There is evidence that there have been settlements in this area from a very early time. Remains still found today – for example the rock houses and the Druidic remains – support this theory. There have also been Roman coins found in the area which are considered to be linked to the remains of a Roman Villa near to Mansfield Woodhouse.

The origin of the name Mansfield has been attriubuted to two different origins. The first is that the town itself is found on the river Maun – therefore Mauns-field. However, in the Domesday book it is spelt Mamesfield, and the prefix mamm is the Celtic for hill. Therefore the other claim is that it means a hill by a field.

50  Romans had established a fortress and a civilian settlement with two vilas

1227  King Henry III issued a Charter which stated that the Men of Maunesfield and  their  heirs should have a Market which should be held on Mondays.

1304  On 12th September Mansfield Woodhouse was completely destroyed by a fire.  The people of Mansfield appealed to King Edward I for permission to gather  timber to rebuild

1337  Stones cut from the quarries at Mansfield were used to build the Chapter at  Southwell Minster

1377  King Richard II granted a Fair to the men of Mansfield

1584  Some of the oldest parts of White Lion Yard which consists of an inn, shops  and dwellings clustered around a small courtyard date back to this year

1602  During the Saxon times Mansfiled was considered an important place as it was  the personal property of the King of England and was known as “The King’s  great Manor  in the Forest of Sherwood”. It remained his property until it was  sold in this year to the Cavendish Family

1689  The Act of Toleration was passed which was supposed to end the harassment  that Quakers and other non-conforming people underwent

1691  The title of Viscount Mansfield became exctinct in this year following the death  of the  4th and last Duke of Newcastle who was from the Cavendish Family.
18th Century During this period there were 36 maltings in the town with the majority of them  being owned by a man called William Broadhurst

1740  The only surviving Malting of the town was built in this year and it is now a bar  which can be found on Midworth Street. It ceased to be a Malting in 1976 when  production stopped.

1785  William Smith converted an old corn mill into a cotton spinning mill known as  Field Mill. It was one of the seven water-powered spinning mills built between  1790 and 1800 which were found along the River Maun between Little Matlock  Mill and Bath Mill

1819  Mansfield and Pinxton railway was founded

1821  Mansfield’s first Meeting House was erected in the heart of the town

1855-6 St John’s Church was built at a cost of £8,000
 Mansfield Brewery was founded and has remained and expanded    here

1870  A mission Church was opened on Stockwell Gate

1889  St Mark’s Parish was created

1902  Sherwood colliery was sunk just within Mansfield Woodhouse and this was  followed 2 years later by Crown Farm colliery at Forest Town

1910  A cinema was built in this year and it is now known as the Palace Theatre   which is located on Lemming Street

1932  The tram service which had begun in 1905 ceased to operate

1990’s The Robin Hood Line was introduced but before this Mansfield was the   largest town in Europe without a railway station

Mansfield is notable for being one of the only towns in the United Kingdom that directly elects their Mayor

With the best of intention all of the above information is true, correct and given in good faith, however, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within the above.

Equally we recommend that should you need or want to find out more you should conduct more detailed independant research.