A Timeline of Shrewsbury

By Tim Lambert

901 Shrewsbury is first mentioned

980 Shrewsbury is a market town with a mint

1069 Part of Shrewsbury is burned during a rebellion against the Normans

1083 Shrewsbury Abbey is founded

1086 Shrewsbury has a population of about 1,200

Early 12th Century King Stephen gives Shrewsbury a charter

1215 The Welsh briefly capture Shrewsbury

1348 Shrewsbury has a population of about 3,000. The leather industry in Shrewsbury flourishes.

1403 The battle of Shrewsbury is fought

c. 1450 The Abbot’s House is built

1540 Henry VIII closes Shrewsbury Abbey

1552 Shrewsbury School is built

c. 1575 Ireland’s Mansion is built

c. 1592 Owen’s Mansion is built

c. 1596 The Old Market Hall is built

1618 Rowley’s House is built

1658 Draper’s Hall is built. Shrewsbury has a population of about 6,000.

1743 An infirmary is built

c. 1750 Shrewsbury is an important stage coaching town

1792 St Chad’s Church is rebuilt

1801 The population of Shrewsbury is nearly 15,000

1821 A body of men is formed to pave, clean, and light the streets

1848 The railway reaches Shrewsbury

1856 The Roman Catholic Cathedral is built in Shrewsbury

1880 Greyfriars Bridge is built

1882 Kingsland Bridge is built

1938 Rowley’s Museum is built

1951 Castle Bridge is built

1968 Clive House Museum is built

1985 Shropshire Regimental Museum opens

1989 Darwin Shopping Centre is built

2004 Darwin Gate is built