[6] However more recent research, from geographer John Everett-Heath, identifies the original Anglo-Saxon place name as Merleberge, with a derivation from either the personal name of Mærle ("Merlin"[7]) combined with beorg (hill), or meargealla beorg: hill where gentian grows.

The town's motto is Ubi nunc sapientis ossa Merlini ("Where now are the bones of wise Merlin").

[9] Further evidence of human occupation comes from the discovery in St Margaret's Mead of the Marlborough Bucket, an Iron Age burial bucket made of fir wood with three iron hoops, a top bar and two handles; it also sports bronze bands decorated with human heads and mythical animals, and is now on display at the Wiltshire Museum in Devizes.

In 1067 William the Conqueror assumed control of the Marlborough area and set about building a wooden motte-and-bailey castle, sited on the prehistoric mound.

In 1204 King John granted Charter to the Borough which permitted an annual eight-day fair, commencing on 14 August, the vigil of the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady (15 August), in which "all might enjoy the liberties and quittances customary in the fair at Winchester".

This law states that no-one shall seize his neighbour's goods for alleged wrong without permission of the Court.

"A Town the most notoriously disaffected of all that Country, otherwise, saving the obstinacy and malice of the inhabitants, in the situation of it very unfit for a garrison... this place the King saw would prove quickly an ill neighbour to him, not only as it was in the heart of a rich County, and so would straighten him, and even infest his quarters."

The King sent Lord Digby who left Oxford to take the town at the head of four hundred horse on 24 November 1642.

When he arrived, he chose to parley first, thus giving the inhabitants a chance to prepare defences and to recruit troops.

On 28 April 1653 the Great Fire of Marlborough started in a tanner's yard and spread quickly, eventually after four hours burning the Guildhall, St Mary's Church, the County Armoury, and 244 houses[14] to the ground.

This time, an Act of Parliament was passed "to prohibit the covering of houses and other buildings with thatch in the Town of Marlborough".

[16] In 1804 the Marlborough White Horse was cut on a downland slope southwest of the town, by boys from Mr Greasley's Academy in the High Street.

Among the celebrations were a street play by the Marlborough Players titled Wheels of Time, and a visit from the Prince of Wales.

[19] The Marlborough mop fair was originally a market where local goods could be sold or bartered.

[24] St George's church in Preshute, adjoining Manton dates from the 12th century and was substantially restored in 1854 by T.H.

[26] On the north side of the high street is the Merchant's House, which is currently under restoration but part of which is open to the public for guided tours on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from April to October.

It was the property of a silk merchant and, rarely for a house of this type in a town centre, retains its original room pattern.

One room painted in a striped pattern, copying silk hangings, is perhaps unique in Great Britain.

[33] Marlborough is home to Marlborough Rugby Club, who completed their most successful season in recent history in the 2009–10 South West Division Dorset & Wilts 1 North league, winning all 22 games to secure promotion to the Southern Counties South league.

play their home games at Elcot Lane, to the east of the town, and are members of the Wiltshire League.

[38] The town is at the heart of the Church of England Marlborough deanery in the diocese of Salisbury in the province of Canterbury.

The rural dean has responsibility for the benefices of Marlborough, Ridgeway, Upper Kennet and Whitton which in total comprise 16 parishes.

The long-distance National Trail, the Wessex Ridgeway, runs from Marlborough to Lyme Regis in Dorset.