Gainsborough, Lincolnshire

Gainsborough is a town in Lincolnshire, England. The West Lindsey Council headquarters are based in Gainsborough.

History

One of the best preserved manor houses in Britain, Gainsborough Old Hall is a large 15th century timber-framed medieval strong house. Sir Thomas Burgh built it between 1460 and 1480. It boasts a magnificent Great Hall and strong brick tower. King Richard III in 1483 and King Henry VIII in 1541 both stayed at the Old Hall.

Related Topics:
King Richard III - King Henry VIII

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Plans to expand Gainsborough as a new town, linked with Sheffield, never came to fruition, so it remains a small market town. The River Trent runs right alongside Gainsborough, and recently the river banks have been renovated to provide residents and tourist with access to the riverside and a sitting area to enjoy the view.

Related Topics:
New town - Sheffield - Market town - River Trent

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Historically, Gainsborough is the 'capital that never was.' King Cnut allegedly performed his unsuccessful attempt to turn the tide back in the River Trent at Gainsborough, but nevertheless, the town was a capital city of Mercia during the Dark Ages. During the post-WWI years, money poured into the area, and residents from London's East End, Newcastle, Glasgow, Liverpool and other towns were lured here by the promise of jobs in a new boom town. However, the jobs eventually disappeared, leaving Gainsborough with a high unemployment rate and a population of first and second generation town dwellers stranded in a rural backwater with little and low paid work, moulding the town into what it is today, a town that has more the feel of an urban inner city than a rural market town (c.f. with Grantham or Louth).

Related Topics:
King Cnut - River Trent - Mercia - Dark Ages - East End - Newcastle - Glasgow - Liverpool - Grantham - Louth

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