Portsmouth, a city in Hampshire, England, is a port city and unitary authority located on Portsea Island. Known for its rich naval history, Portsmouth is the only city in England not located primarily
on the mainland. With a population last recorded at 208,100, it is the most densely populated city in the United Kingdom. Portsmouth forms part of the South Hampshire urban area with Gosport, Fareham, Havant, Eastleigh, and Southampton.
First Peoples & First Mentions
The history of Portsmouth can be traced back to Roman times. The Romans built Portus Adurni, now called Portchester Castle, a fort at nearby Portchester in the late 3rd century. The city's Old English name, "Portesmuda," is derived from port (a haven) and muda (the mouth of a large river or estuary). In the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a warrior named Port and his two sons killed a noble Briton in Portsmouth in 501.
Explorers, Missions & Colonial Outposts
Portsmouth was founded around 1180 by Anglo-Norman merchant Jean de Gisors in the south-west area of Portsea Island, a location now known as Old Portsmouth. Around this time, de Gisors ordered the construction of a chapel dedicated to St Thomas Becket. This became a parish church by the 14th century. Portsmouth was established as a town with a royal charter on 2 May 1194.
From Empire to Nation: Transfers of Rule
Portsmouth's strategic location made it a significant Royal Navy dockyard and base for centuries. The city is home to the first drydock ever built, constructed by Henry VII in 1496. By the early-19th century, Portsmouth was the most heavily fortified city in the world and was considered "the world's greatest naval port" at the height of the British Empire throughout Pax Britannica.
Rails, Roads & River Landings: Corridors That Sited Portsmouth
Portsmouth's development was further enhanced by its transportation links. The city has several mainline railway stations that connect to London Victoria and London Waterloo, among other lines in southern England. Portsmouth International Port is a commercial cruise ship and ferry port for international destinations, making it the second busiest in the United Kingdom after Dover, handling around three million passengers a year.
