This autumn we've been considering how Sheffield and the surrounding area has been shaped by
conflict through the ages. Check out the exhibition in the Central Library Foyer and Reading Room to discover fascinating stories from our city‘s
rich and complex history. In this post we take a brief look at the rise of Sheffield Castle.
Discover more stories at Sheffield Central Library.
The Rise of Sheffield Castle
In
1066, William, Duke of Normandy conquered England, seizing the throne through
victory at the battle of Hastings. While
in Hallamshire, the Anglo-Saxon Earl Waltheof initially retained his position
as lord, this proved short-lived.
Waltheof and others were involved in a failed rebellion and he was later
captured and beheaded.
Pageant of local history (1931) Featuring Earl of Waltheof of Hallam and his wife Judith attended by Norman
and Saxon ladies. Image s03100 taken from Picture Sheffield
and Saxon ladies. Image s03100 taken from Picture Sheffield
With
Waltheof now gone, local control passed to Norman lords and around 1100,
William de Lovetot constructed a motte and bailey castle on a natural sandstone
outcrop overlooking the Rivers Don and Sheaf.
However, in 1266 the castle which had been largely built of wood, and in
all likelihood, much of the town around it was destroyed during the Second
Baron’s War.
Artist's Impression of Sheffield Castle around 1350 - Image s05123 from Picture Sheffield
With
the close of war and the king restored to power, in 1270 Thomas de Furnival
received a royal charter to build a new castle on the same site, this time made
of stone. It was this castle that over
the coming centuries would expand to become the fourth largest fortress in
England and sit beside a now growing town.
Population of Sheffield in 1086 – 150 - 200
Population of Sheffield in 1086 – 150 - 200
Above. Sheffield's royal market charter.
In 1296 and during a time of relative stability, the third Thomas de Furnival was granted a royal charter to hold a weekly market and an annual fair.
In 1296 and during a time of relative stability, the third Thomas de Furnival was granted a royal charter to hold a weekly market and an annual fair.
Visit www.picturesheffield.com, the city’s
depository of over 100,000 local images.
You
can discover more about the variety of sources available to use for research
and study through our curated research guides, available at www.sheffield.gov.uk/archives.
