By Tim Lambert
Early 12th Century
The bishop of Lincoln builds a castle and turns Banbury into a town
1154
Banbury has an annual fair
Early 13th Century
Banbury has a population of about 1,300
Late 13th Century
A new suburb is built at Newlands. Banbury is famous for its cloth.
1300
The population of Banbury has risen to about 1,600
1319
A cattle market is held in Broad Lane
1329
Banbury has 2 annual fairs
1348-49
The Black Death strikes
1441
A sheep market is held at the east end of High Street. Banbury is known for its cheese.
1554
Banbury is made a self-governing borough. Wool is still the main industry in the town.
1573
Banbury has its own jail
1586
Banbury cakes are first mentioned
1600
The population of Banbury is still only about 1,600
1608
There is a weekly wool market in Banbury. The town has its own gallows
1628
Banbury is devastated by a fire
1642
Banbury Castle is occupied by Royalists
1646
Parliamentarians capture Banbury Castle
1648
Banbury Castle is demolished
1750
Banbury is growing larger and it is famous for weaving cloth
1793
St Marys Church is demolished
1817
The last stone gate around Banbury is removed
1801
Banbury has a population of 3,810
1825
A group of men called Paving Commissioners are formed to pave and light the streets of Banbury (with oil lamps).
1832
Cholera strikes Banbury
1833
Gas light replaces oil lamps for street lights
1836
The first police force is formed in Banbury
1848
Cholera strikes Banbury
1850
The railway reaches Banbury
1851
The population of Banbury reaches 8,206
1854
Banbury Water Company is formed
1857
A corn exchange is built in Banbury
1869
A swimming baths opened in Banbury
1870
A volunteer fire brigade is formed in Banbury
1871
Smallpox breaks out in Banbury
1872
Horton Infirmary opens
1884
A School of Art and Science opens in Banbury
1899
The first telephone line in Banbury is installed
1901
Banbury has a population of 10,012. The first electricity generating station opens.
1909
The last factory making plush (a form of cloth) in Banbury closes
1916
The first cinema in Banbury opens
1919
The Peoples Park opens. Motor buses begin running to Banbury. The council begins building houses.
1931
An aluminium smelting plant opens in Banbury
1933
Moors Recreation Ground opens
1968
A museum opens in Banbury
1974
Castle Shopping Centre opens
1998
Banbury cattle market closes
2005
A statue of a fine lady on a white horse is unveiled