1549 | Maidstone church plundered of its vestments |
1549 | Edward VI. granted the Palace of Maidstone to Sir Thomas Wyatt, of Allington Castle. |
1552 | Maidstone first incorporated July 4th, Richard Heley being Mayor. |
1552 | Sir T. Wyatt executed at Sevenoaks for rebellion, Charter of Maidstone forfeited. |
1555 | Seven men and women burnt in the Meadow for religious opinions |
1560 | The 2nd Charter granted to the town, Dec. 4th, W. Green being Mayor. |
1568 | The Walloons first settled in Maidstone and established the thread manufactory |
1605 | Third Charter granted to Maidstone, with further privileges, etc |
1620 | Maidstone Bridge repaired by assessment on the town and parish |
1648 | Maidstone taken by the Parliamentary Forces, June 2nd |
1649 | No Assizes held at Maidstone for 2 years there being no prisoners |
1652 | Several old women tried at the Assizes, natives of Swanscombe, as witches, August 2nd |
1682 | An alteration and a 5th Charter granted to the town, R. Saunders, Esq., then Mayor |
1701 | The rights of the Freemen confirmed by Parliament, February 7th. |
1702 | The above rights confirmed again, December 8th |
1735 | The old Gaol, where the Fishmarket stood, petitioned to be taken down. |
1746 | The County Gaol finished |
1748 | The 6th and present Charter granted, Ed. Hunter, Esq., being Mayor |
1751 | A Cattle Market granted to the town by letters patent |
1763 | A great hailstorm at Maidstone, August 19th |
1764 | The Court Hall finished |
1765 | Prisoners broke out of County gaol and murdered the turnkey, Aug. 7th |
1778 | His late Majesty, George III., passed through Maidstone after reviewing the troops on Coxheath |
1791 | An Act passed for paving and improving the town |
1797 | The Royal Cavalry Barracks finished |
1799 | Review of Volunteers in Mote Park by George III. |
1844 | Railway from Maidstone to Paddock Wood opened |
1856 | Railway from Maidstone to Strood completed |
1874 | L.C. and D. Railway to London opened. Extended to Ashford, 1884. |
1875 | Sewage Scheme for Maidstone adopted |
1879 | Maidstone New Bridge opened |
1887 | Her Majesty's Jubilee. The old Palace purchased by subscriptions and presented to the town. |
1894 | Opening of the New Technical Schools, Maidstone, by H.R.H. the late Duke of Cambridge |
1895 | Opening of the New Swimming Baths by the Mayor, G. F. Baker, Esq. |
1897 | Serious outbreak of typhoid fever at Maidstone |
1898 | Foundation stone laid of the Victoria Free Library |
1899 | Opening of Victoria Free Library by Lord Mayor of London. Royal Agricultural Society's Show held in Mote Park in June. |
1900 | John Barker elected M.P. for Maidstone at the General Election by a majority of 38. |
1901 | John Barker unseated on petition, February 13th |
1901 | Sir F. Evans returned M.P. for Maidstone by a majority of 193, March 1st |
1901 | Municipal Electric Light Works opened in Maidstone, December 19th. |
1902 | Fatal gas explosion on Maidstone Bridge, November 21st. |
1903 | Unveiling South African War Tablet in Museum by Lord Mayor of London (Sir Marcus Samuel, Bart.). |