Curious Taunton: What is our sister city, Taunton, England, like?

Taunton has three sister cities, two of which are in the Açores.

Given the fact that Taunton has long been home to a large Portuguese community, it should come as no surprise that two of Taunton’s sister cities are: Angra do Heroísmo, in Terçeira; and Lagoa, on the island of São Miguel.

Taunton’s third sister city, however, is just as significant to the roots of some of our area’s earliest European settlers:

Taunton, England.

Taunton got its current name from the English settlers who came here, as many of them were from the other Taunton. Before that, the Native Americans who were living here called the area Cohannet, Tetiquet and Titicut.

While the connection to that other Taunton is hundreds of years old, that connection is maintained thanks to the Sister Cities International network. It’s a nonprofit program that establishes connections between the United States and different “sister cities” all over the world, as a means of building global collaboration and cooperation, and creating cultural connections.

Let’s take a look at all the common ground between Taunton, USA, and Taunton, UK.

The Taunton rivers

Taunton was named for the original Taunton in England, which coincidentally also sits near a river.

The Taunton River helped the city be a major river shipping port in its manufacturing heyday.

Taunton, England takes its name from its river: “town on the River Tone” or “Tone Town.”

Taunton and Somerset

Taunton is near the town of Somerset, and both are in Bristol County, and the other Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England (archaically known as Somersetshire, if you’ve read your Jane Austen). Their Somerset County Council is based at County Hall in Taunton.

Taunton and Somerset are on the SouthCoast, in southeastern Massachusetts, and the other Taunton is in the southwest of England.

'Insane':In 2021, these 5 Mass. cities and towns saw the most single-family home sales

Tauntons have similar populations, climate

The population of Taunton, England, was 69,570 in 2011, so not much larger than this Taunton, with a population of 59,408 as of 2020.

Both Tauntons are in temperate zones, although it is arguably cooler in the UK. Temperatures in Massachusetts might climb into the 90s and beyond during the hottest months of the summer, but over in Taunton, England, normal temperatures in July and August are somewhere in the 70s.

Saving Lake Sabbatia:Taunton comes together to fight aquatic invaders

Silver vs. cider

Taunton, Massachusetts, is known primarily as the Silver City, except around the holidays, when it is affectionately referred to as the Christmas City.

Over in England, Taunton is famed for its cider.

The Taunton Cider Co., touting “proper cider, from Somerset,” has won international awards. Their website says that they pride themselves “on only using apples grown within a 30 mile radius of our office in central Taunton, right in the heart of Somerset.”

During medieval times, Taunton had some notoriety among local fairs and markets for its woolen goods as well.

Taunton and history

Both Tauntons have a rich history, and both have museums dedicated to preserving the history of not only their Tauntons, but of the surrounding area.

Taunton, England, had some importance during Anglo-Saxon times, as it was the site of a mint for King Ine of Wessex (England did not have just one kingdom at that time). By the time of the Domesday Book (a great survey of England, kind of like a census, although that is a gross oversimplification) in 1086, there were about 1,500 people living in Taunton. Its importance only grew through the Middle Ages, and it has been the county town since 1366. In 1451, it was even the site of a skirmish during the War of the Roses.

Taunton, Massachusetts, is home to the Old Colony History Museum, at 66 Church Green, where there is a trove of regional objects and archives, documenting the history of our city and the Old Colony.

Taunton Castle, a 10th-century structure that has been heavily reconstructed over time, houses the Museum of Somerset and the Somerset Military Museum, which have a similar mission to OCHM.

The Museum of Somerset, once visited by Queen Elizabeth II, has an extensive collection that includes local artifacts, fossils, natural history, and, though they are not the silver city, even fine silver. The museum is also home to one of the largest Roman coin hoards ever found in Britain, the Frome hoard (that’s a town in Somerset), which has 52,503 Roman coins, dating from CE 253-305.

Both Tauntons were also once the site of an act of rebellion against the crown.

On Oct. 21, 1774, Taunton, Massachusetts, became “the first community in the American colonies to raise a flag — the ‘Liberty and Union’ flag — in opposition to British rule,” according to the OCHM.

On June 20, 1685, to be exact, the Duke of Monmouth crowned himself King of England in that other Taunton, during the Monmouth Rebellion. James II was a Roman Catholic, and some Protestants under his rule opposed him. James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth and eldest illegitimate son of Charles II, claimed the throne in an attempt to displace James. His rebellion was defeated, and he was beheaded for treason on July 15, 1685.

'Iron & Fire':Local author's new novel transports readers to 17th-century Taunton

Local landmarks

In the heart of Taunton, Massachusetts, the Green is the site of the annual Lights On Festival, as well as concerts, political gatherings, protests, parades and other events.

Across the pond, in that Taunton’s town center, they’ve got their own iconic local landmark, even if it is a bit younger than ours:

The Pride Rainbow Path in Goodland Gardens.

Designed by Jenny Keogh and Liz Hutchin, the Pride Rainbow Path runs alongside the River Tone and opened in June 2021 to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, a catalyst of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

The path opened during Taunton, England’s first Pride festival in 2021, and it is believed to be the first path of its kind in the UK.

Notable residents and Taunton in popular culture

Both Tauntons have had their share of big names come through town, and even famous folks who were born there.

Taunton, Massachusetts, has had presidents visit, held infamous figures like Lizzie Borden and Jane Toppan, and is the birthplace of notable residents who have found careers in everything from astrophysics to the NFL.

5 notable Tauntonians:From the NFL, to the silver screen, to far-away galaxies

Taunton, England, likewise has a host of notable residents Pattie Boyd, a leading international model during the 1960s (she was also the wife of George Harrison, and, later, Eric Clapton); and actor James Purefoy, who played Mark Antony in “Rome,” was born there.

Both cities have been mentioned in books by internationally renowned authors.

On the American side, Taunton is mentioned in the works of Stephen King, in his “Dark Tower” series.

Over in England, Jane Austen herself mentions Taunton in her last complete novel, “Persuasion.” The heroine is from Somerset County, referred to in the novel as Somersetshire.

One of the more surprising pop culture connections between the two cities revolves around “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

Arthur C. Clarke, the author of “2001: A Space Odyssey,” went to secondary school in Taunton, England.

As it turns out, one of the actors in Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation, Alan Gifford, was born in Taunton, Massachusetts. He plays Frank Poole’s father in the movie, during a scene where Frank has a video call with his family.

Sister cities

Taunton, England, has three sister cities, including Taunton, Massachusetts. The other two are: Lisieux, France, and Königslutter, Germany.

Taunton Daily Gazette/Herald News copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Curious Taunton is a new feature — if you have questions or if there is something you are curious about, email Kristina! Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.