Year
What Was Happening ?
Timeline (Prior to 1834)
At St John's
In & Around Stratford
In The Church
In The World
1110
Queen Matilda, wife of Henry I, reputedly took a tumble at the ford over the River Lee on her way to Barking Abbey, and ordered a bridge and causeway to be built. The first Bow Bridge. Bow took it's name from this distinctively bow-shaped, three-arched bridge and became known as Stratford-at-Bow to distinguish it from Stratford Langthorne on the Essex side of the river.
Henry I becomes King of England
1135
Stratford Langthorne Abbey founded by William de Montfichet for brethren of the Cistercian order, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary and All Saints.
Henry I died and Stephen became King of England
1253
Richard de Montfichet procures a charter for a market at West Ham. An annual fair of four days' duration was granted at the same time
The Domus Conversorum, a building and institution in London for Jews who had converted to Christianity, is established by King Henry III.
1264
King Henry III 'took up his abode at Stratford Abbey, while his army encamped about Ham' after marching through London British History Online (Stratford) - External Link -
1517
Luther posts his Ninety-Five Theses, seen as the beginnings of the Reformation.
Third severe epidemic of sweating sickness sweeps England killing half the population in some towns.
1529
At the Diet of Speyer, a group of rulers and independent cities protests the reinstatement of the Edict of Worms, beginning the Protestant movement.
The Turkish army under Suleiman the Magnificent is defeated at Vienna.
1533
Thomas Cranmer becomes Archbishop of Canterbury.
Henry VIII is excommunicated by Pope Clement VII, as is Archbishop Cranmer.
Henry VIII is excommunicated by Pope Clement VII, as is Archbishop Cranmer.
Ivan IV, also known as Ivan the Terrible, inherits the throne of Russia, he is three years old. He rules until his death in 1584.
1534
The Act of Supremacy finalizes the Church of England's break with the Catholic church. King Henry VIII is declared head of the church, and monasteries are suppressed.
Jacques Cartier is the first European to discover the St. Lawrence River.
1538
Stratford Langthorne Abbey dissolved.
1546
Reports of 'the Devill' seen flying over the Thames and, after being shot at, alighting at Stratford, where, despite disguising himself as a man, he was recognised by his cloven feet and set in the stocks. (William Fulke - A Goodly Gallerye (1563))
John Marbeck publishes 'The Booke of Common Praier Noted', which provides the first music in English for the Anglican liturgy.
Martin Luther Died.
1556
23 Protestant men and women burnt alive at the stake for their religious views at 'Stratford the Bowe'.
Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury, burned at the stake. Cardinal Reginald Pole Becomes Archbishop Of Canterbury
The Shaanxi Earthquake, the deadliest earthquake in history, occurs in China, up to 830,000 people are killed.
1563
Thirty-Nine Articles drafted as a doctrinal statement by a convocation of the Church of England.
John Foxe's 'Actes and Monuments of These Latter and Perillous Dayes' published in English. (Originally in Latin)
1611
King James Version of the Bible published.
George Abbot becomes Archbishop of Canterbury.
George Abbot becomes Archbishop of Canterbury.
Johannes and David Fabricius discover sunspots.
1648
Stratford was at the centre of a running battle between Royalists and Parliamentary forces. British History Online - External Link -
George Fox founds the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
The Treaties of Westphalia were signed, ending the Thirty Years' War.
1658
Richard Lee (external link), Great-great-great-grandfather of General Robert E. Lee (external link), acquires a residence in Stratford and names it 'Maryland Point', after his plantations in America, which he named 'Stratford House'.
Oliver Cromwell died and his Son, Richard, became Lord Protector of England
1734
Stratford and Hamfrith bought by John Tylney, styled Viscount Castlemaine, later Earl Tylney.
1749
Bow Porcelain factory opens in Stratford
1761
Mrs. Bonnell founds her School in Stratford
Two earthquakes in London break chimneys in Limehouse, Poplar, Hampstead and Highgate.
George III and Queen Charlotte are crowned.
George III and Queen Charlotte are crowned.
1762
The number of houses in West Ham parish was stated in an official return to be 700, of which by far the larger proportion were entered as 'mansions'.
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, becomes Prime Minister
1780
Robert Raikes begins the first Sunday School.
The Gordon Riots in London.
1799
Freemason Lodge 210 'Lodge of True Friendship' is meeting every 3rd Tuesday at the Bird and Hand in Stratford. (Boyle's View of London, and its Environs; 1799)
Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger introduces income tax, at two shillings (10p) in the pound, to raise funds for the Napoleonic Wars.
1809
Hugh Chambres-Jones becomes vicar of West Ham, replacing Gerald Valerian Wellesley, brother of the Duke of Wellington.
Spencer Perceval becomes Prime Minister
Humphrey Davy invents the first electric light - the first arc lamp
Humphrey Davy invents the first electric light - the first arc lamp
1817
Elizabeth Fry organizes relief in Newgate Prison.
1828
Hugh Chambres-Jones, vicar of West Ham, given a grant of £5,000 by 'His Majesty's Commissioners of Churches' towards building a chapel at Stratford.
Population of the Parish of West Ham is 9,753 (The Clerical Guide, Or Ecclesiastical Directory (3rd Edition 1829))
Population of the Parish of West Ham is 9,753 (The Clerical Guide, Or Ecclesiastical Directory (3rd Edition 1829))
Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, becomes Prime Minister
William Howley becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
London Zoo opens
William Howley becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
London Zoo opens
1830
St. Mary, Plaistow, opened.
William IV becomes King
Charles, 2nd Earl Grey, becomes Prime Minister
The first railways appeared in England
Frenchmen, B. Thimonnier invents a sewing machine
Charles, 2nd Earl Grey, becomes Prime Minister
The first railways appeared in England
Frenchmen, B. Thimonnier invents a sewing machine
1831
Population of Stratford is 6,686
Walter Hancock runs a regular service from Stratford to Whitechapel with his 'Infant' steam carriage. Grace's Guide - External Link -
Walter Hancock runs a regular service from Stratford to Whitechapel with his 'Infant' steam carriage. Grace's Guide - External Link -
Michael Faraday invents an electric dynamo
1832
Construction of St John's begins.
Cholera breaks out in London, claiming at least 3,000 victims.
The Reform Act 1832 gives the vote to propertied male adults and disenfranchises almost all of the rotten boroughs.
The Reform Act 1832 gives the vote to propertied male adults and disenfranchises almost all of the rotten boroughs.
1833
John Keble's sermon launches The Oxford Movement.
Parliament passes the Factory Act. It regulates children's working hours and requires children under 13 to attend school.