Historical Southampton

Historical Southampton is probably best known for being the port from which both the Mayflower and the Titanic sailed.

Early Settlements.

St Michael's, the oldest church in Southampton

There is evidence of life in Southampton in the Stone Age, but the first recorded settlement was by the Romans between the 1st and 5th centuries in the town of Clausentum.  The Anglo-Saxons moved the centre of the town across the River Itchen to what is now the St Mary's area, this settlement being known as Hamwic or Hamtun. Hamwic was a market in the late 8th century and was the site of the Royal Mint for several Anglo Saxon Kings until it was moved to the new fortifications at Winchester, followed by important industries that were previously in Hamwic .as a result of. Viking raids on historical Southampton that disrupted trade.

Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, when it became the major port of transit between Winchester and Normandy, Southampton prospered.  Henry II was a regular visitor and it is believed that Southampton Castle was built by him. The port of Southampton was established by the 13th century, particularly for the trade of French wine and English wool. Shipbuilding had become an important industry by the Middle Ages and was to remain so for many centuries. Southampton's economy fluctuated during Tudor times.  

The Mayflower, upon which sailed the Pilgrim Fathers who founded America, set sail from here in August 1620.  This event is celebrated by the Mayflower Memorial, outside the Maritime Museum, as well as Southampton's premier theatre, The Mayflower. Since then it has been the port of embarkation for millions of emigrants.  In 1642, during the English Civil War, a Parliamentary garrison moved into Southampton.  In June 1664 the Black Death reached historical Southampton and more than 1500 people died.

In the 18th century Southampton enjoyed Royal patronage and became popular for sea bathing and as a Spa Town, which led to coaching traffic increasing in the town and giving rise to the establishment of many Coaching Inns. The town experienced major expansion during the Victorian era and The Southampton Docks Company was formed in 1835 with the first dock opening in 1842. The railway link from Southampton to London was fully opened in May 1840.
In 1842 the first ship arrived in the new Outer Dock, the first part of Southampton Docks to be built (now part of the Eastern Docks).

Southampton Football Club In1885 St Mary's (later Saints) Football Club was formed by St Mary’s Church..  St Mary’s Stadium was opened in 2001.
In 1907 - White star commenced sailings from Southampton.

Historical Southampton in the Twentieth Century

On 10th April 1912 R.M.S. "Titanic" sank on its maiden voyage. Over 1500 passengers and crew died.  The largest liner in the world, Titanic had a crew of 898, only 210 of whom survived the sinking.  As most of the crew came from Southampton, this was a particular tragedy for the city.  In just one school, 140 children lost a father, brother, cousin or uncle.  The Titanic Engineer Officers’ Memorial in East Park remembers those who died, particularly to the locals.    See the story of the Titanic at the Maritime Museum

Twentieth Century  Building  In 1913 the Mayflower Memorial was erected and in 1932 the Duke of York, later King George VI, opened the Civic Centre.  The second block, opened on 3 November 1933 by Viscount Sankey, the Lord Chancellor, was the west block, then containing the law courts.. The west block includes the famous clock tower, known colloquially at the time as Kimber's Chimney, after the former mayor. The clock tower was not part of the original design, but was added later. Before its construction, Kimber and Webber tied a balloon on the site at the proposed height, and made sure it was visible from various points in the city. Every four hours the first verse of the hymn O God, Our Help in Ages Past is played, in memory of Isaac Watts who lived in the town.

Second World War The Second World War hit Southampton particularly hard with much of the city levelled during the Blitz of November 1940. Southampton was a key target because of its general strategic importance as a major port and industrial area, and particularly because the Supermarine Spitfire was designed, developed and built in Southampton. In 1940, the Supermarine factory in Woolston was bombed, killing many and the factory was destroyed. Besides the embarkation of troops, Southampton was used for other purposes in the preparations for the Invasion of Europe and as a re-supply point for Allied Forces on mainland Europe.  Between 30 Nov and 1 Dec 1940 the heaviest air raids on the town took place.  In June 1944 the D-Day invasion fleet sailed for Normandy from Southampton, Portsmouth and other points along the coast.

Royal Charter  Southampton was granted city status by Royal Charter in 1964.
In 1968 the first ship arrived in the Container Docks, which now forms a large part of Western Docks.

Historical Southampton was  known as the gateway to the world and people have long travelled through the city on the way to distant and exotic locations. But as one of the country's foremost commercial ports, Southampton has a unique cultural heritage and a few treasures of its own to offer.