A History of Manchester

Gnaeus Julius Agricola during his campaign against the Brigantes tribe established a wooden fort at the confluence of the Rivers Irwell and Medlock in 79AD. This fort was called “Mamucium”. This is a Celtic word that means “breast shaped hill”.

The fort was rebuilt a number of times in stone becoming a permanent feature.
The reason was because it occupied a strategic position guarding the crossing of the Irwell from the South to the North leading to “Bremetennacum” (Ribchester) and onwards to Hadrian’s wall.

At the same time as another road intersected the North South road at roughly the same place going from Deva Victrix (Chester) to Eboracum (York).
So in effect it was a four way cross roads.

Some important finds have been made in and around the area evidence of a Mithraic Temple at Hulme and a Christian Word Square which is very rare.
Manchester Museum has many finds displayed.

During Saxon times there was a small settlement on the site, Saxon’s called any Roman fort or settlement a “ceaster”.

The Saxon’s called the village “Mamm” taken from the Celtic and “ceaster” as an old Roman fort hence they called the village mammceaster.
923AD St Marys church built.

1086 The Domesday book records a village called Mameceaster in the same place.
Over time this became Manchester.
In 919AD Edward the Elder instructed that the old fort be repaired and manned.
1222 Manchester was granted the right to hold an annual fair.

1301 The town of Manchester was granted a charter by Thomas de Grelly Baron of Manchester who was also Lord of the Manor of Manchester.
At this stage there was a fortified Manor which is now where Chethams School of Music is.
The De Grelly family were absentees for most of this time but came back to hunt occasionally. Hunts Bank still recalls where their kennels were.

1422 A collegiate church founded to the Blessed Virgin, St George and St Denys.
This church was being built until the 16th century, after which it became Manchester Cathedral.
1515 A Grammar School was founded in the City.

1603 The Plague arrived.
1620 Start of Fustian Weaving.
1637 Silk was woven in the town for the first time.
1642 Manchester declared for the Parliamentarians was attacked by the Royalists but the attack was repulsed.
1645 The Plague re-visits.
After the Civil War Manchester granted a seat in Parliament for the first time. Major General Charles Worsley Manchester’s first MP.
1653 Chetham’s Library opened . The first free public library I the English speaking world.
1656 Chethams Hospital founded.
1660 As a reprisal for the defence of the Parliamentarian cause Manchester was deprived of its members of Parliament. This lasted until 1832.
1694 Cross Street Chapel built.

1712 St Anne’s church built.
1719 First Newspaper appeared.
1729 A cotton exchange built.
1761 Bridgewater Canal built.
1772 Heaton Hall built.
1792 Police Commissioners were established.(Manchester Salford Police Act).
1792 Robert Grimshaw’s weaving sheds burned down at Knott Mill equipped with Cartwright Looms.

1801 First Census 70,000 population approx.
1816 First Water Company began to supply water to those who could affort to be connected.
1819 St Peter’s Field Riots. 15 Deaths (The Peterloo Riots)
1820 Manchester Chamber of Commerce founded.
1820,s first Gas street lights fitted.
1821 Manchester Guardian first published.
1821Manchester Express Coach from London begins.
1824 Manchester engineer Richard Roberts commissioned to design a self acting Mule Machine. A machine that could be operated by women and children removing the need for skilled men. This was seen as the beginning of the battle to legalise Trade Unions.
1830 Railway to Liverpool opened.
1832 Cholera 674 killed.
1835 The Borough of Manchester established.
1836 Belle Vue Leisure Gardens established.
1838 As a Local Authority which included areas of Manchester, Cheetham,Beswick,Chorlton-on-Medlock and Hulme.
1846 Manchester’s first public Parks created. Peel Park, Queens Park, Phillips Park.
1847 Church of St Mary made into a Cathedral.
1852 First public Library.
1853 108 Cotton Mills in Manchester
1853 The borough elevated to a City.
1862 The Cooperative Society founded.
1868 The first Trades Union Congress held in Manchester.
1885 More areas added. Harpurhey, Rusholme, Moss Side, Bradford and Withington.
1889 Manchester became a County Borough, although it still retained its City status.
1890 More areas added Blackley, Crumpsall, Moston, Openshaw and Newton. Clayton area part of Droylsden township and part of Gorton township.
1894 Manchester Ship Canal opened.

1901 More areas added Part of Gorton Urban District.
1903 Manchester University founded.
1903 More areas added Part of Prestwich
1904 More areas added Burnage, Didsbury and Chorton-cum-Hardy Moss Side Witington.
1909 More areas added Levenshulme and what remained of Gorton.
1910 The Ford Motor Company set up in Manchester.
1913 More area added Heaton Norris.
1931 Civil Parishes of Baguley, Northenden and Northern Etchells added
1933 More areas added Parts of Denton.
1934 Central Library built.

1969 Museum of Science and Industry opened.
1974 Metropolitan Borough of Manchester created.
1976 First part of the Arndale Centre opened completed in 1979.
1979 Museum of Transport opened.
1984 The Jewish Museum opened.
1986 The G Mex centre opened.
1992 The Metrolink started.
1998 The Trafford Centre opened.
2000 Lowery Art Centre opened.
2001 Population 438,000 approx.
2002 XVII Commonwealth Games held in the City.
2006 Beetham Tower completed.

With the best of intention all of the above information is true, correct and given in good faith, however, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within the above.

Equally we recommend that should you need or want to find out more you should conduct more detailed independant research.