By Tim Lambert
71 AD
The Romans invade Yorkshire and build a fort on the site of York
150
A little town is thriving by the fort
c. 200
The Romans build stone wall around York, which they call Eboracum
407
The Roman army leaves Britain. Afterwards Roman civilisation breaks down.
627
York is given a bishop
850
The town of York is flourishing again
866
The Vikings conquer northern England including York
1069
The north of England rises in revolt against the Normans but William I crushes the rebels
1190
The Jews in York are massacred
1220
Work begins on York Minster
1349
Half the population of York dies in the Black Death
1368
The Merchant Adventurers Hall is built
1453
A Guildhall is built
1500
The population of York is about 10,000
1539
Henry VIII closes St Mary’s Abbey
1550-51
Plague strikes York
1557
A grammar school is founded in York
1600
The population of York is about 12,000
1604
Plague strikes York again
1631
There is another outbreak of plague
1644
York is captured by a parliamentary army
1645
Plague strikes York again
1719
The first newspaper in York is published
1736
The first theatre in York opens
1740
York County Hospital is built
1786
A scavenger is appointed to clean the streets
1788
A dispensary where the poor can obtain free medicines opens
1801
The population of York is 16,846
1824
The streets of York are lit by gas
1836
A police force is formed in York
1839
The railway reaches York
1842
A train repair workshop opens. The beginning of a railway carriage making industry.
1847
Typhus kills 403 people in York
1880
Horse drawn trams run in the streets of York
1890-95
A sewage disposal system is built
1892
York Art Gallery opens
1893
The first public library in York opens
1901
The population of York is 77,914
1935
The last trams run in York
World War II
In York 87 people are killed by bombing
1951
The first York Festival is held
1963
York University is founded
1984
The Jorvik Centre opens
1987
A ring road is built around York
1998
Monks Cross Shopping Park opens