Origins and Middle Ages
Evidence clearly suggests that the origins of the city of Portsmouth stem from the settlement at Portchester, which is thought to have been built in 491 BC.
It was not until 286 AD that the area was referred to as a naval base when the Romans sent an ensign to suppress piracy in the region. A rebellion followed which was swiftly suppressed by the Romans, and, realising the strategic qualities of Portchester, it was developed as a naval station.
Although a charter for Portsmouth prior to 1194 has never been found, there is reason to believe that one was granted by King Henry I in 1106, which would later be surrendered to King Richard I in 1194 for a new charter.
The foundation of Portsmouth itself is attributed to a wealthy French merchant and landowner named Jean De Gisors (John of Gisors) in 1180, when he donated land for the construction of a chapel dedicated to the martyr Thomas Beckett on Portsea Island.
The town of Portsmouth grew steadily, with the construction of the “Domus Dei” (House of God) in 1212, which was similar to a hospital run by monks.
By the early 14th century Portsmouth had a mayor, elected by the merchants, but was sacked and burned several times during the war with France.
It was not until after the last of these raids in 1380 that the town was fortified, with the construction of the ‘Round Tower’ in 1418.
The murder of the Bishop of Chichester in Portsmouth in 1449 resulted in the “Greater Excommunication” of Portsmouth, which meant that no mass or other sacraments could be performed. It was not until 1508 that this Excommunication was lifted.
The “Square Tower” was built in 1494 by Henry VII to further strengthen the fortifications of the town, and along with it in 1495 the country’s first known dry dock was constructed on the King’s orders, founding Portsmouth as a naval port.
Tudor Portsmouth
In the early to mid 16th century King Henry VIII built much to expand Portsmouth, including 4 breweries in 1513 to supply the navy, an extension of the existing dockyard in 1527 and Southsea Castle in 1544.
As the French fleet approached in 1545 the Mary Rose, flagship of the English navy, sank in the solent before it could engage the French. The remains of the ship would later be raised and preserved in 1982.
An outbreak of the plague in 1563 significantly reduced the population and
due to other dockyards being built, particularly on the Thames, Portsmouth experienced a decline in growth in the late 16th and early 17th century.
Evidence clearly suggests that the origins of the city of Portsmouth stem from the settlement at Portchester, which is thought to have been built in 491 BC.
It was not until 286 AD that the area was referred to as a naval base when the Romans sent an ensign to suppress piracy in the region. A rebellion followed which was swiftly suppressed by the Romans, and, realising the strategic qualities of Portchester, it was developed as a naval station.
Although a charter for Portsmouth prior to 1194 has never been found, there is reason to believe that one was granted by King Henry I in 1106, which would later be surrendered to King Richard I in 1194 for a new charter.
The foundation of Portsmouth itself is attributed to a wealthy French merchant and landowner named Jean De Gisors (John of Gisors) in 1180, when he donated land for the construction of a chapel dedicated to the martyr Thomas Beckett on Portsea Island.
The town of Portsmouth grew steadily, with the construction of the “Domus Dei” (House of God) in 1212, which was similar to a hospital run by monks.
By the early 14th century Portsmouth had a mayor, elected by the merchants, but was sacked and burned several times during the war with France.
It was not until after the last of these raids in 1380 that the town was fortified, with the construction of the ‘Round Tower’ in 1418.
The murder of the Bishop of Chichester in Portsmouth in 1449 resulted in the “Greater Excommunication” of Portsmouth, which meant that no mass or other sacraments could be performed. It was not until 1508 that this Excommunication was lifted.
The “Square Tower” was built in 1494 by Henry VII to further strengthen the fortifications of the town, and along with it in 1495 the country’s first known dry dock was constructed on the King’s orders, founding Portsmouth as a naval port.
Tudor Portsmouth
In the early to mid 16th century King Henry VIII built much to expand Portsmouth, including 4 breweries in 1513 to supply the navy, an extension of the existing dockyard in 1527 and Southsea Castle in 1544.
As the French fleet approached in 1545 the Mary Rose, flagship of the English navy, sank in the solent before it could engage the French. The remains of the ship would later be raised and preserved in 1982.
An outbreak of the plague in 1563 significantly reduced the population and
due to other dockyards being built, particularly on the Thames, Portsmouth experienced a decline in growth in the late 16th and early 17th century.
TR
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