History
There is evidence of habitation of the area in the New Stone Age and Bronze Ages. The first named settlement dates to about AD 934, when it was known as "Kington". Later known as "Kington Minchin" during the early existence of Kington St. Michael Priory, it became "Kington St Michael" in 1279 when the church was rededicated to St Michael.
A market cross was adjacent to the Priory and according to Aubrey, sold staple foods. A Michaelmas Fair was also noted for its "ale and geese".
The main activity in the village was agriculture for many years, although there is some evidence of a small textile industry. In about 1760 the Chippenham to Malmesbury road (now the A350) was made a turnpike, and Kington benefited from the increase in traffic, by the end of the 18th century supporting "tailors, two blacksmiths and a carpenter ... a slaughterhouse, malthouse and public house". By 1851 the range of occupations reported in the village had expanded further.
Read more about this topic: Kington St Michael
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