By Tim Lambert
1st Century AD The Romans take over an Iron Age settlement and build a town at Canterbury
407 The Romans leave Britain and afterward, Canterbury is probably abandoned
603 Canterbury is chosen to be the seat of the first archbishop
630 Canterbury is a flourishing little town with its own mint
851 Canterbury is raided by the Danes
1011 The Danes burn most of Canterbury
1067 Canterbury Cathedral burns down and has to be rebuilt
1170 Archbishop Thomas Becket is murdered
1174 Canterbury Cathedral burns down again and has to be rebuilt again
1190 Eastbridge Hospital is built as a shelter for pilgrims
1380 Canterbury flourishes because of the wool industry
1507 The Old Weavers House is built
1564 Christopher Marlowe is born in Canterbury
1567 Weavers from what is now Belgium arrive in Canterbury
1599 Jesus Hospital is built
1750 Canterbury has dwindled to being a quiet market town
1787 A body of men is formed to pave, clean, and light the streets of Canterbury
1790 Dane John Gardens are laid out. A hospital opens in Cathedral
1830 The railway reaches Canterbury
1867 An art school opens. Canterbury remains a quiet market town. The Industrial Revolution passes it by.
1906 Westgate Museum opens. Canterbury slowly grows larger.
Second World War In Canterbury 115 people are killed by bombs.
1962 Canterbury University is built
1982 Canterbury bypass is built
1985 Marlowe Arcade opens
1994 The Roman Museum opens
1997 Canterbury Castle opens to the public
2005 Whitefriars Shopping Centre is completed
