The
village of Barkway lies on the eastern extension of the chalky Chiltern
Hills. In prehistoric times, it was the site of a major crossroads, the
east-west trading route taking advantage of the dry highlands of the
scarp and the north-south track linking London with Cambridge.
There is much evidence of man's early existence
close to the cross roads and slightly to the east, on the banks of the
river Quin, where deposits of flint flakes and half finished tools
suggest a sophisticated settlement and trading station. To the west of
the London-Cambridge road lies Periwinkle Hill. This ancient and now
almost lost mound was probably the base of a strong point and lookout
tower giving fine views across the plains of Cambridge as far as the
settlement of Ely.
The conquest of Britain by the Romans left its
mark on the surrounding landscape. Barkway, however, was left untouched
save only for one small cache of Roman silver found at the edge of
nearby Rookey Wood, during the 18th century.
The Norman Invasion bought a new culture and light
to England. The Chiltern Edge was probably used by William the Conqueror
as a springboard for his troops as they prepared to suppress the
uprising of Hereward and his companions in the Fenlands of
Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. William, a true bureaucrat and
undisputed head of the Norman civil service, decreed that he should
know the full extent of the wealth of the land and have an exact record
of Crown property. In 1086 he commissioned the Domesday Survey.
As a result, Barkway was examined in detail and for the first time, appeared
in an official document. Apart from farming commitments, the village
supported a "holy man" - probably one of the few villagers capable of
reading and writing, so elevated to a position of authority. His church
probably no more than a simple wooden structure - just sufficient to
support him and his farm animals- the community only partially supported him. Barkway flourished. It was granted a market so became
an important trading point and a place for social gathering. Despite being
ravaged by major fires in the 15th and 18th centuries, it became one of the
major stopping points on the coaching route from London to the North East. The
inhabitants became wealthy and complacent and were unconcerned about the gradual
decline of the coach trade in the mid 1800's. A railway was proposed with a
station part way between Barkway and Reed, - the engineer was Robert Stephenson.
However it failed to materialise and Barkway soon became a backwater.
By the turn of the 20th century, Barkway was like so many
other Hertfordshire villages - away from the main roads and therefore from the
attention of the County authorities. Slipping further into decline, the
population slumped as people sought their fortunes in Royston and sometimes,
London.
The Second World War brought a resurgence of importance
with the building of the airfield at nearby Nuthampstead. But when peace came,
the decline returned with renewed vigour. Today, all of Barkway's 15 shops have
gone. Its twenty or so pubs and beerhouses reduced to just one. The school
retains a reduced number of pupils - in the 1800's it had over a hundred pupils.
Barkway is a village with a past, but it is not without a
future. Even to this day, its market history is brought to life each year, with
the famous Barkway Street Market. For one day a year, visitors flood to the
village, as we celebrate our history, sense of community spirit and look to the
future.
History made Barkway the beautiful village it has become.
Away from the major roads, and away from the meddling bureaucrats, it remains
mainly unspoilt and untouched by modern expansionism - peaceful tranquil
village, but for certain, not a backwater.
Extracted from an original work (C) Tom Doig and adapted
with his permission
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