Difference between revisions of "Nottingham"

Revision as of 17:42, March 22, 2007

Greater Nottingham is Englands eighth largest City with a population of 666000 people. With the exception of London, it is the largest British city to pre-date the industrial revolution. It lies roughly in the centre of England.

History

Nottingham was founded by the Celts, before the Roman invasion of the 1st century AD, who knew it as Tigguo Cobauc, meaning 'Place of Cavy Dwellings'. This name is derived from the cave houses which the local inhabitants cut into the soft sandsone rocks and cliffs in the city. An Anglo Saxon city was built around where the Church of St Mary stands, on a low cliff in the Lace Market area of the city. Part of Danish controlled East Mercia after the treaty of Wedmore, it grew in importance as a Danish (viking) stronghold during the 9th Century, and was known as Snotengaham, possibly named after a Norse leader called Snot. After the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, William the Conquerer had an imposing fortress, Nottingham Castle, built on top of a neighbouring cliff top and for a while, an English town and a French town grew. It is during this period of history that the legends of Robin Hood are set, focusing on the repression of the Anglo-Danish inhabitants of the Old City by the Norman nobility in the new French City. Nottingham Castle became one of Englands most important Royal fortresses, but was largely destroyed after the English Civil War, by supporters of the Parliament. A new castle was constructed on the site in the 18th Century by the Duke of Portland, which was destroyed by Luddite rioters. The remains of this building now house the Nottingham City art gallery. Nottingham grew rapidly during the industrial revolution and became one of the worlds most important Lace manufacturing centres. Other important industries included Coal Mining, and the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and bicycles. Nottingham was bombed during the second world war, though many of it's historic qurters have survived intact, the focus of air raids having been the industrial areas.

Modern Nottingham

Nottingham today is a thriving commercial centre and is the capital of the East Midlands Region. It is regarded as one of the top shopping destinations in the UK. It is well served by public transport to London (Rail journeys take around two hours). Nottingham East Midlands Airport is a minor international airport which serves mainly European destinations. Major industries include pharmaceuticals and service industries. Nottingham is home to the UK Inland Revenue and the European Headquarters of several US and East Asian Corporations, such as Capital One. Nottingham boasts two Universities, the British National Watersports Centre, and the British National Ice Arena, as well as several theatres, concert halls and conference centres, and the worlds oldest public house, The Trip to Jerusalem. Nottingham has a Catholic Cathedral. The Anglican Cathedral for Nottinghamshire lies in the nearby town of Southwell.