Hereford goes back to Anglo-Saxon times, in fact the last and greatest ruler of Mercia, Offa,was based here, and the final Anglo-Saxon king of England Harold Godwin was the duke of Hereford, plus Roger Mortimer was for three years effectively head of state. Also Hereford has produced several ladies who captured the hearts of kings for example Nell Gwyn, "The Fair Rosamund"and Mary Bohun the wife of Henry IV, as well a lady, Brilliana Harley who fought the king's men, as did John Oldcastle. Let us not forget that Herefordians can become favourites of female sovereigns too in the form of Robert Devereux , beau of Good Queen Bess, the paymaster-general of Queen Anne, James Brydes, and to remember this queen's faithful servant Blanche Parry.
Hereford has gained a name for music too, with Sir Edward Elgar composing classical music and The Pretenders providing rock.
For the world of writing, the county is represented by the medieval poet William Langland,the 19th century poetess Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Poet Laureate , John Masefield, Thomas Traherne who enjoyed the world, and by the dramatist/actor David Garrick
The realm of visual art is seen to by Brian Hatton. , and Richard Hakluyt who made maps.
In the field of organisations for the welfare and improvement of humanity, the county was the childhood home of Mary Sumner, the founder of the Mothers' Union. Other philanthropists include John Kyrle, the 'Man of Ross'.
In the world of sport, there is the bare-knuckle champion Tom Spring.
Herefordians have also shown great valour include VC winner Leonard Lewis
In the world of commerce there is Albert Walter Gamage whose toy emporium once proudly stood on Holborn.
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