Timeline of Somerset history facts for kids

The county of Somerset has a long and exciting history, filled with important battles, famous kings, and big changes. Let's explore some of the key moments that shaped this special part of England!

Early Times: Romans and Saxons

Roman Arrival and Early Battles

• 43–47 AD: The powerful Roman army arrived in Britain and began to take control. They soon occupied the area we now call Somerset.
• 491 AD: A big battle called the Battle of Mons Badonicus might have happened here. Some stories say the legendary King Arthur fought in this battle.
• 537 AD: Another famous battle, the Battle of Camlann, is sometimes linked to Queen Camel in Somerset. This battle is also part of the King Arthur legends.

Saxon Expansion

• 577 AD: The Saxons won the Battle of Deorham. This victory meant they took control of the city of Bath, which is now in Somerset.
• 658 AD: The Saxons continued to expand their lands. After the Battle of Peonnum, they controlled most of what we know as Somerset today.
• 710 AD: The Battle of Llongborth, possibly near Langport, happened around this time. This was another important clash in early English history.
• 845 AD: The name "Somersæte" was first written down. This is the earliest record we have of the name for the people of Somerset.

King Alfred and the Vikings

• 878 AD: The Saxons, led by a brave leader called Ealdorman Odda, won a big battle against the Vikings (Danes) at Cynwit. This was an important victory for the Saxons.
• 878 AD: Later in the same year, King Alfred the Great's West Saxon army defeated the Danes at the Battle of Ethandun. This battle was a turning point, though we're not sure if it was in Somerset or Wiltshire.
• 878 AD: After their defeat, the Danes signed the Treaty of Wedmore with King Alfred. This treaty helped to create peace between the Saxons and the Danes.

Medieval Times and Royal Connections

• Around 900 AD: The Kings of Wessex often held their royal court in Cheddar.
• 973 AD: King Edgar of England was crowned at Bath. This was a very important event for the kingdom.
• 988 AD: St Dunstan, a famous English saint, was buried at Glastonbury.
• 1013 AD: The Danish king Sweyn Forkbeard received the loyalty of western leaders (called thegns) at Bath.
• 1088 AD: The town of Ilchester faced a siege, which means it was surrounded by an army trying to take control.
• 1191 AD: A discovery was made at Glastonbury – what was believed to be the tomb of the legendary "King Arthur."

Rebellions and Civil War

• 1497 AD: Many men from Somerset supported Perkin Warbeck's rebellion. He claimed to be a lost prince and tried to take the throne.
• 1643 AD: The Battle of Lansdowne was fought during the English Civil War.
• 1645 AD: The town of Taunton faced a long and difficult siege during the English Civil War.
• 1685 AD: The Battle of Sedgemoor took place, where the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion was defeated. This was the last pitched battle fought on English soil.
• 1685 AD: After the rebellion, Judge Jeffries held the "Bloody Assizes" in Taunton. These were trials where many people were punished for their part in the rebellion.

Modern Somerset

• 1770 AD: Major changes began in the Somerset Levels, with large areas of land being enclosed (fenced off) for farming.
• 1805 AD: The Somerset Coal Canal was opened, helping to transport coal.
• 1827 AD: The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal was opened, further improving transport links.
• 1875 AD: Somerset County Cricket Club was formed, bringing organized cricket to the county.
• 1898 AD: The boundaries of the county were changed.
• 1956 AD: Chew Valley Lake, a large reservoir, was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II.
• 1974 AD: The County of Avon was formed, which reduced the size of Somerset County.
• 1996 AD: The County of Avon was abolished. This created new local government areas called unitary authorities, including North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset.