Although the actual city was not
established until 1220, there has been a settlement in the area since
prehistory. There is evidence of Neolithic settlement on the hilltop of Old
Sarum, which became a hill fort in the Iron Age. The Romans called this fort
"Sorviodunum" and may also have occupied the fort. The Saxons
established themselves there called it "Searesbyrig" and the Normans
built a castle or "Seresberi". By 1086, in the Domesday Book, it was
called "Salesberie".
The first Salisbury Cathedral was built on
the hill by St Bishop Osmund
