Somerset

A county often associated with the Arthurian legends and thus, by extension, with the Fae.

Overview

A largely rural county in south-west England where long have dwelt Jennifer's ancestors on her mother’s side.

Facts and Figures

Etymology

The name Somerset comes from the Old English Sumorsǣte, a short form of Sumortūnsǣte, meaning “the people living at or dependent upon Sumortūn (Somerton)”.

Previous or Alternate Name(s)

Somersetshire

This form of the name, considered archaic or perhaps somewhat poetic, is now largely obsolete.

Foundation

Mentions of Somersæte is in the law code of King Ine (Saxon King of Wessex from 688 to 726 CE), make Somerset one of the oldest extant units of local government on Earth.

Population

generally undefined

Area

generally undefined

Geography

Boundaries

Situated in south-west England, Somerset, as it exists as an administrative county in 1992, shares borders with Avon to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east and Devon to the south-west. Between its boundaries with Devon and Avon, Somerset has a coastline on the Bristol Channel.

Hills and Uplands

Somerset is a rural county with several areas of rolling hills: the Blackdown Hills (which straddle the southern part of the border with Devon), Mendip Hills (in the north of the county), Quantock Hills (in the west) and Exmoor (which straddles the northern part of the border with Devon).

The Somerset Levels

The Somerset Levels are flat, sparsely populated expanses of land in the centre of the county. Before the intervention of humans, the area lay under shallow sea waters by winter and became marshlands in the summer. It is not difficult to imagine why places such as Glastonbury Tor (or the Isle of Avalon if you prefer) might have been referred to as islands, for that is exactly what they were.

Drainage efforts were started in Roman times and have continued into the modern era.

Industry and Trade

Somerset has historically and remains a major producer of cider.

Attractions and Tourism

• A number of coastal resorts, including Minehead. (Although generally
considered one of Somerset’s main seaside towns, Weston-super-Mare falls within the County of Avon in 1992.)
• Glastonbury Tor (or Ynys yr Afalon), believed by many to be the Isle
of Avalon of Arthurian legend.
• The Glastonbury music festival.
• Wells Cathedral.
• Exmoor National Park.
• The Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

People

Demonyn

Locally and generally undefined

Flag of Somerset by Hogweard, Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)

Location ID

5 (Somerset)

Location Type

English County

County Town

Taunton

Location under

England

Included Locations

• Mendip Hills
• Taunton Deane