When was chelmsford established

Chelmsford History. Chelmsford Telemedia. Employment Opportunities. Housing Affordability Assistance. Photo Gallery. Staff Directory. Town Holidays. Town Ordinances. Vision and Values Statement. Walking Map. Water Districts. See Click Fix. After it was woven wool was fulled. That means it was pounded in a mixture of water and clay to clean and thicken it. In the Middle Ages, wooden hammers worked by watermills pounded wool.

When it dried the wool was dyed. In Chelmsford, there were also drapers and mercers dealers in fine cloth. In the 13th century, friars came to Chelmsford. The friars were like monks but instead of withdrawing from the world, they went out to preach. The friars in Chelmsford were Dominicans, known as black friars because of their black costumes. From the late 13th century there was also a leper hostel at Moulsham. In a man named William Caleys was burned to death in Chelmsford for heresy.

Then in , the Black Death devastated Chelmsford, like the rest of the country. The plague may have killed half the population. However, Chelmsford soon recovered. Some idea of the sanitary conditions in Chelmsford at that time can be gained from the fact that in the townspeople were forbidden to let their pigs roam the streets! However, in a grammar school was founded in Chelmsford.

Chelmsford continued to grow through the 16th century and 17th centuries. This was despite outbreaks of plague. It struck in , , , and However each time the town of Chelmsford recovered. In the early 18th century Chelmsford was described as large and populous. That was probably an exaggeration. It probably only had a population of around 3, Chelmsford was an agricultural market town rather than a manufacturing center.

At the end of the 18th century there were some improvements to Chelmsford. A new jail was built in In a man named John Johnson designed a new stone bridge. The same man built Shire Hall in Meanwhile, in , an Act of Parliament formed a body of men called Improvement Commissioners with powers to pave, clean, and light the streets of Chelmsford with oil lamps.

In a canal, the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation improved communications between Chelmsford and the rest of the country. Chelmsford was once the capital of England for a few days when the seat of Government was temporarily moved here, years ago.

It's believed that Richard II stayed in a royal manor in Writtle and issued orders to suppress the peasants' revolt of In , The Times listed Chelmsford as one of the best places to live in the UK, praising its broad appeal to foodies, culture vultures, dedicated shoppers, and anyone looking for a great education.

We concur! According to a study by food supplement manufacturer Biocare, Chelmsford is the second healthiest place to live in the UK. Not surprising when you consider the amount of social sport happening on campus, and the raft of sports facilities around the city. Hats off to you, Sir Geoff.