Saxon marauders were settling in Hampshire in the fifth century and they
probably established themselves here at an early date. The name Waltham
comes from Saxon words meaning a settlement in a wood. A small town probably
grew, and a Minster Church certainly existed at Waltham around 700 A.D.
On viewing Bishop's Waltham today, it is difficult to realise how important it formerly was, due to its association with the Bishops of Winchester. This began in the year 904 A.D., when King Edward the eider gave Bishop Danewulf lands here in exchange for Portchester which he needed to help defend the country from the Danish raiders.