Encyclopedia > Wisbech

  Article Content

Wisbech

Wisbech (pronounced wiz'-beach) is a town with a population of about 19,000 in the Fenland district of Cambridgeshire. The River Nene runs through the centre of the town.

History The first Wisbech castle was built by William I in 1086.

In the 17th century, the local inhabitants became known as the "Fen Tigers" because of their resistance to the draining of the fens, but the project turned Wisbech into a wealthy port handling agricultural produce. At this time Wisbech was on the estuary of the River Ouse, but silting caused the coastline to move north, and the River Nene was diverted to serve the town.

Octavia Hill[?], founder of the National Trust, was born here.

The local football team is Wisbech Town Football Club, nicknamed The Fenmen.

Notable buildings



All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

 
  Search Encyclopedia

Search over one million articles, find something about almost anything!
 
 
  
  Featured Article
Thomas a Kempis

... hammer." In 1395 he was sent to the school at Deventer conducted by the Brethren of the Common Life[?]. He became skilful as a copyist and was thus enabled to ...

 
 
 
This page was created in 38.4 ms