Hereford, Herefordshire, England

Hereford described in the Victorian ''Littlebury's Directory and Gazetteer of Herefordshire' 1876-7 was 'a city of considerable antiquity and historical interest, is picturesquely situated nearly in the middle of the county, upon both banks of the river Wye, though principally upon its northern bank. It is the capital of the county to which it gives name; is the see of a bishop, a parliamentary and municipal borough, head of a polling district, county court district, poor-law union, and petty sessional division; is the place for holding assizes and sessions for county and city; has its own deanery, archdeaconry, ecclesiastical and probate courts, &c. It is an important railway centre between the northern and midland counties of England and South Wales. Its geographical situation is 52° 3' 2". north latitude, and 2° 43' 1". west longitude, from Greenwich. It is locally situated in the hundred of Grimsworth. The general aspect of the city combines much that is ancient and venerable, with indications of a high degree of commercial prosperity and modern refinement. It is well paved and cleanly kept; the streets are regular, some of them spacious and handsome; and the public buildings evince much judgment and taste. The city is well lighted with gas, and there is a plentiful supply of water. A recent writer characterises Hereford as "one of the best-built and most agreeable cities in the kingdom... The antiquity of Hereford is remote; the precise era of its origin is not certain. It is said to have existed in the year 676 or 680, for during the reign of Penda, King of Mercia, who had embraced Christianity, a synod was held here for the purpose of erecting a new see in Mercia, in consequence of which Putta was chosen bishop of Hereford; and there is every probability that it originated soon after the exit of the Romans, when Magna Castra (now Kenchester), the nearest Roman station, was deserted...'