In 853AD it was written that Ethelwulf had celebrated in Royal splendor the marriage of his daughter Ethelswithsa, to Burgred King of Mercia in Chippenham. The marriage had bonded the kingdoms together to protect against any future threats from the Danes.

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In 878 the Danes seized the town! Ethelswithsa's brother Alfred the Great gained victory over the Danes at Edington , thus causing the Danes to withdraw to Chippenham where a fortnight later they accepted terms, agreeing to withdraw from Wessex and convert to Christianity.

In May 1554 Queen Mary granted the town a charter of incorporation. 

In 1812 Robert Peel became the MP for Chippenham, over ten years later he set up the Metropolitan Police known as "Peelers".

Pictured to the right is St Andrews Church this is the oldest building in Chippenham, and it occupies the site of the older Saxon Church.

In April 1960 tragedy stuck when a taxi traveling through Chippenham carrying the singer Eddie Cochran crashed. Although the driver and two other passengers (girlfriend Sharon Sheeley and singer Gene Vincent) survived, Eddie Cochran died. A plaque has now been placed at Rowden Hill the scene of the accident.

For an excellent Site visit: http://rockandroll.future.easyspace.com/cochran.htm

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In February 1998 a couple of World War II bombs were uncovered in a field at Hardens Mead. Many homes were evacuated, with families staying at nearby RAF Lyneham. After two days the Army carried out a controlled explosion.