Timeline of Exeter
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The following is a
timeline A timeline is a display of a list of events in chronological order. It is typically a graphic design showing a long bar labelled with dates paralleling it, and usually contemporaneous events. Timelines can use any suitable scale represen ...
of the
history History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...
of the
city A city is a human settlement of notable size.Goodall, B. (1987) ''The Penguin Dictionary of Human Geography''. London: Penguin.Kuper, A. and Kuper, J., eds (1996) ''The Social Science Encyclopedia''. 2nd edition. London: Routledge. It can be def ...
of Exeter,
Devon Devon ( , historically known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South West England. The most populous settlement in Devon is the city of Plymouth, followed by Devon's county town, the city of Exeter. Devo ...
, England.


Prior to 16th century

* 250 BC – Goods traded with Roman coins * 45 CE –
Romans Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy * Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *''Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
in power (approximate date). * 55 – Roman fort established in
Isca Dumnoniorum Isca Dumnoniorum, also known simply as Isca, was originally a Roman legionary fortress for the Second Augustan Legion (established ) in the Roman province of Britannia at the site of present-day Exeter in Devon. The town grew up around this ...
(approximate date). * 380 –
Roman Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
occupation ends (approximate date). * 600 –
Saxons The Saxons ( la, Saxones, german: Sachsen, ang, Seaxan, osx, Sahson, nds, Sassen, nl, Saksen) were a group of Germanic * * * * peoples whose name was given in the early Middle Ages to a large country (Old Saxony, la, Saxonia) near the Nor ...
arrive (approximate date). * 868 –
Monastery A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone ( hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer whi ...
founded by Ethelred. * 876 – Danes occupy town.
/ref> * 893 – Town besieged by Danes again. * 900 – Market active. * 927 – Athelstan evicts the Cornish from Exeter (and perhaps the rest of
Devon Devon ( , historically known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South West England. The most populous settlement in Devon is the city of Plymouth, followed by Devon's county town, the city of Exeter. Devo ...
), according to
William of Malmesbury William of Malmesbury ( la, Willelmus Malmesbiriensis; ) was the foremost English historian of the 12th century. He has been ranked among the most talented English historians since Bede. Modern historian C. Warren Hollister described him as " ...
, writing around 1120. * 932 – Monastery founded by Athelstan. * 1003 – Exeter sacked by forces of
Sweyn Sweyn is a Scandinavian masculine given name which may refer to: Kings: * Sweyn Forkbeard (960–1014), King of Denmark, England, and Norway as Sweyn I * Sweyn or Svein Knutsson (c. 1016–1035), King of Norway as Sweyn II * Sweyn II of Denmark (10 ...
of Denmark. * 1048 – Episcopal see relocated to Exeter from Crediton. * 1050 – Leofric becomes bishop of Exeter. * 1067 – Exeter besieged by forces of
William the Conqueror William I; ang, WillelmI (Bates ''William the Conqueror'' p. 33– 9 September 1087), usually known as William the Conqueror and sometimes William the Bastard, was the first House of Normandy, Norman List of English monarchs#House of Norman ...
. * 1068 –
Rougemont Castle Rougemont Castle, also known as Exeter Castle, is the historic castle of the city of Exeter, Devon, England. It was built into the northern corner of the Roman city walls starting in or shortly after the year 1068, following Exeter's rebellion ...
built (approximate date). * 1087 – Benedictine Priory of St Nicholas founded. * 1130 – Exeter fair active. * 1136 – Exeter besieged by forces of
Stephen, King of England Stephen (1092 or 1096 – 25 October 1154), often referred to as Stephen of Blois, was King of England from 22 December 1135 to his death in 1154. He was Count of Boulogne ''jure uxoris'' from 1125 until 1147 and Duke of Normandy from 1135 unti ...
. * 1190 -
Old Exe Bridge The Old Exe Bridge is a ruined medieval arch bridge in Exeter in south west England. Construction of the bridge began in 1190, and was completed by 1214. The bridge is the oldest surviving bridge of its size in England and the oldest bridge in ...
construction began. * 1207 – Mayor in office. * 1214 - Old Exe Bridge construction finished (approximate). * 1236 – Nunnery founded. * 1400 – Exeter Cathedral built (approximate date). * 1466 - Tailors’ trade gild incorporated. * 1468/70 -
Exeter Guildhall Exeter Guildhall on the High Street of Exeter, Devon, England has been the centre of civic government for the city for at least 600 years. Much of the fabric of the building is medieval, though the elaborate frontage was added in the 1590s ...
current building constructed. * 1482 - Tailors’ trade gild dissolved on the petition of the burgesses. * 1490 – Company of Weavers and Fullers incorporated. * 1497 – City besieged by forces of Perkin Warbeck.


16th–18th centuries

* 1536 ** City becomes a county corporate. ** Monastery disbanded. * 1556 – Society of Merchant Adventurers incorporated. * 1564 –
Exeter Ship Canal The Exeter Ship Canal, also known as the Exeter Canal is a canal leading from (and beside) the River Exe to Exeter Quay in the city of Exeter, Devon, England. It was first constructed in the 1560s predating the "canal mania" period and is one o ...
construction begins. * 1593 –
Guildhall A guildhall, also known as a "guild hall" or "guild house", is a historical building originally used for tax collecting by municipalities or merchants in Great Britain and the Low Countries. These buildings commonly become town halls and in som ...
rebuilt. * 1595 – Michael Harte bookseller in business. * 1612 –
Northernhay Gardens Northernhay Gardens are located in Exeter, Devon, England, on the northern side of Rougemont Castle. They are the oldest public open space in England, being originally laid out in 1612 as a pleasure walk for Exeter residents. The gardens are G ...
laid out. * 1633 – Exeter Free Grammar School opens. * 1643 – September: City taken by forces of
Charles I of England Charles I (19 November 1600 – 30 January 1649) was King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. He was born into the House of Stuart as the second son of King James VI of Scotland, but after hi ...
. * 1646 – April: Parliamentarians in power. * 1664 – St Stephen's Church built. * 1681 – Custom House built on the Quay. * 1688 – November:
William III of England William III (William Henry; ; 4 November 16508 March 1702), also widely known as William of Orange, was the sovereign Prince of Orange from birth, Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel in the Dutch Republic f ...
visits city. * 1696 – Mint established. * 1714 – ''Exeter Mercury'' newspaper begins publication. * 1743 –
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (commonly referred to as RD&E), and with a main site sometimes known as Wonford Hospital, is a large teaching hospital situated in Exeter, Devon, England, and is run by the Royal Devon University Healthcare N ...
opened. * 1760 – George's Meeting ( Unitarian) built. * 1763 – '' Trewman's Exeter Flying Post'' newspaper in publication. * 1764 –
Exeter Synagogue Exeter Synagogue is in Synagogue Place, Mary Arches Street within the old city of Exeter, Devon, and is the third oldest synagogue in the United Kingdom. Originally built as a Sephardi synagogue for Dutch Jews trading in Exeter, it is now a s ...
consecrated. * 1778 – Bridge rebuilt. * 1783 – Gilbert Dyer's circulating library in business. * 1792 – ''Exeter Gazette'' newspaper begins publication.


19th century

* 1813 **
Devon and Exeter Institution The Devon and Exeter Institution is a subscription library in the City of Exeter, Devon, founded in 1813 for "The general diffusion of science, literature and the arts". It is situated at 7, Cathedral Close, Exeter, in a building facing the nort ...
founded. ** ''Exeter Western Luminary'' begins publication. * 1814 ** Iron Footbridge built. ** Exeter Medical Library founded. * 1821 – ''Besley's Exeter News'' begins publication. * 1823 – Cholera epidemic. * 1825 ** Mechanics' Institution opens. ** Chichester Place laid out. * 1832 – Veitch
plant nursery A nursery is a place where plants are propagated and grown to a desired size. Mostly the plants concerned are for gardening, forestry or conservation biology, rather than agriculture. They include retail nurseries, which sell to the general p ...
in business. * 1835 – Athenaeum instituted. * 1837 – Catacombs built. * 1840 – Exeter Diocesan Training College opens. * 1842 – Church of St Andrew built. * 1844 – Bristol and Exeter Railway begins operating to
Exeter St Davids railway station Exeter St Davids is the principal railway station serving the city of Exeter in Devon, England. It is from the zero point at on the line through Bristol which continues to Plymouth and Penzance. It is also served by an alternative route to ...
. * 1847 – Polytechnic Institution founded. * 1848 – South Devon Railway begins operating from Exeter St Davids station. * 1852 -
Exeter and South Devon Volunteers The Exeter & South Devon Volunteers was the premier unit of Britain's Volunteer Force. Formed in 1852 it went on to become a battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. Both its active service battalions went to garrison India on the outbreak of the F ...
formed. * 1853 –
Prison A prison, also known as a jail, gaol (dated, standard English, Australian, and historically in Canada), penitentiary (American English and Canadian English), detention center (or detention centre outside the US), correction center, corre ...
built. * 1854 –
School of Art An art school is an educational institution with a primary focus on the visual arts, including fine art – especially illustration, painting, photography, sculpture, and graphic design. Art schools can offer elementary, secondary, post-second ...
founded. * 1860 –
London and South Western Railway The London and South Western Railway (LSWR, sometimes written L&SWR) was a railway company in England from 1838 to 1922. Originating as the London and Southampton Railway, its network extended to Dorchester and Weymouth, to Salisbury, Exeter ...
begins operating to Exeter Queen Street station. * 1862 – Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature, and Art established. * 1867 – November: Economic unrest. * 1870 –
Royal Albert Memorial Museum Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) is a museum and art gallery in Exeter, Devon, the largest in the city. It holds significant and diverse collections in areas such as zoology, anthropology, fine art, local and overseas archaeolo ...
established. * 1882 – Horse-drawn tram begins operating. * 1884 – 18 November: Sacred Heart Church opened. * 1887 – 5 September: Theatre Royal burns down with 186 fatalities. * 1889 ** Theatre Royal rebuilt. ** Devon and Exeter Medico-Chirurgical Society founded. * 1896 – City of Exeter Electricity Company formed.


20th century

* 1901 – Population: 47,185. * 1904 – ''
Express & Echo The ''Express & Echo'' is a paid-for newspaper for Exeter and the surrounding area. History The ''Express & Echo'' was established in 1904 as the result of a merger between the ''Western Echo'' and the ''Devon Evening Express'', which was found ...
'' newspaper begins publication. * 1905 ** 29 March: Rebuilt Exe Bridge opened. ** 4 April:
Exeter Corporation Tramways Exeter () is a city in Devon, South West England. It is situated on the River Exe, approximately northeast of Plymouth and southwest of Bristol. In Roman Britain, Exeter was established as the base of Legio II Augusta under the personal com ...
begins operating its electric system. ** Approximate date: Devon and Cornwall Record Society established. * 1907 – Sidwell Street Methodist Church completed, a pioneering example of reinforced concrete construction by French engineer Paul Cottancin. * 1910 – Empire Electric Palace opens. * 1911 – Exeter Pictorial Record Society active. * 1914 – 7 October: First of five war emergency hospitals in requisitioned buildings in the city opens to casualties, staffed by
Voluntary Aid Detachment The Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) was a voluntary unit of civilians providing nursing care for military personnel in the United Kingdom and various other countries in the British Empire. The most important periods of operation for these units we ...
nurses. * 1916 – December: Deller's Café opens in Bedford Street. * 1937 ** Odeon Exeter cinema opens. **
Exeter Airport Exeter Airport , formerly ''Exeter International Airport'', is an international airport located at Clyst Honiton in East Devon, close to the city of Exeter and within the county of Devon, South West England. Exeter has a CAA Public Use Aero ...
opens. * 1942 – May: "
Baedeker Blitz The Baedeker Blitz or Baedeker raids were a series of aerial attacks in April and May 1942 by the German ''Luftwaffe'' on English cities during the Second World War. The name derives from Baedeker, a series of German tourist guide books, inclu ...
": Aerial bombing by the German ''
Luftwaffe The ''Luftwaffe'' () was the aerial-warfare branch of the German ''Wehrmacht'' before and during World War II. Germany's military air arms during World War I, the ''Luftstreitkräfte'' of the Imperial Army and the '' Marine-Fliegerabtei ...
'' devastates the city centre. * 1949 – 21 October: Official inauguration of construction of Princesshay, Britain's first pedestrianised shopping precinct, as part of the postwar city centre reconstruction. * 1955 –
University of Exeter , mottoeng = "We Follow the Light" , established = 1838 - St Luke's College1855 - Exeter School of Art1863 - Exeter School of Science 1955 - University of Exeter (received royal charter) , type = Public , ...
chartered. * 1960 – October: Flood. * 1963 – November: Exeter & Devon Crematorium opened. * 1964 – Devon County Hall built. * 1967 –
Northcott Theatre The Northcott Theatre is a theatre situated on the Streatham Campus of the University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, England. It opened in 1967 and was run until 2010 by the Northcott Theatre Foundation, when the company ceased operating after a p ...
opens. * 1970 – Exeter College established. * 1972 –
Barnfield Theatre The Barnfield Theatre is a theatre in Exeter, England, located near the centre of the city on Barnfield Road, Southernhay. It was originally built as the Barnfield Hall near the end of the 19th century by Exeter Literary Society, and was conver ...
established. * 1974 – Spacex (art gallery) established. * 1977 –
M5 motorway The M5 is a motorway in England linking the Midlands with the South West England, South West. It runs from junction 8 of the M6 motorway, M6 at West Bromwich near Birmingham to Exeter in Devon. Heading south-west, the M5 runs east of West Brom ...
opens. * 1997 – Douglas Centre for the History of Cinema and Popular Culture opens at University of Exeter.


21st century

* 2007 – Princesshay rebuilt. * 2008 – 22 May: Attempted bombing in Princesshay. * 2011 – Population: 117,773. * 2017 –
Exeter Chiefs Exeter Chiefs (officially Exeter Rugby Club) is an English professional rugby union club based in Exeter, Devon. They play in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby. The club was founded in 1871 and since 2006 has played its home m ...
rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In it ...
team win the Aviva Premiership. * 2021 - World War II bomb detonation.


See also

* Exeter history * Timelines of other
cities A city is a human settlement of notable size.Goodall, B. (1987) ''The Penguin Dictionary of Human Geography''. London: Penguin.Kuper, A. and Kuper, J., eds (1996) ''The Social Science Encyclopedia''. 2nd edition. London: Routledge. It can be def ...
in
South West England South West England, or the South West of England, is one of nine official regions of England. It consists of the counties of Bristol, Cornwall (including the Isles of Scilly), Dorset, Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Cities ...
: Bath,
Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...
, Plymouth


References


Bibliography


Published in 17th–18th centuries

* * * *


Published in 19th century


1800s–1840s

* * *

* * * * * * * *


1850s–1890s

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* * * *


Published in 20th century

* * * * * * * * * W. G. Hoskins. ''Industry, Trade and People in Exeter, 1688–1800'' (1935) * * W. G. Hoskins. ''Exeter" ''History Today'' (May 1951), Vol. 1 Issue 5, p28-37 online. * Aileen Fox. ''Roman Exeter'' (1952) *


Published in 21st century

* * Tim Isaac and Chris Hallam ''Secret Exeter'' (2018)


External links

* * . Includes digitised directories of Exeter, various dates * * Digital Public Library of America
Works related to Exeter
various dates {{Timelines of cities in the United Kingdom Years in England exeter Exeter-related lists Exeter