The History of Newcastle Under Lyme

...

There were numerous other franchises in Newcastle during these periods of time however none of them lasted long enough to gain immense importance. For example, Pomona pottery. Pomona pottery was the first of its kind when it was developed in Newcastle by Samuel Bell between 1724 and 1754. This suggests that it gained national importance due to not being sold or made elsewhere. The pottery was a type of fine china that was usually imported from other countries. Evidence of the pottery in Newcastle is displayed in the Brampton where they display the kiln that was used to make It and various pieces of the pottery that were discovered. However, this did not last long as the method of making it was not correct and it broke easily. Due to this it stopped in Newcastle but other neighbouring towns such as Stoke on Trent tried to make it themselves as they were known pottery towns. In addition, another franchise was clocks. Clocks were made in Newcastle in the 18th century and it gained local importance as they were sold to neighbouring pottery towns like Stoke-on-Trent and farming towns in north Staffordshire and south Cheshire. evidence of clock makers in Newcastle is shown through the clock description where it shows 4 generations of clock makers from the same family. This shows that clocks were sold for at least 1 century. Finally, another franchise to hit Newcastle was iron. It is unsure as to when it began and ended. However, we know that it gained local importance as they named a road called “The Iron Market” adjacent to the High Street where the livestock and various other products were sold. This shows that the iron industry was important enough to have its own section of the market where traders, sellers and buyers could all go.

Religion did not play a huge part in Newcastle’s importance however it did provide a small amount of local importance. One of the main providers of this importance was St Giles church. The church was built in the 12th century and has been a place of worship in Newcastle for 8 centuries’. The only remaining evidence of the original church is the tower that still contains much of the original building structure and bricks. However, the other parts of the church had been rebuilt over the centuries due to it decaying. On our trip around Newcastle we walked on the outside grounds of the church where you could see the gravestones of many people dating all the way back to the beginning of the church. In addition, in the 13th century a priory was built belonging to the Blackfriars. However, by the 16th century it fell and lost all of its wealth. All of that remains of the priory is a stone with a carved cross on it within St Giles church and the road named after it along with a pub; both called Blackfriars.

Overall, Newcastle gained a lot of national importance, although there were some aspects of local importance, throughout the 1st and 19th century period from location, travel and even sections of the items produced within the market. The location of Chesterton fort and Newcastle-under-Lyme castle both gained national importance as they were built for specific reasons that helped the country. In addition, travel during the 18th-19th centuries gained national importance until it declined due to neighbouring towns. In contrast, Newcastle also gained a lot of local importance from the market and religion. The market sold numerous items that gave the town local importance such as clocks, although there were aspects of national importance. Religion played a part in local importance due to the priory that fell in the 16th century and St Giles Church that still stands today. In conclusion, Newcastle-under-Lyme gained both national importance and local importance, although it was mainly local importance due to the market and religion. Location provided local importance through the town that developed an also the market. In addition, travel provided local importance economically through the money received from the various coach hotels. But most of all local importance was gained through the market and religion.

...