Chislehurst Time Line

1301 Hornchurch Priory given as owners of Kemnal Manor, Chislehurst.

1425 The Walsinghams arrive at Scadbury (named after the de Scathebury family, the wealthiest in Chislehurst in the 14th century.)

1433 Walsinghams acquire Town Court on the borders of Chislehurst and Orpington.

1446 Rebuilding of Chislehurst Church begins. It takes 21 years to complete.

1450 Bernard Cavyll of Chislehurst was constable of the hundred of Ruxley.

1526 Sir Francis Walsingham born in Chislehurst.

1532 John Burdde of Chislehurst supplied 6068 tiles for Hampton Court Palace. Red Hill was home of tile works for over 450 years. First mention of "The Grete House" Bromley, owned by Thomas Knight, a London brewer.

1540 John Heron of Chislehurst charged with practicing astronomy (astrology?) and necromancy (raising the dead). Orpington Priory and South Cray (St. Mary Cray) manor surrendered to the King.

1577 The Thornhill family acquire The Grete House. William Pett in possession of woodland in Chislehurst, later Petts Wood.

1586 First Chislehurst rectory built.

1597 Queen Elizabeth I visits Scadbury The Lennard family become Lords of the manor of West Wickham and remain so for over 300 years.

1603 Outbreak of the plague in Chislehurst kills 62.

1759 Chislehurst parish workhouse built. William Pitt the Younger, future Prime Minister, baptised at Hayes.

1780 John Wells of Bickley Park builds the mansion and enlarges his estate by demolishing the hamlet of Cross in Hand and diverting Chislehurst Road to follow its present route.

1788 The cage or lock up built in Chislehurst.

1796 Chislehurst windmill erected. Chislehurst Telegraph station opens. Claude Scott of Chislehurst acquires the ancient estate of Sundridge Park and builds the mansion.

1860 Joynson's paper mill in St. Mary Cray adapted to produce paper for stamps and bank notes. Chislehurst water tower built. Cray Wanderers football club founded. Still in existence and currently playing at Bromley, it is claimed to be the second oldest in the world.

1870 Coles Child, Lord of the Manor of Bromley dies. Emperor Napoleon III of France arrives in exile at Camden Place Chislehurst. Annunciation church, Chislehurst built.

1872 Calls for police traffic control after an increase in accidents at Uridge's corner, Market Square. Christ Church, Chislehurst built. Ladywood, first house in Petts Wood built. Kemnal Manor sold by New College, Oxford to Samuel Asser. Drill Hall opens in East Street, Bromley, now the Philatelist and Firkin pub. Penge Police Station opens. Currently South London's oldest working station.

1873 Jail Inn, Biggin Hill opens. Building was formerly used as temporary housing for prisoners on their way to Maidstone Jail. Emperor Napoleon dies at Chislehurst.

1876 Christ Church, Beckenham built. Chislehurst Windmill pulled down.

1894 Bromley Council set up. William Willett, proposer of daylight saving arrives in Chislehurst.

1915 William Willett dies in Chislehurst.

1937 Chislehurst Library opens.

1960 Chislehurst Cinema closes. Chislehurst Rectory demolished.

1963 Chislehurst water tower demolished. Sainsbury's Beckenham converts to self service.

1964 Kemnal Manor destroyed by fire. National Sports Centre opens in Crystal Palace Park.

1965 London Borough of Bromley formed from Bromley and Beckenham boroughs, Orpington and Penge urban districts and Chislehurst.

1992 Lord Ted Willis, author and resident of Chislehurst dies.