History Poole

the poole logboat, 2,000-year-old dugout canoe discovered during dredging works in poole harbour.

the town s name derives corruption of celtic word bol , old english word pool meaning place near pool or creek. variants include pool, pole, poles, poll, polle, polman, , poolman. area around modern poole has been inhabited past 2,500 years. during 3rd century bc, celts known durotriges moved hilltop settlements @ maiden castle , badbury rings heathland around river frome , poole harbour. romans landed @ poole during conquest of britain in 1st century , took on iron age settlement @ hamworthy, area west of modern town centre. in anglo-saxon times, poole included in kingdom of wessex. settlement used base fishing , harbour place ships anchor on way river frome , important anglo-saxon town of wareham. poole experienced 2 large-scale viking invasions during era: in 876, guthrum sailed fleet through harbour attack wareham, , in 1015, canute began conquest of england in poole harbour, using base raid , pillage wessex.

following norman conquest of england, poole rapidly grew busy port importance of wareham declined. town part of manor of canford, not exist identifiable entry in domesday book. earliest written mention of poole occurred on document 1196 describing newly built st james s chapel in la pole . lord of manor, sir william longspée, sold charter of liberties burgesses of poole in 1248 raise funds participation in seventh crusade. consequently, poole gained small measure of freedom feudal rule , acquired right appoint mayor , hold court within town. poole s growing importance recognised in 1433 when awarded staple port status king henry vi, enabling port begin exporting wool , in turn granting licence construction of town wall. in 1568, poole gained further autonomy when granted legal independence dorset , made county corporate great charter of elizabeth i. during english civil war, poole s puritan stance , merchants opposition ship money tax introduced king charles led town declaring parliament. poole escaped large-scale attack , royalists on brink of defeat in 1646, parliamentary garrison poole laid siege , captured nearby royalist stronghold @ corfe castle.

beech hurst in town centre, georgian mansion built in 1798 wealthy newfoundland merchant.

poole established successful commerce north american colonies in 16th century, including important fisheries of newfoundland. trade newfoundland grew steadily meet demand fish catholic countries of europe. poole s share of trade varied prosperous period started in 18th century , lasted until 19th century. trade followed three-cornered route; ships sailed newfoundland salt , provisions, carried dried , salted fish europe before returning poole wine, olive oil, , salt. 18th century poole had more ships trading north america other english port , vast wealth brought poole s merchants. prosperity supported of development characterises old town many of medieval buildings replaced georgian mansions , terraced housing. end of napoleonic wars , conclusion of war of 1812 ended britain s monopoly on newfoundland fisheries , other nations took on services provided poole s merchants @ lower cost. poole s newfoundland trade rapidly declined , within decade merchants had ceased trading.

poole quay busy centre of town s maritime trade

the town grew rapidly during industrial revolution urbanisation took place , town became area of mercantile prosperity , overcrowded poverty. @ turn of 19th century, 9 out of ten workers engaged in harbour activities, century progressed ships became large shallow harbour , port lost business deep water ports @ liverpool, southampton , plymouth. poole s first railway station opened in hamworthy in 1847 , later extended centre of poole in 1872, ending port s busy coastal shipping trade. beaches , landscape of southern dorset , south-west hampshire began attract tourists during 19th century , villages east of poole began grow , merge until seaside resort of bournemouth emerged. although poole did not become resort many of neighbours, continued prosper rapid expansion of bournemouth created large demand goods manufactured in poole.

during world war ii, poole third largest embarkation point d-day landings of operation overlord , afterwards served base supplies allied forces in europe. eighty-one landing craft containing american troops 29th infantry division , army rangers departed poole harbour omaha beach. poole important centre development of combined operations , base coast guard rescue flotilla of 60 cutters. of town suffered german bombing during war , years of neglect in post-war economic decline. major redevelopment projects began in 1950s , 1960s , large areas of slum properties demolished , replaced modern public housing , facilities. many of poole s historic buildings demolished during period, particularly in old town area of poole. consequently, 6-hectare (15-acre) conservation area created in town centre in 1975 preserve poole s notable buildings.