Newark - Ancient History

Newark - Ancient History

Various antiquarian conjectures have been hazarded respecting the origin of Newark, the most plausible of which is that is occupies the site of the Roman station Eltavona, which was subsequently enlarged by the Saxons from the ruins of several Roman cities in the neighbourhood, on or near the Roman Fosseway, which passes through the town from Leicester toLincoln. After this re-edification, it is supposed to have been the Saxon Sidnoceaster, which in the early days of Christianity was a bishopric, heving had a succession of nine bishops after the year AD 678, but some historians have placed that city at Stowe, in Lincolnshire. It is, however, certain that Newark, during the Saxon heptarchy, was an important town, defended by a strong wall and fortress, and constructed partly of Roman materials.

After being destroyed by the Daness it was rebuilt, and hence New-wark (now corrupted to Newark) was justly applied to it in the reign of Edward the Confessor. The Domesday survey shows that the Countess Godiva had paid the Dane geld for her manor of Newark, and its two bernes, Baldertune and Farendune as 7 carucates and 2 bovates of land, which in the Confessor's time had been returned as 26 carucates. In 1086, Remigius, Bishop of Lincoln, had in demesne here 7 carucates, 36 burgesses, 42 villains and 4 bordars, having 21½ carucates. The manor had soc in nearly all the parishes which now form the hundred and deanery of Newark. It was given by Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and his Countess Godiva to the monastery of Stowe, and was afterwards claimed by the bishops of Lincoln, one of whom, Alexander de Blois, built the present castle, in the reign of Stephen. Military erections were, however, even at that time deemed rather improper for an ecclesiastic to engage in, and to satisfy his troubled conscience the bishop, after finishing the castle, founded two monasteries. But Stephen was not to be thus appeased, for he seized both the bishop and his uncle, and kept them in durance until they surrendered to him all their fortresses.

In the reign of John, and in the baronial wars, Newark several times changed hands, and it was the scene of that monarch's death, but whether by poison or otherwise has not been clearly ascertained. Henry III restored the castle to the bishop of Lincoln. In 1530, Cardinal Wolsey lodged in it with a great retinue, on his way to Southwell, where he was accustomed to spend part of the summer. James I was at Newark in 1602, and was addressed by the senior alderman (there being then no mayor), My John Twentyman, in a long Latin speech, with which his Majesty was so well pleased that he ordered him to repeat it, then asked his name and, on being told, replied sharply, £then by my soul man thou art a traytor, the Twentymans pulled down Redkirk, in Scotland". This, however, was merely in jest, as he confirmed on him many favours, and was often accompanied by him in his hunting excursions in the forest.

During the civil wars of Charles I, Newark was an important garrison in the cause of Royalty, in which the courageous inhabitants sustained three violent sieges, at the first of which Sir John Henderson, the governor, caused all North Gate and the Spital to be burned, yet the remains formed a receptacle for the enemy at the second siege until they were routed by Prince Rupert on Beacon Hill. Much gallantry was displayed during the third siege in 1645, and much blood was spilt on both sides, but the town was at length given up to the Scotch army, by the King's orders. After the surrender, the country people were ordered to come with pick axes, shovels &c., to demolish all the works and circumvallation, but one of the sconces has been left entire.

The Borough was first incorporated by Edward VI, under whose charter it was governed by an alderman and 12 assistants. It sent only one member to parliament until it received a new charter from Charles I, instituting a body corporate, by the name of the Mayor and Aldermen of Newark upon Trent, with a learned man to be Recorder. The same monarch also honoured the town by creating Robert Pierrepont Baron Pierrepont and Viscount of Newark.

The Castle, though now in ruins, still presents an august appearance

[Last updated: Friday 3rd October 1997 - Clive Henly]