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Dockyard Timeline

A history in words and pictures of the Royal Dockyard Portsmouth.

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  • 0275

    275 AD Roman Period
    0275

    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
  • 0892

    892 - Portchester
    0892

    King Alfred strengthened the defences of Portchester.
  • 0897

    897 - Alfred
    0897

    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
  • 0904

    904 - Portchester
    0904

    Portchester Castle acquired by the Crown. (See 1632)
  • 0979

    979 - Portsea
    0979

    Portsea Island devastated by the Danes.
  • 0980

    980 -  Hamwic sacked by the Danes
    0980

    Hamwic, now a fortified medieval settlement called Southampton, sacked by the Danes.
  • 0998

    998 - Danes
    0998

    The Danes had returned and settled in the Isle of Wight.
  • 1066

    1066 - Harold
    1066

    King Harold (Godwineson) having seized the throne after the death of Edward the Confessor, mustered the fleet (we are told of 700 vessels.) at Portchester to cruise the Channel and ward... more information
  • 1086

    1086 - William
    1086

    William, “The Conqueror”, sailed for Normandy from Portsmouth harbour, never to return to England.
  • 1101

    1101 - Duke of Normandy
    1101

    Robert, Duke of Normandy, William “The Conquerors” eldest son and claimant to the English throne, landed at Portsmouth. After the death of William Rufus, who was killed by an arrow... more information
  • 1133

    1133 - Henry 1
    1133

    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
  • 1174

    1174 - Henry II
    1174

    Henry II embarked for Normandy in August
  • 1175

    1175 - Henry II Normandy
    1175

    Henry II returned victorious from Normandy in May.
  • 1175

    1175 - Henry Fleet
    1175

    Huge invasion fleet assembled by Henry II at Portsmouth but later disbanded.
  • 1180

    1180 - Foundation of Portsmouth
    1180

    Foundation of town of Portsmouth by Jean de Gisors (See 1194)
  • 1182

    1192 - Henry II
    1182

    Henry II made his will “by the seaside at Portsmouth” before embarking for France.
  • 1189

    1189 - Richard
    13/08/1189

    Richard, on the death of his father Henry II, hastened from France to claim the throne and landed at Portsmouth.
  • 1194

    1194 - Richard
    3/09/1194

    Richard was crowned at Westminster and after but a few months he left England to pursue his crusade to Palestine and the re-capture of Jerusalem. This Holy Crusade was beset... more information
  • 1194

    1194 - Richard Dockyard
    02/05/1194

    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
  • 1200

    1200 - King John
    1200

    King John, returning from Barfleur in February confirmed the 1194 charter. He sailed back to France in April.
  • 1201

    1201 - King John and Queen Isabella
    1201

    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
  • 1203

    1203 - King John
    1203

    King John landed here having been driven out of Normandy in December.
  • 1204

    1204 - King John
    1204

    King John landed here in April and again in May.
  • 1205

    1205 - King John
    1205

    At Whitsuntide King John assembled a large fleet and army here. He sailed in June but because of discontent amongst the nobles the expedition was abandoned.
  • 1206

    1206 - King John
    1206

    King John visited Portsmouth in May in connection with a projected expedition against la Rochelle
  • 1206

    1206 King John - Constable of Southampton
    29/04/1206

    King John orders the Constable of Southampton: As you value our honour and the peace of our kingdom, as soon as You receive these letters you are at once without... more information
  • 1212

    1212 - A Royal Dockyard is born
    20/05/1212

    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
  • 1213

    1213 - King John
    21/03/1213

    King John issued an order to assemble a fleet at Portsmouth. The fleet of 500 ships sailed on 28th May with 700 English and Flemish knights under the command of William, Earl... more information
  • 1214

    1214 - King John
    1214

    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
  • 1216

    1216 - Magna Carta
    1216

    Following Magna Carta and the start of Civil War in 1215 King John spent Whitsuntide at Portsmouth Planning to cross to France. During this year French forces landed and captured Portchester... more information
  • 1221

    1221 - Henry III
    1221

    Henry III assembled an army here to fight against the French.
  • 1224

    1224 - Principle Port of Kingdom
    1224

    Portsmouth listed as “one of the principle ports of the Kingdom”. Expedition against Poitou assembled and sailed from here.
  • 1225

    1225 - Great Ship Queen
    1225

    The Kings “great ship”, called the “Queen” based at Portsmouth until at least 1232, together with galleys.
  • 1228

    1228 - King John Dock
    1228

    King John‟s Dock damaged by storms and filled with stones. The Yard remained in use for stores and rigging but without a dock. (See 1212)
  • 1229

    1229 - Henry III
    1229

    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
  • 1230

    1230 - King Henry III
    1230

    Henry III sailed with his army for St Malo, returning in 1231. This abortive expedition failed to restore the Duchy of Normandy.
  • 1242

    1242 - King Henry III
    1242

    Henry III sailed for France and returned here in 1243.
  • 1253

    1253 - Henry III
    1253

    Henry III assembled a large army and 1,000 ships to invade France. The Queen sailed to join him from here inn 1254 at Whitsuntide.
  • 1256

    1256 - Charter Granted
    1256

    Charter granted by Henry III.
  • 1258

    1258 - Fourth Charter
    1258

    Fourth Charter granted by Henry III.
  • 1266

    1266 - Barons
    1266

    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
  • 1270

    1270 - Prince Edward
    1270

    Prince Edward sailed from Portsmouth in August on crusade.
  • 1290

    1290 - Constable of Portchester
    1290

    Henry Husse Constable of Portchester Castle became the first military Governor of Portsmouth.
  • 1293

    1293 - Battle
    1293

    ​English and French fleets met for battle in the Channel. English captured 240 Ships.
  • 1294

    1294 - Edward I
    1294

    Edward I sailed from here for France with 7,810 infantry and 895 cavalry.
  • 1295

    1295 - Channel Squadron
    1295

    The first Channel squadron was formed at Portsmouth. Sir William Leybourne appointed “Captain of the Kings Sailors and mariners”
  • 1298

    1298 - Fleet Order
    1298

    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
  • 1313

    1313 - Town Charter
    1313

    Edward II confirmed town charter.
  • 1324

    1324 - Fleet of Transporters
    1324

    Fleet of transports assembled here to take troops to Aquitaine.
  • 1326

    1326 - 50 ton ship
    1326

    All ship of 50 tons and over in ports north and west of the Thames ordered to Portsmouth.
  • 1327

    1327 - French Galleys
    1327

    In March French galleys, commanded by Nicholas Behuchet, burned Portsmouth and killed many of its people.
  • 1336

    1336 - French Sacked Portsmouth
    1336

    French sacked Portsmouth. Portsmouth appointed the rendezvous for ships to resist the French
  • 1337

    1337 - Galleys land in Portsmouth
    1337

    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
  • 1338

    1338 - Portsmouth Sacked
    1338

    French again sacked the town killing many inhabitants.
  • 1344

    1344 - Defeat Spanish Fleet
    1344

    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
  • 1346

    1346 - Edward Army
    04/06/1346

    King Edward III assembled an army of 3,000 knights, 10,000 archers, 4,000 Welsh light infantry and 3,000 support troops here. Having reviewed his fleet of 700 ships he sailed to France on 11th July, landing... more information
  • 1349

    1349 - Plague
    1349

    The plague seriously depleted the local population.
  • 1355

    1355 - Edward III
    1355

    Edward III sailed from Portchester, defeated the French, and was briefly restored to the French throne.
  • 1367

    1367 - Black Prince
    1367

    Black Prince sailed from Portchester for an expedition into Spain.
  • 1369

    1369 - Portsmouth attacked
    09/1369

    French again burned Portsmouth. English fleet sailed from Portsmouth in retaliation and sacked Limoges.
  • 1370

    1370 - Gosport Burns
    1370

    30 French vessels gain passage into Portsmouth harbour and burn Gosport.
  • 1372

    1372 - Merchant
    1372

    All merchant vessels in England and Wales ordered to assemble for the Kings service at Portsmouth.
  • 1374

    1374 - Fleet Sailed
    1374

    English fleet sailed from here to Le Havre and burned 5 ships.
  • 1377

    1377 - Portsmouth razed
    1377

    Portsmouth was razed to the ground by the invaders again, this time under Jean de Viene Admiral of France. On this occasion the inhabitants rallied and drove the Frenchmen back... more information
  • 1380

    1380 - Town Burns
    1380

    Portsmouth again burned by the French
  • 1384

    1384 - Charter Granted
    1384

    Charter granted by Richard II. Portsmouth fitted out a squadron to Harry the French, engaging the French of equal force in the Channel they took every vessel and slew all... more information
  • 1385

    1385 - Portsmouth Squadron
    1385

    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
  • 1386

    1386 - Duke of Lancaster
    1386

    Duke of Lancaster embarked with an army of 28,000 for France, leading an expedition to recover Castile in Spain. Commission appointed to survey the town defences.
  • 1396

    1396 - Portchester Castle
    1396

    Portchester Castle provided with a new Great Hall, Kitchen and private apartments to serve as a royal residence.
  • 1405

    1405 - Chart Granted
    1405

    Henry IV granted charter
  • 1415

    1415 - King Henry V
    06/07/1415

    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
  • 1416

    1416 - Blockade
    1416

    English fleet blockaded by French at Portsmouth.
  • 1417

    1417 - Round Tower Built
    1417

    Round Tower built at harbour entrance to defend the harbour and approaches
  • 1423

    1423 - Henry V
    1423

    Henry V, The Duke of Clarence and Duke of Gloucester sailed to conquer Normandy. The Kings triumphant return in 1422 became a royal progress through the Kingdom. Charter granted by Henry... more information
  • 1441

    1441 - Portchester Castle
    1441

    Portchester Castle described as in a ruinous state. By 1500 it was a total ruin. (See 286, 904, 1290,1396)
  • 1445

    1445 - Margaret
    1445

    Margaret of Anjou Landed at Portchester to marry Henry VI at Tichfield Abbey.
  • 1461

    1461 - New Charter
    1461

    Edward IV granted a new charter
  • 1474

    1474 - Troop Review
    1474

    Troop review of army of 30,000 men on Southsea Common by Edward IV
  • 1474

    1474 - Richard III charter
    1474

    Charter granted by Richard III.
  • 1489

    1489 - Henry VII charter
    1489

    Henry VII granted charter.
  • 1492

    1492 - Brewery
    1492

    Brewery ordered built by the King. Called the „Greyhound‟ it cost £145 and was probably situated in High Street.
  • 1495

    1495 - Great Excommunication
    1495

    “and in this year, the Friday the ninth of January, Master Adam Moleyns, Bishop of Chichester and Keeper of the Kings Privy Seal, whom the king sent to Portsmouth to... more information
  • 1495

    1495 - Worlds First Dry Dock
    14/07/1495

    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
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