Colchester
| Colchester | |
 Colchester shown within Essex |
|
| Population | 104,390 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Colchester |
| Shire county | Essex |
| Region | East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | COLCHESTER |
| Postcode district | CO1 - CO7 |
| Dialling code | 01206 |
| UK Parliament | Colchester |
| European Parliament | East of England |
| List of places: England • Essex | |
Coordinates: 51°53′30″N 0°54′11″E / 51.8917°N 0.903°E
Colchester is a town in the northern part of the English county of Essex. It has a population of 104,000 people. People believe that Colchester is the oldest Roman town in England.
[change] History
Before Roman times, Colchester was Camulodunon. This is a Celtic name that came from Camulos. Camulos was the Celtic god of war. The Romans called Colchester Camulodunum (written "CAMVLODVNVM"). Colchester was attacked and burnt by Boudicca in 61 AD.
The church at the Benedictine abbey of Saint John the Baptist was destroyed in 1539. This was when King Henry VIII took the property of the Roman Catholic institutions in England. The only part left is a gate that people still go to visit.
King Cunobelinus (or "Cunobelin") was from Colchester.
[change] Twin cities
Colchester is twinned with the following cities:
