Cranfield's Time Line

969: King Edgar grants land to Aelfold at Aspley (Guise) - Estate boundaries are begining to appear in the area. [click for source]

998: The first mention of Cranfield appears in the history books when Ailwyn Niger gives the Manor of Cranfeldinga to Ramsey Abbey. Ramsey Abbey held the Manor until the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII

1144: During the civil war between King Stephen and Queen Matilda, King Stephen pillages the village

1180: First stone church built in Cranfield. Parts of this church remain in the north aisle, north door and the window behind the organ

1250: The chancel arch, pillars of the nave and lower half of the church tower built

1349: The Black Death arrived in Cranfield killing many people including the priest Thomas de Newby

1539: Henry VIII dissolves the monasteries and the Manor of Cranfield becomes crown property until the reign of James I

1568: A number of refugees from Flanders settled in the village bringing the techniques of lace making with them

1660: Cranfield Baptist Church built

1725: Workhouse / Poorhouse established.

1769: John Wesley visited Cranfield where it is reported that he found "a serious congregation"

1845: During restoration work on the church nearly 2000 small bronze coins and one debased silver one are discovered in a fourth century Roman jar

1848: The Rev. G.G. Harter restores the church putting in new windows, pulpit, font, lynch gate etc. The windows were blown out during the Second World War and subsequently re-restored in 1948

1849: The "plough" and "Red, White and Blue" beerhouses licensed

1861: Capenters Arms Public House licensed as a beer house.

1862: Work begins on Cranfield Court mansion designed by Thomas Hine. Cranfield Court appears to be the first house in England to have double glazing.

1862: National School built for 323 Scholars. Designed by T C Hine. Now part of Cranfield Lower School.

1863: The niece of General George Washington buried in Cranfield churchyard. Her name was Lydia Hallworth and she died aged 83 years

1863: Fox and Hounds beerhouse licensed

1866: Village Pump erected.

1871: Infant School built in Bourne End - now a house

1872: Reverend Harter dies

1887/88: Three Goodman Alms Houses Built (51-55 High Street). The plaques suggest 1885, but written records suggest 87/88

1892: Five more Goodman Alms Houses Built.(14-22 High Street)

1934: Cranfield Court demolished - all apart from the servant's quarters.

1935: Broadgreen Windmill stops working

1935: Work on Cranfield airfield started

1937: Cranfield airfield opened under No.1 Group of Bomber Command

1937: The Ritz Cinema opens - built on "Glebe Land" which is currently where the pet shop is and where the old Westminster Bank was. It was large enough to accommodate 456 people and had a raised balcony.

1938: Cranfield airfield transferred to No. 2 Group of Bomber Command

1939: Cranfield airfield becomes a training airfield and No. 6 Training Group take over

1939/40: Runways at Cranfield upgraded to become 'Tarmac' runways

1946: Britain's first College of Aeronautics' founded in Cranfield

1946: A hoard of 4th century Roman coins found, deposited in AD 348

1947: The Empire Test Pilots School move from Boscombe Down to Cranfield airfield

1960: The Ritz Cinema closes - the owners couldn't afford to fix a leaky roof

1969: Cranfield Institute of Technology receives University status

1989: The Nissan Motor Company announces its decision to establish a new European Technology Centre at Cranfield

1991: Cranfield University Library construction begins. The building was designed by the world famous architect Sir Norman Foster (he also designed Stanstead Airport terminal). The library opened 13 months later

1992: Nissan's European Technology Centre wins a commendation in the Civic Trust Awards

Sources:
Bedfordshire Library - digital resources
Cranfield, its church and people by M.K. Street
Cranfield by Stephen R. Coleman
Bedfordshire County Records Office

Cranfield's Timeline