In 1887, John Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles described Nottingham like this:
Nottingham, parl. and mun. bor., market town, co. town of Notts, and co. in itself, on the N. bank of the Trent, 15 miles E. of Derby and 126 NW. of London by rail, 9960 ac., pop. 186,575; 6 Banks, 6 newspapers. Market-days, Wednesday and Saturday. Little is known concerning the early history of the town. ...
A stronghold was built by William the Conqueror, during whose reign also the town was fortified. During the Barons' Wars Nottingham was a centre of turbulence, and was taken several times, being partially destroyed in the reign of Stephen. Edward IV. was proclaimed here in 1460. Charles I. was besieged in Nottingham in 1642, and in the following year the town surrendered to Colonel Hutchinson, the Parliamentarian commander. Its public buildings do not call for special remark. The castle, founded by William I., was dismantled in the time of the Commonwealth, and after being rebuilt as a dwelling-house was burnt by the Reform rioters in 1830. It is now restored, and contains the " Midland Counties Art Museum," the property of the corporation. Lacemaking and the mfr. of cotton hosiery are very important industries, nearly all the supply of British laces being made in the town. Silk, flax, and woollen mills are also in operation; the mfr. of weaving and netting machinery is largely carried on; and iron-foundries, breweries, and tanneries are successful seats of industry. A picturesque feature of the town is" its arboretum, 18 acres in extent. Nottingham returns 3 members to Parliament (3 divisions - viz., West, East, and South, 1 member for each division); its representation was increased from 2 to 3 members in 1885, when the parliamentary limits were extended.
Nottingham through time
Click here for graphs and data of how Nottingham has changed over two centuries. For statistics for historical units named after Nottingham go to Units and Statistics.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Nottingham in Nottinghamshire | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/15
Date accessed: 19th April 2024
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