Govan

Govan is a district and former burgh in the southwestern part of the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is situated on the south bank of the River Clyde, just across from Partick. It was an administratively independent Police Burgh from 1864 until it was swallowed up by an ever expanding city of Glasgow in 1912.

History

Govan, once known as Meikle Govan to distinguish it from Little Govan (the Gorbals), is a place of considerable antiquity. Researchers believe that Govan was the site of one of the earliest Christian settlements in mainland Scotland, dating back to before the 9th century. At that time, the area was part of the Kingdom of Strathclyde, with its capital at Dumbarton on the north side of the river. The name comes from Baile Ghobhainn meaning "Smithtown" in Scottish Gaelic, and probably derives from an earlier Brythonic cognate. According to John of Fordun, Constantine, a 7th century King of Strathclyde, founded a monastery at Govan, where he died and was buried.

Related Topics:
Gorbals - Christian - 9th century - Kingdom of Strathclyde - Dumbarton - Scottish Gaelic - Brythonic - John of Fordun

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The earliest references to Govan are found in connection with church matters. In 1136, when Glasgow Cathedral was formally consecrated, King David I gave to the See the lands of Perteyc and also of the church at Govan, which became a prebend of Glasgow. The Govan Old Parish Church was rebuilt in 1762, 1826, and again 1884-1888. Within it and its roughly circular churchyard is one of the finest collections of Early Christian stones in Britain, dating from the 10th and 11th centuries. In 1855, a sarcophagus was found during digging in the churchyard. This can now be found inside the church and is thought to have contained the relics of Constantine.

Related Topics:
1136 - Glasgow Cathedral - David I - Perteyc - Prebend - Govan Old Parish Church - 1762 - 1826 - 1884 - 1888 - 1855 - Sarcophagus

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A prominent feature of the Govan landscape was the Doomster or Moot Hill, which stood near the river, north of the present Govan Cross. The origins of the Doomster Hill are a mystery.

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It may have been a prehistoric burial mound. In 1996, a team from Channel 4's Time Team programme carried out a dig at the site. The suggested that it could be a 12th century Norman motte. The hill was removed in the early 19th century and Reid's Dyeworks erected on the site.

Related Topics:
1996 - Channel 4 - Time Team - 12th century - Norman - Motte - 19th century

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For most of its history, ecclesiastical affairs were the mainstay of the community, although by the 16th century there were extensive coal mine workings around Craigton and Drumoyne. As the village grew, new trades and crafts, such as weaving, pottery and agriculture, were established.

Related Topics:
16th century - Craigton - Drumoyne

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By the early part of the 19th century, Govan was rapidly losing its rural appearance and assuming the character of a town as other industries such as Reid's Dye Works near Water Row and Pollok's Silk Mill began to spring up. Above all else, with the deepening of the Clyde from 1759, the removal of the islands, and the building of quays and docks, shipbuilding accelerated this change. By the 1860s, it was obvious that a proper administration was required and the village was made a burgh in 1864, under the General Police (Scotland) Act of 1862. With Morris Pollok as its first Provost, the Burgh and its Commissioners ensured that over the next 48 years Govan became a well equipped, modern town. During the 19th century, the population of Govan increased from 9,000 in 1864 to 95,000 by 1907. In 1912, Govan was annexed to Glasgow.

Related Topics:
19th century - 1759 - 1860s - Burgh - 1864 - Provost - 1907 - 1912

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