By Tim Lambert
Early Newark on Trent
Newark began as a fortified Anglo-Saxon settlement. Its name comes from Old English words meaning “new fort”. At the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, it may have had a population of about 350. By the standards of the time, it was a large village. After 1092, it belonged to the Bishop of Lincoln.
The Normans built a wooden castle at Newark. However, the bishop built a stone castle about 1135. King John died in Newark Castle in 1215. The bishop also built a bridge over the River Trent, and the settlement grew into a busy town. Newark had weekly markets and annual fairs. Newark flourished because of the wool trade. St Mary Magdalene Church was first built in the 12th century.
In 1457, the bridge over the River Trent was destroyed by a flood, but it was rebuilt. The Governor’s House was built in 1474. A friary was built in Newark in 1499.
In 1547, the king took over the town from the bishop of Lincoln. Newark was given a charter in 1549. In Tudor times, Newark continued to prosper because of the wool trade.
During the English Civil War in the 17th century, Newark-on-Trent was held by the Royalists. It was besieged by the Parliamentarians three times, but it did not surrender until May 1646. Afterwards, in 1648, Parliament ‘slighted’ or damaged the castle to prevent the Royalists from ever using it again.
During the 18th century, Newark continued to flourish, and many new buildings were erected. Among them was Newark Town Hall, which was built in 1776.
The Trent Navigation Company was founded in 1783 to improve navigation on the River Trent.
Modern Newark on Trent
In 1801, Newark had a population of 6,730. By the standards of the time, it was a fair-sized town. It grew rapidly during this century. By 1901, it had passed 15,000.
The railway reached Newark in 1846. Newark Castle Station was built that year. Newark Northgate Station opened in 1852. The Corn Exchange opened in 1848. Newark Buttermarket opened in 1884.
Meanwhile, in 1847, Newark gained gaslight. Ossington Coffee Palace was built in 1882. The Gilstrap Free Library opened in 1883.
Thorpe’s Warehouse was built in 1872. Castle Brewery was built in 1885. (It ceased operation in 1982). A sugar factory opened in Newark in 1921.
A new hospital opened in Newark in 1996. The National Civil War Centre opened in 2015. The Newark Sports and Fitness Centre opened in 2016. A new fire station opened in 2018.
Today, the population of Newark is 30,000.