Boston's history is a rich one, with notable characters and events. In the Middle Ages the town became an important port for the Hanseatic traders of northern Europe and for a period in the 13th Century Boston was the leading port in England. In 1545 the town was granted its charter and became a Borough. By the 17th Century Boston had become a centre of religious non-conformism, inspired by figures such as Foxe and Cotton. Many Bostonians left to take up a new life in Massachusetts, USA. As time went by, the drainage of the fenlands and the construction of extensive sea banks created vast areas of rich land suitable for the cultivation of crops and led to another period of growth.

The 20th century saw a greater provision of public services and these included the Municipal Buildings (1904), the County Hall (1927), Boston College (1964) and Pilgrim Hospital opened by Princess Anne in 1976. Boston has developed into an important road transport centre and Boston Dock has expanded considerably.

As an East Coast port Boston was always involved in European trade, so in future it will benefit from Britain's ever closer links with the rest of Europe.