History of Newcastle
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History of Newcastle
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The city of Newcastle was founded at the lowest place the Tyne could be easily crossed. In 1080 the Normans built a wooden fort to safeguard the crossing. They also erected a wooden bridge. (The 'new castle' was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century). Soon a little town grew up in the shadow of the new castle and was named after it. In the Middle Ages towns often grew up by castles because the garrisons provided a market for the townspeople's goods.
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By 1600 the population of Newcastle had risen to about 10,000. By the standards of the time it was a large and important town. In 1635 a writer called Newcastle 'the fairest and richest town in England inferior for wealth and building to no city save London and Bristol'. In 1642 came civil war between king and parliament. Newcastle sided with the king but after the battle of Marston Moor in 1644 a parliamentary army laid siege to the town. Newcastle surrendered in October 1644.
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In the years 1825-1840 the town centre was rebuilt. This was mostly the work of three men, John Dobson, an architect, Richard Grainger, a builder and John Clayton the town clerk. All three have streets named after them. Dobson designed Eldon Square and Grainger built it 1825-31. A man named Thomas Oliver designed Leazes Terrace. Grainger built it in 1829-34. Dobson designed and Grainger built Grey Street in the 1830s. It was named after Earl Grey prime minister 1830-34. (Earl Grey’s monument was erected in 1838). Grainger also built the market named after him.
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In the 20th century coal exports declined dramatically. The last coal mine within the boundaries of Newcastle closed in 1956. Shipbuilding also dramatically declined. During the 1930s Newcastle suffered from mass unemployment. However, after 1945, as manufacturing industry contracted new service industries grew. More and more people were employed in public administration, retail and education. Newcastle University was formed in 1963.
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| The Life Science Centre opened in 2000. The Millennium Bridge was opened in 2001. The Baltic Art Centre opened in 2002. Today the population of Newcastle is 259,000. |
