| A
history of Nottinghamshire |
| |
| Origins |
 |
| Creswell
Crags |
There is evidence
of human settlement in Nottinghamshire dating back thousands of years.
Excavations at Creswell
Crags, a group of limestone caves near Worksop, have revealed
continuous human occupation from 40,000 - 28,000 BC. |
| |
| People
of snot |
| Later
the Romans built the Fosse Way, linking Leicester and Lincoln.
When the Anglo Saxons colonised Nottinghamshire they established
the fortified borough of Snotengaham on a steep sandstone outcrop.
The name meant the "ham" of the people of Snot. Luckily
for the locals the Normans later dropped the unattractive "S". |
| |
| War
and peace |
 |
| Newark
Castle |
However, their
arrival also coincided with a period of conflict. Major castles and
defensive walls were built at Nottingham
and Newark
while a series of "mottes" (castle on earth mounds) were
constructed in the countryside at villages like Laxton and Cuckney. |
| |
| Domesday |
| The
Domesday Book (1086) records invaluable information on these early
settlements. Around this time Sherwood Forest was preserved to provide
hunting for the Norman Kings and has since become world famous for
its association with Robin
Hood, his Merry Men and the Major
Oak. |
 |
| Nottingham
caves |
In medieval times
Nottingham Castle became an important stronghold, defending a major
route to the north of England. Under the Castle and other parts of
the town there is an extensive network of tunnels and caves
in the sandstone, some of which can still be visited today. |
| |
| Abbeys
and churches |
|
The Normans
also had a passion for building churches. At Southwell Minster,
begun around 1108, the imposing nave is a fine example of Norman
architecture.
|
 |
| Newstead
Abbey |
Abbeys and priories
were established in places like Worksop, Newstead,
Welbeck and Rufford.
Religion was at the heart of life in medieval times, so much so that
many churches were enlarged or rebuilt to hold larger congregations;
one of the great town churches being
St. Mary's in Nottingham. |
| |
| Pilgrim
Fathers |
| In
the late 1500's a religious movement began in North Nottinghamshire
that was to shake the world. In the villages of Babworth and Scrooby
a group of religious thinkers began to formulate new religious (nonconformist)
ideas. They became known as the Pilgrim
Fathers and eventually sailed to New England in 1620 on the Mayflower. |
| |
| Salvation
Army |
 |
| William
Booth |
Many religions
are now represented in Nottinghamshire. Nottingham itself was the
birthplace of William
Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. He was born in Notintone
Place, Sneinton, a suburb of the city. The Salvation Army now works
throughout the world. |
 |
