Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne, often shortened to Newcastle, is a city in the county of Tyne and Wear in North East England. It is also a unitary authority with a population of around 259,000 (2001 census). However, the metropolitan boroughs of North Tyneside (population c.190,000), South Tyneside (population c. 150,000) and Gateshead (population c.200,000) are also part of Newcastle's conurbation. Newcastle is the main city in North East England, and around the 14th largest city in England. As such, it is one of England's core cities.

History and development

Newcastle, known at the time as "Pons Aelius" was founded by the Roman Emperor Hadrian, whose Wall is still visible in parts of Newcastle, particularly along the West Road that leads out from the city center towards the A69 road. The course of the Wall can also be traced eastwards to Segedunum, which is today known as Wallsend.

Related Topics:
Roman Emperor - Hadrian - Wall - A69 road - Segedunum - Wallsend

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After the Roman withdrawal from Britain, Newcastle became part of the powerful Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria and was known throughout this period as Monkchester. Pilgrims travelled to the City to visit the Holy Well of Jesus' Mount, in what is now Jesmond. One of Newcastle's biggest modern shopping streets, Pilgrim Street, is so-called because of the popularity of the well.

Related Topics:
Northumbria - Jesmond

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After a series of conflicts with the Danes and the devestation that occurred north of the River Tyne as a result of Odo's rebellion against the Norman invasion of 1080, Monkchester had all but been destroyed. Because of its strategic position, Robert Curthose, son of the Conqueror, erected a wooden castle there in 1080 and the town was henceforth known as Novum Castellum or Newcastle.

Related Topics:
Danes - River Tyne - Odo's - Norman - 1080 - Robert Curthose - Conqueror

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Throughout the Middle Ages, Newcastle was England's northern fortress, and was an important stronghold in the Border war against Scotland. The Scots king William the Lion was imprisoned in Newcastle in 1174, and Edward I brought the Stone of Scone and William Wallace south through the town. Newcastle was successfully defended against the Scots three times during the 14th century and around this time became a county corporate.

Related Topics:
Scotland - William the Lion - 1174 - Edward I - Stone of Scone - William Wallace - 14th century - County corporate

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the English Civil War, Newcastle supported King Charles and was stormed by Cromwell's Scots allies 'with roaring drummes' in 1644. The grateful King bestowed the motto FORTITER DEFENDIT TRIUMPHANS upon the town. Ironically, Charles was imprisoned in Newcastle by the Scots in 1646-7.

Related Topics:
English Civil War - Charles - 1644 - 1646 - 7

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Newcastle's development as a major city owed much to its central role in the export of coal from the Northumberland coalfields. In the nineteenth century, shipbuilding and heavy engineering were central to the city's prosperity; and the city was a powerhouse of the nation's prosperity. Innovation in Newcastle and surrounding areas included the development of Safety lamps, Stephenson's Rocket, and Charles Algernon Parsons' invention and commercialisation of the steam turbine, leading to his Turbinia.

Related Topics:
Coal - Northumberland - Nineteenth century - Shipbuilding - Engineering - Safety lamps - Stephenson's Rocket - Charles Algernon Parsons' - Steam turbine - Turbinia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mosley Street, in the centre of the City, is claimed to be the first in the world to have electric street lighting though this is contested. Heavy industries in Newcastle declined in the second half of the twentieth century; office and retail employment are now the City's staples.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~