Events in Exeter's History

Last added story 1 August 2008

Many events, big and small have taken place in Exeter through the centuries. Here is a selection of short articles on events in Exeter, with extracts from Trewman's Exeter Flying Post (FP), the Express & Echo (EE) and Illustrated London News (ILN).

1001 and 1002 - The Battle of Pinhoe and the Viking Sweyne besieges Exeter
1068 - William the Conqueror besieges Exeter

1348 - The Black Death reaches Exeter

1549 - The Prayer Book Rebellion - Lord John Russell relieves the siege of Exeter

1644 - Princess Henrietta born in Bedford House - the youngest daughter of Charles I
1646 - Civil War: the siege of Exeter ends as the Treaty of Exeter is signed at Poltimore

1741 - The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital is founded
1786 - The first Balloon ascent from Exeter by Mr St Croix FP NEW

1801 - Admiral Nelson is given the Freedom of Exeter after the Battle of the Nile FP
1810 - Work starts on building the Exeter & Crediton Canal
1832 - The Cholera outbreak of 1832 with illustrations by John Gendall
1833 - The last duel in Devon - the story of Dr Hennis and Judge Jeffcott FP
1840 - The steamship Alert sails up the Exeter canal - the first steamship to reach Exeter FP
1847 - The Atmospheric Railway designed by Brunel runs between Exeter and Newton Abbot
1848 - The first gas Balloon ascent in Exeter from Exeter Castle FP
1866 - Exeter parades its new lifeboat through the streets and tests it in the Exe ILN
1882 - The first horse tram in Exeter plus a history of the electric trams and bus service FP
1885 - The hanging of John 'Babbacombe' Lee at Exeter prison
1887 - The Theatre Royal Fire - 186 people perish in the worst theatre disaster in England
1896 to 1920 - The first cars in Exeter and early motoring FP

1911 - The 'Great' Daily Mail Circuit of Britain Air Race reaches Whipton FP
1914 - The Great War - how Exeter responded to the conflict, and the VA Hospitals FP/EE
1917 - The tram crash on the Exe Bridge with Henry Wyke's original photograph
1919 - The Victoria Hall in Queens Street burns down - includes the loss of the concert organ! EE
1936 - The Ice-Factory at Bonhay Road burns down EE NEW
1938 - Exeter Airport was opened by the Air Minister, Sir Kingsley Wood
1940 - HMS Exeter's officers and crew are given the Freedom of the City of Exeter 
1942 - The Blitz destroys Exeter during the April and May Baedeker raids
1960 - St Thomas Floods - destruction during October and December
1963 and 1964 - The Beatles entertain at the ABC, Exeter includes a BBC film interview with the Beatles
1964 and 1965 - The Rolling Stones play the ABC and Odeon EE
1974 - In September, the Monty Python Flying Circus team visited Exeter to film series four
1976 - The Onedin Line is filmed at Exeter Quay during March 1976 - a photo essay by Alan H Mazonowicz

2005 - Lt Lapenotiere's journey to London with the news of Trafalgar is re-enacted at Exeter
2007 - The Devon and Dorsets are disbanded. The Regiment takes the salute from the Duke of Kent
2007 - Debenhams last Saturday of trading in Sidwell Street