History Theale

ordnance survey map of 1888 shows railway line , split between southern tilehurst (most of theale) , burghfield

until 19th century, theale part of tilehurst , burghfield ecclesiastical (and later civil) parishes. in september 1643, after first battle of newbury, theale site of skirmish between prince rupert s royalist forces , earl of essex s parliamentarians. rupert attacked earl s forces rear returning london; earl s forces – led colonel middleton – held strong; 800 royalist musketeers , 60 horses killed, , @ least 8 parliamentarian units killed , buried in dead man s lane. royalist forces retreated, , earl left theale on morning of 23 september, heading reading units recovered fatigue. thomas fairfax, 3rd lord fairfax of cameron marched through theale on 1 may 1645, en route windsor salisbury.

in 1802, topographer james baker chronicled village en route reading newbury, , described inconsiderable .

as bath road became established trade route , turnpike between sw , se england, theale became known numerous coaching inns. many times during 18th century, dick turpin said have hidden in secret room in old lamb on theale s high street.

toponymy

one suggested origin of name theale refers village s inns , position first staging post on bath road london – literally calling village ale . alternative explanation name comes old english þelu meaning planks . village of theale in somerset, refers planks used on marshes or flood plains.