The town of Chelmsford dates back to Roman times when a small town was built
where Moulsham now stands. It was then called "Caesaromagus" which translates as
Caesar's market place so called because it served as a local market town halfway
between London and the large Roman settlement in Colchester. However, once the
Romans left, the small town all but disappeared.
The next historical reference
to the area we now know as Chelmsford was not until 1086. The Domesday book
shows that the land was owned by the Bishop of London and was called 'Celmeresfort'.
Later it changed its name to Ceomaers Ford and then to Chelmers Ford. It was not
until 1189 that it was finally changed to Chelmsford.
On 7th September 1199 Bishop William was granted a Royal Charter by King John
which entitled him to hold a weekly market in the town. This heralded the origin
of the modern town of Chelmsford. Two years later the King granted Chelmsford
the right to hold an annual fair which further helped the growth of the town.
By 1218 with the weekly market and annual fair the town had grown and
prospered, mainly due to its location on a busy road and as a result it became
recognised as the County town of Essex. Several industries flourished in the
town at this time, with craftsmen and traders working and selling leather, wool
and fine cloth.
By the 14th century Chelmsford had become a focal point for the Peasant's
Revolt of 1381. King Richard II moved to the town between 1st and 6th July after
quelling the rebellion in London. Many of the rebels were later put to death on
the gallows in the area where Primrose Hill now stands. Many people believe that
the presence of the King in the town for those six days meant that Chelmsford
was for a short period the official capital of England, although historians
disagree on the validity of this claim.
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