Newark On Trent History
 

For some fantastic Videos on Newark through the ages, from Stone Age to Tudor and Early Stuart, please see HERE

 

Newark-on-Trent's history stretches back to prehistoric times, with evidence of human activity dating back 14,000 years.

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Palaeolithic flint scatters found at Farndon Fields suggest that early humans used the area as a camp for processing their kills, such as wild horses and red deer migrating across the River Trent. Between 1991 and 2018 Farndon Archaeological Research Institute (FARI) explored the site between the old fosse way and the New A46. The Flint tools found were of different styles, indicating that they were created over many year.

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Bronze Age (c. 3300BC – c. 700 BC)

There are various bronze ages sites around Newark. In 2016-2017, excavations in advance of the Midlebeck development uncovered evidence of the Bronze Age (Undertaken by Oxford Archaeology North). A Henge monument was found, which contained at least one raised causeway entrance and pits, postholes and other interal features. The initial major discovery was a circular ditch with upright timbers dating back to around 3,300 BC. Positioned near a spring, the enclosure featured internal posts and pits, possibly forming concentric arcs of upright timbers, suggesting cultural and religious significance for prehistoric communities.

They also discovered early to middle Bronze Age vessels/urns. An intriguing find was a polished stone axe head from Langdale, Cumbria, likely contemporaneous with the enclosure. Significantly, this axe head was buried alongside Iron Age pottery, indicating its reuse as a whetstone over approximately 3,000 years. This suggests the object was valued and passed down through generations.
 

The site also yielded 35 cremation burials from the Bronze Age, necklace beads, and evidence of a substantial Iron Age farming community. These findings highlight the enduring human presence in the area and the evolution of cultural practices over time.

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To see more on this find - https://www.thearchaeologist.org/.../henge-monument-and...

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Iron Age (c. 800 BC – c. 43 AD

The area around Newark was part of the tribal lands of the Corieltauxi, once known as the Coritani (a Celtic tribe living in Britain prior to the Roman conquest) The Corieltauvi were a largely agricultural people who had few strongly defended sites. The regional capital was at Ratae Corieltauvorum (Leicester).

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The neighbouring tribes were the Brigantes to the North, Coronovii to the West, Dobunni & Catuvellauni to the south and Iceni to the east. Known Iron Age sites are locate din North Muskham, Southwell, Kilvington, Oxton & Calverton

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There are quite a few Iron Age object that can be viewed in the Civil war Museum in Newark, including a bone weaving comb, fragments of an iron age dagger and a loom weight.

One of the most spectacular Iron age finds in Britain occurred in 2005, when local metal detectorist found the Newark Torc (250-50BC) – read more about it HERE

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Iron age settlements have been found east of bow bridge lane, including round houses, ditches, pottery and a neolithic axe which showed signs of use as a whetstone

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Roman Period (43AD – 410 AD)

We don't know Newark's name during this period. Whilst a 4th century itinerary records the names of the fortified towns along the Fosse Way, Margidunum (Bingham), Ad Pontem (East Stoke/Thorpe) and Crococolana (Brough) and the fact they were 14 miles apart, a settlement at Newark is never named. From archaeological evidence the settlement was on Northgate in the area of Northgate Retail Park. Many artefacts were found when building the Warwick & Richardson Brewery buildings back in the 1880s and more Roman foundations were found on the other side of the brewery where Marks & Spencers etc are now ahead of construction work starting there.

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There is no evidence of a Roman influence on the layout of the town however. It was a small settlement ideally situated between the Fosse Way and the River Trent, but too far from the town that was eventually to become Newark

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There have been a lot of Roman artifacts and villas found locally, including Southwell, Norton Disney, Car Colston and more. There is a fantastic video all about Roman Newark -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoOhAgBCHi8&t=2s

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A stand out is the Norton Disney dodecohedron – which you can find out more about here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/764930611107106/posts/1680249316241893/

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Roman Pottery Kilns

Perhaps the most significant revelation of the Middlebeck archaeological dig was the discovery of 73 Roman kilns, accompanied by a vast quantity of related pottery. Described as "remarkably well-preserved," these kilns indicate the existence of a previously unknown Roman pottery production center of regional, if not national, importance. This find challenges previous assumptions about the extent of Roman industrial activity in the Newark area and the broader Midlands region.

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The archaeological dig at Middlebeck has unraveled a tapestry of human history spanning from prehistoric times to the Roman era. The discovery of a henge monument, Roman kilns, and evidence of continuous human habitation reinforces the historical significance of Nottinghamshire. As development progresses, the challenge lies in balancing the preservation of these ancient wonders with the needs of the modern community. The Middlebeck excavation serves as a reminder that beneath our feet lies a treasure trove of stories waiting to be unearthed.

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Saxon Period (410 AD - 1066 AD)

 

Following the Roman withdrawal, Newark became part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia. The creation of a new burgh, as fortified towns were called, at Newark secured an important strategic position. The Neue Werk or New Work was coined to describe a new defensive work. Although the Old Work has not been firmly located there are suggestions that an Ald Wark was noted on ancient maps not far from Newark towards Farndon. Another possibility is that Southwell may have been the Old Work, but this is far from certain. It is possible to suggest a number of dates for this, ranging from 918 – c, 954. The best clue at present is a coin of King Edwy which is claimed to have a mint mark representing Newark. Edwy died in 957. It is believed that the Anglo-Saxon burh was focused on the castle site and was enclosed by Kirk Gate, Middle Gate and Stodman Street. Excavations in and around the Market Place have revealed a lack of Anglo-Saxon objects, which support this theory.

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There was an extensive early AS pagan cremation cemetery on Millgate, where Southfield House is today, where as early as 1724 William Stukeley recorded 4 cremation urns being found. In the 1960s over 300 were excavated and most are currently in the civil war museum store. The decoration is very similar to pots found in Northern Germany/Southern Denmark suggesting it was the Angles who settled in this area. A later Christian burial ground of over 100 burials was excavated in the grounds of Newark Castle in the 1990s. This ties in with the river gravel terrace of what became the castle being at the centre of the Burh.

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The most distinctive echo of this period is in the street names of Newark with its many gates. These come from the time when we were part of the Viking Danelaw. Gate or gata means 'the road to', so Kirk Gate is the road to the church and Barnby Gate is 'the road to Bjarn's settlement', Bjarn being a personal name and 'by' meaning a settlement. Another example is Holme, which means 'island' in Norse.

 

In the reign of Edward the Confessor (1042-1066), Newark belonged to Lady Godiva and her husband Leofric, Earl of Mercia. By the time of the Domesday Book she gave it to the monks at Stow in Lincolnshire (1055), who in turn gave it to the Bishops of Lincoln. The lord of the manor at the time of Domesday was Bishop Remigius, who in return for supporting William’s conquest had been appointed Bishop of Dorchester-on-Thames. By 1075 he had moved his see from Dorchester to Lincoln, where he began work on the cathedral and took over the Bishopric from the last Saxon bishop. It would appear that Godiva survived until shortly before Domesday and on her death ownership of the manor was transferred to Remigius. From now until the Reformation the Manor of Newark would be owned by the Bishops of Lincoln, apart from periods when it was taken into ownership by the king of the time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1mOjEDOAlM

 

 

Medieval Period (1066 AD - 1485 AD)

 

During the medieval period, Newark's strategic location made it a vital military and trading hub. Newark Castle, built in the 12th century by Alexander of Lincoln, became a focal point of the town. The castle played a crucial role in the region's defense and administration. The town's market place was  established during this time. Newark's importance grew due to its position on the River Trent, facilitating trade and transport

 

The first Norman castle at Newark was probably a motte and bailey castle, with an earth mound, known as the motte, with a wooden tower or keep on top, with an outer enclosed area known as the bailey, surrounded by a defensive ditch and a wooden wall, known as a palisade. A good example of a motte can still be seen at Laxton. Both of these castles were probably built following William’s push into the north during the winter of 1068-9. Having built 2 castles at York, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle tells us he built castles at Nottingham and Lincoln and ‘elsewhere in those parts.’

 

 

At this time Newark was about the same size as Nottingham and sat strategically on the Fosse Way and probably at a ford over the River Trent. Parts of the ramparts of this early castle were found during the excavations in the 1990s. Bishop Remigius died in 1092 and was succeeded by Robert Bloet. When Bloet died suddenly in 1123 he was succeeded by Alexander, nephew of the Bishop of Salisbury. Alexander added to Lincoln Cathedral, founded 4 monasteries and built castles at Banbury and Sleaford. He became known as ‘Alexander the Magnificent.’ In 1135 King Henry I sealed a charter giving Alexander permission to build a stone castle at Newark.

 

Finding there wasn’t enough room between the river and the Fosse Way to build a castle, Alexander appealed to the king for permission to divert the Fosse Way, which was granted. Shortly afterwards he was also granted permission to build a bridge across the River Trent, thus creating a permanent route to the north, which caused the Great North Road to then be diverted via Newark so as to avoid a ferry crossing at the River Humber. The building of both the castle and the bridge would bring a strategic importance to Newark that would see it grow and thrive. It was this that led to Newark becoming known as 'The Key to the North' during the Civil Wars..

 

 

In 1205 King John visited Newark Castle for the first time. The following year, when the current Bishop of Lincoln died, John took control of the castle entrusting it to William Walkelin, as part of his power struggle with the Pope. Although these struggles were resolved by 1213, John’s troubles with his Baron’s continued, resulting in Magna Carta in 1215, which he soon disregarded. Exasperated by his actions the Baron’s offered the crown to Prince Louis, son of Philip of Franc
 

In August 1216 John ordered the castle to be handed to one of his favourites, a mercenary named Robert de Gaughy. In September 1216, after relieving the siege of Lincoln by the rebel Barons, John travelled to Lynn, now Kings Lynn. Leaving on 11th October, he went to Wisbech, losing his baggage in the Wash during the journey and then onto Swineshead Abbey, where he was taken ill. He struggled on to the castle at Sleaford, where he was by now suffering with dysentery.  He eventually arrived at Newark Castle on the 16th and died on 18th/19th October during a great storm. To give an example of how he was regarded the chronicler Matthew Paris wrote that ‘Hell is a foul place, made fouler by the presence of King John.’ His body was taken to Worcester where he was interred in Worcester Cathedral. His 9 year old son was crowned King Henry III at Gloucester Cathedral. Although the south west tower of the castle was known as ‘King John’s Tower’ for many years it is almost certain that he would have used the Bishop’s private quarters, which were immediately above the gatehouse. 

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By the following year troops loyal to Prince Louis were still holding parts of the east of England. French troops, led by the Count of Perche, had taken the city of Lincoln, but Nichola de la Haye, the aged female castellan, continued to hold Lincoln Castle for the king. William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, known to some as the ‘greatest knight’, served as regent for Henry. Marshal called all nobles holding castles in England to a muster in Newark. Approximately 400 knights, 250 crossbowmen, and a larger auxiliary force of both mounted and foot soldiers were assembled. Marshal marched his forces to the city of Lincoln to break Prince Louis's siege.

 

Having circled the city on 20 May and taken the north gate Marshal’s forces entered the castle and began firing their crossbows down into the enemy forces between the castle and cathedral at the top of Steep Hill. Eventually Marshal’s forces charged the besieging forces, which collapsed into a rout. The city was pillaged by Marshal’s army on the grounds that it had been loyal to Louis, leading to the battle being called the ‘Battle of Lincoln Fair.’ With a new young king many of the baron’s turned away from Louis and following a sea battle at Sandwich in August Louis was forced to give up his claim to the throne the following month.

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Robert de Gaughy was ordered by Henry III to give up the castle to its rightful owner, the Bishop of Lincoln. Despite several forceful reminders, de Gaughy refused and in July 1218 the castle was besieged by a strong force led by William Marshal and with the king in attendance, but after a week they had failed to take the castle, even though they used stone throwing siege engines against the walls. Eventually, de Gaughy agreed to leave for £100 of silver to compensate for the provisions he would leave behind.

 

 

It was around 1235 that Henry I granted the Bishop of Lincoln permission to hold a fair on the feast day of St Mary Magdalene and the 4 days before. At this time there were no shops as such, so apart from food the only time when trade took place was at markets or fairs. It is believed the first fairs took place at the castle. Markets and fairs normally took place on a Sunday and in church yards, but in 1213 the people of Newark petitioned King John to change the market day to a Wednesday. This was granted and it is the first time such a change was recorded in England. Wednesday continues to be one of the main market days today.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1mOjEDOAlM

 

Records of the poll tax indicate that the population of Newark at this time was 1,178 (excluding beggars and clergy), a considerable size for the period.
 

 

Tudor Period (1485 AD - 1603 AD)

 

In the Tudor period, Newark continued to thrive as a market town. The wool and cloth trades flourished, contributing to the town's prosperity. St Mary Magdalene Church, with its towering spire, became a notable landmark. The town's layout and infrastructure saw significant development, reflecting its growing importance.

 

 

The church was built on the wealth of the town as it developed its trades. At the beginning of the period these would have been based on agriculture, but wool and cloth would increase in importance. It appears that the people of Newark were dyeing and selling cloth during the reign of Henry II, but in 1332 Edward III, in an effort to improve the wool trade on which the prosperity of the kingdom depended, invited Flemish weavers to settle in England, to teach the locals how to manufacture fine cloth.

 

Newark, already the centre of a wool producing area and engaged in the cloth trade, naturally attracted them and the Fleming family became inhabitants in Edward’s reign. Alan Fleming’s name is first recorded in August 1339 and he went on to become a prominent citizen. He died in 1361 and is commemorated by the Fleming brass in the north choir aisle, which dates from 1363 and is one of the largest brasses in England measuring 2.8m by 1.7m.  He was one of a number of Flemish merchants that settled in Newark and exported wool to Bruges and Ghent, where it was turned into cloth that was then exported throughout Europe from France to Russia. The Nottinghamshire monasteries at Rufford, Welbeck, Worksop, Shelford and Newstead were also selling their wool to foreign merchants.

 

All Newark wool was exported from either Boston or Hull and would have been carefully weighed and sealed. When it arrived at its destination Newark merchants, such as James Keyser at Bruges, might have dealt with the wool. As well as Flanders wool was exported to Calais. The wool trade remained important throughout the Middle Ages, but declined towards the end as it was replaced by the cloth trade. There are references to fullers and fulling mills from the 13th century so the making of cloth was an important industry throughout the period until the 16th century. Drapers and Mercers dealt in cloth and are first recorded in the 14th century.

 

After wool and cloth, hides and leather working were the next most important trades. Later in the period there are 5 tanners, 6 shoemakers, 1 saddler and 2 glovers recorded as members of the Trinity Guild. Tanning was a dirty and smelly business, so would have been established on the outskirts of the town along with the mills on Millgate. 

 

Other trades would have catered for the travellers along the Great North Road and Fosse Way. Inns and taverns were established to house the travellers and one of the earliest is the Old White Hart, which dates to the 14th century. Dendrochronology has dated the earliest timbers to 1315. The current building was restored in 1979-80 and repainted as it might have looked at the time. The painted plaster figures represent St Michael, St Antony and St Barbara. The building consists of 3 parts: the late 15th century four-bay, three-storey front range facing onto the Market Place with its decorated elevation; the 14th century wing next to the front range and a 14th century hall to the rear. It may have originally been built as a merchant or wealthy craftsman's house and was then converted into an inn during the last decade of the 14th century. It was one of a number of inns that would surround the Market Place, including the Saracens Head and the Cardinals Hat or Talbot, later the Clinton Arms. A maltster was first recorded in 1276 and most of the inns would have had their own breweries to slake the thirst of the travellers. In addition to these trades there would have been builders, masons, blacksmiths and all of the trades needed within a town of Newark’s size and importance. 

 

In 1457, a flood swept away the bridge over the Trent. The Bishop of Lincoln, John Chadworth, funded the construction of a new oak bridge with stone defensive towers at either end.

 

In 1487: The Battle of Stoke Field, the last major engagement of the Wars of the Roses, took place near Newark – you can read about that here - https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=122112146300761088&id=61572832646980

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We can still see some of the buildings from around this time around Newark, such as the White Hart Hotel (1312), Prince Rupert pub (1452) Governors House (1474), former magnus school (1532), Newark odinist temple (1556) and of course the church (12th C) and Newark Castle (1135-39).

For more detail on the historic buildings we have - go HERE

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********Tudor onwards to follow soon********
 

Religious and Political Changes

The establishment of the Church of England and the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII had a significant impact on Newark. The town was incorporated under an alderman and twelve assistants in 1549, and the charter was confirmed and extended by Elizabeth I. Charles I later reincorporated the town under a mayor and aldermen, reflecting its growing commercial prosperity

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Modern Era

The governance of Newark continued under this charter until the Municipal Corporations Act of 1835. The addition of "upon Trent" to the town's name became more common around the time of Elizabeth I

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Newark Civic trust also contains a wealth of history of Newark over various publications and magazines - check HERE

Please also see the 2 below links to Cornelius Browns history of Newark

Volume 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Volume 2

 

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For more detailed information about Newark's role during the Civil War, visit the National Civil War Centre, which offers free admission to residents of Newark and Sherwood

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Feel free to explore the Historic Newark On Trent Interactive Map for a visual journey through the town's rich history!

The below video shows Newark during the 1940's