Local Histories

By Tim Lambert 913 A burh or fortified settlement is founded at Stafford 1000 Stafford is a flourishing little town with its own mint 1070 William the Conqueror builds a castle at Stafford 1200 Stafford has a population of about 1,000 1206 King John gives Stafford a charter. Stafford is a busy little town with… Continue reading A Timeline of Stafford

By Tim Lambert 904 The little market town of Taunton is given a charter (a document granting the people certain rights) 1086 Taunton has a population of about 1,500. It has 3 watermills. 1111 Taunton suffers a severe fire but it is rebuilt C. 1125 A priory is built in Taunton 1138 The Bishop of… Continue reading A Timeline of Taunton

By Tim Lambert 6th century The Saxons found a village at Walsall 1220 A weekly market begins in Walsall and it turns into a busy little town. Walsall also has annual fairs. 1339 Walsall is allowed 2 annual fairs. Walsall is a little town with a population of about 1,500. 1554 A grammar school opens… Continue reading A Timeline of Walsall

By Tim Lambert The 12th century A small town grows up by a castle at Newcastle Under Lyme 1251 Newcastle Under Lyme is given a charter 1277 Dominican friars (called blackfriars) arrive in Newcastle Under Lyme 1354 Newcastle Under Lyme sends MPs to parliament 1380 A nail-making industry exists in Newcastle Under Lyme. However, it… Continue reading A Timeline of Newcastle Under Lyme

By Tim Lambert Late 9th Century Danes conquer eastern England and turn the village of Hamm tun into a fortified town 914 The name Northampton is first recorded. Northampton is a flourishing market town. 1010 The Danes burn Northampton 1086 Northampton has a population of about 1,500 1189 Northampton is given a charter (a document… Continue reading A Timeline of Northampton

By Tim Lambert Late 9th Century Alfred the Great creates a fortified settlement at Oxford 911 Oxford is first mentioned in writing. It is a small but flourishing market town. 1009 The Danes burn Oxford 1018 A conference is held at Oxford following a dispute over who is king of England 1072 The Normans build… Continue reading A Timeline of Oxford

By Tim Lambert 871 The Danes capture the settlement at Reading 1006 The Danes burn Reading 1086 Reading has a population of about 600 1125 Henry I builds Reading Abbey 1320 Reading has a population of around 1,300 1500 Making cloth is the main industry in Reading 1539 Henry VIII closes Reading Abbey 1550 Reading… Continue reading A Timeline of Reading, Berkshire

By Tim Lambert 850 Kingston is a Saxon village with royal connections 900 Edward the Elder is crowned in Kingston 925 Athelstan is crowned in Kingston 940 Edmund is crowned in Kingston 946 Edred is crowned in Kingston 955 Edward is crowned in Kingston 971 Edward the Martyr is crowned in Kingston 1066 Kingston is… Continue reading A Timeline of Kingston Upon Thames

By Tim Lambert 669 The Bishop of Mercia makes his seat at Lichfield 12th Century The Bishop of Chester founds a new town at Lichfield 1237 Franciscan friars arrive in Lichfield 1291 Lichfield is badly damaged by a fire but it is rebuilt. Lichfield is a small town with a population of about 1,500. 1424 Milleys Hospital is built at… Continue reading A Timeline of Lichfield