Cardiff City Guide - History

AD75 The Romans establish a fort in Cardiff
445 First written mention of Cardiff is made in the Annates Cambriae (The Welsh Annals)
850 The first recorded Viking attack is made on the Welsh coast
1081 William the Conqueror visits Cardiff on his first and last expedition into Wales
1201 The oldest surviving treaty between England and Wales is signed by Llewelyn the Great and King John
1404 Owain Glynd^wr summons his first Welsh Parliament at Machynlleth
1536 1st Act of Union: Welsh law is aligned with English law, and English is made the official language
1542 Thomas Capper is burnt at the stake in Cardiff for heresy and becomes the first religious martyr in Wales; 2nd Act of Union divides Wales into shires under the administration of the Council of Wales
1581 Elizabeth I grants Cardiff its first royal charter
1648 Battle of St Fagans, the last major Civil War battle in Wales, is fought with heavy losses to the Royalist camp
1794 Canal link between Cardiff and the Valleys is completed
1839 Marquis of Bute opens first dock in Cardiff
1845-50 First rail link is constructed between Cardiff and the coal-producing valleys
1850 Population of Cardiff reaches 30,000
1868 William Burges begins process of remodelling Cardiff Castle
1876 Cardiff Rugby Club is formed
1885 Cardiff Arms Park stadium Grand Stand opens
1905 Edward VII grants Cardiff city status
1906-38 Civic buildings of Cathays Park are constructed
1911 Population of Cardiff reaches 182,000
1913 A record 10.5 million tonnes of coal is exported from Cardiff docks
1931 Population of Cardiff reaches 227,000
1942 Welsh language is made official
1955 Cardiff becomes the official capital of Wales
19 Sep 1997 Referendum is held for the Welsh National Assembly
6 May 1999 Elections held for the Welsh National Assembly
26 May 1999 Welsh National Assembly is opened by HM Queen Elizabeth II
Oct 1999 Cardiff hosts the Rugby World Cup