12,000 – 10,000 BC

Stone arrow heads from Paleolithic period found here suggest that the district was inhabited from early times; they can be seen in the Bedford Museum. There is also a stone age tool found at Dunton in the Museum.

Late 1^st century BC

Gold, silver, copper and brass coins have been found minted by Taseiovanus, chief of a Celtic tribe from the now present St Albans.

43 – 411 AD

The ‘White Way’, a Roman loop road, ran via Baldock past Stratton and Sandy to join the Ermine Way at Godmanchester. The 1959 Town Guide says Stratton, Drove Road, along what is now a footpath on the Common to Sandy. It also says a Roman by-road has been traced going westward towards Old Warden. The 1954 O.S. map shows Hill Lane as a Roman Road. The road started from near the site of the old Sewage Works.

A Roman ceremonial dish and an oculist's stamp has been found here. Oculist stamps were used to mark on a seal of a salve or lotion, the purpose thereof (now in the British Museum)

477 – 495 on

Saxon Invasions – The Saxon "Gifle's" settled here and gave their name to the Ivel River and North–ill and South-ill. The Brits were probably driven westward. There was a watch hill at Old Warden

800 on

Danish invasions

878

The district formed part of Danelaw under the Peace of Wedmore.

917

Danes defeated at major conflict at Tempsford. There were some Danes left in the area, the place named Holm" is Danish but it was a Saxon who lived by a ford who gave his name to the settlement and later to the Hundred of Biggleswade – Biceil – Anglo Saxon personal name; Waed – Saxon for ford.

1066

The Saxon Archbishop of Canterbury held the manor of Biggleswade from the King.

1089

Domesday Book

Ralph de Insula held the manor under the Crown. There were no woods and no market. Apart from gentry and clergy there were twenty men in Biggleswade; 27 in Stratton and 15 in Holm. (Miss Godber says 34 men; Miss Bell about 50). Each present worked some days for the Lord of the Manor but each had about 30 acres which he hired from his master. There were 1,200 acres of arable land in Biggleswade (less than Holm and Stratton) also 240 acres of meadow and 13 mills in the Hundred of Biggleswade. Two mills were in Biggleswade itself (two mills means two water wheels under one roof); value £2/7/-, per annum, this was probably the site of a mill where the present mill stands. First place above ford with sufficient fall of water.

 1132

Henry I granted Bishop Alexandra of Lincoln (in whose diocese it was) the manor of Biggleswade with Holm to help endow the Cathedral. The bishop to have church, meadows, mills and fishing rights in return for yearly offering of a gown lined with sable.

c1163

The bishop made Biggleswade a Prebend and the church a Peculiar. A Peculiar had certain rights and need not send records to the Archdeacon; thus some Biggleswade church records are missing. A Prebendary did not usually reside in his parish. There is still a stall in Lincoln Cathedral marked Bigleswade (yes with one 'g'!).

c1200

The bishop made an attempt at town development. Small plots of land were made at available at 1/- per year; burgage. A shilling was a large amount in those days. The holder did not have to do the customary work for his holding but could build a house or shop, ply his trade and travel.

18 Nov 1200

Miracle at Biggleswade. Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln died in London and his body rested at Biggleswade. A woman with a broken arm touched the body and it is reported that she was healed. The wax tapers in the procession stayed alight and St Hugh was canonised in 1220.

1212

"The men of Biggleswade and the men of the Episcopal fee of Biggleswade" appealed against Robert de Braybrook who had "put part of the fen of Kynmondewick under ban and carried off hay by force". Biggleswade men claimed "they have and ought to have common in that fen".

1227

Market. Biggleswade has been granted a market by King John (1199 – 1216). This was confirmed in 1227 by Henry III. (Peck says confirmed to Bishop Hugh, who Rutt says died 1220). Monday was market day.

1228

Fairs were held before this date but in this year the Bishop altered the day from 15^th August to 14^th September, Holy Cross Day.

1247

1. Henry de Suqual drowned in Mill Pit.

2. Sanctuary was taken in the church. A felon could remain 40 days and was then deported.

3. House burgled. The Hue and Cry was raised but Biggleswade did not pursue. When the cry was raised all who heard were supposed to help.

1276

Walter Justice, first known vicar. Thomas de Northfeet was Prebend. Bishop Gravesend instituted the living; the vicar to have house, offering, tithes, donations put in church chest at Biggleswade and chapel at Stratton.

1280

King Edward I at Biggleswade. About this time Biggleswade claimed to be a Borough through the ‘Burgage’ system.

1294

Biggleswade people claimed the right to leave their burgage tenements by will. Bishop Oliver Sutton ordered an investigation.

Bishop Sutton was in Biggleswade several times and it seems the Bishop often stayed here; a convenient place. Local rumour says they had a residence in Palace Street; hence the name.

1297

Taxation List for this year shows dredge corn, rye, hay and straw were grown. There were some cows and sheep. Only the Bishop had a cart. Tenants had to attend the manor court. Villein worked on the lord’s land. The lord’s steward regulated tillage.

Biggleswade area shows three villages with an average of more than five sheep to each man taxed.

c1300

Biggleswade prosperous. There was a fullio.

There were weaving, tanning and drying industries (Miss Bell).

1302

First Bridge here across the River Ivel . Bishop Dalderby granted an indulgence to those who contributed towards building the bridge.

1309

Hugo de Hostwyke was the Tax Collector

1309 - 1332

Decline in tax payers:in 1309 there were 37 with a value of £6 by 1332 declined to 19 with a value of £5.

1313

Richard de Gostwyke set on at Biggleswade by a band of men who assaulted him and carried away his goods. A commission of 'Oyer e Ferminer' appointed to enquire.

1317

Thomas de Northfleet, Prebend of Biggleswade left money to repair chapel at St Mary, Stratton.

1330

John Whitbread, Tax Collector

1340

Church dates from 1340 – L. Maynall: Portrait of Bedford

1349

Wool weavers known in Biggleswade

1369

Another vicar died in the Black Death

1370

Three Biggleswade tanners fined for selling hides at Shefford market at an excessive price

1379

Vicar John had eight chaplains and six clerks to assist him. Note there were chapels at Stratton and Holm

1403

Thomas of Walsingham writes, "Strange portents were seen at daybreak and midday at Biggleswade when mysterious figures dressed in colours as men of war could be seen emerging from a wood. They engaged in combat but on getting closer they became invisible".

1442

John Enderby, MP of Biggleswade; Thomas Stratton, Clerk of the Peace and six others from the town were part of a representation to the King’s Council on behalf of Sir Thomas Wauton.

1467

Church restoration started by John Rudying, Archdeacon.

1475

The King granted a licence to the Bishop and Archdeacon John Rudying and others to found the Fraternity of the Holy Trinity. They must pray for the King and could acquire land, rents, etc. (See article in Part III)

1481

Church restoration completed. There is a memorial brass to John Rudying in the church.

1484

Thomas Easton, Lord of the Manor of Holm.

1490

John Hoywood left 66s 8d to Fraternity to buy lamb that it may continue for ewes.

1508

Edward Pound left his son John 60 sheep, 10 hives with bees, 2 swine and 30 quarters of malt.

1508

Katherine Vincent left her house to the Fraternity on condition that they pray for her soul.

1508

Bishop of Lincoln estate record shows 123 burgages paying 1s each. Rent from assize £136.

1516

Richard Caston; Lord of the Manor, Holm.

1528

Bishop obtained the right to hold two more fairs, 3 days each on 22^nd July (St Mary Magdeline) and 2d 6d St Simon & St Jude.

1529

Simon Mathew of Biggleswade was a delegate to determine the legality of Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon. A book of his is in the British Museum.

1535

Vicarage worth £10

1538

Grant by John, Bishop of Lincoln to Henry Lawson. "Mylneo of Bykellswade of all his myllneo being under one Roofe". He paid £17 a year for the mills and £2 14s 4d for 20 acres of land, floodgates etc. 21 years lease.

1547

Bishop Holbeche surrendered the Manor of Biggleswade to Edward VI in exchange for other lands. The canon leaves the market and received toll from produce sold.

1548

440 people old enough to receive communion; total population about 550.

Fraternity of the Holy Trinity suppressed; the Crown took the brotherhood house and lambs (see article in Part II).

1550

Roads bad. Tempsford road called "Soul Slough".

1557

Thomas Darcy gentleman of Lee, Kent, had helped quell Wyatts rebellion. In consideration of this the Crown granted his widow, Joan, the Biggleswade mills and woods, etc. for 21 years. £17 12s 9d for the mills, 54s 4d for the lands etc.


Edward Peake of Southill left a cottage, lying west of his mansion house at Holm, as a house sufficient for a school and school master. Also rent charge on Mansion House of £10 per year as master's salary.

1565

The Market House or Court House on the square was in need of repair; it had a chamber 60ft long and 24ft wide. Used by justices on assize.

There was also a stockhouse or lockup.

William Stewarde took over a lesse from Ralph Belfield. He sold his interest in the White Horse for less than its value on condition that he could remain there for his life.

Henry Fynche, yeoman, left over 12 burgages, 3 of which had belonged to the Fraternity and to each of his 4 children, 20 sheep.

1567

Walter Fisher of the Bell had a great carved chest wainscoted.

1567

Customers from Cardington, Hitchin and around had clothes from Thomas Adcock, a tailor, but they did not always pay.

1575

A well-to-do man, John Ratchford had 100 sheep, 18 beasts but only 3 chairs.
Note: Biggleswade must have prospered in last half of this century.

1583

Vicar of Langford left 5s towards repair of sears in Holm School.

1598

Holm schoolmaster was John Bond. A 7-year old pupil was Henry Piggott who boarded near.

1604

Fire destroyed a great number of dwellings.

1607

Holm School bequest. Benjamin Piggott of Nether Gravenhurst, left the 'chapel' at Holm to be used as a schoolhouse.

1611

Bill for 'Biggleswade Highway' rejected by Parliament.

1622

Another bill for road from Biggleswade to Baldock rejected.

1628

Biggleswade paid subsidy £10

1631

Hamden (1551-????), an antiquary historian and master of Westminster School, said, "Biggleswade is famous for its stone bridge and its horse fair". At this time Biggleswade had five horse fairs.

Lessee of the manor, Edward Ditchfield, obtained permission for two more fairs, 2^nd February and Whit Monday.

1639

Ship levy of Charles I; three Biggleswade men refused to pay.

Sir John Cotton at Stratton. Cottonian Collection housed here during the Civil War.

1643

Fowler, in 'History of Gamlingay' writes, "When Sir John Burgoyne was raising troops at Biggleswade; he was apparently in great difficulty as Cromwell calls men of Biggleswade 'slow fellows and dormice'".

1649

Parliament confiscated manor; sold to Thomas Margetts, a Bedford burgess, MP and Judge-Advocate. He changed market day to Wednesday instead of Monday.

C1650

Tokens issued as change; ½d piece taken by the overseers of the poor. John Boddington, draper and John Bray of 'The Swan'.

1661

22^nd July; Samuel Pepys left Huntingdon at 4 a.m. wearing only thread stockings (and other clothes I hope - H.S.). Bought a pair of coarse warmer woollen ones at Biggleswade.

1663

Pepys left Hinchingbrook for Biggleswade; as it was dark he was guided by two countrymen through long and dangerous waters because of ditches.

Lt. Col. John Miller of Biggleswade imprisoned at Windsor for suspected plotting against the Crown. He had fought for Parliament.

C1660

The manor returned to the Crown after Restoration; in possession of Queen Mother Henrietta Maria

1668

Vicar Thomas Miles reported to Bishop for refusing to pray for new born Prince of Wales (Old Pretender)

1669

London Gazette
Thomas Bromsell of Biggleswade Esquire is made Sheriff of  Bedfordshire in the room of De Lawney Esquire

1671

Robert Audley; Royalist had a house with eight hearths and had suffered several fires.

Biggleswade and Eaton Socon had houses without fire places

773 conformists; i.e. Church of England.

1673

John Yardley, miller, fined 20s for refusing to provide the customary cakes for manor court jury.

1674

Manor leased to the Carterets; who had settled in England from Jersey.

1676

William Pope; when fishing, bought stolen sheepskin for 9d. Sold it for 1s2d. Pope accused of theft.

1677

Men stole wheat from Parsonage barn, malt from malthouse and lifted barn door off hinges to steal peas.

1679

George Norris of Buckingham went to Biggleswade fair to sell horses. With others went to the 'Wrestlers Arms' to drink. Played 'All Fours' (H.S. didn't know what this was but details can be found here) and lost. Claimed his money was stolen. Followed men to 'Kings Lynn'. Case tried at Bedford.

1693

A visitor on the way to St Neot's via Biggleswade, April, 1693
4th - To Biggleswarth (Biggleswade), where is nothing observable but a delicate new Inn with a curious bowling green as can easily be met with; here we lodged the first night.
5th - Thence passed to Thameford (Tempsford), four (miles), where is the Lady St John's house. Thence passed through Eaton (Ford), and after had a pretty prospect of St Neot's &c &c.
The Diary of Ralph Thoresby FRS; Pub by the Rev Joseph Hunter; 1831, Vol 1, pp162.

1696

Old Warden; Samuel Ongley, draper, director of East India Co, bought Palmeo property.

1700

Market Town had wheelwright, grocer, malster, tanner, glazier, ploughwright, saddler, schoolmaster, attorney, innkeepers, victuallers, cornhandlers, carters, etc. Inns were: White Horse, Cross Keys, Bell, White Hart, Crown, Kings Arms, Red Lion, Royal Oak, Wrestlers, Sun, Swan.

1711

Vicarage built behind Goldthorpe's.

1707

About this time no clergy at Langford, Biggleswade vicar had to serve both parishes.

1715

Baptists had 300 members - Baptist Old Meeting

1717

246 Conformist families - 27 non-conformist

1720

250 Conformist families - 20 non-conformist

1720

Church tower rebuilt out of grey aslar.

1720

Stevenage/Biggleswade road Act passed, reached only the south end of town (Godber. says 1730, but Turnpike map shows 1720).

1725

Biggleswade/Alconbury road; map agrees.

1724-26

Daniel Defoe: 'Good inns, pleasant place on Ivel, one of greatest barley markets in England but droves of cattle in winter made road repair difficult'.

1731

Sir John Cotton left money to found Stratton School

1735

Mr Rudd of Bigglesward, Steward of Duchess of Marlborough, wanted to employ Thomas Monk. Another, unnamed man, wanted job, murdered Monk.

1746

Tablet on church wall to Curtiss Barnett, commander-in-chief on the Coromandel coast

1750

Combined Petty Sessions for Hundreds of Biggleswade, Clifton and Wixamtree met at Biggleswade.

Public whippings still carried out.

Town had 6 brewers and good market gardens

C1750 - Turnpike trustees, usually eight, met at the 'Sun'

1753

Thomas Hughes stole pig from market square and drove it home.

1755

Turnpike extended to bridge by Act of 1755. Tollhouse at new bridge was 13 ft square.

Road to St Ives via Potton, turnpiked (map shows 1735). Turnpike on Potton Road still stands.

1755

Sir Roger Burgoyne besieged in the 'Sun' by 1500 men who objected to the rumour that they were to be sent to fight in America. The rumour was false, 28^th August.

1756

Plan for River Ivel Navigation

1757

Justices besieged by a mob at the Sun Inn in fear that militia men could be sent overseas to fight for the colonies in America and India

1758

River Ivel opened for traffic from the Great Ouse to Biggleswade. There were five locks.
1. Traffic brought in £350 p.a. (See 'River')
2. Ivel Bridge built of sandstone (Godber and Mee say 1797 but I think this is wrong H.S.)

1761

Wesley preached at Road Farm, Potton Road, Biggleswade.

1762

Boswell at Biggleswade 17 Nov (Dr Johnson)

1762

From John Wesley's diary proving that he did indeed preach in Biggleswade - Volume 3, Page 77, "On the way to Everton stopped five and forty miles from London at Road Farm." The 45 mile post is on Potton Road, Biggleswade, within a few hundred yards of Road Farm.

1763

Mr Pepper of Biggleswade, clockmaker, charged John Blundell 2/6 for cleaning clock.

1764

Edward Edgly of Stratton left £1,080, 289 sheep, 8 cows, 5 horses, etc.

Thomas Fletcher of the 'Sun' had 44 horses, etc. (For full list see 'Coaching Inns', Peck & G.329

300 'rose-nobles' of Henry V & VI found by labourer at Stratton (See 'Coins & Skeletons', Lyson - Magna Britannica, etc.)

1764

Cotton family, who in previous century, had obtained Stratton by marriage with an Anderson heiress sold it to the Barnet family.

1770

George Fletcher is proprietor of Sun Inn

1771

Population about 1000.

Quarter Session met at the 'Sun'.

Various independent Congregationalists formed one church. Met in Baptist Church, Back Lane (Church St); it was burned down in the 'Great Fire' of 1785.

1772

William Granville leased the manor from the Crown for 31 years.

'Biggleswade, the next town we visited, is situated in a most pleasant manner on the banks of the River Ivel, over which is a good stone bridge and lighters with coal come up to the town' - N. Spencer, 'The Complete English Traveller. Note: Peck says 1785 in Directory published by J.F. Hennington (a copy)

1776

December - Ivel blocked by ice and snow for three weeks.

1780

Ivel Navigation debts paid off.

1773-95

John Pedly of Great Barford brought wool to Biggleswade, often came to Biggleswade, hired chaise from the from the 'Cab'. See Diaries in B.H.R. also G.360

1779

The Hitchin Tolls sold to Biggleswade man.

1785

The 'Great Fire' - much of Biggleswade destroyed. See 'Famous Fires'.

1786

Vicar Gibson helped 'Blind Jack' over Ivel

1789

John Chalkly Taylor, brought up as a Quaker, moved to Biggleswade. Appealed against rates; seems an odd character. In 1795 signed a Nonconformist Meeting House Certificate.

1791

The Sugar Strike - Biggleswade people refused to buy sugar because of high price. Penalty £5

1792

Earthquake shock lasted several seconds. 25^th February. Felt as far as York and Doncaster. Several houses demolished; rebuilt in brickwork - some of these still remain. No deaths.

c1790-4

John Byng (Viscount Torrington) stayed at the 'Sun' several times. Read Torrington Diaries for account of theatre, church, fishing, etc.

1794

A barn licensed for Methodist services.

Biggleswade celebrated Lord Howes victory over the French at Ushant with rejoicing and bonfires.

1795

Miss Harvey built Wesleyan Chapel

1796

'The Bridge at Biggleswade was rebuilt with stone from the quarry at Sandy under the inspection of Sir Phillip Monnoux'. From Lyons Magna Britannia 1806.

1797

 Miss Godber and Arthur Mee say that the bridge was built in this year and before that it was wooden. (Note something odd about this; see 1758 and the 'The Stone Bridge Mystery' - perhaps there were two bridges. H.S.)

1801

Census - 298 houses, 3 uninhabited, 241 families, 1,650 population
Sir Francis Wiles purchased Biggleswade manor from Thomas Margetts.

1801-31

Biggleswade population increased by 80%.

1806-7

Merchandise unloaded at Biggleswade Wharf into carts for Shefford, etc. increased by 389; 1/6 toll on 7,000 tons would bring in £500 p.a.

1807

Carl Granville's lease of the Biggleswade Manor expired. The Manor was sold by public auction by the Crown at Carroways Coffee House to Sir Francis Wiles for £2,180.

1824

Ivel Navigation extended to Shefford.

1834

Methodist church built in Shortmead Street

1835/6

Workhouse built in London Road

1844

Town Hall Built in High Street

1850

Great Northern railway opened, Biggleswade is the first town in Bedfordshire to have a mainline station.

1860

Dan Albone born

1867

Drove Road cemetery chapel built.

1874

Biggleswade Fire Brigade started.

1876

Ivel Navigation Trust brought to an end by an Act of Parliament

1880's

Dan Albone, the racing cyclist, establishes the Ivel Cycle Works

1884

Seven light east window of St Andrew's church is installed

1888

Fire Station built in Church Street, then Brewery Lane, previously Back Lane

1891

First issue of the Biggleswade Chronicle on October 10, 1891

1906

Francis Frederick Lovell, Lord of the Manor, died 1st August.
Dan Albone died 30th October at Ivel Works, Shortmead Street aged 46
Maud Rosalind Lovell appointed Lord of the Manor 31st August.

1911

Coronation Festival on 22nd June

1921

On 24th April unveiling and dedication of the cross at the War Memorial

1935

Biggleswade Royal Silver Jubilee Celebrations on 6th May

1936

Regal cinema opened on 27th July

1937

Biggleswade coronation celebration on 12th May

1943

Biggleswade Wings for Victory Week 8-15 May

1943

The Avenue Club opened on 6th November, funded by the War Relief Society of America.

1944

Biggleswade Salute The Soldier Week 13-20 May

1953

Chancel roof of church burnt, restoration work resulted in the discovery of the stone slab to John Rudding, 1481, archdeacon of Bedford

1953

Coronation celebration on 2nd June

1950s

Horse Fair of 14th February lapsed

1954

Aerial photography reveals a hitherto unknown castle site.
27th April - Bowls Club and tennis courts open in Drove Road.  The clubhouse was an ex-prefab' house.

1960

New Fire Station opened on 21st May

1961

Cincinnati Milacron established on taking over the Weatherly Oil Gear site in Dells Lane

1966

Outdoor swimming pool opened 28th May

1972

Workhouse in London Road demolished

1974

Biggleswade & District History Society formed

1979

Weatherley Centre opened 6th October by H.C.( Tom) Wetherley.

1984

Biggleswade History Society is formalised and sets out on the route to become a Registered Charity.

1996

Acorn Business Centre in Lawrence Road opened

1997

New swimming pool at Saxon Gate opened

1998

Trinity Methodist Church, Shortmead Street - Weekend of Rededication - 9-11 January

1998

Refurbished Town Centre opened

2001

Dedication of The Millennium Window in St Andrews church on 28th January.  It was designed by Petri Anderson, Hunton Bridge, Herts.

2003

10th September - Induction and Installation of Reverend William Thackray.

2005

Biggleswade VE-VJ celebration of the 60th anniversary of the end of WW2 on 16 October

2006

Town Hall moves from a 3 bedroom detached house in Chestnut Avenue to the old Magistrates Court in Saffron Road