Wallingford History Gateway

65 M years ago

Chalk is laid down and the sea subsides.

Bronze Age

Middle Bronze Age dagger and Bronze Age dirks, rapier, spearheads, axeheads were found at Wallingford Bridge. A high-status late Bronze Age (c.900-700 BC) site on a former eyot or island was found near Whitecross Farm, Winterbook at the site of the bypass bridge. This included an oak jetty on the west side of the narrow island, and a midden or tip at the southern end, which contained animal bones and pottery.

Iron Age

Iron Age sword found at Wallingford Bridge. Major fort at nearby Castle Hill, Wittenham. Coins from Late Iron Age tribes Catuvellauni, Dobunni and Attrebates found around Wallingford. South Oxfordshire Grim’s Ditch may have been an Iron Age territorial boundary.

Roman

Roman jar, finds of Roman coins date from 23 BC to AD 423. Romano-British settlement at Coldharbour Farm, Crowmarsh from 2^nd to 4^th C, with coin hoards from the 3^rd C, and a lead-lined coffin from the 4^th C. Coins were recovered from graves here.

5^th - 6^th C

Saxon burial ground from this time found in Wallingford near the site of St John’s School, containing 26 bodies, grave-jewels, such as brooches and beads, urns and pots.

Excavations show the earthen walls around the town were built in the late 9^th century. Construction of Wallingford's 9,000 feet of bank would alone have absorbed more than 120,000 man hours of labour.

King Alfred

895

Wallingford is mentioned in a charter.

915

Wallingford is described as large burh – bigger than Oxford. The Burghal Hidage lists defensive towns associated with King Alfred, including Wallingford.

10^th C

Aethelstan decrees that burghs should be allowed mint coinage. Silver pennies were minted at Wallingford during’s Edward the Peacemaker’s reign, as early as 938.

Coins minted at Wallingford

1006

Burning of Wallingford by Danes. Sweyn, King of Denmark, marches from Southampton and destroys the town by fire.

Sweyn, King of Denmark

1013

Wallingford, now rebuilt, is visited by Sweyn (father of King Cnut).

1025

Approximate date of Seal-die of Godwin and Godgytha, found at Wallingford.

1066

William the Conqueror invades England, fighting the Battle of Hastings on the 14^th October. Unable to cross the Thames at Southwark he continues westward to Wallingford, where Wigod, thane of Wallingford opens the gates to him. In December at Wallingford, the first English submissions to William take place. Archbishop Stigand of Canterbury leads a delegation of important English bishops and thanes, who surrender. By Christmas, the earls Edwin, Morcar and Waltheof, along with Archbishop Ealdred of York, have also surrendered, having ensured that their positions would be secure under the new régime. Robert D’Oilly, a favourite of William’s, marries Aldgitha, Wigod’s only daughter. At this point Wallingford has 276 houses.

William the Conquerer

1067

William commands Robert D’Oyley to build a strong castle at Wallingford.

1069

William imposes a curfew or "couvre feu" when fires had to be put out across the country at 8 pm, but Wallingford is allowed an extra hour.

1071

Wigod died. The motte and bailey of the castle is finished. Aldred of Abingdon is imprisoned in the castle, probably for his part in the rebellion of Edwin and Morcar

1077

Wallingford Priory established by Paul, Abbot of St Albans in the Church of the Holy Trinity, given by Geoffrey the Chamberlain. Robert D'Oyley is credited with supplying funds.

1086

Domesday book says there are 491 houses in Wallingford, and 22 Frenchmen living in the town, amongst about 3000 residents in total. Eight properties had been demolished to build the castle. There are 15 acres belonging to housecarls, professional Danish troops.

1139

Brien FitzCount fortifies the castle. In this year he declares himself a supporter of Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I in her battles with her cousin King Stephen, who had claimed the throne in 1135. Stephen sets siege to the castle for the first of 3 times, with two counter castles. Stephen’s garrison at Wallingford is defeated by Miles of Gloucester, and the counter castles are destroyed.

1142

A leper hospital is established in Crowmarsh, near Watery Lane, which became associated with St John's Hospice in Wallingford.

King Stephen

1146

Stephen once more attacks Wallingford, this time with Ranulf, Earl of Chester (who died in 1152).

1152

Stephen’s men take Wallingford Bridge and build a defensive wooden tower on one of two counter castles. Stephen lays siege to Brien FitzCount and Roger, Earl of Hereford, at Wallingford Castle. Roger makes peace and changes allegiance to Stephen

1153

Henry, Duke of Normandy (Matilda’s son), attacks the counter castle. He builds an earthwork around the counter castle and his forces, and captures the bridge turret. Stephen brings a large force, including his son Eustace IV, and they face Henry’s men across the bridge. William de Albini, Earl of Arundel successfully argues the futility of further fighting. A truce, known as the Treaty of Wallingford, is agreed in a discussion between Henry and Stephen over a stream. This truce lasts 5 days, but although there were minor battles, including the taking of Ipswich, a treaty confirming the agreement was written at Winchester, and signed at Westminster, following the death of Eustace (who apparently wishes to fight on). The treaty involves the destruction of Crowmarsh Castle, and recognised Henry as heir to the throne. The treaty requires Wallingford to give sureties.

Henry II

1155

Henry becomes king (Henry II), holds a Great Council in Wallingford and gives the town its charter. The Charter gives citizens of Wallingford" firm peace throughout the whole land". It exempts Wallingford from certain taxes and confirmed earlier rights. It also confers the right to have a Guild of Merchants, and bans a market in Crowmarsh.

1156

Prince William, Count of Poitiers, aged 2 dies at Wallingford Castle. He was the son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Henry II sends Nicholas of Wallingford to the Pope to get permission to invade Ireland to free it from its perceived vices.

1191

Wallingford Castle given to Archbishop of Rouen, through arrangement with King Richard I’s brother, Earl John. When Richard is at the crusades, Earl John takes possession of the castle. The king’s allies, including the Earl of Leicester, besieges it and retakes it, and it was then put in possession of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Queen Dowager.

1212

King John meets discontented barons at Wallingford, with an apparent reconciliation through the Pope’s legate.

King John

1213

John holds a meeting at Wallingford regarding exiled bishops.

1215

King John orders the extension of Wallingford Castle - the Sheriff of Berkshire calls up all men to help. This occurs in two phases, but by the end it has 3 walls and 3 moats. Wallingford is mentioned in the Magna Carta, which John is forced to sign by the barons. "If anyone holding of some escheat such as the honour of Wallingford, Nottingham, Boulogne, Lancaster, or of other escheats which are in our hands and are baronies) shall die, his heir shall give no other relief, and perform no other service to us than he would have done to the baron if that barony had been in the baron's hand; and we shall hold it in the same manner in which the baron held it."

1216

Richard Fitz Roy, illegitimate son of King John, is made constable of Wallingford Castle.

1217

Ralph of Norwich collated to deanery of Kings College at Wallingford.

1224

First reference to Hospital of John the Baptist – located at site of St John’s Green. It received a grant from Simon de Montfort.

1226

Henry III gives protection to those running the Crowmarsh lepers’ hospital during a visit to Wallingford.

Henry III

1232

Ranulph III de Blundeville Le Meschines, the Earl of Chester, (c1172-1232,) holder of the honour of Wallingford and the castle, dies at Wallingford and his heart is buried at the castle. The castle and honour given to  Prince Richard, Earl of Cornwall,  brother to Henry III,   and son of John I 'Lackland'. Richard later passes it to Edmund. The earliest municipal roll extant in the UK is from Wallingford 1231-2. It includes conveyancing of houses, rents and market stalls. William Fitzsimon had become Wallingford's first recorded mayor in 1231.

1238

After an affray between Otto, the Pope’s legate and scholars of Oxford University, Otto locks himself in a church tower in Osney, Oxford, before Henry III goes with his guards to Oxford, and conveyed Otto to Wallingford.

The Earl of Cornwall’s nuptial feast for his wedding to his second wife Senchia is held at Wallingford – Henry III was present. Death of former constable Hubert de Burgh.

1246

Prince Richard of Cornwall, son of Richard, Earl of Cornwall and Holy Roman Emperor, is born at Wallingford Castle but dies within in a month.

1249

Richard celebrates Christmas at Wallingford.

1250

Approximate date of closure of Wallingford’s Mint. Richard of Cornwall is believed to have built a stone bridge across the Thames around this time. Richard is responsible for lavish building work at Wallingford Castle including the two outer baileys.

1247-1258

John of Wallingford, writes his chronicles, which describe the St Brice’s Day massacre of the Danes, and who noted "the Danes, thanks to their habit of combing their hair every day, of bathing every Saturday and regularly changing their clothes, were able to undermine the virtue of married women and even seduce the daughters of nobles to be their mistresses." They also include a picture and a description of the elephant presented to the king of England in 1255, the first elephant seen in that country.

1256

Prince Edward is at Wallingford – the servants of his household are "a most lawless set, committed great outrages against the monks of the priory".

1264

Following the capture of the King, Wallingford surrenders to the Earl of Leicester. Prince Edward is sent to Wallingford Castle. Richard of Cornwall and Prince Edward, King Henry III's son (later Edward I) were held prisoner here by Simon de Montfort. Robert Walerand and Robert Baffingbourn, governors of Bristol, came with an army and rescued them, despite a threat to catapult Edward out of the castle on a war machine, but they are recaptured. Edward was moved to Kenilworth and escapes the following year.

Edward I

1272

With the death of Richard, the Castle passes to his son, Edmund. Earl of Cornwall, who brings his bride to Wallingford and holds a great feast for the nobility.

1276

Edward I visits Edmund at Wallingford.

1292

Birth of Richard of Wallingford, abbot of St Albans - son of a blacksmith. He designed a complex astronomical clock, which was constructed at St Albans,  though later destroyed.

Reconstruction of Richard of Wallingford's astronomical clock

1300

Death of Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, generally thought to be the founder of St Nicholas's College, within the castle. With his death, the ownership of the castle returned to the crown.

1314

Petition for Berkshire’s county jail to be moved from Wallingford to Windsor – it subsequently moved to Reading.

1307

Edward II gave the castle to his favourite, Piers Gaveston.

1307

Gaveston proclaims a tournament at Wallingford, demanding attendance of many of his opposers, and insulting them. 

1317

1326

Richard of Wallingford writes Tractatus Albionis, which describes a complex geared astrolabe with four faces.

1330

After the execution of Mortimer, Edward III takes the castle from his mother into his own hands, and then later gives Wallingford to his son, John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall.

1334

John of Eltham dies.

1335

An Act of Parliament causes the Duchy of Cornwall and all castles and honours (including Wallingford) to be bestowed on the eldest sons of the Kings of England. Richard of Wallingford writes Quadripartitum de sinibus demonstratis, the first original Latin treatise on trigonometry.

1336

Death of Richard of Wallingford.

1348-9

Black Death hits Wallingford - at least a third, and possibly one half, of the population dies. The town declined to around 44 houses, and most of the churches cease functioning.

1330-1370

1341

Approximate date of building of "The Queens Head" at Crowmarsh. It is built as an aisled hall with arch-braced ties and collars, clasped purlins, and a lower tie with knee-braces.

1381

The death of Wat Tyler

1385

1390s

1399

Thomas and Alice Chaucer's grave at Ewelme

1415

The building of the Culham and Burford bridges at Abingdon diverts traffic for Gloucester and South Wales from Wallingford, starting Wallingford’s decline.

1422

Queen Katherine, widow of Henry V, was granted Wallingford

1428

Katherine’s son Edward VI (born 1421) spends summers at Wallingford – Owain Tudor, a servant of Katherine for some years, marries Katherine

1437

On Katherine’s death, Owain Tudor is summoned to London to face charges, and although cleared, he is imprisoned at Wallingford by Lord Beaumont.

1438

A royal investigation into why Wallingford is unable to pay the fee farm tax notes the poverty in the town and that there are only 44 houses, most in poor state of repair.

1484

William of Wallingford – responsible for the Wallingford Screen at St Albans, dies.

1502

Prince Arthur dies, and so the castle passes to his brother Henry, who became King Henry VIII in 1509.

1517

The George and Dragon (now The George) opens.

1518

Henry VIII, then married to Katherine of Aragon, brings his Court to Wallingford.

1524

Wallingford Priory dissolved – so Cardinal Wolsey can build Christ’s College in Oxford. Some of the stone is bought in 1528 for use in repairing Wallingford Bridge.

1538

Wallingford Castle described as ‘sore yn ruine and for the most part defaced’

1547

St John’s Hospital is dissolved. A Bill for Wallingford Bridge is introduced to Parliament.

1548

St Nicholas's College is purchased by Christchurch College Oxford as a place of retirement "in times of sickness and visitation"

1554

Edmund Plowden, MP for Wallingford leads 38 MPs in a revolt against the reintroduction of the heresy laws, aimed at persecuting protestants. Proceedings for contempt against him are dropped.

1571

1572

1576

Thomas Digges draws a diagram showing planetary orbits round the Sun – seen as proof that he and his father developed the first reflecting telescope.

Thomas Digges's diagram of the heavens

1616

Sir Thomas Bennett of the London Company of Mercers and a native of the parish of Clapcot set up a fund to distribute £20 a year to fifteen elderly poor who were regular church attenders. There is a memorial to his father in the graveyard of All Hallows' Church, Castle Street.

1626

Charles I’s soldiers billeted at Wallingford. 5 men were pressed into service of Charles I, though one escaped. A gibbet was built in the marketplace to discourage rowdy behaviour.

Charles I

1642

Following Charles raising his standard in Nottingham against the Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentarians in the summer, Royalist forces (Colonel Blagge’s foot regiment and Lord Digby’s horse regiment) are garrisoned at Wallingford in the winter.

1643

In March there are a thousand of the King’s forces at Wallingford – they have built up the castle and constructed a drawbridge over the Thames by removing four of the arches of the old bridge. Prince Rupert himself is said to have inserted the western gate in the Kine Croft Ramparts. In April the King visits Wallingford just before his forces unsuccessfully attack Reading. He returns in October. June 18th sees the Battle of Chalgrove Field nearby – John Hampden, parliamentarian and his forces fought Prince Rupert's forces, and many Roundhead men were lost – Hampden was injured and died later.

1644

9th November 1644 King gets to Wallingford despite greater numbers 14000 to 7000, when the army refuses to chase despite Cromwell’s orders, according to diarist Thomas Juxon. Also In November, Parliamentarian Commissioners come to Wallingford, seeking the King, who is in Oxford. Parliamentarian Colonel Baxter attacks Wallingford, but is defeated.

Oliver Cromwell

1646

Following successes of the New Model Army in 1645, Royalist strongholds surrender during the summer. Around 4^th May, Captain Gibbons of Henley attacks via Crowmarsh. Wallingford Castle the only remaining Royalist site in England - it withstands a siege for 12 weeks, but surrenders after negotiation on 27th July to Sir Thomas Fairfax. Prince Maurice and Prince Rupert were allowed to ride out during the siege. Adjutant-General Arthur Evelyn was made Governor of the Castle and Garison of Wallingford. Judge Jenkins is committed as a prisoner to Wallingford.

1648

The castle is in use as a munitions store for the New Model Army

1652

November 18^th Cromwell orders the destruction of the castle

1653

Tower of St Mary-Le-More built (probably using stones from the castle) by Will Loader, a former mayor who had been deposed for supporting Charles.

Will Loader's mark on the tower of St Mary-Le-More (Wallingford Museum)

1659

Free school established by Walter Bigg, of the Merchant Taylors.

1668

1670

Town Hall built. This was also the year that Wallingford, Connecticut, USA, is established by Puritans from New Haven.

1671

Wardens set on Wallingford Bridge to keep Crowmarsh and Newnham people out, because of the plague.

1675

Fire destroys many buildings in Wallingford

1681

Almshouses are established by William Angier and his sister Mary in Reading Road.

1701

Jethro Tull invents the seed drill at Howbery Farm, Crowmarsh.

1704

St Leonard’s Church reopened, following serious damage during the Civil War.

1706-7

A smallpox epidemic hits Wallingford

1720

The Wells family opens Wallingford Brewery in Goldsmith's Lane.

1733

Jethro Tull publishes "The Horse-hoing husbandry" describing his research.

1734

Flood

1751

Stone arches in Wallingford bridge that had been removed during 1643 are restored by Joseph Absolon. The first turnpike road to Wallingford is constructed.

1759

Castle Priory built for William Blackstone

1764

Flood (Jan 17^th). Turnpike trust improves Shillingford to Wallingford road.

1765

Turnpiking of Wallingford-Nuffield road.

1769

St Peter’s rebuilt. William Blackstone completes his "Commentaries on the Laws of England".

1770

Flood which carries away part of the bridge.

1777

Spire added to St Peter’s, designed by Robert Taylor (who also designed 10 Downing Street and the Bank of England), paid for by William Blackstone and others. Death of George Pigot, MP for Wallingford, in prison in Madras.

Justice William Blackstone

1780

Death of William Blackstone.

1782

Work on first workhouse begins.

1784

Wallingford to Wantage road improved by turnpiking.

1797

An Act of Parliament for paving and lighting of Wallingford was passed. The Act also banned cock throwing (hurling broom handles at a tethered cockerel).

1798

Wallingford raises a volunteer company – 3 officers and 86 men - to face the Napoleonic threat.

1801

Wallingford has 362 houses and 1744 inhabitants.

1809

A flood in January takes away the central arch of the bridge, and severely damages the two on either side, which is followed by rebuilding. It is about 900 feet in length

1819

Wallingford toll-house opens on the bridge

1821

Flood (21 December)

1828

National School opened

1830

Hilliard's Brewery established in Goldsmith's Lane - it ran until 1878

1831

The population is now 2467. Richard Wilder's first foundry in Wallingford is established around this time.

1832

Wallingford lost the right to return two MPs

1834

New workhouse built

1836

The gasworks are established, on the current site of the Boathouse, next to Wallingford Bridge.

1837

Hedges family builds a house in castle grounds

1838

Chalmore Lock was built to raise water levels during the summer, opposite the site of Ferry House.

1841

The population of Wallingford is now 2824

1842

Flood (16^th Nov)

1843

Temperance Society meeting yields 80 recruits.

1850

An effigy of the pope is burned on November 5th on the Kinecroft.

1852

Flood. St Mary-le-More's church was restored.

1854

William Seymour Blackstone, grandson of Justice Blackstone and former MP for Wallingford, spends time in Oxford Castle debtors’ prison, largely over debts accumulated through construction of Howbery Park – where he never lived.

1855

"Berks and Oxon Advertiser" first printed in Wallingford by Thomas Jenkins, a liberal who ran a hairdressers. Effigy of Czar Nicholas burned on November 5th.

1856

Corn Exchange built, including arches constructed by Wilders. Pettits department store opened by Thomas Pettit. The arrival of the Berkshire Constabulary police force replaces the "constables of the watch".

1861

Population of municipal borough is 2,793. New cemetery built in Castle Street. Wallingford volunteer rifle Corp established – later fought in Boer War.

1866

Wallingford Railway Station opens to passengers.

1867

Many name changes – Fish Street became St Mary’s, Lock Lane became Croft Road, Old Moor Lane became St Johns Road, Green Tree Lane became New Road and St Peter’s Church Lane became St Peter’s St.

1869

1871

Wallingford Free Lending Library and Methodist Chapel are built. Wallingford's population is 4015.

1875

Approximate date of James Hayller buying Castle Priory. Flood which damages the bridgeside gasworks, but these are replaced by new gasworks near station, operational until 1898.

1877

Opening of Wallingford Grammar School

1880

A narrow election victory by Walter Wren for the Liberal Party is challenged by Conservative MP Edward Wells on charges which include bribery. Though the charge against Wren is not upheld the election is run again and Mr Ralli triumphs for the Liberals with an even narrower marginTolls ceased on Wallingford Bridge. John Kirby Hedges gets a permanent injunction to preserve the saxon walls, preventing a plan to build a new road through. Around this time, the cattlemarket opened in Thames Street - it also sold sheep and pigs.

1882

"Wallingford Times" established by Conservatives unhappy with political tone of “Berks & Oxon Advertiser” – it ran until 1888.

1883

Chalmore Lock removed, as mentioned in ‘Three Men and a Boat’. Much of the weir had been removed in the winter of 1881 by floating ice.

1887

A temperence hall was established.

1888

William Reginald Lybbe Powys-Lybbe dies aged 32. He had become the youngest mayor of Wallingford¸ aged 28. His son donated the Bullcroft site to the public. The merging of Wallingford Borough with the County Berks constituency meant that Wallingford no longer had its own MP.

1891

In January the river is frozen, allowing skating.

1894

Flood – damaging houses in St Leonard's Lane.

1899

Mr Tombs moves to 21-22 High Street, where he opens a Temperance Hotel.

1904

Flood

1910

Council School opened in St Johns Road. Population of Wallingford is 2700

1913-14

Working Class Dwellings built in St John’s Road – the town’s first council houses.

1914-18

The opening of the Bullcroft is postponed due to the outbreak of World War I. At least 88 men from Wallingford died in the war.

1929

Opening of Cottage Hospital, Reading Road

1934

The Regal Cinema opens. Wallingford United Football Club formed.

1936

Free Library closes

1941

"The Berks and Oxon Advertiser" ceases printing in Wallingford. The paper was printed elsewhere from 1949 until 1963.

1944

Two airmen, Wilding (US) and Andrews (Welsh), are killed when they steer their damaged plane away from Wallingford (it crashed near Watery Lane, Crowmarsh). They are commemorated in road names in Wallingford and by an obelisk.

1947

Flood

1948

The Sinodun Players amateur dramatics group is founded in Brightwell-com-Sotwell by Frances Curtis, a former Gaiety Girl.

1953

Wallingford's open-air swimming pool is opened, to be followed by a paddling pool a couple of years later. The ferry at Chalmore (at Ferry House) ceased operation.

1959

Railway closes to passenger trains

1961

Population of Wallingford almost 5000. "Wallingford Herald" begins publication.

1962

The Thames is frozen, allowing skaters to cross.

1965

Railway shut to goods trains

1967

Wallingford Rugby Club (formerly Cholsey Rugby Club) founded.

1972

Hedges family house at castle site demolished

Agatha Christie

1973

Regal Cinema shuts down. Gladys Bronwyn Stern, author, dies at Wallingford.

1974

Wallingford becomes part of Oxfordshire, rather than Berkshire. It also loses its Borough Council status, having a Town Council instead.

1976

A planning enquiry turns down applications to build on the castle site, and in the following year, Sir John Hedges gives the outer baileys to the Town Council, in what becomes Castle Gardens.

1979

Flood

A book about Rex Warner

1986

Rex Warner, author, dies in Wallingford

1990

The first Wallingford Beer and Blues Festival is held.

1993

Wallingford Bypass, with a new river crossing, opened – it had been under discussion since 1938

1995

Wallingford Town and Wallingford United football clubs merge to become AFC Wallingford.

1996

The first Wallingford Funday is held.

1999

Wallingford Castle Meadows was purchased by South Oxfordshire District Council in 1999.

2001

Paul’s Malt in Hithercroft Road, built 1958, is demolished, ending the malting industry which had been key to Wallingford for hundreds of years – with at one time at least 17 maltings in the town.

2002

The first BunkFest music festival is held.

2003

Flood

2004

Population of Wallingford now over 10,000. Wallingford Castle Meadows reopened to the public in 2004.