Malmesbury's origins date back to the sixth century and it is the oldest borough in England, with a charter given by Alfred the Great around 880.

Malmesbury Abbey's founder, Maidulph, died in 675. At this time Aldhelm, a Saxon by birth, took over the leadership of the borough. He died in 709 and was canonised, and he has been known ever after as St Aldhelm.

Perhaps the most important of Malmesbury's benefactors was the first king of England Alfred the Great's grandson, Athelstan. He reigned between 925 and 939. Athelstan died in 939 at the height of his power, and was buried in Malmesbury Abbey.

Another famous son of Malmesbury was historian William of Malmesbury (1095-1143). He was educated at the now famous abbey school.

One of William's stories was about an 11th-century monk called Elmer, who made himself a pair of wings and jumped from the tower of Malmesbury Abbey, flying about 200 metres before crashing and seriously injuring himself.

Elmer, Aldhelm and William are all remembered in the stained glass at the Abbey.