LANCASTER

HISTORIC HANGING TOWN LANCASTER

I have an opportunity to explore Lancaster – as I have a group of cousins (Alice Tan & family) who have been residing in this historic town, for decades. They had migrated here, and started restaurant business or sundry shop.

Due to their presence in Lancaster, I was able to visit them four times in a row of ten years.

I can say my visit to Lancaster has been 'fruitful' – as I get to detour the town as well as writing a memoir on Lancaster.

Lancaster is the historic heart of Lancashire and famous for links with English royalty. It is located about 40 minutes drive from Preston.

 Lancaster is called "The Hanging Town" - between 1782 - 1865, over 200 people were sentenced to execution by hanging at Lancaster giving it  the grisly reputation as the hanging town outside of London were more people were sentenced to death at this Court and anywhere else in the country. Crime - ranges from murder, burglary and arson to sheep theft and cattle stealing. From the turn of the 19th century, these execution took place on the Castle Hill, drawing vast  crowds who were eager to watch the drama unfold. At centre stage - was often Edward "Old Ned"  Barrow. A local hangman and conflict himself, he was responsible for carrying out many of the executions.

I recalled the longest stay I had in my cousin's house was in May 2015 – where I got a chance to cover the city of Lancaster – using a map.

Firstly, I start off with Lancaster Castle sits on a hill where the Romans had once built a fort to defend against rebellious tribes. It seems the Castle has been owned by the monarch as Duke of Lancaster, since 1399. It has been a crown court since the Middle Ages, a role it still fulfills today, until recently it was a working prison. Obviously, I stop over to capture a photograph with this historic castle.

Take a tour through time to find out how the majestic castle has served as courtroom and prison for centuries including its part in the Lancashire Witch Trails of 1612.

LANCASTER CASTLE

Next stop, is the Lancaster Priory Castle founded in the 11^th Century was located at the top of the hill by the Priory showcase the sense of importance of this piece of land. It is a pity successive building has buried all but scant Roman remains. There is evidence of Christian worship here in Roman times, and there may have been a church building here since AD 630.The Priory was founded in the 11^th century – after the Norman Conquest Roger of Poitou built an earthwork fort where the castle is now and made the castle an outpost of one in Normandy. Don't miss the Norman Keep, outside the castle mainly Roman Bath.

LANCASTER PRIORY CASTLE

ROMAN STATUE

The Roman Bath House is an excavated site which is part of the historic Roman cavalry for at Ribchester, known to the Romans as Bremetennacum – started 100AD with various changes resulting in its final form – in 160AD.

ROMAN BATH

At the Castle Hill, one can come across a few historical places such as The Dispensary, Cottage Museum and The Srigley and Hunt building. The Dispensary is an elegant building with a fine doorway is the old dispensary established in the late 1700s in response to a typhus epidemic which infected 500 people, here.

On the right of the building – there is a signboard for “Shrigley and Hunt” painted near the roof line. This was the firm of renowned stained glass manufacturers.

THE DISPENSARY AND COTTAGE MUSEUM

The Cottage Museum showcase a humble 18^th century house and discover the lives of those who lived here. One can be transported to a life without piped water, central heating or even a toilet. Discover gadgets and utensils used in the 18^th century and get a glimpse of Victorian life in Lancaster.

JUDGES' LODGINGS

Another interesting stop – is the Judges' Lodgings located at China Street. It is the oldest town house in Lancaster where one can explore fine Regency rooms and beautiful Gillows furniture, toys of 1700s to the present day within the museum.

The Lodging once provided accommodation for visiting judges who came to the town each Spring and Autumn when the Assize Courts were in session of the Castle. The Assizes were periodic criminal courts that trailed prisoners across the County. Until 1835 Lancaster's Assizes included the growing industrial towns of Manchester and Liverpool were a grand affair. The influx of the judges brought wealth and the spectacular of the law to this town.

LANCASTER JOINT STOCK BANK

Former Lancaster Joint Stock Bank located at Church Street – is the oldest city's street – one can find out about another essential component for commerce and managing financial wealth – a sound banking system.

LANCASTER AND SKERTON EQUITABLE INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY LTD

Opposite the bank – is the main shop of the former Lancaster and Skerton Equitable Industrial Society Limited, which was built in 1901.

MUSIC ROOM

The Music Room was built in 1730, located at Sun Street. It was built bu a rich local family, the Martons. Father and son were both Lancaster MPS. The Music Room was built in the garden of their town house at 75 Church Street – it was a place for the family to entertain and be entertained – a public sign that the household had significant wealth.

WRITER POSING AT THE ST GEORGE'S QUAY

St George's Quay is a must visit area – where one can see the River Lune here is tidal. After years of inconvenient flooding this defensive wall on the landward side was completed in 2003. As trade increased at St George's Quay as expanded to New Quay further down the river. 

MARITIME MUSEUM

 

Continue along the quayside with the river of your right for about 200 metres until you reach the Lancaster Maritime Museum – a Georgian Custom House on historic St George's Quay to discover the rich maritime past of this ares of Morecambe Bay, from merchants, canals and fishing traditions to the darker side of the transatlantic slave trade.

CONVERTED WAREHOUSE

As you walk further, you will come across the converted warehouses on the quayside. The warehouses have been converted into riverside flats and offices. Though they no longer hold goods transported on the River Lune, they are still a source of wealth as desirable sites of regeneration.

LANCASTER CITY MUSEUM

In the city centre – one can explore the Market Square and the City Museum. The right to hold a market here was granted by Charter of Edward in 1337. This market place was vital for farmers to buy, sell and exchange to improve their resources. Here, there are buildings such as town hall, museum, library and shops.

The market also holds dance performances during summer holidays.

PERFORMANCES AT MARKET SQUARE

Lancaster City Museum – showcase the city's rich history from its earliest settlers and its Roman forts to this 19^th century industrial successes and its darker side. Stories of local soldiers and their families within the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.

DALTON SQUARE

Dalton Square exudes wealth and confidence completed in 1907. The square itself was originally a money-making venture. Local John Dalton wanted to develop his family's land to increase his wealth, In 1784, he sold off plots of his land for building, but he imposed rules about the size and look of the houses built here.

On the north corner of the square, there is the Palantine Hall (1799) – is the first purpose-built church for Catholics since the reformation. On the next corner in Sulyard St was Lancaster's first Methodist Church built soon after. In the centre was the Queen Victoria Memorial and Town Hall Clock Tower. 

PENNY STREET

Penny Street - the first Roman Road north through Lancaster, links via Church Street to Lancaster Castle and the site on which a Roman Fort was built in 79 AD.

Lancaster is also the home to the 9th best universities in United Kingdom, Lancaster -  is listed in the "Complete University Guide 2013".

LANCASTER UNIVERSITY

POSING WITH MY COUSIN BROTHER, NORMAN

POSING WITH MY RELATIVES IN LANCASTER

 

AUG 2003, AUG 2007, MAY 2015, NOV 2018