Developed on the Roman road called Icknield Street, Metchley fort existed on the site of the QE Hospital near Edgbaston. The Fort was constructed soon after the invasion of Britain in 43AD.

Located at a crossing point on the river Rea.

In AD70 the fort was abandoned then reoccupied and abandoned again in120AD.
Another Roman Road is Chester Road in north Birmingham.

The name Birmingham has Saxon origins ‘Birm’ is derived from Beorma probably a local Saxon leader.’ing’ is derived from ingas meaning tribe of and ‘ham’ meaning Hamlet or Homestead. Therefore Birmingham means The home of the tribe or people of Beorma.
Before the Norman Conquest Birmingham was the property of Ulwine, Shire-Reeve of Warwick.

After the Norman Conquest the area passed into the hands of Norman De Birmingham and his family who became Lords of the Manor.
Birmingham is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a minor village.
1154 a charter was granted to Peter De Birmingham from Henry II for marketing rights.

The market came to be called the ‘Bull Ring’.
During the 13th century Birmingham and the ‘Bull Ring’ market developed into a major textile centre.

1392 The Guild of the Holy Cross and a chapel of St John in Deritend
Between 1400 and 1450 a new school was founded.
The De Birminghams retained control of the area until 1527 when John Dudley Duke of Northumberland gained control of the town.

Mid 16th century a Grammar School founded.

In 1511 the Clerk of Ordanance placed a order for Horseshoes and weaponry.
Holte commissioned the building of a large country house in the 1620 and it was completed in 1634.

During the 14th15th and 16th centuries Birmingham became the centre for a number of metal working industries. Based on the fact that it was a source of iron ore on a coal seam and was surrounded by streams that could be used to power water mills which in turn powered bellows or forges.

By the mid 17th century Birmingham had become a centre for arms manufacture.
In 1642 the town refused to support the King so Rupert of the Rhine plundered the city.
Birmingham produced 15,000 swords for Oliver Cromwells forces. (Reputedly)
First mention of a fire engine 1695

By 1700 population was approx 15,000.
St Philips Church built 1715.
1724 Blue Coat School founded
Matthew Boulton born 1728
First Map of Birmingham1731 by William Westley

Birmingham’s first newspaper (The Birmingham Journal) 1732 closed in 1741
Snarehole Mill built 1765.
1769 Canal built from Wednesbury to Birmingham.
1769 Street Commissioners formed to clean and light the streets of Birmingham
1773 assay office in Birmingham
General Hospital built 1779
1779 library built.
1791 the Priestly riots.
1792 a dispensary opened for poor to obtain free medicines
Military barracks completed in1793

1801 (first census) population 73,000 approx.
Gas lighting 1818
1832 Botanical Gardens opened.
1837 Railways arrive in Birmingham.
1838 London to Birmingham link by Rail.
Birmingham New Street opened in 1854
1832 the Reform Act allowed Birmingham to elect two MP’s these were Joshua Scholefield and Thomas Attwood.
St Chad’s Cathedral built 1841
1834 new Town Hall built to imitate the Temple of Castor and Pollux.
Council House built 1879
Birmingham became a County borough and City in 1889
Small Pox outbreaks 1871 1872 1874 1883
Scarlet Fever 1878 1882 1883
Winson Green Asylum opened 1850
First public baths in Birmingham opened 1852
Museum and Art Gallery opened 1889
First modern Fire Brigade 1874
1878 George Cadbury purchased land (14 acres)
1895 the Bournville land was purchased by Cadbury.
First Telephone exchange 1879
First public Library 1861
1882 electricity supply
Electric Trams from 1890
Birmingham University founded 1909
Birmingham Repertory Theatre 1913

BSA a Birmingham Company produced the Lewis Gun during the first War.
During the 20th Century Birmingham expanded to include 1909 Quinton, 1911 Handsworth, Aston Manor, Erdington, Yardley, Northfield and Kings Norton.
1928 Perry Barr 1931 Castle Bromwich and Sheldon.
Fox Hollies Park 1929
Queen Elizabeth Hospital 1938
During 2nd War 2,241 casualties killed by bombing
Bull Ring Shopping Centre 1964
Birmingham Rotunda opened 1965
Aston University founded 1966
1974 included Sutton Coalfield
1974 became a Metropolitan Borough under new West Midlands County
Removed from Warwickshire.
Pavilions Shopping Centre 1987
City Plaza 1989
International Conference Centre 1991
Indoor arena 1991
Mailbox Shopping Centre 2000
Millennium Point opened 2001 including Thinktank Museum, Imax Cinema and Technology and Innovation Centre.
Current population 1,025,000 approx

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.