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The name "Lancaster" is recorded relatively late; the first documentation (in the form ''Loncastre'') is in the Domesday Book (1086), a survey taken following the Norman conquest of England. Lancaster was held by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name is of Old English origin and means "Roman fort at the [[River Lune]]". At this time, it formed a part of the Amounderness hundred of [[Yorkshire]] and had no recorded population.
The name "Lancaster" is recorded relatively late; the first documentation (in the form ''Loncastre'') is in the Domesday Book (1086), a survey taken following the Norman conquest of England. Lancaster was held by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name is of Old English origin and means "Roman fort at the [[River Lune]]". At this time, it formed a part of the Amounderness hundred of [[Yorkshire]] and had no recorded population.
The first known Medieval document specific to the town was the founding Priory charter of 1094. By this time, William the Conqueror was deceased and had been succeeded by [[William Rufus]] (or William II). Lancaster and its immediate surroundings had been passed on to [[Roger de Poitou]] 2 years prior, whose lordship included an area similar to present-day [[Lancashire]] and extended as far as [[Cumberland]], at that time contested between England and Scotland, in the north. Although there is no firm documentation for the construction of the first castle at Lancaster, it is generally assumed that Roger began the construction. The original fortifications were most likely wooden and may have incorporated parts of Roman earthworks.
The first known Medieval document specific to the town was the founding Priory charter of 1094. By this time, William the Conqueror was deceased and had been succeeded by [[William Rufus]] (or William II). Lancaster and its immediate surroundings had been passed on to [[Roger de Poitou]] 2 years prior, whose lordship included an area similar to present-day [[Lancashire]] and extended as far as [[Cumberland]], at that time contested between England and Scotland, in the north. Although there is no firm documentation for the construction of the first castle at Lancaster, it is generally assumed that Roger began the construction. The original fortifications were most likely wooden and may have incorporated parts of Roman earthworks.
Among the most famous witch trails in English history was the trial of the Pendle witches, which were held in August 1612 at the Assizes of Lancaster Castle. The witches lived in the vicinity of [[Pendle Hill]], which lies in the Pennines in the south-east of Lancashire. One witch who lived just over the border in [[Gisburn]], Yorkshire was tried at York. The Samlesbury witches were also tried at Lancaster on those dates. Only one of the alleged witches, Alice Grey, was found not guilty. The other nine accused - Alizon Device, Elizabeth Device, James Device, Anne Whittle, Anne Redferne, Alice Nutter, Katherine Hewitt, John Bulcock and Jane Bulcock - were sentenced to death and hanged at Gallows Hill in Lancaster. Although the exact location of Gallows Hill is difficult to confidently place, maps such as Yates (1786) both depict and place the gallows within the triangle of land formed by Quernmore and Wyresdale Road, almost opposite the present-day site of Williamson Park.
Lancaster University was established as one of the seven plate glass universities announced between 1958 and 1961. The university was established by royal charter in 1964. The charter stipulated that Princess Alexandra of Kent be the first chancellor. She was inaugurated in 1964 and retired in 2004.
==See also==
==See also==