By Tim Lambert
522 The Saxons and the Celts fight a battle at Salisbury Hill
c. 1003 The Saxons start a settlement on Salisbury Hill
1069 The Saxons Normans build a fort nearby
1075 The Bishop moves his seat to the settlement
1217 The Bishop moves his seat to land south of the hill and he lays out a new settlement there.
1227 The new town of Salisbury is given a charter (a document granting the people certain rights).
c. 1244 A stone bridge is built over the Avon and the new town flourishes. The main industry in Salisbury is making wool.
1258 The main part of Salisbury Cathedral is finished
1334 The tower and spire are added to Salisbury Cathedral
c.1450 The Salisbury has a population of about 8,000 making it one of the largest towns in England.
1539 Henry VIII closes the friaries in Salisbury
1563 The plague strikes Salisbury
1600 The population of Salisbury has declined to about 7,000. During the 17th century, it declines further. The old wool industry gradually declines.
1604,1627 Plague strikes Salisbury again
1612 Salisbury is given a new charter
1644 During the Civil War Royalists capture Salisbury in October 1644. In December Parliamentary troops capture Salisbury.
1645 In January the Royalists capture Salisbury again
1655 During the reign of Oliver Cromwell a royalist uprising takes place centred on Salisbury
1701 Mompesson House is built. Salisbury has dwindled to being a market town.
1715 Salisbury gains its first newspaper
1723 There is an outbreak of smallpox in Salisbury
1737 A body of men is formed with powers to pave, clean, and light the streets of Salisbury
1752 There is another outbreak of smallpox in Salisbury
1774 An infirmary is built in Salisbury
1777 A theatre opens in Salisbury
1801 Salisbury has a population of 7,668
1833 Salisbury gains gas light
1847 The railway reaches Salisbury
1849 Cholera kills 192 people in Salisbury
1860 Salisbury Museum is founded
1901 Salisbury has a population of 17,000
1908 A cinema opens in Salisbury
1968 Old George Mall opens in Salisbury
Old George Mall
1975 A new library opens in Salisbury
1976 A new swimming pool opens in Salisbury
1982 The Redcoats Museum opens
1986 The Maltings Shopping Centre opens
1998 Wilton Shopping Village opens
2001 The population of Salisbury is 39,000