The History of Plymouth, England
Plymouth History
Surrounded by the English Channel and the rivers Tamar and Plym, the city of Plymouth is a part of the county of Devon. According to historical records, the origin of Plymouth can be dated back to the Bronze Age. During this period, the city was used as a major port area by the trading community of the time. Early historical records of Plymouth 
suggest that the area that the city occupied earlier was known as Sutton, meaning ‘town in the south’ in Old English. Later, the area got the name Plymouth predominantly because of its location, the word meaning ‘River Plym’s mouth.’
The city saw significant development during the 16th century because of its prominence in the world of maritime trade. Famous tradesmen like Francis Drake and John Hawkins gave much importance to Plymouth as a major port for their sea faring enterprises.
The 17th century marked an important period in the history of Plymouth since it was during this period that the pilgrims travelled to America and set up what is now known as the Plymouth Colony. Presently, Plymouth Colony is a part of Massachusetts. At this time, the city also happened to lose its eminence as a major hub for maritime trade.
An important milestone in Plymouth’s history is the First World War when the city regained its importance as an important port. However, during the Second World War, most parts of Plymouth were destroyed as a result of Nazi air raids and bombings.
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