Leominster, site of a monastery in Saxon and Norman times is, despite raids by both the Vikings and the Welsh, one of the largest towns in Herefordshire. In the Middle Ages, the area became very rich because of the wool trade. I understand there was a particular breed of local sheep which gave extremely fine wool. This led to a building boom during the 15th and 16th centuries, a lot of which can still be seen. Some of the half timbered buildings have traces of 13th and 14th century origins.