The first known use of the name Somerset (a name derived from Somerton, briefly the county town in medieval times) dates from the 7th century, making the county (along with Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset) one of the oldest still existing units of local government in the world.

The caves of the Mendip Hills were settled during the Palaeolithic period, and contain extensive archaeological sites such as those at Cheddar Gorge. Bones from Gough’s Cave have been dated to 12000 BC, and modern descendents have been identified by DNA, still living in the area.

By the early eighth century King Ine of Wessex had pushed the boundaries of the West Saxon kingdom far enough west to include Somerset. After the Norman Conquest, fortifications such as Dunster Castle were used for control and defence. Somerset contains HM Prison Shepton Mallet, England’s oldest prison still in use, dating to 1610.

In the English Civil War, Somerset was largely Parliamentarian (although Dunster was a Royalist stronghold), with key engagements being the sieges of Taunton and the Battle of Langport. In 1685, the Duke of Monmouth led the Monmouth Rebellion in which Somerset people fought against James II. The rebels landed at Lyme Regis and travelled north hoping to capture Bristol and Bath, Puritan soldiers damaged the west front of Wells Cathedral, and for a time stabled their horses in the nave, but they were defeated in the Battle of Sedgemoor at Westonzoyland, often held to be the last pitched battle fought in England. The Bloody Assizes which followed saw the losers being sentenced to death or transportation.

Among a close-knit group of Quaker families established in Street in the mid-17th century were the Clarks: Cyrus started a business in sheepskin rugs, later joined by his brother James, who introduced the production of woollen slippers and, later, boots and shoes. C&J Clark still has its headquarters in Street, but shoes are no longer manufactured there.

Exclusive census analysis from data website TheGenealogist.co.uk shows that common surnames in the county include Baker, Hill, Davis, Cox, Parsons, Tucker, Harris, Palmer, Coles and James.

The Industrial Revolution spelled the end for many of Somerset’s cottage industries. Farming continued to flourish, however, and the Bath and West of England Society was founded in 1777 to improve farming methods. Coal mining was an important industry in north Somerset during the 18th and 19th centuries, and by 1800 it was prominent in Radstock. The Somerset coalfield reached its peak production by the 1920s, but all the pits had closed by 1973. Further west, the Brendon Hills were mined for iron ore in the late 19th century; this was taken by rail to Watchet Harbour for shipment to the furnaces at Ebbw Vale.

During World War Two the county was a base for troops preparing for the D-Day landings. Some of the hospitals which were built for the casualties of the war remain in use. The Taunton Stop Line was set up to repel a potential German invasion. The remains of its pill boxes can still be seen along the coast, and south through Ilminster and Chard. A number of decoy towns were constructed in Somerset in World War Two to protect Bristol and other towns at night.

Find details of Somerset Heritage Centre in Taunton at somerset.gov.uk/archives/. Find county museums and heritage sites at heritagehunter.co.uk . {