history of carlisle...
Possession of Carlisle was a prize fought over for centuries - a relentless power struggle between England and Scotland that has left its legacy on the city and its hinterland.
The Romans established control up to the Solway-Tyne isthmus - demarcated by the building of Hadrian's Wall between Wallsend and Bowness-on-Solway. At Carlisle, the Romans built a fort known as Luguvalium on a strategic site between the Eden and Caldew rivers (under what is now Annetwell Street in Carlisle), which led to the development of a thriving civitas or market town to the south. But with the decline of the Roman Empire, Luguvalium disappears from documentary records. Little is known about Carlisle during this period other than it became part of the Strathclyde kingdom of Scotland and known by the Celtic name of Caerluel (fort of Luel).
In 1092, William Rufus brought Carlisle back under English rule, and erected a castle to protect the city. Land was divided among Norman lords, evident in the names of today's suburbs of Botcherby, Harraby and Etterby among others. The Priory of St Mary's (later the Cathedral) was also built during Norman times, and founded by Augustinian canons (the nearby Tithe Barn is where tithes, a tenth of each farmer's crop, were collected by the church).
Medieval Carlisle is still recognisable in the modern city's layout. English Street, Scotch Street, Fisher Street, Castle Street, Abbey Street and Blackfriars Street were the main thoroughfares, enclosed within an encircling wall with three openings (English Gate, Scotch Gate and Irish Gate). The medieval West Walls are still standing but the east wall that ran along the line of Lowther Street was demolished in 1813. The city was granted a charter in 1158 to hold an annual fair and weekly market, and prospered through trade in wool, cloth, leather, grain and other goods. A merchant guild was established in the mid-14th century, followed by guilds for weavers, smiths, tailors, tanners, cordwainers (shoemakers), glovers and butchers, with regular meetings taking place at the Guildhall.
Carlisle's economy was frequently blighted by Anglo-Scottish conflict throughout the Middle Ages. Edward I's campaign to conquer Scotland had awakened a deep resentment towards the English, and the border region was subjected to devastating attacks by Scots (including one by Robert the Bruce in 1315). Although Carlisle, protected by its castle and town walls, kept the raiders at bay the surrounding countryside was repeatedly plundered and laid to waste. The unresolved problem of defining the Anglo-Scottish border gave rise to the Debatable Lands - a buffer zone between Scotland and England claimed by both countries. Over time, general lawlessness became endemic, with the Border clans constantly feuding with each other and rebelling against any attempts to impose law and order.
The Border Rievers
The Reivers were, in effect, organised family gangs that defied authority and followed a regime of theft, blackmail and persecution in the Border area. Houses and barns were repeatedly burned and looted, and livestock driven off by the raiders. Within a few days or weeks a revenge attack would bring back the plundered goods or livestock. The Border Reivers had strong family bonds, with names such as Armstrong, Bell, Elliot and Graham striking fear into the hearts of inhabitants over centuries. Attempts by the general populace to defend themselves resulted in the building of pele towers and bastle houses, many of which are still standing today. The problem was so bad that in 1525 the Archbishop of Glasgow publicly cursed the Reivers (his words can be read on the Cursing Stone at Tullie House). Wardens of the Marches were appointed to keep the peace, although as often as not they were also the targets of attack or engaged in reiving activities themselves. From this violent period of Border history are derived everyday terms such as bereaved (from ‘be reived' or lose a loved one through death or kidnap) and blackmail (protection money).
Mary, Queen of Scots' claim to the throne of England also fuelled the fires of dissent. After her defeat in battle in 1568, she was imprisoned in Carlisle Castle for six weeks as a threat to the nation's security.
During the English Civil War, Carlisle was a Royalist town and was besieged by Scottish Parliamentarians in 1644-45. The city surrendered on the defeat of Charles I at Naseby. As a consequence, most of the Cathedral's west nave was demolished in order to strengthen the city's defences. The restoration of the monarchy in 1660 drove the Scots out of the city, but in 1745 Carlisle was taken again, this time by Bonnie Prince Charlie at the head of a Jacobite army, but the attack was short-lived. By December, the rebels were crushed, a victory that signalled the end of cross-border warfare, allowing Carlisle to enter a period of relative peace.
Freedom from endemic warfare allowed the town to develop its trades, particularly in textile manufacture. The import of cotton led to the establishment of mills to process the fibre (Holme Head in 1824 and Shaddon Mills in 1836), and the expansion of industrial suburbs such as at Denton Holme to house textile workers. Much of the cotton cloth was exported back to plantations in America and the Caribbean to clothe slaves. Today, Linton Tweeds, housed in the former powerloom sheds of Shaddon Mill, produces high quality tweeds for the couture fashion houses of Paris and Milan.
The need to link Carlisle with the sea led to the opening of a canal from the Solway Firth in 1823, which terminated at the canal basin on Port Road. From here goods such as coal, slate and raw cotton wool were imported and cloths, flour and lead exported. The canal helped the city to prosper but it was soon superseded by rail transport. The first line to open was between Carlisle and Newcastle in 1837 (the first cross-country route), followed by the Maryport to Carlisle branch line in 1843. The following year the city was included on the north-south route between London and Scotland. The last great railway project was the Settle to Carlisle line - a triumph of engineering but a risky financial undertaking. The importance of Carlisle's railways to the city is reflected in the magnificent Citadel railway station constructed in 1847.
Carrs Biscuit Factory, founded in 1831, became a flourishing enterprise after the company teamed up with Hudson Scott, a local manufacturer of metal boxes. The biscuits were sold in airtight decorative tins that greatly increased their desirability. Both companies are still in operation today as United Biscuits (McVities) and Crown Bevcan UK (Carnaud Metal Box). More of Carlisle's social history can be discovered at www.carlislelife.co.uk.
Today, Carlisle functions as a regionally important administrative centre and a focus for a huge array of tourism activities. Information on everything that Carlisle offers for residents and tourists alike can be found at the Tourist Information Centre situated in the Old Town Hall.
