By Tim Lambert
50 The Romans found Worcester
407 The last Roman soldiers leave Britain. Afterward, Worcester is abandoned.
c. 650 The Saxons start a new settlement by the River Severn which they call Weorgoran ceaster
680 Worcester is given a bishop and a cathedral
c. 880 Alfred the Great makes Worcester a burgh or fortified settlement
1041 A royal tax collector is murdered at Worcester. As a result, a royal army plunders the town.
1086 Worcester has a population of about 2,000
1202 A fire devastates Worcester
1216 King John is buried in Worcester Cathedral
1218 Worcester is allowed an annual fair. The main industry in the market town is making wool.
1227 Worcester is given a charter (a document granting the people certain rights)
1400 Worcester has a population of about 4,000
1542 Kings School is founded
1561 The Royal Grammar School is given a charter by Queen Elizabeth
1621 Worcester is given a mayor
1637 Plague strikes Worcester
1643 During the Civil War the Royalists occupy Worcester. In July a parliamentary army attacks but is repulsed. Worcester remains in the Royalist’s hands until the end of the war.
1646 Worcester has a population of over 7,000 but the wool trade is declining
1651 Oliver Cromwell crushes a Scottish army at Worcester
1690 Worcester gains its first newspaper
1700 The population of Worcester is about 9,000
1723 A Guildhall is built in Worcester
1746 An infirmary is built in Worcester
1751 Porcelain manufacture begins in Worcester
1765 Worcester gains its first bank
1781 Bridge Street is built. A glove-making industry in Worcester booms.
1801 The population of Worcester is 13,000
1813 A prison is built in Salt Lane
1815 The Worcester and Birmingham Canal opens
1801 Cholera kills 79 people in Worcester
1835 Shire Hall is built. The glove industry is in steep decline.
1837 Worcester sauce is made in the town
1849 Cholera kills 49 people in Worcester
1850 The railway reaches Worcester
1880 Horse drawn trams run in the streets of Worcester
1894 Worcester gains an electricity supply
1901 The population of Worcester is 46,000
1904 Electric trams run in the streets of Worcester
1928 The trams stop running
1932 Cripplegate Park opens
1992 Crowngate Shopping Centre opens
2017 Cathedral Square Shopping Centre opens