A TIMELINE OF EXETER
By Tim Lambert
50 The Romans build a fort on the site of Exeter
75 The Romans move on but a town is built on the site of the fort
c. 150 The Romans build stone walls around Exeter
407 The Roman army leaves Britain. Roman civilisation collapses and towns are abandoned.
680 The Saxons build a monastery inside the Roman walls of Exeter
876 The Danes shelter inside the walls of Exeter during winter
c. 885 Alfred the Great revives Roman towns. He creates a network of fortified settlements called burhs.
928 King Aethelstan repairs the walls of Exeter
1003 The reeve (an official who rules Exeter is a traitor. He allows the Danes in through a gate.
1050 The bishop moves his seat from Crediton to Exeter
1068 The Southwest rebels against the Normans. They lay siege to Exeter but fail to capture it. Exeter eventually submits and the Normans build a castle in the town.
1080 A priory is built in Exeter
1086 Exeter has a population of about 2,500
1080 A priory is built in Exeter
1136 During a civil war Extern castle is besieged
1435 Almshouses are built in Exeter
1500 The population of Exeter is about 8,000
1538 Henry VIII closes the priory
1549 During a rebellion rebels lay siege to Exeter
1600 The population of Exeter is about 9,000
1643 During the Civil War the Royalists capture Exeter
1646 The Parliamentarians capture Exeter
1707 A newspaper is published in Exeter
1760 The streets are lit by oil lamps
1769 A bank opens in Exeter. Assembly rooms also open
1778 Devon and Exeter Hospital is built
1784 Eastgate is demolished as it impedes traffic
1801 Exeter has a population of about 20,000
1815 West Gate and Water Gate are demolished
1832 Cholera kills 440 people
1868 St Michael's Church is built
1882 Horse drawn trams run in the streets of Exeter
1901The population of Exeter is about 50,000
1905 All horse drawn trams are replaced by electric ones
1914 The population of Exeter is about 60,000
1931 The last tram runs in Exeter as they are replaced by buses
1942 The Germans bomb Exeter
1955 Exeter University is founded
1967 Northcott Theatre is opened
1977 Guildhall Shopping Centre opens
1986 Harlequins Shopping Centre opens
2001 The population of Exeter is about 111,000