Records dating from the early Middle Ages indicate Fareham was a significant market town - serving the surrounding agricultural area - and a market has been held here since the 12th century.
For many centuries Fareham was a flourishing seaport. In early medieval times it had an active role in shipping out Hampshire grain in exchange for French wine and by the 14th century Fareham was well known as an important south coast port. During this period much of the trade of the kingdom was conducted by small coastal vessels. Ships would bring imports such as coal, corn, salt, hides and bark to Fareham's quays. This cargo would then be replaced with produce from Fareham's industries such as timber, leather, bricks, pottery and grain. The ships would be loaded in Fareham Creek and in the Haven at Titchfield. In those days there was a passage for vessels right into Titchfield but this eventually declined as the silting up of the river assisted in strangling the sea-borne trade.
During the late 18th century ship-building was at its peak in Fareham and this helped to give the town a big advantage. At that time the area was heavily wooded and timber from vast Fareham and Titchfield parks was transported by sea via Fareham and Warsash to other ship-building centres around the coast. This industry continued for 100 years until it began to wane, although during the early part of this century a large number of smaller pleasure craft were being built by local ship-builders and this still continues today at boatyards along the River Hamble.
Once shipbuilding began its decline other industries prospered. These included strawberry growing, production of chimney- pots, leather-tanning, brewing, flour, woollen goods, sacking, timber, pottery, and clay-pipes. During Georgian and early Victorian times Fareham grew rapidly to serve the needs of the surrounding agricultural area and the Royal Navy. Many elegant houses were built during this period so that high-ranking Naval Officers could live in pleasant surroundings away from the Dockyard. Shops and businesses grew around a cheese market in the High Street and a large cattle and provision market that was held in the centre of West Street until the 1960's. The town was one of the first in the country to be lit by electric lights.
Fareham had an active brick making industry until 1974 using local clay and producing the famous 'Fareham Reds' bricks. Many of the unspoilt Georgian houses in the prestigious High Street are built of these.
From the time of King Henry II in 1163, Fareham has had links with royalty, with several reigning monarchs visiting and staying in the area. Portchester Castle was a popular residence. Edward III stayed there while preparing for his expedition which led to the Battle of Crecy and the Siege of Calais. Henry V and his archers used it as a base for his invasion of France and the King returned to it after the Battle of Agincourt. Henry VIII visited the Castle with his second wife, Anne Boleyn in 1535 and his daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, later held court there several times.
During the Civil War of 1642-1646 Fareham supported the royal cause and as a result of its allegiance to King Charles I, suffered badly at the hands of the victorious Cromwellians on several occasions.
The reign of King Edward 1 saw the formation of the first English Parliament and Fareham was one of only a handful of Hampshire towns invited to send representatives. Its population of 6,996 in 1801 had more than doubled by 1891 and by 1931 it had grown to 21,817. In 1932 the old town of Fareham joined with ancient villages surrounding it to form the Urban District of Fareham which eventually became a separate Parliamentary Constituency in 1970. In 1974 Fareham achieved the status of Borough and today boasts a population of over 105,000. |
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