Birmingham

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What can I say about Birmingham?

Birmingham is a city in the Midlands (the bit in between the North and the South) of England. It is the second largest city of England (after London) and the third largest city in the UK (after London and Glasgow). It has a population of 977,091 (on census day 2001).

Map Of The UK

The map is from the University Of Texas At Austin General Libraries.

Birmingham was founded in Saxon times, possibly around 700 AD. The name is Saxon in origin, "Birm" (or "Berm") is the name of a man, "ing" denotes a family and "ham" means home. Thus Birmingham is the home of Birm's family. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book, 1086, where it is valued at Ł1. In 1166 the Lord of the Manor, Peter de Birmingham, was granted a royal charter to hold a weekly market. In 1250 Birmingham was the right to hold a fair. Helped by the market and the fair wool, metal working and leather working industries grew up.

In 1500 Birmingham had a population of 1,500. In the 1530's Edward de Birmingham, the then lord of the manor, had his property confiscated and was sent to the Tower Of London.

In 1635 the construction of Aston Hall was completed, built by Sir Thomas Holte, a wealthy local landowner. It is one of the finest Jacobean country houses in England.

In 1715 St Phillip's church (today St Phillip's cathedral) was opened. By 1720 the population had grown to 11,000and by 1750 to 24,000. 1801 73,670, 1821 106,722, Birmingham was granted city status in 1889. In 1901 its population had risen to 522,204. In 1905 St Phillip's church became a cathedral. In 1968 the population was 1,116,000