Plymouth is known as the place where the Pilgrim Fathers departed for the New World and as the namesake of Plymouth County in Massachusetts, U.S.A. But Plymouth is much more than these; if you look closer, you’ll see that it’s a city that has a rich and colourful past and has played a big role in Britain’s history. You’ll also observe that it has a thriving economy, which is supported by different industries including the defence, retail, health, education and engineering sectors.
Year/Period
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Significant Events
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Bronze Age
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People first settled in Mount Batten. The settlement became known as Sutton (meaning ?South Town?).
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1086
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Plymouth was mentioned in the Domesday book. At the time, it was granted by the crown to the Valletort family who, in turn, gave parts of the town to the Augustinian priory.
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1254
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The areas owned by the Augustinians were granted a market charter.
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Hundred Years' War (early 14th to mid-15th century)
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Plymouth became a major target of the French mainly because of its strategic location. In 1403, the Bretons successfully burned and occupied a part of the town (the area was later named Bretonside because of these events), but the townspeople prevented them from going further.
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Late 15th century
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A ?castle quadrate? (which included four round towers that were placed at each corner) was built near the modern-day Barbican area. The structure was meant to safeguard Sutton Pool (and the ships that were based in it) from enemies. Later fortifications ? including defensive walls and artillery blockhouses ? were built to further protect Plymouth. The quadrate is now featured in the city's coat of arms.
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1600s
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Plymouth had become a home port for those who worked in the maritime trading industry. These include prominent traders like William Hawkins and Sir Francis Drake, who's considered to be the most popular resident in the area and is known for building an aqueduct to bring fresh water to Plymouth. In 1620, the town became the departure point for the Pilgrim Fathers who sailed on the Mayflower to North America. Despite its growth and success, Plymouth experienced hardships during the 1600s. It suffered from several plague outbreaks (which killed hundreds of people) and was continuously besieged by Royalists during the Civil War because it sided with the Parliamentarians.
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18th and 19th centuries
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Plymouth, along with its neighbours Devonport and Stonehouse, experienced steady growth and development. Banks, theatres, hospitals and additional docks were built in the area, and the residents traded copper, tin and other types of mineral ores. John Foulson, Robert Adam and other architects helped implement urban developments in the area, including Union Street (which connected the three towns).
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World War II
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Plymouth became one of the main targets of the Luftwaffe. In what became known as the ?Plymouth Blitz?, the city experienced vast devastation as the Germans dropped numerous bombs that killed hundreds of people and destroyed residential properties, civic buildings and shopping centres. After the war, the city created the First and Second World War Naval Memorial on the Plymouth Hoe to remember the Royal Navy members who died defending the country. Charles Church (which had been ruined by the Blitz), meanwhile, was not rebuilt to serve as a memorial to the 1,200 civilians who died during the air raids. Sir Patrick Abercrombie facilitated the Plan for Plymouth project to redevelop the city.
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