William the Conqueror

William of Normandy was familiar with Portsmouth. In approximately 1070 he granted the Manor of Froddington (Fratton) to William de Warrene, and in 1086 William himself left Portsmouth Harbour for Normandy with his fleet. William was renown for his administrative prowess and at his instigation a survey of this new kingdom, commonly now known as the Domesday book, was completed. This identified Portchester Castle, already providing a safe haven in the harbour, and settlements in Buckland, Copnor and Fratton. The total population of Britain at this time was a mere two million, with around 50,000 living in what is now Hampshire.

Support from Royalty

‘You are a wonderful people; we are very proud of Portsmouth’. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visiting the City during the Blitz. They made an extensive tour of the bombed areas, stopping to talk to those affected and offering words of comfort. They were given a heartfelt reception.

‘The grandest scenes perhaps ever witnessed’

This is how the local paper summed up the visit of the Allied Sovereigns to Portsmouth in 1814. After 20 years of war with France, national celebrations for the recent safe despatch of Napoleon to Elba took place not in London, but the country’s premier naval port, Portsmouth. For the duration of the visit on 22 – 25 June, Portsmouth became host to not only the Prince Regent, the Emperor of Russia, the King of Prussia and the Duke of Wellington but also a of number more minor princelings and militarists. The eyes of the known world were upon Portsmouth. The festivities were impressive. A flotilla of over 1000 boats reviewed the Fleet, state dinners occurred at Government House during which ‘every delicacy in and out of season was served’, a grand ball held at the Crown Inn, the ancient keys of the town were presented to His Royal Highness and the Governors House, then in the High Street, had an innovative display of variegated lights spelling the word, Peace. All of this was met with an enthusiastic response from the townspeople who formed cheering crowds at every turn. A local newspaper thankfully reported that ‘not a life was lost during the bustle’ and ‘the military and the populace behaved extremely orderly and well’. Despite their success, these revels proved premature. Napoleon escaped resulting ultimately in the Battle of Waterloo which was fought the following year.

An unusual marketing tool

'Come to Sunny Southsea where the death rate is only nine per 1000’ Portsmouth and Southsea Official Guide Book 1908

Charters

That Portsmouth has prospered over the centuries is a credit to generations of aspirational, committed and capable civic leaders. A series of 24 royal charters have been granted, after strong lobbying and usually payment, which gradually granted the town control of its own finances, rights to trade, the ability to hold its own court and its market. These were given under the great seal of eighteen differing sovereigns. The first charter was given by Richard I in 1194, actually signed in the town showing special favour, and the last is dated 1974 confirming the privileges of the Lord Mayor following the 1972 Local Government Act. Of the 24, an extraordinary 13 survive in the City’s archives with 12 of those being kept in permanent civic ownership; the thirteenth was rescued from a sale at Sotheby’s in 1904. These enduring and tangible testaments to past civic pride are on permanent display, including one for 1313, in the Mayor’s Parlour in the Guildhall.

Cholera in Portsmouth

160 years ago in the summer of 1849, Portsmouth was in the grip of an epidemic. Hundreds perhaps thousands of the population, particularly children, were first feeling giddy, then a prickling sensation in their limbs before their nails became blackened and more serious symptoms followed. Often an unpleasant death was not far behind and subsequent burials of at least 700 inhabitants took place in the churchyard of St Mary’s alone. This was the third outbreak the town had suffered and there was little understanding of the cause (infected water). However, this instance enabled the more enlightened members of society to recognise the strong correlation between the disease and the dreadful sanitary circumstances endured by many of the population. Nevertheless conditions barely improved until 1863 when the relatively new Council took some responsibility for public health.

Hapless Harold

Did you know that Portsmouth was due to play an important part in the great invasion of 1066? King Harold kitted out an extraordinary 700 ships to cruise the Solent and ward off a threat of attack by William of Normandy, better known as William the Conqueror. Sadly for Harold, false intelligence prompted him to disband this fleet shortly before William invaded at Hastings thus altering the course of British history entirely.

Dr Una Mulvany

One of the most inspiring women in Portsmouth’s history was honoured last year by the unveiling of a plaque. Dr Una Mulvany was born in Portsmouth and after training joined her father as a doctor in Fratton. It was, however, during the Blitz that she showed immense bravery by risking her life during every bombing raid to tend to the civilian injured. She came on duty immediately the bombs began to fall without waiting to be called, often putting herself in great danger, and her cheerfulness and kindness gave welcome comfort to many. Dr Mulvany was awarded an M.B.E. by George VI. A plaque in commemoration is situated in Cumberland Street, Southsea. The City's record office has details of this and many other war time awards.

What a view...

‘From the top of Portsmouth-hill, where we soon arrived we had a view grander in its kind than perhaps any part of the globe can exhibit. Beneath our feet lay a large extent of marshy ground, which covered with water where the tides flow high, and ordered with innumerable islands and peninsulas. About a mile from the eye, this marsh is joined by the island of Portsea, distinguished by its peculiar fertility and the luxuriance of its woods among which the Town of Portsmouth appears to rise at the distance of five miles.’ Rev William Gilpin, 1774

Esteemed visitors

Portsmouth is often overshadowed by the reputation of more elegant past watering holes. During the Victorian period however it was the scene of distinguished social activity. Visitors were well served by the large, some ancient, hotels situated in the High Street. For example one week in 1839, The George, hosted Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, Lord Adlophus Fitzclarence, the Earl of Dundonald, Viscount Exmouth, Viscount Ingestrie, Lord Henry Clinton, Lord and Lady Francis Edgerton and many other influential guests. In addition, a few weeks later a party of European princes arrived directly from Buckingham Palace to stay at the same hostelry.

Different Times

Imagine an era when the church clocks didn’t match those at the station or time in Portsmouth was different to that in London. The coming of the railway to Portsmouth had some far reaching and surprising effects. In 1848, the Portsmouth town council debated the need for locals clocks to match London time ‘so as to be correspondent with the time kept at the railway station’. It was agreed and the times have matched ever since.

Shopping for a Queen

In the Victorian era, the High Street in Portsmouth was a shopping district of enviable reputation. No less than five retailers had in 1842 been granted royal patronage: Emanuel Emanuel was goldsmith to Queen Victoria Mr Davis sold music to the royal family Mr Sayers sold wine to her majesty Mr Hay was both the Queen’s and her mothers operative chemist while Mr Chamney was the royal fancy bread and biscuit maker.

Franz Liszt

On 17 August 1840, the inhabitants of Portsmouth could pay six shillings to see a concert by the world famous pianist Franz Liszt at the Theatre Royal. He was accompanied by a varied programme of singers and composers. The Theatre Royal stood at the top of the High Street on the site now occupied by the Grammar School.

Turner promenading the walls

The enormous walls of Portsmouth were not merely used as protection. The artist, J M W Turner, in 1849 commented that the fortifications were used ‘as an agreeable lounge and promenade, and afford every varying views of the shipping and surrounding scenery’. Other contemporary accounts mention the walks lined with fine elms and military bands playing every night. The majority of the fortifications were removed in the 1860s.

Birth of a literary giant, Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens, one of England’s literary giants, was born in Portsmouth on 7 February 1812. He was the son of John Dickens, a pay clerk in the Dockyard and his wife Elizabeth. John and Elizabeth occupied a comfortable home at 387 Mile End Terrace, now 393 Old Commercial Road. Their house somehow survived the subsequent devastation of Portsmouth and is preserved in the care of Portsmouth City Museums and Records Service. To find out more, or take a virtual tour, visit their website: http://www.charlesdickensbirthplace.co.uk/

Formidable Fortifications

It is hard to imagine now that Portsmouth was for centuries surrounded by huge bastions and moats. It was in fact arguably the most fortified settlement in Europe. Portsmouth has through every historical era been of paramount strategic importance leading to the necessity for such strong protection. The earliest surviving fortifications are the Round and Square Towers which were built in 1417 and 1495 respectively and which still guard the harbour mouth today. The fortifications were extensively renovated and extended during the reign of Elizabeth 1 at a cost of £200,000. This enormous sum was partly funded by the first national lottery.

Support for Shop Workers

Concern for working conditions runs deep in Portsmouth. No, not the dockyard workers or the terrible conditions of the stay workers, in the 1840s it was the plight of the shop workers which was troubling the ruling classes. Commonly expected to work from early morning until late in the evening, standing for hours on end, snatching meals in short breaks and living in cramped conditions under their employer’s roof, their lives were hard. The Hampshire Telegraph was moved to comment: ‘Is it just that a class of respectable and deserving young men should be deprived of the time so necessary for air and exercise to say nothing of improvement that is enjoyed by mechanics of every good grade, because these who wish to purchase goods procrastinate the time for doing so to an unreasonably late hour in the evening.’ A Dr Meadows, in a speech to concerned inhabitants at the Beneficial Hall, went further by stating that they were at risk of a premature grave and that not one of them would qualify by insurance. In order to remedy this situation the snappily named ‘Borough of Portsmouth Association for Shortening the Hours of Business’ was formed. This was followed by the ‘Portsea Island Assistant Tradesmen’s Early Closing Association’ under the august patronage of the Bishop of Winchester in 1846. Although several resolutions were put forward, the struggle for better working conditions continued throughout the rest of the century with limited success.

The Mint

It was not until 1809 that building began in earnest in Southsea. Until this date development had been hindered by the huge earthworks that surrounded both Portsmouth and Portsea. Landport Terrace in Southsea was quickly followed by Stone, Gold, Silver and Steel Streets, locally known for obvious reasons as The Mint. Very little is know about the entrepreneurial builder, Thomas Croxton, who was not a native of the town and left shortly after the development was completed. However the maps of the early 1800s call this early development Croxton Town. These maps can be viewed at the City Museum and Record Office or the Central library.

Introduction and a huge welcome

Hello I have had a burning passion for the history of Portsmouth since I was a small child. I have tried hard to find an outlet to share this with little success. This blog includes random facts and interesting snippets that I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy sharing.