Name: The Rise of Willingham
Start: 2026-02-23T19:30:00+00:00
Location: Willingham Social Club. Fen End, CB24 5LH Willingham, United Kingdom

The Rise of Willingham
Richard the Lionheart and the 3rd Crusade
Last year Willingham History group arrived at the early 12th Century with the forgotten civil war and the castle at Rampton where Willingham would have been on the front line of King Stephen’s defences against the outlaw Geoffrey de Mandeville based on the Isle of Eels or Ely.
Well during the 12th century the bishopric of Ely began its ascension and when the Lord of the Manor of Willingham was in fact the Bishop of Ely!
So, Willingham Rectors over the next 500-year period held important offices of state that included Baron of the Exchequer of Ireland, the King’s Ambassador to France, the King’s Messenger to Rome.
This February we will be moving onto the late 12th Century. The time of Richard the Lionheart, the Round Church in Cambridge would be nearing completion and the Willingham Rectors would have been trusted with greater and greater national responsibilities.
Find out about 12th Century Willingham at the WHIG meeting on Monday the 23rd February at 7.30pm in the Social Club £4 on the door to cover the cost of the room.