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The prehistoric period.
Evidence of early human presence in this area is shown by a few flint
artifacts from the later Stone Age and the following Bronze Age, but in insufficient numbers to suggest settlement. Tribal warfare may have initiated the construction of Cadbury Hill's Iron Age fort in the mid 5th century BC and Iron Age pottery found in the village, at Iwood and at Woodlands indicates possible settlement areas.
Romano-British Congresbury.
The Roman invasion of 43AD rapidly affected this area. However only a few first century pottery shards have been found. Most pottery and coin
finds in the parish date from the 2nd century and later. Romano-British kiln sites south of the village indicate pottery production in Congresbury from
c250AD to, possibly, the mid 4th century with the pottery being traded over a wide area. Several reconstructed pots are on show in Woodspring Museum. Other Romano-British finds include a plough share and loom weights, used in making cloth, which, with pottery, often found in local gardens, and coins, indicate several settlement sites in the parish.
The coming of Christianity.
When the Romans withdrew in 410AD the economy collapsed. Cadbury Hill fort was re-occupied, possibly from then until the early 600s. Archaeological digs in the 1960s and 70s showed that occupiers were of high status, but uncertainty exists as to whether it was a settlement or religious site or, possibly, both, at different periods. The 5th century was also the period when Celtic missionaries were spreading Christianity. One such, St
Congar, founded a Christian community in this area. Legend says he was buried here (in a now unknown grave) in 473AD, hence the parish's name. It is possible that Congresbury was Christian from that date, but not until 888AD did a charter record a Minster church here.
1086AD.
From 888AD until Domesday Book little is known about the parish. In 1086AD Congresbury had two mills and a population of about 500 people, almost all involved in mixed farming, although grain production took priority. Congresbury Manor, which included Wick St Lawrence, paid £28 15s [£28.75] annually in silver, a huge sum, to the then Lord, the King.
A new church and a new road.
In the early 13th century the King gave Congresbury back to the Bishop of Bath & Wells and in 1215 a new church, St Andrew’s, built on Saxon foundations, was consecrated. Parishioners added the two aisles and the tower and spire in the next 250 years and pilgrims came, presumably, to see St Congar’s burial place. The early 13th century was also possibly when Broad Street was laid out to hold a market and fair. The market lapsed long ago but the September fair continued into the 1960s..