1603

Timeline of the 1600s

 

Accession of James I (James VI of Scotland), the first Stuart monarch of England

1605 The Gunpowder Plot
1607 Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America, is established
1611 Publication of Authorised Version of the King James Bible
1616 Death of William Shakespeare
1625 Accession of Charles I
1629 Charles I dissolves Parliament
1640 'Short Parliament' and 'Long Parliament' (to 1653)
1642-46 English Civil War begins
1649 Trial and execution of Charles I. The Commonwealth begins
1652-54 First Dutch War
1653 Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord Protector
1658 Death of Oliver Cromwell. His son Richard becomes Protector
1660 Parliament invites Charles II to return to England. Charles II restored to the throne
1660 Samuel Pepys begins his diary (to 1669)
1665 The Great Plague in London
1665-1667 Second Dutch War
1666 France declares war on England
1666 2 - 6 September - the Great Fire of London
1667 22 January - the Commons Committee investigating the causes of the fire present their first report of the evidence. The King's Council declare that the fire was an accident
1667 8 February - the Rebuilding Act is passed. A duty on coals will help the finance the public building programme. The Fire Court is set up
1667 27 February - The Fire Court holds its first session
1667 5 March - Robert Hooke, Peter Mills, John Oliver and Edward Jerman are appointed as surveyors. Their first task is to stake out the lines of the new streets
1667 16 March - Samuel Pepys sees some cellars that are still smoking, six months after the Great Fire
1667 Peace of Breda between England, France and the Dutch
1667 150 new houses are built in London by year end
1668 1450 houses are built in London by year end. Halls for the Butchers', Cutlers' and Inn-holders' are completed
1668 An Act of Parliament establishes new fire prevention regulations for the City of London
1669 2,350 new houses are built in London by year end. Halls for the Plaisterers', Pewterers', Goldsmiths' and Painter-stainers' are completed
1670 Secret Treaty of Dover between England and France
1670 2,050 houses are built in London by year end. Halls for the Curriers', Stationers', Fishmongers', Watermen and Saddlers' are completed
1671 Custom House, the Guildhall, Royal Exchange are rebuilt. Work begins on 4 new churches and the Monument. 1100 houses are built
1671 The second Rebuilding Act is passed
1671-74 The Fleet Canal is constructed
1672 England and France declare war on the Dutch
1672 Gaols at Wood St, Poultry and Newgate are completed. Halls for the Vintners', Drapers', Coopers', Parish Clerks' and Skinners' are completed
1672 The Fire Court hold its last session in September
1673 The Test Act excludes Catholics from office in England
1673 1 church is completed - St Vedast in Foster Lane
1675 Foundation stone for St Pauls Cathedral is laid. 1 church is completed - St Christopher-le-Stocks
1676 Great Fire of Southwark - 500 houses are destroyed and 20 people killed
1677 The Monument is completed
1678 The scandal of Titus Oates and the alleged Popish Plot to assassinate Charles II
1678 Catholics are excluded from both Houses of Parliament
1678 John Keeling makes a new kind of fire engine at his workshop in Blackfriars
1679 4 churches are completed, including St Mildred Poultry
1680 The first fire insurance company, the Fire Office, is set up by Nicholas Barbon
1680-84 College of Arms and 5 churches are completed, including St Bride's
1681 A plaque is set up on the site of the bakery where the fire began in Pudding Lane, blaming Catholics for starting the fire
1684 Fire insurance marks begin to be displayed on insured houses
1685 Death of Charles and accession of James II
1685 Duke of Monmouth’s rebellion against James II
1685-1689 24 churches are completed, including St Stephens Walbrook, St Lawrence Jewry, St James Garlickhithe
1685 Louis XIV revokes the Edict of Nantes, leading to exile of French Protestants. Many Huguenots arrive in England
1687 James II issues Declaration for greater religious toleration
1688 William of Orange invited by 7 peers to England – the 'Glorious Revolution'. James II to fees to France
1689 The Declaration of Rights. William III is proclaimed joint sovereign with his wife Mary II (daughter of James II)
1690 Battle of the Boyne – William defeats James II in Ireland
1690-95 7 churches are completed, including Christchurch Newgate St and All Hallows Lombard St
1693 National Debt begins in England
1694 The founding of the Bank of England
1694 Death of Mary II. William III reigns alone
1695-96 William III’s campaigns in Holland against the French
1702 Death of William III. Accession of Anne
1702 Work begins on the dome of St Paul's Cathedral
1706-08 The western towers of St Paul's are built
1707 Act of Union between England and Scotland to form Great Britain
1711 Completion of St Paul's Cathedral
1714 Death of Queen Anne. Accession of George I (Elector of Hanover). End of Stuart dynasty and start of House of Hanover
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