Newark

We followed a town trail around Newark this morning. It's theme was the Civil War as the market town of Newark was beseiged 3 times during the time of the English Civil War between 1642-46. The town was in an important position on the Great North Road and on the River Trent so troops loyal to the King gathered here and from the safety of its defences launched attacks on local Parliamentarians.  The town's motto is Deo fretus erumpe or 'Trust in God and sally forth'

Castle Gatehouse

These marks in the castle walls were made by cannon balls fired by Parliamentarians.

This building was built in about 1452 as a rich merchant's house, so at the time of the Civil War it was about 200 years old.  It would probably have provided accommodation for soldiers.

This was another rich merchant's house known at the Governor's House. This is dated to 1474, the copious timber framing shows wealth and high status. It is close to the church and the castle so a good place for Royalist forces to be based. It was used as the Governor's House for the duration of the Civil War.

On one side of the Market Place is this colourful timber -framed building. This is the Old White Hart, the oldest surviving inn in Newark. This ornate facade has been restored in recent years. This would have been a soldier's billet too.

A detail of the plasterwork.

St Mary Magdalene Church in the town centre.

This tall chimney beside the church served the church's central heating boiler!

The hole on beneath the window on left hand side is said to have been made by a cannon ball fired at the church spire  in 1644.

And finally some views above the lock showing the more commercial side of this part of the river.

Working boats and gantry.

An old warehouse building.

Looking down river to Newark Town Lock and the Castle.