Eton, Berkshire
| Eton | |
|---|---|
 Eton High Street from Windsor Bridge |
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 Eton
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| Eton shown within Berkshire | |
| Population | 4,980 (2001) 4,692 (2011 Census) |
| OS grid reference | SU965775 |
| Civil parish |
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| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WINDSOR |
| Postcode district | SL4 |
| Dialling code | 01753 |
| Police | Thames Valley |
| Fire | Royal Berkshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament | |
Eton /iːtən/ is a town and civil parish in the ceremonial county of Berkshire, but within the historic boundaries of Buckinghamshire, lying on the opposite bank of the River Thames to Windsor and connected to it by Windsor Bridge. The parish also includes the large village of Eton Wick, two miles west of the town, and has a population of 4,980, reducing to 4,692 at the 2011 Census. Since 1998 it has been part of the unitary authority of Windsor and Maidenhead.
The town is best known as the location of Eton College, a famous public school.
The name "Eton" derives from Old English Ēa-tūn, = River-Town, i.e. Town on the River Thames.
The land that is now Eton once belonged to the manor of Queen Edith, wife of Edward the Confessor. The land was appropriated by the Normans after 1066. The main road between Windsor and London went through the area and a hamlet sprang up amid pasture meadows to maintain the road and the bridge.
In 1440, Henry VI chose Eton as the location for his new college, Eton College. Workmen were moved into Eton to build the college. All of the land immediately around the hamlet was granted to the college, which stopped further growth. The new college chapel made the village a pilgrimage point, and inns were set up along the high street. Henry VI gave the college the right to hold fairs on its grounds.
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