Putting "Regis" in a town`

by Jenna Dawlish

"Regis" is the Latin term for King. There is a long list of towns/villages in England that have "Regis" after it:

Here are a few of the 15 which have the title:

Lyme Regis

Salcombe Regis

Wyke Regis

Newton Regis

Houghton Regis

The title "Regis" was given by the monarch as they saw fit - sometimes because of land ownership, sometimes because a manor for their use was built or owned there. Each town or village has been awarded the "Regis" title at different times and by different monarchs.

Lyme Regis, Dorset

Lyme was awarded Regis status in 1284 by Edward I when a manor was built in the town for his first wife Eleanor of Castile. Lyme Regis is famous for many things, but it is worth mentioning it being in the Jane Austen novel Persuasion including the scene where Louisa Musgrove throws herself off the Cobb and injures herself.

Lyme Regis, Dorset

Bognor Regis, West Sussex

In contrast, Bognor Regis was quite late attaining "Regis" status in 1929 when George V kindly bestowed the title after he stayed there to convalesce even though he didn't really like the town. It is reputed his lasts words before he died were "Bugger Bognor".

Bognor Regis

Bere Regis

Bere Regis

The village of Bere Regis in Dorset has a more uncertain time or reason for it's Regis title. It is thought that the title was given because it was part of the royal estate and King John (not only King, but Lord of the Manor for the village) visited the manor 12 times. From about 70 years after King John's reign 1303, documents have the added "Regis", though it could have been given earlier, it was just not documented.

Brompton Regis

Brompton Regis in Somerset has an unclear history of when the Regis was attained. This small village was named in the Doomsday Book as having a manor owned by the mother of King Harold. It was sometimes called Kings Brompton but most historical maps have it as Brompton Regis. 

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