Portsmouth was founded in about 1180 by the merchant Jean de Gisors, and Richard I gave it its first royal charter in 1194. Its dockyard grew until, by around 1800, it was the largest industrial site in the world. Nelson sailed from here to command the fleet at Trafalgar in 1805, Portsmouth became a city in 1926, and its harbour was a vital embarkation point for D-Day in 1944.
Oldest first
Newest first
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Romans
AD 43 – 410
Late 200s
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A Roman fort
In the late 3rd century the Romans built a fort called Portus Adurni at nearby Portchester. Today it is called Portchester Castle.
From the records: “The Romans built Portus Adurni (now called Portchester Castle), a fort, at nearby Portchester in the late 3rd century.”
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Anglo-Saxons and Vikings
410 – 1066
800s
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Portesmūða
The Oxford Dictionary of British Place Names gives the Anglo-Saxon name 'Portesmūða' in the 9th century. It means 'mouth of the harbour called Portus', from Latin.
From the records: “However, the Oxford Dictionary of British Place Names gives the Anglo-Saxon name "Portesmūða" as late as the 9th century, meaning "mouth [of the harbour called] Portus" (from Latin).”
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Middle Ages
1066 – 1485
1086
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Not in the Domesday Book
Portsmouth isn't in the Domesday Book of 1086, but Buckland, Copnor and Fratton are, under the names Bocheland, Copenore and Frodentone.
From the records: “Although Portsmouth was not mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book, Bocheland (Buckland), Copenore (Copnor), and Frodentone (Fratton) were.”
About 1180
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Jean de Gisors founds Portsmouth
Portsmouth was founded in about 1180 by the Anglo-Norman merchant Jean de Gisors (John of Gisors), in the south-west of Portsea Island. That area is now known as Old Portsmouth.
From the records: “Portsmouth was founded c. 1180 by Anglo-Norman merchant Jean de Gisors in the south-west area of Portsea Island, a location now known as Old Portsmouth.”
1181
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The first church
John of Gisors gave an acre of land to Augustinian monks at Southwick Priory to build a chapel dedicated to Thomas Becket. It was Portsmouth's first real church.
From the records: “While in the primary diocese of Portsea there was a small church prior to 1166 (now St Mary's in Fratton) Portsmouth's first real church came into being in 1181 when John of Gisors granted an acre (4,000 m2) of land to Augustinian monks at the Southwick Priory to build a chapel dedicated to Thomas Becket.”
1189
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Richard I arrives
After King Henry II died in 1189, his son Richard I came to Portsmouth on his way to his coronation in London.
From the records: “King Henry II died in 1189; his son, Richard I (who had spent most of his life in France), arrived in Portsmouth en route to his coronation in London.”
1194
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The first royal charter
On 2 May 1194 Richard I gave Portsmouth its first royal charter. It allowed a fifteen-day fair every year, weekly markets on Thursdays and a local court for minor matters. That year Richard, back from captivity in Austria, called an army and a fleet of 100 ships to the port.
From the records: “Portsmouth was established as a town with a royal charter on 2 May 1194.”
1212
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The first docks
William of Wrotham began the first docks in 1212. In the same year Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester, founded the Royal Garrison Church.
From the records: “The first docks were begun by William of Wrotham in 1212, and John summoned his earls, barons, and military advisers to plan an invasion of Normandy.”
1426
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The Round Tower
A wooden Round Tower was built at the mouth of the harbour. It was finished in 1426.
From the records: “Recognising the town's growing importance, he ordered a wooden Round Tower to be built at the mouth of the harbour; it was completed in 1426.”
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Tudors and Stuarts
1485 – 1714
1494
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Stone walls and the Square Tower
Henry VII rebuilt the town's defences in stone, helped build a dry dock and raised the Square Tower in 1494.
From the records: “Henry VII rebuilt the fortifications with stone, assisted Robert Brygandine and Sir Reginald Bray in the construction of a dry dock, which is the world's oldest still in operation, and raised the Square Tower in 1494.”
1497
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The Sweepstake
The Sweepstake, built in 1497, is the first warship recorded as built in the town.
From the records: “Although King Alfred may have used Portsmouth to build ships as early as the ninth century, the first warship recorded as constructed in the town was the Sweepstake (built in 1497).”
1539–1544
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Southsea Castle
Henry VIII built Southsea Castle, paid for by the Dissolution of the Monasteries, to help defend the Solent and Portsmouth Harbour against a French invasion. The records give two different years for it: 1539 and 1544. Southsea is named after it.
From the records: “Henry VIII built Southsea Castle, financed by the Dissolution of the Monasteries, in 1539 in anticipation of a French invasion.”
1545
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The Mary Rose sinks
From Southsea Castle, Henry VIII watched his flagship, the Mary Rose, sink in action against the French fleet at the Battle of the Solent in 1545. About 500 people lost their lives.
From the records: “From Southsea Castle, Henry witnessed his flagship Mary Rose sink in action against the French fleet in the 1545 Battle of the Solent with the loss of about 500 lives.”
1563
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Plague
In 1563 an outbreak of plague killed about 300 of the town's 2,000 people.
From the records: “The town experienced an outbreak of plague in 1563, which killed about 300 of its 2,000 inhabitants.”
1642
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The Siege of Portsmouth
In the English Civil War, Portsmouth was held at first by the royalists. It fell to Parliament after the Siege of Portsmouth in September 1642.
From the records: “During the English Civil War, the city was initially held by the royalist faction before falling to parliament after the Siege of Portsmouth in September 1642.”
1662
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A royal wedding
After the Restoration, King Charles II married Catherine of Braganza at the Royal Garrison Church on 14 May 1662.
From the records: “After the Restoration, Charles II married Catherine of Braganza at the Royal Garrison Church on 14 May 1662.”
1665–1685
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New walls and moats
In 1665 Charles II ordered Bernard de Gomme to begin rebuilding Portsmouth's fortifications. Between 1667 and 1685 new walls with bastions were built and two moats were dug, making Portsmouth one of the world's most heavily fortified places.
From the records: “In 1665, Charles II of England ordered Bernard de Gomme to begin the reconstruction of Portsmouth's fortifications a process which was to take many years.”
1698
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The Great Stone Dock
The Great Stone Dock was built in 1698 and rebuilt in 1769. Now called No. 5 Dock, it is the world's oldest dry dock still in use.
From the records: “Portsmouth has the world's oldest dry dock currently in use, "The Great Stone Dock"; originally built in 1698, rebuilt in 1769 and presently known as "No.5 Dock".”
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Georgians
1714 – 1837
1732
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Portsmouth Grammar School
Portsmouth Grammar School, the city's oldest independent school, was founded in 1732.
From the records: “Portsmouth Grammar School, the city's oldest independent school, was founded in 1732.”
1787
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The First Fleet
On 13 May 1787 the 11 ships of the First Fleet left Portsmouth Harbour for Australia, taking the first British settlers there. It was the beginning of prisoner transportation. The fleet reached Botany Bay on 18 January 1788.
From the records: “On 13 May 1787 the First Fleet of ships left Portsmouth Harbour bound for Australia, taking the first British settlers there.”
About 1800
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The biggest industrial site
By the turn of the 19th century, Portsmouth was the largest industrial site in the world. It had 8,000 workers.
From the records: “By the turn of the 19th century, Portsmouth was the largest industrial site in the world; it had a workforce of 8,000, and an annual budget of £570,000.”
1805
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Nelson sails to Trafalgar
On 14 September 1805 Horatio Nelson left Portsmouth to command the fleet that won the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October.
From the records: “On 14 September 1805, Vice-Admiral of the White Horatio Nelson left Portsmouth to command the fleet which won the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October.”
1808
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Against the slave trade
In 1808 the Navy's West Africa Squadron, whose job was to stop the Atlantic slave trade, began working from Portsmouth.
From the records: “The Navy's West Africa Squadron, tasked with halting the Atlantic slave trade, began operating out of Portsmouth in 1808.”
1818
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The first ragged school
In 1818 John Pounds began teaching working-class children in the country's first ragged school.
From the records: “In 1818, John Pounds began teaching working-class children in the country's first ragged school.”
1820
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Gas street lights
Gas street lighting was put in throughout Portsmouth in 1820, and in Old Portsmouth three years later.
From the records: “The Portsea Improvement Commissioners installed gas street lighting throughout Portsmouth in 1820, followed by Old Portsmouth three years later.”
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Victorians
1837 – 1901
After 1859
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The Palmerston Forts
After a war scare between Britain and France in 1859, a network of forts, the Palmerston Forts, was built around the town to defend British military bases from an attack from inland.
From the records: “A network of forts, known as the Palmerston Forts, was built around the town as part of a programme led by Prime Minister Lord Palmerston to defend British military bases from an inland attack following an Anglo-French war scare in 1859.”
1861
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Clarence Pier
Clarence Pier in Southsea opened in 1861. It was named after Lord Frederick FitzClarence, Portsmouth's military governor.
From the records: “Clarence Pier, opened in 1861 by the Prince and Princess of Wales, was named after Portsmouth military governor Lord Frederick FitzClarence and was described as "one of the largest amusement parks on the south coast".”
1865–1870
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Sewers
Between 1865 and 1870 the council built sewers, after more than 800 people died in a cholera epidemic.
From the records: “Between 1865 and 1870, the council built sewers after more than 800 people died in a cholera epidemic; according to a by-law, any house within 100 feet (30 m) of a sewer had to be connected to it.”
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The World Wars
1901 – 1945
1906
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HMS Dreadnought
HMS Dreadnought was launched from Portsmouth Dockyard in 1906.
From the records: “In 1906, HMS Dreadnought was launched from Portsmouth Dockyard.”
1916
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A Zeppelin raid
On 1 October 1916, during the First World War, Portsmouth was bombed by a Zeppelin airship. It was Portsmouth's first bombing from the air.
From the records: “On 1 October 1916, Portsmouth was bombed by a Zeppelin airship.”
1922
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HMS Victory in dry dock
In 1922 HMS Victory was put in a permanent dry dock, when the Society for Nautical Research led a national appeal to restore her. 22 million people have visited the ship.
From the records: “The Victory was placed in a permanent dry dock in 1922 when the Society for Nautical Research led a national appeal to restore her, and 22 million people have visited the ship.”
1926
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Portsmouth becomes a city
Portsmouth became a city on 21 April 1926, after a long campaign by the borough council.
From the records: “Portsmouth achieved city status on 21 April 1926.”
1940–1944
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Air raids
Portsmouth had 67 air raids between July 1940 and May 1944. They destroyed 6,625 houses and badly damaged 6,549 more.
From the records: “Portsmouth experienced 67 air raids between July 1940 and May 1944, which destroyed 6,625 houses and severely damaged 6,549.”
1944
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D-Day
Portsmouth Harbour was a vital military embarkation point for the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944.
From the records: “Portsmouth Harbour was a vital military embarkation point for the 6 June 1944 D-Day landings.”
1945–1947
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Prefab houses
More than 700 prefab houses were built between 1945 and 1947, some on bomb sites.
From the records: “More than 700 prefab houses were constructed between 1945 and 1947, some over bomb sites.”
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Modern times
Since 1945
1971–1982
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The Mary Rose is raised
The remains of Henry VIII's flagship, the Mary Rose, were found again on the seabed in 1971. In 1982 she was raised and brought to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. One-third of her hull survives, and it has been on display in a museum since May 2013.
From the records: “The remains of Henry VIII's flagship, Mary Rose, was rediscovered on the seabed in 1971.”
1987
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HMS Warrior comes to Portsmouth
HMS Warrior was the world's first armour-plated, iron-hulled warship when she was launched in 1860. She was restored and moved to Portsmouth in June 1987.
From the records: “HMS Warrior, the world's first armour-plated, iron-hulled warship when she was launched in 1860.”
1992
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The University of Portsmouth
The University of Portsmouth was founded in 1992 from Portsmouth Polytechnic. In 2016 it had 20,000 students.
From the records: “The University of Portsmouth was founded in 1992 as a new university from Portsmouth Polytechnic; in 2016, it had 20,000 students.”
2001
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Gunwharf Quays
The shore establishment HMS Vernon closed on 1 April 1996. Its site became Gunwharf Quays, with homes, outlet stores, restaurants, pubs, cafés and a cinema, which opened in 2001.
From the records: “HMS Vernon was closed on 1 April 1996 and was redeveloped by Portsmouth City Council as Gunwharf Quays, a mixed residential and retail site with outlet stores, restaurants, pubs, cafés and a cinema.”
2005
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The Spinnaker Tower
The Spinnaker Tower at Gunwharf Quays, 168 metres (552 feet) tall, was finished in the summer of 2005.
From the records: “Construction of the Spinnaker Tower began in 2001, and was completed in the summer of 2005.”