Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in the ceremonial
county of Berkshire, England. It was an important centre in the medieval
period, as the site of Reading Abbey, a monastery with strong royal
connections. The town was seriously impacted by the English Civil War, with a
major siege and loss of trade, and played a pivotal role in the Revolution of
1688, with that revolution's only significant military action fought on the
streets of the town. The 19th century saw the coming of the Great Western
Railway and the development of the town's brewing, baking and seed growing
businesses. Today Reading
