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Timeline

Over 2000 years of important dates, events and happenings in Wigan's past. Follow the time line from before B.C. up to the present day! It is my aim to document each event, I will make each date a link when I have the information.

Before B.C.   The area was occupied by Celtic brigantes and Wigan was one of their settlements.
 
A.D. 77 Agricola subdues the locals and settles down in 'Coccium'.
 
1086 Wigan part of the Newton Barony and rectors became 'Local Lords'.
 
1100 It is said that King Henry I granted a Charter of Incorporation. This would have made Wigan the oldest borough in Lancashire.
 
1245 Wigan gained the right to hold a weekly market (Mondays) and six days annual fair.
 
1246 A Charter was granted by King Henry III to John Mansel, the rector of Wigan which constituted the town a free borough.
 
1291 Pope Nicholas IV required all ecclesiastical livings to be valued and the income of Wigan Parish Church was given as £33 6s 8d.
 
1295 Parliamentary representation given to the town. Two members enter Westminster, they were William Teinterer and Henry le Bocher.
 
1314 Edward II confirms the 1246 Charter.
 
1333 Sir William Bradshaigh was killed at Newton-in-Makerfield.
 
1351 The sixth Charter of Wigan granted by Edward III.
 
1378 The seventh Charter of Wigan granted by Richard II.
 
1399 The eighth Charter of Wigan granted by Henry IV.
 
1519 Thomas Linacre became Rector of Wigan.
 
1552 An act was passed stipulating that "Lancashire Cotton" must be 22 yards long, three-quarters of a yard wide and weigh at least 30 pounds a piece.
 
1580 Francis Sherington became Mayor of Wigan and initiated a movement to found a Free Grammar School.
 
1603 Grammar School opened in Standish.
 
1619 Peter Plat, a chandler in Millgate, dug what was probably the first pit within the township, he was granted a licence by the Rector to drain water from his pit into Millgate.
 
1644 Famous siege of Lathom House.
 
1651 The Battle of Wigan Lane, last battle in Civil War.
 
1670 John Ogilby wrote that Wigan was noted for its ironworks and that pewter and pottery both flourished.
 
1675 A copper vessel containing more than 200 silver coins, ranging from AD 90 to 240, was found just beyond the northern edge of Wigan.
 
1715 Following the up-rising in Preston, Jacobite prisoners were marched through Wigan on the way to London for trial. A few were tried in Wigan, and five were publicly executed in the Market Place.
 
1720 Sir Roger Bradshaigh and Earl Barrymore, the two Wigan MPs built a new Town Hall in the Market Place.
 
1727 Canal constructed parallel to River Douglas to transport coal. Later became part of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
 
1745 The Young Pretender - Prince Charles Edward - retreating from Manchester stayed the night in Wigan, at Walmesley House in Bishopgate.
 
1767 The Leeds and Liverpool canal was projected at a cost of £260,000.
 
1770 Work started on the Leeds and Liverpool canal.
 
1796 The Wigan Dispensary was founded and this gradually developed into the Infirmary.
 
1801 Population of Wigan 10,989.
 
1822 Two Roman urns containing bones were found during excavations for the foundations of the Wigan Gas Works.
 
1829 Wigan had its first railway.
 
1835 Wigan included in Municipal Corporation Act.
 
1849 Wigan Parish Church was completely re-built in the original style, except for the Tower and Walmesley Chapel.
 
1852 Riots in Scholes largely involving the Irish element in the population severely taxed the forces of law and order.
 
1853 Wigan Observer first publshed. Previously the only local paper had been the Wigan Times.
 
1856 Lower Ince Cemetery opened.
 
1868 Moot Hall demolished.
 
1872 Coop's factory opened in Dorning Street.
 
1873 The Prince of Wales opened The Royal Albert Edward Infirmary.
 
1877 The New Market Hall was opened by the Mayor Alderman Mayhew.
 
1878 The Mesnes Park was opened by the High Sheriff of Lancashire N. Eckersley, Esq.
 
1901 Population of Wigan 89,152.
 
1913 Their majesties King George & Queen Mary visit Wigan (July 10th).
 
1922 New coat of arms granted to Wigan.
 
1930 First "Robot" traffic signals in Wigan at Standishgate and Mesnes Street Crossing.
 
1933 Mayor opens Wigan's Automatic Telephone Exchange.
 
1942 Wigan's first British Restaurant opened.
 
1947 Wigan Corporation bought Haigh Hall and Plantations from the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres for £18,000.
 
1964 Wigan Central Station closed.
 
1979 Ten men killed in an explosion at Golborne Colliery.
 
1980 Wigan Casino Club closed.
 
1986 HM The Queen opened Wigan Pier.
 
1988 Wigan oficially twinned with Angers in France.
 
1989 Death of Wigan artist J Lawrence Isherwood, aged 72.
 
1991 Princess Diana officially opened The Galleries.
 
1994 Wigan Rugby League Club win the RL Challenge Cup for the seventh year in succession.