The beginning of Reading was as a Saxon settlement. Reading was originally called Reada ingas, which means the people of Reada. Reada was a Saxon leader who settled in the area with his tribe in the 6th century.
The early settlement was probably in the area of St Marys Butts. (In the Middle Ages this road was called Old Street, so even then it was old). Its position near the two rivers made Reading an ideal place to hold a market (since goods were often transported by water). Reading was well placed to transport goods to and from the Thames Valley and London by river.
Reading is first mentioned in the year 871 when the Danes captured it. They made a fort east of Reading by erecting a rampart between the Thames and the Kennet.
Reading is next mentioned in 1006 when the Danes burnt it. At the time of the Domesday Book (1086) Reading had a population of about 600.
By Tim Lambert http://www.localhistories.org/reading.html