Monday 29 January 2018

Hitchin in Hertfordshire 1268-1800

My late aunt and I made a diary of things that have happened in Hitchin through the years, from 1268-1988. I thought it would be nice to publish it online.  So here goes with the first instalment 1268-1800.

1268: Hitchin Market property of John D’ Baliol worth 10 marks

1450: 33/34 Bucklesbury erected (later The George)

1450: The Angel Vaults built (Demolished 1956)

1460: ‘Tylehousestret’ first mention by name in The Court of Rolls formed South-West boundary of medieval Hitchin

1475: Coopers Arms built on site of even older house

1490: Red Hart built, probably as an Inn

1541: Archery Butts set up – Butts Close

1559: George Chapman (translator of Homer) born

1563: Census shows 245 families living in Hitchin

1568: First lavender grown in Hitchin

1618: The modern name ‘Hitchin’ first appears in a document called ‘Hertfordshire Feet of Fines’ although still subject to variation afterwards.

1630: Red Lion Inn in Market Place

1630: Straw Plaiting first seen in Hitchin

1637: Grammar School Founded (Free School)

1650: 2000 people living in Hitchin

1665: Plague raged in every part of Hitchin

1680: First fire engine in Hitchin

1709: Lucas brewery founded

1730: Smallpox raged 158 people died. 1580 people in Hitchin

1738: Last marriage performed at Minsden Chapel

1774: Violent storm did great damage to Sun Inn

1795: Very bad flooding in Bridge Street and Sun Street

1797: Prince of Wales passed through Hitchin
  

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