A TIMELINE OF AMESBURY
By Tim Lambert
6th Century The Saxons found a settlement at Amesbury. It takes its name from a nearby Celtic hill fort.
10th Century Amesbury is a royal manor. The Saxons parliament called the Witan meets there twice.
979 A nunnery is founded in Amesbury
13th Century Amesbury is granted the right to hold weekly markets and annual fairs. It becomes a little market town.
1348 The population of Amesbury peaks at about 1,000. The little town is devastated by the Black Death but it soon recovers.
1540 The nunnery in Amesbury is closed by Henry VIII
1661 A new house is built on the site of the nunnery
1670 Amesbury is know for making clay pipes
1750 Amesbury has dwindled and is only a large village
1801 Amesbury has a population of only 721
1837 A workhouse is built in Amesbury.
1851 Amesbury is growing and its population is nearing 1,200
1902 The railway reaches Amesbury.
1922 Amesbury is growing rapidly and it gains an electricity supply
1936 A cinema opens in Amesbury.
1963 The railway to Amesbury closes
1970 Amesbury by-pass is built
1973 A new library is built in Amesbury
1974 A Sports hall opens in Amesbury
1976 A new police station is built in Amesbury
1997 Amesbury gains a mayor