By Tim Lambert
c. 70
The Romans build a town on the site of Bitterne
407
The Roman army leaves Britain. Afterward, Roman towns are abandoned
690-700
The Saxon King Ine builds a new town on the site of St Mary’s Church
c. 950
The town declines as the Itchen silts up and it is eventually abandoned. A much smaller town is built south of Bargate.
1066
After the Norman Conquest Normans settle in Southampton. The Normans build a castle in the town.
c. 1217
The mayor of Southampton is first mentioned
c. 1237
Friars arrive in Southampton
c. 1250
A suburb grows up in Newtown
c. 1260-1300
Stone walls are built around Southampton
1338
The French attack Southampton
c 1500
Southampton is in decline. The port is less and less busy.
1541
Despite the economic decline, Southampton is described as ‘handsome’.
1554
A grammar school opens
1563
Plague strikes Southampton
1567
Belgian Protestants settle in Southampton
1581
Plague strikes Southampton again
1596
A survey shows Southampton has a population of 4,200
1600
Southampton is described as a ‘decayed’ port
1618
The king sells Southampton Castle, which is now in ruins
1700
Southampton has dwindled from being a major port and town to being a ‘decayed’ port
1750
Prince Frederick goes swimming in the sea at Southampton and the town starts to revive
1761
Assembly Rooms open
c. 1770
Southampton grows north of Bargate. The streets are paved and cleaned.
1778
Southampton gains its first bank
1782
The streets of Southampton are lit by oil lamps
c. 1801
The population of Southampton is about 8,000.
c. 1820
The port of Southampton is reviving strongly
1822
A paddle steamer begins running between Southampton and the Isle of Wight
1823
Paddle steamers begin running to France
1829
The streets of Southampton are lit by gas
1838
The Royal South Hants Hospital opens
1840
The railway reaches Southampton
1849
Cholera kills 240 people in Southampton
1860
Many new houses are built in Shirley as Southampton grows
1865
Cholera kills 151 people in Southampton
1879
Horse drawn trams begin running in Southampton
1889
The first public library opens in Southampton. The first electric street lights are switched on in the town.
1900
The trams in Southampton are electrified
1919
Cunard makes Southampton the terminus of their Atlantic service. The first motor buses run in Southampton.
1920
The boundaries of Southampton are extended
1923
A flying boat service to the Channel Islands begins
1932-39
Southampton Civic Centre is built
World War II
641 people are killed by bombs in Southampton
1949
The last tram runs in Southampton
1954
The boundaries of Southampton are extended again
1964
Southampton is made a city
1988
Merchants House Museum opens
1989
Bargate Shopping Centre opens
1991
Marlands Shopping Centre opens
1996
An Oceanography Centre opens
2000
West Quay Shopping Centre opens
