On This Day
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Plymouth, England, becomes the first town incorporated by the English Parliament

Plymouth ( PLIM-əth) is a port city and unitary authority in Devon, South West England.

Plymouth ( PLIM-əth) is a port city and unitary authority in Devon, South West England. It is located on Devon's south coast between the rivers Plym and Tamar, about 36 miles (58 km) southwest of Exeter and 193 miles (311 km) southwest of London. It is the most populous city in Devon.

Plymouth's history extends back to the Bronze Age, evolving from a trading post at Mount Batten into the thriving market town of Sutton, which was formally re-named as Plymouth in 1439 when it was made a borough. The settlement has played a significant role in English history, notably in 1588 when an English fleet based here defeated the Spanish Armada, and in 1620 as the departure point for the Pilgrim Fathers to the New World.

Historical Significance

Plymouth ( PLIM-əth) is a port city and unitary authority in Devon, South West England.

Events Before

  1. Peasant uprising in Transylvania

    The Transylvanian peasant revolt (Hungarian: erdélyi parasztfelkelés), also known as the Bábolna revolt (Romanian: Răscoala de la Bobâlna) was a popular revolt in the eastern territories of the...

  2. Albert II of Habsburg is crowned King of Hungary after the death of his father-in-law, King Sigismund

    Albert the Magnanimous , elected King of the Romans as Albert II (10 August 1397 – 27 October 1439), was a member of the House of Habsburg. By inheritance he became Albert V, Duke of Austria.

  3. Pope Eugene IV tries to break the power of the Council of Basel by transferring it to Ferrara

    Pope Eugene IV tries to break the power of the Council of Basel by transferring it to Ferrara

  4. Albert II of Habsburg chosen as King of Germany at Frankfurt

    Albert II of Habsburg chosen as King of Germany at Frankfurt

  5. King Charles VII issues the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges stating that a General Church Council with superior power to t

    King Charles VII issues the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges stating that a General Church Council with superior power to the Pope must be held every 10 years

Events After

  1. Future Duke of Burgundy Charles the Bold weds Catherine of France, Countess of Charolais

    Future Duke of Burgundy Charles the Bold weds Catherine of France, Countess of Charolais

  2. The Prussian Confederation is formed

    The Prussian Confederation (German: Preußischer Bund, Polish: Związek Pruski) was an organization formed on 21 February 1440 at Marienwerder (present-day Kwidzyn) by a group of 53 nobles and clergy...

  3. Christopher of Bavaria is appointed King of Denmark (1440-48)

    Christopher of Bavaria is appointed King of Denmark (1440-48)

  4. Notorious serial killer Gilles de Rais is finally arrested upon an accusation brought against him by the Bishop of Nante

    Notorious serial killer Gilles de Rais is finally arrested upon an accusation brought against him by the Bishop of Nantes

  5. Ivan the Great is born

    Ivan the Great is born

More from the 1430s

Jews of Sicily are no longer required to attend conversion services

Jews of Sicily are no longer required to attend conversion services

Albert II of Habsburg is crowned King of Hungary after the death of his father-in-law, King Sigismund

Albert the Magnanimous , elected King of the Romans as Albert II (10 August 1397 – 27 October 1439), was a member of the House of Habsburg. By inheritance he became Albert V, Duke of Austria.

Duke Philip the Good (33) formally celebrate marriage Isabella of Portugal (32) in Sluys, Burgundy

Duke Philip the Good (33) formally celebrate marriage Isabella of Portugal (32) in Sluys, Burgundy

Judges' investigations for the trial of Joan of Arc begin in Rouen, France, the seat of the English occupation governmen

Judges' investigations for the trial of Joan of Arc begin in Rouen, France, the seat of the English occupation government

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on November 12, 1439?
Plymouth ( PLIM-əth) is a port city and unitary authority in Devon, South West England. It is located on Devon's south coast between the rivers Plym and Tamar, about 36 miles (58 km) southwest of Exeter and 193 miles (311 km) southwest of London. It is the most populous city in Devon.
Why is Plymouth, England, becomes the first town incorporated by the English Parliament significant?
Plymouth ( PLIM-əth) is a port city and unitary authority in Devon, South West England.

Explore More

November 12 in HistoryYear 1439