Sixteenth century Portsmouth

Portsmouth in the 1500s was a small settlement centred around the harbour mouth and the Camber, the area now known as Old Portsmouth. It was surrounded by strong fortifications and had only ‘one fair street’, the High Street, which was the only one even partially cobbled. Other familiar streets today, such as Penny Street and St Thomas’s Street were in existence but only as small, muddy and rutted lanes. Although the population would have fluctuated enormously, the number of permanent residents was probably no more than 1,000. They would have made their living by farming, fishing and trades such a tallow and glove makers, tailors, coopers, brewers and carpenters. There were many open spaces within the walls often used to keep livestock.