town and city (district), in the central part of the administrative and historic county of Hampshire, England, best known for its cathedral. The town lies in the valley of the River Itchen. Although few traces of the ancient Venta Belgarum remain, its central position in the Roman road system points to its early importance. The West Saxon episcopal see was removed there from Dorchester in the 7th century, and Winchester became the capital of the kingdom of Wessex. Under the Saxon bishops and Alfred the Great (ruled 871–899) Winchester became a centre of learning. It was also the seat of the Danish king Canute's government (ruled 1016–35), and several early kings, including Alfred and Canute II, were buried there. Its prosperity continued after the Norman Conquest (1066), when it benefitted from its proximity to the English Channel port of Southampton 12 miles (19 km) to the south, which provided access to the royal possessions in Normandy. One of the earliest seats of the English wool and cloth trade—its merchant guild dates to Saxon times—it gained further importance with William II's 11th-century grant to Bishop Walkelin of the Fair of St. Giles, which was maintained until the 19th century. In the 13th century, Winchester contained a large Jewish community, commemorated in the street name Jewry. During the civil wars of Stephen's reign (1135–54) the city was burned, and thereafter London, with greater geographical advantages, superseded it as England's leading city.