A potted history
 (a very small pot at that)

Lichfield is not new to the country by any means. The Romans built Letocetum in the 1st century AD, a fort 2 miles to the south of Lichfield, at the crossroads of Watling Street and Ryknild Street.

They decamped in the 5th century and it is a bit hazy as to what happened for a while. Then, the Veneral Bede recorded that Chad moved his bishopric to Licidfelth in 669AD. He built the first church, probably on the site of the current cathedral which dates from the 13th century. Chad’s Licidfelth quickly became  the ecclesiastical centre of the Kingdom of Mercia.

Lichfield, a stronghold for Royalists, suffered during the Civil War due to its strategic position between north and south. Parliamentarians desecrated the Cathedral in 1643 and bombarded it in 1646 when the central spire collapsed.

In later centuries the original Roman routes became important highways. Lichfield was a major staging post for the horse drawn coaches and carriages of the time. Lichfield had one of the highest number of Inns per head of population just to cater for the constant traffic.

The city fathers had the confidence and foresight to resist the temptation of allowing the railways into Lichfield for some time. Lichfield had the good fortune to miss the growth to a major commercial centre that has spoilt so many nearby towns. Now Lichfield has the best of both worlds in a charming, delightful city that is thriving. The city of Lichfield should thank those foresighted city fathers of years ago and pray that the current and future incumbents enjoy as much civic pride and foresight.