Dockyard Timeline

It was the secure location of the harbour that no doubt encouraged the Romans to build their fortress at the top end of harbour some time around 275 A.D and... more information

King Alfred stationing some of his fleet in Portsmouth Harbour and it is said that some of the vessels were built here to his own design; they were not shaped... more information

Portsea Island devastated by the Danes.

The Danes had returned and settled in the Isle of Wight.

William, “The Conqueror”, sailed for Normandy from Portsmouth harbour, never to return to England.

Henry I embarked from Portsmouth on his last expedition to Normandy. In the same year Empress Matilda landed at Portsmouth to assert her claim to the throne. 1148 Matilda fled back... more information

Henry II returned victorious from Normandy in May.

Foundation of town of Portsmouth by Jean de Gisors (See 1194)

Richard, on the death of his father Henry II, hastened from France to claim the throne and landed at Portsmouth.

King Richard granted Portsmouth its charter: in the second paragraph he states “Know that we have retained our Borough of Portsmouth in our hands, with everything pertaining to it”. Richard... more information

King John and Queen Isabella celebrated Whitsuntide in the Kings Hall (which Richard I had ordered build.) John sailed with the Queen as far as the Isle of Wight, returned... more information

King John landed here in April and again in May.

King John visited Portsmouth in May in connection with a projected expedition against la Rochelle

Geoffrey de Lucy disposed of 13 ships captured by his galleys between 25 April and 8 September. The ships carried 666 tons of wine, 936 quarters of corn, 2,640 quarters of salt and 860 salted hog carcasses.... more information

King John led an unsuccessful expedition against the French in February. Ten galleys based at Portsmouth. 1st February. The King, Queen, son Richard and niece Eleanor embarked but were delayed... more information

Henry III assembled an army here to fight against the French.

The Kings “great ship”, called the “Queen” based at Portsmouth until at least 1232, together with galleys.

Henry III granted two charters to Portsmouth. Large army assembled here but disbanded, having achieved nothing. Order for the repair of the Kings galleys at Portsmouth using 350 oaks from the... more information

Henry III sailed for France and returned here in 1243.

Charter granted by Henry III.

Barons of the Cinque Ports, jealous of the growing trade of Portsmouth and Southampton, starting seizing cargoes bound for those ports, they invaded and burned the town of Portsmouth, murdered... more information

Henry Husse Constable of Portchester Castle became the first military Governor of Portsmouth.

Edward I sailed from here for France with 7,810 infantry and 895 cavalry.

Edward I’s son, in the King’s name, issued orders to Gervase Alard of Winchelsea, Admiral of the Cinque Ports from Dover to Cornwall, to build a large galley... more information

Fleet of transports assembled here to take troops to Aquitaine.

In March French galleys, commanded by Nicholas Behuchet, burned Portsmouth and killed many of its people.

French galleys under command of Nicholas Behuchet land at Portsmouth under the cover of an English flag, landing a body of troops near Portsmouth, they plundered and burn the town... more information

Edward’s fleet attack and defeat the Spanish fleet off the Sussex coast. The Battle was known as “Les Espagnols-sur-Mer” (The Spanish at Sea) and is said to be the... more information

The plague seriously depleted the local population.

Black Prince sailed from Portchester for an expedition into Spain.

30 French vessels gain passage into Portsmouth harbour and burn Gosport.

English fleet sailed from here to Le Havre and burned 5 ships.

Portsmouth again burned by the French

Portsmouth squadron enter the Seine where they captur four vessels and four ships. Among the prizes was the barge of Sire de Clisson, which was worth 20.000 florins, and was said... more information

Portchester Castle provided with a new Great Hall, Kitchen and private apartments to serve as a royal residence.

King Henry V reviewing a fleet of 1500 vessels at Portsmouth. He later sailed for France with 2000 knights and men-at-arms and about 8000 archers to win a close run victory at the... more information

Round Tower built at harbour entrance to defend the harbour and approaches

Portchester Castle described as in a ruinous state. By 1500 it was a total ruin. (See 286, 904, 1290,1396)

Edward IV granted a new charter

Charter granted by Richard III.

Brewery ordered built by the King. Called the „Greyhound‟ it cost £145 and was probably situated in High Street.

Henry VII bought 8 acres of land to build the first dry dock in the world. The designer of the Dock was Sir Reginald Bray who was described as a sage... more information