Newcastle upon Tyne history

The history of Newcastle dates from about AD120, when the Romans built the first bridge to cross the River Tyne at that point. Hadrian's Wall runs through present-day Newcastle with stretches of wall and turrets visible along the West Road, and at a temple in Benwell.

After the arrival of William the Conqueror in England in 1066, the whole of England was quickly subjected to Norman rule. However in Northumbria there was great resistance to the Normans, and in 1069 the newly appointed Norman Earl of Northumbria, Robert de Comines and his men were killed by the local population at Durham. The Northumbrians again attacked York and destroyed the garrison there. William was again able to suppress the uprising, but this time he took revenge which ended in a devastated region.

Throughout the Middle Ages, Newcastle was England's northern fortress, the centre for mustering armies. The Border war against Scotland lasted intermittently for several centuries - possibly the longest border war ever waged. The Scottish border wars continued for much of the 16th century, so that during that time, Newcastle was often threatened with invasion by the Scots, but also remained important as a border stronghold against the Scots.

In 1715, during the Jacobite rising in favour of the Old Pretender, an army of Jacobite supporters marched on Newcastle. The citizens prepared for its arrival by arresting Jacobite supporters and accepting 700 extra recruits into the local militia. In 1745, during a second Jacobite rising in favour of the Young Pretender, a Scottish army crossed the border led by Bonnie Prince Charlie. Once again Newcastle prepared by arresting Jacobite supporters and inducting 800 volunteers into the local militia.