Tamworth has existed since Saxon times and once was the capital of Mercia, the largest of all English kingdoms of its time. It was by far the largest town in the Midlands when Birmingham was still in its infancy. The town takes its name from the River Tame, which flows through the town, as does the River Anker.

800 – The town was sacked by the Danes. A wooden fort was constructed on the site of today’s castle to defend the town against further Danish invaders.

900 - There was a mint in Tamworth

913 – Tamworth was rebuilt by Ethelfleada, the king’s sister

943 – Tamworth was attacked again by the Danes

1000 – A Norman castle was built

1319 – Tamworth received the King’s charters

1337 – Tamworth was given the right to hold 2 annual fairs

1345 – Tamworth suffered a disastrous fire and much of the town burned

1560 - A further charter was gained (this one from the Queen) Elizabeth I

1588 – A further charter was gained also from the Queen. (Elizabeth I) This gave the town the power to nominate a Recorder and to elect a Town Clerk.

1606 + 1626 – Tamworth was struck by the plague

1663 – A second chartered of Incorporation was granted by Charles II

1678 – Thomas Guy founded almshouses in Tamworth

1700 – The grammar school was rebuilt; the church and castle underwent significant repairs and alterations

1701 - The town hall was built by Thomas Guy

1801 - Population of 3000

1807 – The pavements were flagged

1834 – Robert Peel wrote the Tamworth Manifesto before a by-election

1835 – Tamworth has gas light

1836 – The first mayor was elected – Robert Neville

1847 – The railways arrived with the Midland route from Derby to Birmingham

1868 – The Tamworth Herald was launched by Daniel Addison

1876 – The first cemetery opened

1880 – A hospital was built

1889 – The assembly rooms were built
 - Tamworth became entirely in Staffordshire

1897 - The corporation rebuilt Tamworth Castle

1900 - The first council houses were built

1903 – An infirmary was built

1905 – The first public library in the town was built

1924 – Tamworth gained an electricity supply

1932 – The Borough boundaries were extended to take in parts of the Parish of Glascote and Bolehall in Warwickshire and parts of the parishes of Fazeley and Wigginton in Staffordshire. This increased the population to 11,711 with an area of 2,678 acres

1965 – The boundaries were extended again and the area increased to 7,647 acres

1980 – Ankerside Shopping Centre opened

With the best of intention all of the above information is true, correct and given in good faith, however, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within the above.

Equally we recommend that should you need or want to find out more you should conduct more detailed independant research.