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[[Oxfordshire]] and [[Buckinghamshire]] lie across the [[River Thames]] to the north, [[Surrey]] lies to the south-east, the southern border is with Hampshire and to the west are [[Wiltshire]] and a 5-mile border with [[Gloucestershire]].

[[Oxfordshire]] and [[Buckinghamshire]] lie across the [[River Thames]] to the north, [[Surrey]] lies to the south-east, the southern border is with Hampshire and to the west are [[Wiltshire]] and a 5-mile border with [[Gloucestershire]].

The county's strategic central position has resulted in it being the venue for many historical battles, notably between the [[Vikings]] and the forces of [[Alfred the Great]], and during the [[English Civil War]].

The county's strategic central position has resulted in it being the venue for many historical battles, notably between the [[Vikings]] and the forces of [[Alfred the Great]], and during the [[English Civil War]]. The epithet "Royal County" is thought to be of 19th century origin, and related to the presence of [[Windsor Castle]] within the county.

==Administration==  

==Administration==  

Berkshire lends its name to a unitary authority, [[West Berkshire Council]], which is administered from Newbury and covers a large and mainly rural part of the traditional county, plus a small part of [[Hampshire]] around Combe and part of [[Wiltshire]] west of Hungerford. Other unitary authorities responsible for local government in Berkshire include [[Bracknell Forest Council]], Reading Borough Council, Windsor and Maidenhead Council (which also covers part of Buckinghamshire) and Wokingham Borough Council. The north of the county, including the towns of Wantage and Abingdon, is administered at a lower-tier level by Vale of White Horse District Council and at an upper-tier level by [[Oxfordshire County Council]].  

Berkshire lends its name to a unitary authority, [[West Berkshire Council]], which is administered from Newbury and covers a large and mainly rural part of the traditional county, plus a small part of [[Hampshire]] around Combe and part of [[Wiltshire]] west of Hungerford. Other unitary authorities responsible for local government in Berkshire include [[Bracknell Forest Council]], Reading Borough Council, Windsor and Maidenhead Council (which also covers part of Buckinghamshire) and Wokingham Borough Council. The north of the county, including the towns of Wantage and Abingdon, is administered at a lower-tier level by Vale of White Horse District Council and at an upper-tier level by [[Oxfordshire County Council]].  

[[Category:English Counties]]

[[Category:English Counties]]