The town was founded in the 11^th century and people are said to have been living there since the Iron Age. The market town originated from its dominating wool industry as Henry I declared weekly markets in 1107 and then in 1330, Edward III helped set up two five-day fairs held in May and October. In the 19^th century it was recorded that 20,000 sheep were sold in one day at the market fortunately, the town was adapted to improve the efficiency of the sheep trade: the now alleyways (‘Tures’) are narrow and winding because it was used for easily herding sheep through the town on market days. Although after the wool industry declined, the market town started trading horses in the May and October fair which still stands today.

Another feature of Stow is the famous stocks that date back to the 15^th century as well as St Edwards church which was built mainly in the 11^th century with additions continuing till 1447 named after the towns patron ‘Saint Edward’ who was a martyr living in Stow which is also why Stow on the Wold was originally called Stow St Edward. Even the meaning Stow on the Wold being ‘Holy place on the hill’ shows the significance of the hermit Saint Edward.

Stow is also very well known for the historic event of the Battle of Stow during the First English civil war occurring on 21 March 1646. The Kings arms even hosted King Charles I In 1645, just before the Battle of Naseby. However, the parliamentarians ‘new model army’ of around 2,500 men on foot and 600 on horses defeated the Royalists 3,000 men with 500 horses on their way to return to their Oxford base and as many as 1,600 were taken as prisoners under 1,000 killed or wounded. The wounded people were left on Digbeth street to be put out of their misery and the street is said to have run with blood and that ducks were able to bathe in the pools of blood that formed on the street which is where the name ‘Digbeth’ is believed to originate meaning ‘Duck bath’.