HISTORIC NEWCASTLE
This past year the magazine has had several articles on ‘Historic Newcastle’ Of course it’s impossible to include everything about our City, as its history is Vast. From the Vikings, the Romans, wars and border skirmishes have all made Newcastle and the surrounding area the interesting place it now is. From a smoky industrial town Newcastle has grown into a beautiful and elegant City. Architecture from Messr’s Dobson and Grainger sit side by side with modern buildings very comfortably. The new Library, the Civic Centre and the Gate etc. are a fine example and do not detract at all. The ‘Most beautiful Street’ in England (Grey Street) home of the Theatre Royal, and graces the top end of the street with the ever-watchful eye of Lord Grey gazing down upon it all. King Charles the 1st was a prisoner in Anderson House, which is now Lloyds Bank on the corner of Market and Grey Street. Newcastle has had many famous visitors including my own favourite John of Gaunt who stayed at castle while on his way to Scotland. The Emperor Hadrian himself came across the seas to check how the Wall was getting on and I’m sure he would be most pleased to know that so much of it is still standing! I love this City and never get tired of seeing all it has to offer, from the theatres, restaurants, art galleries cinemas and shops, Newcastle has it all!
Here’s some of the history that did not make it into the magazine.
AD120 The Romans built the first bridge across the River Tyne.
AD500 The Angles arrived in the North East.
The Normans hit the English shores in 1066 but Northumbrians put up a great resistance!
Throughout the Middle Ages Newcastle was England’s northern fortress, the centre for mustering armies. The border wars lasted for several centuries.
During the Reformation begun by Henry 8th the five Newcastle Friaries and the single Nunnery were dissolved and the land was sold to rich merchants.
In the Stuart Period Charles the 1st tried to raise money by doubling the ‘voluntary’ tax on coal in return for allowing the Newcastle Hostmen to regulate production and fix prices. This caused outrage and the king had to reverse his decision in 1638.
During the 18th century Newcastle had the Jacobite supporters march into town the gates of the City were closed against the rebels.
The Victorian period saw Newcastle come into it’s own! Railways, Shipping Coal mines and architecture (Dobson & Grainger) Joseph Swan demonstrated a working electric light bulb. George Stephenson developed the miner’s safety lamp Charles Parson invented the steam turbine, William Armstrong invented a hydraulic crane. There were glassmakers and potteries all exporting beautiful objects and making a name for the City. Right up to the present time Newcastle has played an important part in history and quite often showing the way to the rest of the world.
K.E.