The
sixteenth-century writer Camden called Woolwich the "Mother
Dock of England" as this is supposed to be the most
ancient naval arsenal in England.
Historically
Deptford was a small fishing village subject to regular
inundations of the Thames. The Saxons called it Hulviz,
which meant 'street on the creek'. Deptford formed part
of the manor of Eltham, but by the late eighteenth century
century had come into the possession of the Bowater family,
though the manor of Deptford remained subordinate to the
royal manor of Eltham.
By
the early nineteenth century the ordnance works at Woolwich
had become one of the most important in England. The dock
yard was also important, most famously for being the place
that Henry VIII built his flagship Great Harry.
The dockyard continued in service for centuries, but was
finally closed in 1869. In its time many explorers set
out from its yards, including Captain Cook and Sir Walter
Ralegh.
Besides
the ordnance works and the dockyards, Woolwich was a site
of much industry throughout its history, boasting England's
first salt-glazed stoneware kiln, glass works, the Royal
Laboratory and, subsequently, a military academy. Woolwich
is also famous as being the founding home of the football
club Arsenal.
