Difference between revisions of "Brighton"
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==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | The Beginning | + | '''The Beginning''' |
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Brighton was founded in the early Saxon period, possibly just a farm as the older name, 'Brighthelmston'. The settlement grew up at the point where the Downs meet the sea, providing easy hill or valley routes to the town of Lewes and beyond.<ref> http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_id__7861_path__0p1364p1445p.aspx </ref> | Brighton was founded in the early Saxon period, possibly just a farm as the older name, 'Brighthelmston'. The settlement grew up at the point where the Downs meet the sea, providing easy hill or valley routes to the town of Lewes and beyond.<ref> http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_id__7861_path__0p1364p1445p.aspx </ref> | ||
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The village grew into a town of size and importance, one of the largest in Sussex, and it probably spread onto the cliff top around this time, either through population growth or because of the ravages of the sea. | The village grew into a town of size and importance, one of the largest in Sussex, and it probably spread onto the cliff top around this time, either through population growth or because of the ravages of the sea. | ||
| − | The Middle Ages | + | '''The Middle Ages''' |
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The first fortification at Brighton was the bulwark, which was a tower built next to the town in 1497. Brighton town council consisted of 12 men chosen from 'the most respectable, wealthier and discreeter' inhabitants, 8 fishermen and 4 landmen. They chose one of themselves to be the Constable, responsible for law and order for one year. When one of the 12 died the other 11 selected somebody to replace him. <ref>http://www.picturesofengland.com/history/brighton-history.html</ref> | The first fortification at Brighton was the bulwark, which was a tower built next to the town in 1497. Brighton town council consisted of 12 men chosen from 'the most respectable, wealthier and discreeter' inhabitants, 8 fishermen and 4 landmen. They chose one of themselves to be the Constable, responsible for law and order for one year. When one of the 12 died the other 11 selected somebody to replace him. <ref>http://www.picturesofengland.com/history/brighton-history.html</ref> | ||
| − | The 16th Century | + | '''The 16th Century''' |
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By 1580 there were 400 fishermen and 102 landmen living in Brighton. So it probably had a population of around 2,500. By the standards of the time Brighton was a fair sized market town. There were 80 fishing vessels. <ref>http://www.picturesofengland.com/history/brighton-history.html</ref> | By 1580 there were 400 fishermen and 102 landmen living in Brighton. So it probably had a population of around 2,500. By the standards of the time Brighton was a fair sized market town. There were 80 fishing vessels. <ref>http://www.picturesofengland.com/history/brighton-history.html</ref> | ||
| − | The 18th Century | + | '''The 18th Century''' |
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Suddenly Brighton began to revive and prosper. The first theatre in the town opened in North Street in 1774. A second free school opened in Duke Street in 1779. The first grammar school in Brighton opened in 1789. By 1767 two assembly rooms were built (for dancing and playing cards) at the Old Ship Inn (Ship Street is named after it) and at the Castle Tavern (which stood on the south side of the Market Place). In 1773 a market house was built so covered markets could be held. | Suddenly Brighton began to revive and prosper. The first theatre in the town opened in North Street in 1774. A second free school opened in Duke Street in 1779. The first grammar school in Brighton opened in 1789. By 1767 two assembly rooms were built (for dancing and playing cards) at the Old Ship Inn (Ship Street is named after it) and at the Castle Tavern (which stood on the south side of the Market Place). In 1773 a market house was built so covered markets could be held. | ||
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In 1750, Dr Richard Russell, a resident of Lewes, wrote a book in which he claimed that bathing in seawater was very good for your health. Rich people began to come to Brighton hoping to be cured of some illness by bathing in seawater. At first they were a trickle, but later became a flood. In 1783 the Prince of Wales and his friends visited Brighton which ensured its popularity. | In 1750, Dr Richard Russell, a resident of Lewes, wrote a book in which he claimed that bathing in seawater was very good for your health. Rich people began to come to Brighton hoping to be cured of some illness by bathing in seawater. At first they were a trickle, but later became a flood. In 1783 the Prince of Wales and his friends visited Brighton which ensured its popularity. | ||
| − | The 19th Century | + | '''The 19th Century''' |
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In 1841 a railway to London opened which made it much easier for visitors to reach Brighton. By 1848 it was estimated that 250,000 people visited Brighton each year. | In 1841 a railway to London opened which made it much easier for visitors to reach Brighton. By 1848 it was estimated that 250,000 people visited Brighton each year. | ||
West Pier was built in 1866. Palace Pier was built in 1899. <ref> http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=18234 </ref> | West Pier was built in 1866. Palace Pier was built in 1899. <ref> http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=18234 </ref> | ||
| − | The 20th Century | + | '''The 20th Century''' |
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When World War II began in 1939 many schoolchildren from London were evacuated to Brighton to escape the bombing. Since Brighton was, of course, a seaside resort rather than a manufacturing town it was anticipated it would escape bombing. Most of the evacuees soon returned home, however. Yet Brighton was not as safe as people thought it would be and the town suffered considerable damage as a result of bombing. There were 56 raids in all and over 5,000 houses were damaged or destroyed. | When World War II began in 1939 many schoolchildren from London were evacuated to Brighton to escape the bombing. Since Brighton was, of course, a seaside resort rather than a manufacturing town it was anticipated it would escape bombing. Most of the evacuees soon returned home, however. Yet Brighton was not as safe as people thought it would be and the town suffered considerable damage as a result of bombing. There were 56 raids in all and over 5,000 houses were damaged or destroyed. | ||
| − | The 21th Century | + | '''The 21th Century''' |
| − | + | ||
Brighton and Hove was made a city in 2000. In December 2002 West Pier partly collapsed when severe weather hit Brighton. Unfortunately Brighton's other pier the Palace Pier was damaged by fire in February 2003. Today the population of Brighton is 141,000. | Brighton and Hove was made a city in 2000. In December 2002 West Pier partly collapsed when severe weather hit Brighton. Unfortunately Brighton's other pier the Palace Pier was damaged by fire in February 2003. Today the population of Brighton is 141,000. | ||
Revision as of 18:52, April 10, 2007
Brighton is a famous seaside resort on the South coast of England in the county of East Sussex.
The resorts of New Brighton and Brighton Beach are both named after the town.
History
The Beginning Brighton was founded in the early Saxon period, possibly just a farm as the older name, 'Brighthelmston'. The settlement grew up at the point where the Downs meet the sea, providing easy hill or valley routes to the town of Lewes and beyond.[1]
The Domesday Book of 1086 is the earliest documentary mention of Brighton. The fishing industry was well established at Brighton by this time as a tribute of 4,000 herrings was paid to one of the local manors. The information provided by the Domesday Book would also indicate a sizeable population at Brighton, something in of the order of 400.[2]
The village grew into a town of size and importance, one of the largest in Sussex, and it probably spread onto the cliff top around this time, either through population growth or because of the ravages of the sea.
The Middle Ages The first fortification at Brighton was the bulwark, which was a tower built next to the town in 1497. Brighton town council consisted of 12 men chosen from 'the most respectable, wealthier and discreeter' inhabitants, 8 fishermen and 4 landmen. They chose one of themselves to be the Constable, responsible for law and order for one year. When one of the 12 died the other 11 selected somebody to replace him. [3]
The 16th Century By 1580 there were 400 fishermen and 102 landmen living in Brighton. So it probably had a population of around 2,500. By the standards of the time Brighton was a fair sized market town. There were 80 fishing vessels. [4]
The 18th Century Suddenly Brighton began to revive and prosper. The first theatre in the town opened in North Street in 1774. A second free school opened in Duke Street in 1779. The first grammar school in Brighton opened in 1789. By 1767 two assembly rooms were built (for dancing and playing cards) at the Old Ship Inn (Ship Street is named after it) and at the Castle Tavern (which stood on the south side of the Market Place). In 1773 a market house was built so covered markets could be held.
As well as these developments Brighton grew quickly in size. From a population of about 2,000 in 1750 it grew to about 4,000 in 1783, the year of the Prince's visit.
The modern name of the town, Brighton, first appeared in 1660. By 1810 it was the official name of the town.
In 1750, Dr Richard Russell, a resident of Lewes, wrote a book in which he claimed that bathing in seawater was very good for your health. Rich people began to come to Brighton hoping to be cured of some illness by bathing in seawater. At first they were a trickle, but later became a flood. In 1783 the Prince of Wales and his friends visited Brighton which ensured its popularity.
The 19th Century In 1841 a railway to London opened which made it much easier for visitors to reach Brighton. By 1848 it was estimated that 250,000 people visited Brighton each year.
West Pier was built in 1866. Palace Pier was built in 1899. [5]
The 20th Century When World War II began in 1939 many schoolchildren from London were evacuated to Brighton to escape the bombing. Since Brighton was, of course, a seaside resort rather than a manufacturing town it was anticipated it would escape bombing. Most of the evacuees soon returned home, however. Yet Brighton was not as safe as people thought it would be and the town suffered considerable damage as a result of bombing. There were 56 raids in all and over 5,000 houses were damaged or destroyed.
The 21th Century Brighton and Hove was made a city in 2000. In December 2002 West Pier partly collapsed when severe weather hit Brighton. Unfortunately Brighton's other pier the Palace Pier was damaged by fire in February 2003. Today the population of Brighton is 141,000.
There is a rich tradition of charitable giving in the town. [6]
Royal pavilion
In 1787 the most famous building in Brighton, the Pavillion, was built for the first time, although it was originally built in classical style (i.e. it imitated ancient Greek and Roman buildings). The original building looked quite unlike the present oriental one. The pavillion was rebuilt in 1815. This time it was made to imitate an Indian palace. Brighton town council bought the pavillion in 1850. Brighton's Royal Pavilion is a former royal residence, used by three monarchs in the town.
Local delicacies
- Brighton Rock - the book by Graham Greene and film starring Richard Attenborough, were named after this traditional sweet.
- The Brighton hot lunch, a warm and filling repast, is the midday meal historically favoured by local inhabitants. This is sometimes provided free under the auspices of the local tradition of charity (see above).
References
- ↑ http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_id__7861_path__0p1364p1445p.aspx
- ↑ http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_id__7861_path__0p1364p1445p.aspx
- ↑ http://www.picturesofengland.com/history/brighton-history.html
- ↑ http://www.picturesofengland.com/history/brighton-history.html
- ↑ http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=18234
- ↑ http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=18234
