Jubilee Gardens - potted history

DRAFT

Recommended Reading:

We have not yet found a book focussed on the history of Jubilee Gardens.

The references used to assemble this timeline are listed at the foot of this page.

Timeline


The history of Jubilee Gardens is bound up with that of the Roman walls and how these shaped the land uses around them. Hence this timeline includes some of the history of what is now Priory Park, just the other side of the Wall, whose ramparts offer a wonderful vantage point for looking over Jubilee Gardens and appreciating its trees at canopy level.    

3rd century

c243 Chichester's city walls are constructed by the Romans as an earth bank and ditch. These are the origin of Jubilee Gardens' western boundary today, and probably of its shape.


11th century

c1080 The Normans build a motte and bailey castle in what is now Priory Park (p.xiii AG). The bailey was probably the current boundary of the park (p.6, AG).


13th century

1217 Castle destroyed to avoid being retaken by France as it had been in 1216! (p.6, AG)

1269, 12th October, Henry III grants land to Grey Friars (p.6, AG)


16th century

1538 Henry VIII dissolves Friary and gives grounds to the Mayor and Citizens of Chichester (p.10 AG)

1541 Mayor and Citizens of Chichester buy the Friary Church (p.10 AG)

1543 First tenant of Friary Park (p.xv AG)

The first known map of Chichester is a schematic by John Norden from 1594.


19th century

 1824 Duke of Richmond buys Friary Park (p.xiii AG). Park consists of private home (tenanted) and parkland/grazing, with access to the Town Hall.

1838 Last (grand) home demolished in Friary Park (p.25) City Wall breached to allow a grazier access to his meadow (no public access to the Park, so no bridge needed) forming what is now Priory Road (p.xiii AG)

References


TO BE COMPLETED

Page created & Links checked: 4th August 2025.