Newcastle owes its name to the ‘new castle’ that was built in the area in the 12th century. The ‘Lyme’ part of the name derives from the huge lime forest that covered a large part of the Borough in the medieval period.
In prehistoric times, the area was very sparsely populated. The Cornovii tribe populated the area during the Iron Age and there was a fort settlement at this time at Berth Hill, near Maer.
In the first century, the Romans established a fort at Chesterton, a settlement at Holditch and a villa at Hales. There is evidence of Saxon settlement in the Borough during the 6th to 9th centuries.
Madeley was granted a royal charter in 975 by King Edgar and the area was also mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086. Bradwell, Wolstanton, Clayton, Knutton, Chapel Chorlton and Maer also appear in the Book, although Newcastle itself is not mentioned. The castle in Newcastle was constructed to defend against attacks from the Welsh borders and to protect Royal land from claims to the throne.
The town of Newcastle was planned and established by King Henry II and its first charter was granted in 1173. The King encouraged the growth of Newcastle’s market, which attracted traders from far and wide. The area flourished because of the rapidly expanding market and Newcastle became one of the most important market towns in the area.
In 1235 the town’s leading traders formed a Guild Merchant, which led to the establishment of the Guildhall, the most noticeable landmark in Newcastle town centre.
By the 15th century, many mediaeval castles were converted or re-built as stately homes. Powerful and wealthy families such as the Lords Audley of Heighley castle and the Sneyds of Bradwell and later Keele wielded absolute political control over Newcastle for more than two centuries.
A 1590 Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I confirmed many of the Borough’s existing rights and led to the setting up of a more formal system of local government, comprising a mayor, bailiffs and burgesses.
The Borough has been a centre for various industries, including the hatting trade which prospered from the 16th to 19th centuries. The town also boasted a number of silk and cotton mills and more recently the area has been known for coal mining, marl extraction and brick making. The emphasis now is on light industry and services, with several national and international firms moving into the area.
Many historic artefacts are kept in the Borough, including the 1590 charter at the Borough Museum and civic regalia in the Mayors Parlour at Newcastle’s Civic Offices. Two silver maces dating back to 1680 are still used at every Borough Council meeting.
Major local government reforms that took place in the 20th century saw the Borough’s boundaries extend to include Wolstanton and rural villages to the west and Kidsgrove to the north, creating the current area of around 81 square miles.
With thanks to Newcastle Borough Council for permission to reprint the above
The Chamber also has a long history and can be dated back until 1927. The following have all served as past Presidents;
Sydney Myott JP
WS Carryer JP
JL Black
GC Kemp
G Scott JP
Sydney Myott JP
Harry Cotton
JH Ramsbottom
R Brasssington
WS Black
FW Burgess
F Morris
G Scott
RE Butterworth
F Morris JP
WE Allard
Mrs JH Ramsbottom JP
GD McKellen
Mrs F Pass
NR Boorman MBE JP
RT Morley
J Kirkham
A Burgess
AO Ffoulkes
PE Taylor
PH James
FR Gilks
JB Barker
RO Anderson
RPJ Aslett
BS Machin
M Bettany
M Blanks
M Kirkham
REFORMED IN 2004
Brian Kirkham
Trevor MIles
Steve Dyne
