A TIMELINE OF BANBURY HISTORY
By Tim Lambert
c. 1125 The Lord of the Manor turns the village of Banbury into a town. He divides the land into plots for building and starts a market.
C. 1225 Banbury has a population of about 1,300
1154 Banbury has an annual fair as well as a market
C. 1275 A suburb called Newlands is built and the population of Banbury rises to about 1,600
1329 Banbury now has 2 fairs
1339 As well as a general market Banbury now has a cattle market in Broad Lane
1349 Banbury is decimated by the Black Death but the population soon recovers
1441 Banbury has a sheep market
1554 Banbury is made a self-governing borough. Banbury is also given its own MP.
1586 Banbury cakes are first mentioned but Banbury still only has a population of about 1,600
1608 Banbury gains a mayor
1628 Banbury is badly damaged by a fire
1646 Parliamentarian troops capture Banbury Castle
1688 Banbury Castle is destroyed
c. 1750 Banbury is famous for weaving plush, a kind of cloth. It was also famous for cheese and brewing.
1790 The Oxford-Coventry Canal opens
1793 The Church of St Marys is rebuilt
1801 Banbury has a population of 3,810
1825 Paving Commissioners are formed to pave and light the streets of Banbury with oil lamps
1833 Banbury gains gas light
1838 Banbury gains its first newspaper
1850 The railway reaches Banbury. The plush industry goes into sharp decline. Cheese making also declines.
1852-57 Sewers are dug under Banbury
1854 A company is formed to provide piped water
1869 A swimming baths opens
1871 Smallpox strikes Banbury
1899 The first telephone line in Banbury begins operating
Banbury Cross
1901 Banbury has a population of 10,012. The first electricity is generated in Banbury.
1916 The first cinema opens in Banbury.
1919 The council begins building council houses
1919 The council begins building council houses
1930 Corset making begins in Banbury
1933 Moors Recreation Ground opens
1961 Horton Maternity Hospital opened in 1961
1968 A museum opens in Banbury
1974 Castle Shopping Centre opens
1990 The M40 reaches Banbury
1998 Banbury cattle market closes