Hampshire Through The Ages

Historical highlights from the region

1043

Edward the Confessor (left) is crowned in Winchester Cathedral. He reigns until his death in 1066.

1194

Richard I orders the construction of the first dock on the site of what will become Portsmouth. The oldest dry dock in the world is built here in 1495.

A letter is sent ordering the construction of the Mary Rose and sister ship the Peter Pomegranate.

1620

The Mayflower sets sail from Southampton. It will make an extended stop at Plymouth before crossing the Atlantic.

1775

Jane Austen is born on 16 December at Steventon Rectory near Basingstoke.

1812

Charles Dickens is born on 7 February in Mile End Terrace, Portsmouth.

1841

The national mapping agency Ordnance Survey moves to a new home in Southampton following a fire at its Tower of London headquarters.

1882

Arthur Conan Doyle begins his professional career as a GP at 1 Bush Villas in Portsmouth.

The Titanic sails from Southampton on 10 April. The liner sinks in the North Atlantic Ocean five days later.

1936

A prototype Spitfire designed by RJ Mitchell takes off from Southampton Airport on 5 March.

1940

During the Southampton Blitz daylight raids on the riverside Supermarine factory in Woolston result in the deaths of 110 people.