bobby m's syrupSpaceCruiserSpirit of Elm Park Cant beleive this is being discussed on a football forum![]()
Why not? Always nice to have some historical discussion on here.Spirit of Elm Park FWIW I always believed it came from the viking gods name Rohdin(sp?), Reading was actually seen as the capital of England for a period around the time of the abbeys construction.
Now I like the sound of that, Reading as the capital of England!
Reading was never the capital of England in any shape or form. Whilst there is an urban myth that Hitler planned to make it the administrative HQ of a conquered Britain, (following the destruction of London), the nearest we have come to prominence is the temporary transfer of Parliament to the Abbey in the middle ages. This was, I believe, prompted by outbreaks of the plague.
Parliament used to tour because it meant the big wigs and royalty got to stay at the local lords house free rather than at their own gaff.
Reading Abbey served as pariament on several occaisions most notably when Edward IV announced his marriage to Elizabeth Woodville there.