A TIMELINE OF CHELMSFORD
By Tim Lambert
1st Century The Romans build a town called Caesaromagus
2nd Century The Roman town reaches a peak
407 AD The Roman army leaves Britain. Afterwards Roman towns are abandoned.
c. 1100 The Bishop of London builds a bridge across the River Can
1199 The Bishop obtains permission to hold weekly markets by the bridge. As a result a town grows up at Chelmsford.
1201 The king grants permission for an annual fair at Chelmsford. The main industry in the town is making wool.
1430 William Caleys is burned in Chelmsford for heresy
1551 A grammar school is founded in Chelmsford
1603 Plague strikes Chelmsford
1666 Plague breaks out in Chelmsford again
1700 Chelmsford has a population of about 3,000
1789 Improvement Commissioners are formed to pave, clean and light the streets of Chelmsford
1791 Shire Hall is built
1797 The Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation opens
1801 Chelmsford has a population of nearly 3,800
1819 The streets of Chelmsford are lit by gas
1832 Chelmsford is truck by cholera
1835 A museum opens
1843 The railway reaches Chelmsford
1883 The Chelmsford and Essex Hospital opens
1894 Central Park opens
1901 Chelmsford has a population of nearly 22,000
1906 A library opens
1914 Chelmsford church is made a cathedral
1923 A war memorial is unveiled
1962 Civic Theatre opens
1971 The population of Chelmsford is 58,000. High Chelmer Shopping Centre opens
1973 The Essex Regiment Museum opens
1982 Cramphorn Theatre opens