the language of the ruling class which replaced Old English. 

Norman-French names like William, Robert, and Richard became common among the ruling class. 

The Normans established royal forests and hunting grounds. The tradition of breeding swans for the king's pleasure, originated in Buckinghamshire.

Feudal farming was introduced.

Tudor and Stuart Times:
In Tudor and Stuart Buckinghamshire (1485 to 1714), life varied greatly depending on social standing. While the gentry and nobility enjoyed education and leisure, most children, especially girls, worked to help their families.

The majority of the population worked in agriculture by growing crops and keeping animals. Tudor and Stuart Buckinghamshire also saw the construction of rabbit warrens and deer parks, often associated with wealthy landowners. 

Industrial Revolution Times:
The industrial revolution saw significant technological advancements and societal changes, including the rise of factories, the development of new industries, and the expansion of the railway network. 

Victorian Times:
Buckinghamshire experienced significant changes, including railway development, and the arrival of influential families like the Rothschilds. Traditional farming faced epidemics and famines, leading to migration and changes to land ownership.
The arrival of railways brought both work and disruption, with temporary shanty towns arising along the lines.