Hartlepool
Medieval Headland
Hartlepool
Headland's History is a very long one. It having
a natural harbour the headland first became a
port in the very early medieval period. It was
founded by the De Brus family in the 12th century
and quickly became a major port. From this point
on its history has been terbulant, it was the
base for the English Fleet during the Scottich
Wars and saw action in the First World War.
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The Headland of Hartlepool is located on the
north-east coast of England on a ridge of limestone
with cliffs to the east and south and a steep
slope to the harbour on the western side. With
a natural bay in the lee of the limestone ridge,
it was an ideal haven for shipping.
Map Reference
NZ 530 340.
The De Brus family founded the medieval town
of Hartlepool in the first quarter of the 12th
century and it has been revealed through archaeological
excavations that a harbour and a primarily agricultural
settlement were in place at this time along with
an earlier 12th century church. By the end of
the 12th century, further investment by the de
Brus family allowed the construction of a Franciscan
Friary and the reconstruction of the church.
The town spread further down towards the harbour,
which around this time saw the construction of
more substantial harbour facilities.
Hartlepool played a major role as a safe port
during the Scottish Wars. The town acted as a
supply point and a naval centre at a time when
the River Tyne was not safe. The town walls were
built as a result of Scottish raids. The wall
ran from the cliffs above Fairy Cove, across
the isthmus to the medieval harbour and across
the mouth of the harbour, before making the return
along the coast. It enclosed the entire medieval
town, the Friary, the harbour and a substantial
part of the town fields.
From the end of the 15th century, the town went
into a swift decline. During the Civil Wars,
Hartlepool was occupied by a Scottish Garrison
who made repairs and enhancements to the wall.
In the 18th century it is recorded that the trade
in Hartlepool diminished further and it did not
recover until the formation of the Hartlepool
Dock and railway Company in 1835, bringing coal
from the East Durham coalfields. The 19th century
development of the Headland as a modern port
prompted an increase in population and a return
to prosperity.
In the First World War, the German High Seas
Fleet famously bombarded Hartlepool. The Heugh
Gun Battery, (pronounced ‘Huff’),
was the only land based battery to engage with
German Naval forces.
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