Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire Historical Research

Cambridgeshire was established as a shire in the 10th century, incorporating the former territory of the East Angles around the River Cam and the southern edge of the Fenland basin.

Cambridgeshire encompasses both the flat, drained fenlands of the north — some of the richest farmland in England — and the chalk uplands of the south. The university town of Cambridge, whose colleges began developing in the 13th century, became one of Europe's great centres of learning. Before drainage in the 17th century, the Fens were a watery wilderness of extraordinary ecological richness, dotted with monastic islands: Ely, Crowland, Ramsey. The great Abbey of Ely dominated the county's ecclesiastical life from the 7th century, its cathedral still commanding the flat skyline from miles away.

England's 39 historic counties, established between the 9th and 12th centuries, are the framework through which English local history, legal records, and landscape have been organised for a thousand years. Most survive today as ceremonial counties, their boundaries deeply embedded in place identity.

Read in-depth research reports on notable historical places across the UK — explore →

Research Cambridgeshire's History

An Aubrey report for a specific location in Cambridgeshire draws on historical maps, archaeological records, Domesday data and landscape history to tell the full story of any site in the county.