Nottingham History, United Kingdom

Nottingham, UK - History: Pre-historic textile city of England

Nottingham has a medieval and preindustrial history. However, it is now one of the major manufacturing cities in U.K. The evidence of first settlement in Nottingham dates from the pre-Roman times. Evidences suggest that it was the Romans, who first lived in this area. This city formed a part of the Kingdom of Mercia around 600 AD in the Anglo-Saxon times. Later, it was captured by Danish Vikings in 867 AD becoming one of the five fortified towns of Danelaw.

How Nottingham kept growing

Nottingham got reformed as one of the boroughs by the Municipal Corporations Act 1835. It consisted of the parishes of Nottingham St Nicholas, Nottingham St Mary and Nottingham St Peter at that time. In 1877, City of Nottingham was expanded by the addition of Brewhouse Yard, Basford, Sneinton, Standard Hill, Radford, Bulwell and small parishes of Carlton, West Bridgeford and Wilford (North Wilford) (parts of their parishes).

Nottingham became a country borough in 1889 under the Local Government Act 1888. As a part of the Diamond celebrations of Queen Victoria, it was awarded the city status after being signified from the Prime Minister Marquess of Salisbury through a letter to the Mayor on June 18, 1897.  Later, it was extended in 1933 with the addition of Wollaton and Bilborough parishes. The developed Beeston Urban district was also added to the city. After Wilford was incorporated in the city in 1952, a further boundary extension was granted to Nottingham.

Nottingham Castle

Nottingham Castle was built on a sandstone outcrop in the 11th century by the river Leen. It was the Anglo-Saxon settlement that saw the formation of Nottingham English Borough developed around the Nottingham Castle. Later, it led to the formation of the Old Market Square and is now one of the primary locations for tourist visits in the city.

Nottingham: A county corporate

Nottingham became a county corporate in the year of 1449 and established itself as the main centre of export trade in alabaster made religious sculpture. Much of the prosperity of the city came during the industrial revolution. Its prosperity was mainly revolving round the textile industry. The city also has an internationally important centre for manufacturing lace. However after the Second World War, textile sector declined. Since then, very few textile manufacturing has taken place in Nottingham.