A History of Chester

During the Roman occupation of Britain a fortress  was constructed this was called Deva and was built in 79AD. (this fort was built of wood)
This fort was built in the territory that belonged to the Cornovii tribe and was built by Legion II Adiutrix.
Legion II Adiutrix was replaced by another Legion afterwards, this was Legion XX Valeria Victrix.

100AD the fort was reconstructed out of stone.
During the third century AD the fort was again reconstructed.
380AD Chester was abandoned by the Romans.
During the 5th and 6th centuries Chester was in fact part of the Welsh Kingdom of Powys.
603AD Meeting with St Augustine and the British Bishops  at (Urbs Legion) Chester.
7th Century Chester became part of the Kingdom of Mercia.
616 Battle of Chester.
At this stage it isi thought that Chester got its name Saxons called any group of Roman buildings a Ceaster hence over time Chester.
689 St John’s church founded by Ethelred of Mercia.
907 Aethelflaed founds a burgh at Chester (burgh meaning a fortified place)
924 Chester revolts against English rule. (put down by Edward the Elder)
980 Vikings attack Chester.

1016 Chester destroyed by Edmund Ironside and Earl Uhtred of Northumbria.
1059 Edwin becomes last Saxon Earl of Chester.
1070 William the Conqueror visits Chester.
1070 Gherbod the Fleming first Norman Earl of Chester. Died before taking up role.
1070 Castle begun
1070 County Palatine established, this meant that the Earl was given Royal powers and privileges.
1071 Hugh of Avaranches Earl of Chester.
1075 St John’s church rebuilt as Cathedral by Bishop Peter.
1092 Hugh Lupus Second Earl of Chester.
1092 St Werburghs Church refounded as a Benedictine abbey.
1140 Fire in Chester.
1150 St Mary’s Nunnery founded (now site of Police Headquarters)
1180 Major fire.
1190 St John’s hospital founded (now site of blue coat school)
1227 William the Clerk first known Major of Chester.
1245 Henry III visits Chester.
1254 Prince Edward (later Edward I) becomes first royal Earl of Chester.
1277 King Edward I uses Chester as base for conquest of Wales.
1292 New outer gateway built Chester castle.

1301 From this time the Kings oldest Son eas always the Earl of Chester.
At around this time craftsmen sold their wares from a room at the front of the house, in Chester bedrock is only a short distance under the soil so cellars were built on it, but these were partly above ground so craftsmen sold their wares from balconies above these cellars on the first floor this is the origin of the Chester Rows.
1323 Water Tower and spur wall built to protect Harbour.
1349 Black Death arrived in Chester.
1375 First known performance of the Chester mystery play.
1403 Order issued expelling all Welsh from Chester.
1499 Dee bridge built of stone.
1506 Henry VII grants Chester its “Great Charter”.
1508 St Ursula’s Hospital founded.
1517 Plague arrives.
1540 First races at Roodee.
1541 St Werburgh’s Abbey becomes Chester Cathedral.
1541 King’s school founded by Henry VIII.
1552 Plague again visits Chester.
1591 Stanley Palace built.

1603 Plague devastates Chester.
1643 First attacks by Parliamentarians repulsed.
1646 City surrenders to Parliamentary forces.
1646 Cathedral and Bishop abolished.
1647 The Plague again arrives in Chester.
1652 Gods Providence House (Almshouse) was built.
1660 Cathedral and Bishop re established.
1688 First book to be printed in Chester “Academy of Armory”.
1696 The great re coinage supervised by Edmund Halley (Astronomer) at Chester Castle. Silver coins melted down and re issued as milled coins.

1717 Blue Coat School built on site of St John’s Hospital.
1745 Gun batteries built at Chester Castle.
1773 First Theatre opens.
1775 Chester Chronicle established.
1779 First canals built.
1785 First Hotel built “Royal Hotel”.
1788 The beginning of the rebuilding of Chester Castle.

1801 Chester had a population of 15,000 (First census)
1817 First grandstand built at Roodee.
1818 Chester Castle building completed.
1832 Grosvenor bridge opened by Princess Victoria.
1839 Chester College opens.
1840 Railways arrive.
1869 Town Hall opened by Prince of Wales.
1879 Trams arrive.
1896 Electric lighting.
1899 Eastgate Clock erected.

1901 Population of 38,000.
1909 First Cinema.
1923 Suspension bridge built across the Dee.
1929 Roman Amphitheatre unearthed.
1931 Chester Zoo opens.

1965 Grosvenor Shopping Centre.
1966 Start of the inner ring road.
1973 Forum Shopping Precinct.
1979 Chester’s 1900th Anniversary.
1991 New Magistrates Courts opened.
1998 500th Anniversary of Midsummer Watch Parades.
2000 Chester Festival Trail.
Population is today approx 120,000.

With the best of intention all of the above information is true, correct and given in good faith, however, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within the above.

Equally we recommend that should you need or want to find out more you should conduct more detailed independant research.