Cambridge City Map Poster

About Cambridge

The city was historically settled in the fifth century AD by the Angles and Saxons, who established a settlement called Grantebrycge (literally "bridge over the River Granta"). The first bridge on the River Cam was erected by these settlers. Cambridge fell under siege from Viking raiders in 875. In 912, it became home to King Athelstan of England who built a castle on Castle Hill; like most castles of that time it would have been made primarily of wood with some stone elements as well. From this base he invaded Scotland and Wales; his son Edward conquered what is now York and Northumbria before turning his attention to Ireland where he founded Dublin – which subsequently developed into an important centre for wool production – before returning south again to capture London from its Danish occupants along with Winchester and Oxfordshire.