The Duchess of Portsmouth

Charles II married Catherine of Braganza in Portsmouth as well as making one of his mistresses, Louise de Kerouaille, the Duchess of Portsmouth. Louise was also granted the titles of Countess Petersfield and Baroness Fareham, both nearby towns. She granted the Corporation of Portsmouth two huge silver flagons, bearing the odd motto Loyalty Everywhere, in 1683. These remain in the possession of the City Council today.

Winston becomes a Freeman

"This is an honour which I profoundly value and which I shall always cherish."

Part of Winston Churchill's acceptance speech when on 11 December 1950 he received the Freedom of Portsmouth. He had been a regular visitor to the City throughout his life.

A Year of Development

1968 was a year of exciting and controversial development that changed the landscape in Portsmouth. The redevelopment of Guildhall Square and the building of the civic offices was started (and completed eight years later), the massive but ill fated Portsdown Park development was initiated and the government gave the go-ahead for the A27 Farlington bypass to be built.

Steel Street

'A narrow, ill-ventilated street, composed of small, ill built tenements'

A description of Steel Street, Southsea in 1848