History of Bath TIMELINE
860 – 500 BC – Legend of King Bladdud/Bladud (Father of King Lear/Leir) founded Bath (Kaerbadum or Caervaddon – Anglo Saxon) after being cured of leprosy.50 AD – Roman Temple built.The temple was dedicated to Sul, a Celtic god and Minerva the Roman goddess of healing.Public Baths built.60-70 – Town called Aqua Sulis (Waters of Sul) built up.Late 2nd Century – Earth ditch built round city.3rd Century – Stonewall built around city.
407 – Final romans leave Britain. 557 – Saxons win Battle of Dyrham. They capture Bath, Cirencester and Gloucester. 9th Century – Alfred created the Burghs (Boroughs) and Bath was on such Burgh. 973 Edgar, the first king of all England was crowned in Bath. 1088 Rebels burn Bath but it is soon rebuilt 1189 Bath is given a charter granting the townspeople certain rights 1499 The Bishop of Bath and Wells dreams he should rebuild Bath Abbey 1539 Henry VIII closes Bath Abbey 1590 Queen Elizabeth grants Bath a new charter 1604 The plague strikes Bath 1609 Almshouses are built in Bath 1615 A scavenger is appointed to clean the streets 1625 The plague strikes again 1633 Thatched roofs are banned because of the risk of fire 1636 The plague strikes Bath once again 1643 The plague returns 1643 During the Civil War the Royalists capture Bath 1645 The Royalists surrender Bath to the Parliamentarians 1661 Bath water is bottled and sold 1706 The first Pump Room is built. (It was replaced in 1795). 1742 A hospital opens in Bath 1754-1760 The Circus is built 1767-1774 Royal Crescent is built 1768 The first bank opens in Bath 1771 Assembly Rooms are built 1774 Pulteney Bridge is built 1795 Sydney Gardens open 1801 The population of Bath is 33,000 1805 Theatre Royal is built 1810 The Kennet and Avon Canal opens 1830 Royal Victoria Park is opened 1835 Parade Bridge is built 1849 Cholera strikes Bath 1880 Horse drawn trams run in streets of Bath. The old Roman baths are rediscovered. 1890 The first electric streetlights are switched on 1897 Henrietta Park opens 1901 The population of Bath is about 65,000 1904 Electric trams begin to run in the streets 1907 The first council houses are built 1939 Trams are replaced by buses 1942 A bombing raid kills 21 1961 The American Museum opens 1963 The Museum of Costume opens 1964 Bath University is founded 1972 Bathgate Centre opens |