Sheffield: War and Peace

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

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

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. 

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. 

Creative Writing Success at Central Library

A library card gives you access to a wide range of creative activities, social groups and opportunities to learn, enjoy and grow.  Visit www.sheffield.gov.uk/libraries to discover more.


The Central Library Creative Writing Group has been meeting monthly for the last three years. Each month, a subject is chosen and the group listens to poems and prose as well as looking at visual images on the theme followed by a discussion. We then write about that subject; sometimes people write poems, other times it’s the start of a novel, notes or diary entries.  A few members have said that writing on certain subjects has been cathartic.

It’s a lively, inspiring group, and so far, two books have been published by members of the group, and we've hosted a packed out poetry book launch on behalf of one of the group members.

The sessions are a time when participants can completely escape into their own writing, and find inspiration, unlock their creativity and share in the synergy that often forms when writers converge.

At this year’s Off the Shelf Writing Festival, there was a Sheffield Short Story competition. The Central Library Creative Writing Group met in September and worked on short story submissions. We are delighted to say that four members of the writing group, including Claire Walker, Library and Information Assistant, the facilitator of the group, were long-listed.

www.sheffieldauthors.co.uk/short-story-competition

Sean Webster, from the group won 3^rd place!  Well done to Sean and all those who were shortlisted and entered.

Two of our writers share their thoughts;

Hannah Whiteoak

Hannah’s story was shortlisted for the Sheffield Authors competition.

“My shortlisted story, Blackbird, is set in Endcliffe Park, which (along with the various libraries) is one of my favourite places in Sheffield. I've recently joined the Central Library creative writing group to meet other writers and get new ideas. I have a few stories and poems online at medium.com/@hannahwhiteoak and would love to write more.”

Sean Webster

Sean won 3^rd place in the Sheffield Authors competition.

“A roller coaster ride, not knowing you're shortlisted until the last minute, then you're on - stand and deliver! It was fantastic to hear really positive comments on my work, and I thank everyone who voted for a love story that shone brightly, but all too briefly across the Sheffield skyline.

I've had some excellent writing sessions at Sheffield Library in Claire Walker’s Saturday morning group. Two exercises per session that vary immensely from week to week, where everyone is encouraged and given a voice. I was very proud to have some work on display in the library that was produced during one of these inspiring sessions."