Worthing History

The history of the Worthing area began well before the Norman conquest in 1066. Before that date the nature of the historical and archaeological evidence we have makes it hard to put dates on notable historical events in and around Worthing.

Here are some of the more noteworthy things to have happened in the last thousand years of history in Worthing and the surrounding villages.

Worthing history - key dates 1066-1800

1066
The manors of Durrington and Broadwater are granted to Robert le Sauvage as part of the post-invasion carve up of English land rights. The poorer manor of Worthing was granted to William de Braose.

1086
Worthing itself appears in the Domesday Book as the tiny hamlets of Ordinges and Mordinges.

1312
Permission granted for a weekly market at Broadwater.

1444
The people of Tarring petitioned the King for permission to hold their own market, rather than travel to Steyning to trade.

1539
On the dissolution of the monasteries, ownership of Worthing passed from Easebourne Priory to Anthony Browne, Viscount Montague - an old school friend of Henry VIII.

1584
Birth of the Worthing philosopher John Selden (d.1654).

1695
Robert Morden's map shows Worting (sic), Terring, Heen, Broadwater, Goring, Highdowne, Ferring and other place names largely familiar to a modern Worthing resident.

1709
Birth of Highdown miller, tomb planner and smugglers' friend John Oliver (d.1793).

1724
The combined parishes of Worthing and Broadwater have a population of around 60 families.

First mention of Salvington Mill.

1742
A battle between smugglers and Customs officials takes place at Goring.

1750
Londoner John Luther undertakes the first speculative building development in Worthing - Warwick House.

1766
The decrepit Heene Chapel demolished.

1789
Bathing machines make their first appearance on the beach at Worthing.

1795
A naval signal station built to keep an eye on the French.

1797
Indoor baths open in Bath Place.

1798
Princess Amelia spends enjoys recuperative visit to Worthing, bringing much kudos to Worthing.

The start of mass tourism in Worthing >>>