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Princes Risborough is a fascinating little town found in Buckinghamshire. It lies nine miles to the south of Aylesbury and eight miles to the northwest of High Wycombe. This proud little town boasts a wealth of history and architecture. Travelers and tourists who love the two will find a disproportionate amount of both in this tiny town of eight thousand inhabitants.
History
The history of Princes Risborough goes back to Anglo Saxon England. King Harold, the last such king before the Norman Conquest, held the village. It passed on to the Normans under King William and is detailed in the Domesday Book. At the time it formed a portion of the Hundred of Risborough.
The area including Princes Risborough remained a royal manor of the Kings of England for centuries afterward. As such, the kings would grant it out to followers and supporters. Among its owners was the famed Edward, the Black Prince of Wales. He held this manor an impressive thirty-two years until he died in the year 1376.
In the sixteenth century, Princes Risborough gained the privilege of hosting two annual fairs from King Hentry VIII. These were held on St. George's day on April 23rd and on September 8th at the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. These fairs continue, as the second one was brought back in 1908, although the date was changed to October 21st.
Architecture
Princes Risborough is overwhelming with medieval and early modern architecture since it was a royal manor. The present church of St. Mary's Church goes back to the 1200's. Although there was an earlier church here, nothing remains of it. The current church continued to be expanded up until the fifteen century. The tower and spire were rebuilt in 1908. This beautiful church features a nave & chancel.
Another Medieval building whose remains have been uncovered is the Medieval Manor House. The manor house had been constructed from the 1200's to the 1400's. Since the bottom of the walls was excavated in 1955, these ruins are now visible to view.
This should not be confused with the newer Manor House that is far better preserved in Princes Risborough. In its current form, it dates back to the middle of the seventeenth century. The house is mentioned back as far as the reign of Queen Elizabeth. This is a beautiful example of late medieval and early modern architecture that visitors should see.
Also here is the Baptist Church constructed in 1804 through 1805. Built from flint, there are bricks for the dressings as well as a hipped slate roof and arched windows. The galleries on three sides as well as the original baptistery are worth stopping in to view.
An interesting domed church is found in the town too. St. Teresa's Church that Giuseppe Rinvolucri designed goes back to 1937. In the church are statues made from painted ceramic. Stations of the cross here are made from timber reliefs and are over a hundred years old.
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