Ipswich History, United Kingdom

Ipswich, UK - History: An Insight Into The History Of Ipswich

The history of Ipswich can be traced back to the early 7th century. There is confusion though about the fact that how the town got its name. While some are of the belief that the name comes from ‘Gippa’s wic’, others are of the belief that the name came from ‘Gip’s wic’. The town used to be a trade hub, and used to trade whetstones, millstones and wool. Millstones and whetstones were imported into Ipswich from Germany, and wool was exported out of the town.

Ipswich went on to become a major trading town in the Middle Ages. Wool used to be the mainstay of trade in those days, and was exported out of the town. The leather industry was the other important industry that was found to be prevalent in Ipswich. A large number of people used to work in the leather industry as tanners, skinners and shoemakers. Apart from them, there were many others, who worked as brewers, bakers, blacksmiths and butchers in the middle ages. A shipbuilding industry also came up in Ipswich somewhere around the thirteenth century.

Although the wool industry in Ipswich flourished even in the 16th century, it saw a downfall in the 17th century. Along with the shipbuilding industry that was already established in the town, the sail making industry was also started towards the end of the 16th century. Although it flourished initially towards the end of the 17th century, the sail making industry declined. The population of the town grew during these times, and the town went on to become a very big one.

In the 18th century, it was noticed that the wool trade that had been a flourishing industry in Ipswich for centuries eventually hit a rock bottom and went dead. However, other industries like shipbuilding, brewing, leather and malting flourished. 19th century saw a great deal of prosperity and went on to become a manufacturing centre. A large number of industries thrived in the town, and it continued to be a major manufacturing town.

Ipswich did not suffer much during the World War I except for two zeppelin raids. The 20th century saw the emergence of the new industries and the old industries like brewing and shipbuilding ceased to exist. Among the various industries that came up in the 20th century, the tourism industry was also one of them.

Ipswich happens to be one of the famous towns in UK and really has a great history behind it.