When did guildford get city status?

Answer 1

Guildford does not have official city status, as city status has never been granted by the crown.

However, It has generally been mistakenly beleived that since the diocease of Guildford was created and cathedral built, that Guildford has had city status. The Football team Guildford United was renamed Guildford City at this time.

The days when Catherdrals automatically madetown into cities are long gone and this tradition was started by Henry VIII, who granted city status to towns with new cathedrals.

In recent times especially in the industrial revolution, many towns without cathedrals grew in size i.e. Birmingham, Southampton etc... It was then a choice whether to give these large towns city status, or give city status to smaller towns without catherdrals. This was where the Cathedral city tradition ended. This means that there are now cities without Cathedrals.

Guildford was made the official "County Town" of Surrey by order of King Henry III. This title has been held ever since, even whilst Surrey County Hall is in Kingston-Upon-Thames.