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A brief history of Newcastle

The name Newcastle came in 1080 when Robert Curthrose built a wooden castle. The castle was rebuilt in 1087 in stone.

IN the Middle Ages Newcastle was imperative for Northern England, known as England’s northern fortress. In 1589, a 25 foot wall around the city, this was to defend the city during the border wars with Scotland. The city held Scottish king William the lion during the wars and was successfully defended 3 times.

During the English civil Newcastle was royalist and was stormed by Cromwell’s allies, the King was later imprisoned in Newcastle by he Scots.

IN the 18th century Newcastle became an important glass and wool producer.

The tragic great fire of Newcastle and Gateshead in October 1854 ruined almost half of the entire city, killing 53 people and injuring hundreds more.

Newcastle gained city status in 1882.

In 1879 Mosley Street became the first street in the world to be lit by electricity and the incandescent bulb. 

During the second world war Newcastle was heavily bombed, it was in fact the most bombed city outside of London killing and injuring hundreds of people.

The heavy attacks were down to the shipment and industrial the city provided.

In 2017 The Freedom City Festival was held in Newcastle to commemorate 50 years since Martin Luther King visited the city receiving an honorary degree from Newcastle University.