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Cambridge Sedgwick Museum

A Short History of Cambridge

The area around Cambridge has shown evidence of human settlement since the bronze age but it was during the Roman period that the first major developments were seen at Castle Hill.

Here, a military fort guarded the crossing of the River Cam which linked the fortresses of Lincoln and Colchester.

Following the Roman withdrawl from Britain the Saxons settled in the area and the city became a hub for trade in the difficult terrain of the marshy fenlands.

The arrival of the Vikings and Danelaw saw a burst in growth due to increased trading and the centre of the town shifted to the area now known as Quayside.

Norman rule came to the city following the invasion of 1066 and the fortification on Castle Hill and the Round Church both date from this time. This period also sees the initial use of the modern name for the city in the form of Cantebrigge.

The first colleges of the University were founded by students of Oxford in 1209 who were fleeing from the rioting at that University. The oldest college is Peterhouse and the splendid King's College Chapel, started by Henry VI, was completed by Henry VIII in 1515.

Cambridge University Press published its first book in 1584 following the Royal Charter granted in 1534. Addenbrooke's Hospital known for teaching was founded in 1766 and enjoys strong links with the University.

City status was not gained until 1951 and today Cambridge is increasingly known for its high tech science parks in addition to its world renowned academic reputation.