Historically, the English county of Berkshire has been bordered to the north by the ancient boundary of the River Thames. However there were major changes in 1974: the Vale of White Horse and parts of Oxfordshire south (locally, west) of the Thames were previously part of Berkshire, but were lost to the county in 1974. Conversely, the Slough area north of the Thames is historically part of Buckinghamshire, but became ceremonially part of Berkshire in 1974.
Alfred the Great was born in Wantage, historically in Berkshire, but now in Oxfordshire for administrative purposes. Important historical abbeys include Abingdon Abbey and Reading Abbey.
The Great Western Railway reached Didcot in 1839. MG (part of Morris Motors) was founded in Abingdon in 1929.
Oscar Wilde was imprisoned in Reading Gaol after his court case.
The county is known as the Royal County of Berkshire, perhaps since the royal residence of Windsor Castle is within it. Administratively, the county is now made up of unitary authorities.
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