The historic town of Lancaster is the county town of Lancashire, and is located on the picturesque, meandering River Lune in north-western England. This city is home to an estimated 130,000 residents and is famous for the 11th century Lancaster Castle, the Priory Church of St Mary, the Edwardian Ashton Memorial and since 1964, Lancaster University, one of Britain’s leading research establishments.
The city can trace its history back 2000 years to Roman times when a settlement was established here, remains of which can still be seen on Castle Hill close to the Priory. It was on this same hill that the Anglo-Saxons built another castle, the footings of which became the foundations of the present 11th century Norman fortifications. During this period the Benedictine Monks formed a Monastery and the Priory was built, that created a centre around which gradually a small market town grew. Lancaster was first chartered as a market town and borough in 1193, although by the 1800’s the focus had moved away from local business with the city re-focused on overseas trade through its maritime endeavors, becoming the third busiest port in England after London and Bristol!!
Historically the city of Lancaster became no stranger to conflict having been sacked by the Scots twice in the 1300’s before the Norman castle was substantially enlarged during the 14th century. Again in the 15th century, the House of Lancaster and the House of York became embroiled in civil war through the ‘War of the Roses’. The Red Rose, symbol of the House of Lancaster, fought the White Rose, symbol of the House of York, during periods of the 15th century over the rights to the throne of England. Later on, during the 17th century, the Castle was besieged by Royalists of the English Civil War and during the 18th century Lancaster was again occupied by the Scots during the Jacobite Rebellion. Fortunately, as the years past the city turned its eye to trade and commerce and during the 18th century the area prospered with many fine buildings in the city centre and along St George’s Quay dating from this period. These include the former Town Hall (built 1781) in Market Square, now the City Museum, and the Custom House (built 1764), which now houses the Maritime Museum. The City Museum is a regional museum which displays the rich history and archaeology of the city and includes the Museum of The King’s Own Regiment, which traces the regiment’s history from 1680 onwards The Maritime Museum displays the history of the Port of Lancaster, local fishing, the Lancaster Canal and includes several preserved vessels.
Other places of interest include Castle Hill Cottage Museum, a small museum furnished in the manner of an artisan’s home of 1825. The Judge’s Lodgings, Doll’s House and Toy Museum, Lancaster’s oldest town house once the home of Thomas Covell, Keeper of the Castle during the witch trials of 1612. The Edwardian Town Hall built in the early 1900’s and the Grand Theatre which is one of the oldest working theatres in the country having been continually used for the last 200 years.
N.B. - Although Lancaster Castle is still used as a court and prison it is possible to see the Castle via a guided tour. These run every 30 minutes, please be aware that there are some narrow, winding old stone stairways which are not suitable for people with restricted mobility.
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