Schmap Plymouth Historical Background

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Plymouth - Historical Background
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Plymouth Home
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A major seaport in a major seafaring nation, Plymouth's history revolves around the sea, and she came into her own in the Elizabethan era when her privateer-sea captains set England on course to become the ruler of the known world.

Prehistory

During the Bronze age, about 2000BC, Plymouth became connected to the rest of the country by a ridge road that is followed by the present day road out of Plymouth to Tavistock. The major settlement was probably on Mount Batten, which today plays host to the yearly National Fireworks Competition, a late Bronze Age/Iron Age settlement which traded with the Roman Empire and was continuously occupied for some 1500 years.

As the Bronze age became the Iron Age round 450BC, the people of this area became the Dumnonni, the Celts. They watched the Romans come and go without making too big an impression on the area, although the name 'Stonehouse' given by the Saxons surely must refer to a Roman villa of some size in that area.

After the Romans left in 410AD, we know very little of the next 300 years of Dumnonni rule except legends. Later the Saxons invaded, and ultimately drove the Dumnonni into Cornwall and Brittany, but they left their name to Devon (Demn).

Early History

At the time of the Norman conquest, Plymouth was farmland. It became a port in the 12th century. Named Sudtone in the Domesday Book (1086), Plymouth's original harbour is still called Sutton Harbour.

It was tin mining that accounts for the original growth of the city, because mining silted up the Plym and made the original port of Plympton less usable, while Sutton Pool remained a deep sheltered anchorage; the first record of the name Plymouth appeared in a cargo roll of 1211 here.

A developing trade and the shipment of armies to France during the 100 Years War led to its early growth, but Plymouth really began to expand with the development of larger ships in the 15th century, when Sutton Harbour provided a perfect anchorage for warships.

The Great Seafaring Age

It was from the shelter of Plymouth Sound that Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh, then the Pilgrim Fathers (1620) and later Captain Cook (1772) and Darwin sailed off to adventure and fame.

It was the home port of other famous Elizabethan seafarers like Martin Frobisher, Richard Grenville and Humphrey Gilbert, as well as Sir John Hawkins, son of the mayor of Plymouth and cousin of Drake, who was the architect of the Elizabethan navy. In the campaign against the Spanish Armada in 1588 he was knighted during the actual battle.

The seafarer most commonly associated with Plymouth is of course Sir Francis Drake, who achieved his knighthood through an epic voyage around the world. Setting out from Plymouth in 1577 in the Golden Hind, he returned three years later as the most famous man in the Kingdom.

This fame escalated when he was vice admiral and John Hawkins was rear admiral of the fleet that defeated the Armada in 1588. Losses were England nil, Spain 51. He later became mayor of Plymouth and represented the city in Parliament, ultimately dying at sea in 1596 during another campaign against the Spanish.

Drake's fame was legendary even in his day. Founder of the British naval tradition because of the heroic quality of his exploits, he was the greatest privateer of all time, and his legend continues, particularly with Drake's Drum (to be seen at Buckland Abbey), which is said to beat to call the nation to arms in times of peril. Twenty-four years after Drake died, on 16 September 1620, the Mayflower set sail for America. Many Americans make the pilgrimage to the Mayflower Steps in the Barbican where a plaque listing the passengers marks the spot.

Another famous Plymouth mariner was Captain James Cook, who set out from the Barbican in 1768 in search of a southern continent. Today the Barbican, with its Tudor and Jacobean buildings, such as the Elizabethan House, gives an idea of what Plymouth must have been like before the Luftwaffe violently redesigned it.

During the Civil War, 1642-46, Plymouth declared for Parliament and was held by the roundheads while the rest of Devon and Cornwall were Royalist. Every attempt by the Royalists failed to break the protective ring around the town, but its population and commerce were devastated by battle and disease, and its growth was severely stunted for many years after the fighting ended.

In 1690 the Royal Dockyard was begun on the eastern bank of the Tamar, and the town of Plymouth Dock (renamed Devonport in 1824) was founded. A third town, Stonehouse, developed between Devonport and Plymouth, and all were amalgamated in 1914.

Modern-Day Plymouth

Because of its military and industrial importance, Plymouth was one of the most severely damaged by the Luftwaffe during WWII. The program of reconstruction has resulted some fine commercial, shopping, and civic centres. New approach roads link the city with new bridges over the Plym and Tamar.

The Westcountry's largest city, Plymouth is a centre of industry from ship building to information technology. Plymouth also has the problems of a large city, with nearly a third of its inhabitants living below the poverty line.

The cultural capital of the area, with an important heritage, Plymouth is today still a hive of artistic activity: the Theatre Royal plays host each year to the RSC and is a major out of town venue for plays and musicals on their way to or from the West End. Important living artists such as Robert Lenkiewicz uphold the heritage of old masters such as Joshua Reynolds.

And the sea is never far from consciousness - the fine marine aquarium, the marine-biological laboratories, the upper part of Smeaton's lighthouse brought from Eddystone, an Armada memorial, Drake's statue on the Hoe, the Royal Marine Barracks, and the Naval Dockyard all remind us that Plymouth is now, as she has always been, first and foremost a seaport. The city is still, as it has been for centuries, an important port and naval base, brawling, boisterous, tough and energetic.

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Barbican

Steeped in history

Tourist Information Centre
Island House, Southside Street
Plymouth, Devon PL1 2LR
United Kingdom

Step back in time as you walk along the harbourside and through the two oldest streets of Plymouth. See the real Elizabethan House in New Street, and tour the 200 year old Plymouth Gin distillery. The Mayflower Steps are a must, to see where the Pilgrims embarked in 1620. You'll find them at the entrance of Sutton Harbour, which you will find filled with small craft of all kinds. Visit the Island Tourist Information Centre and discover the Barbican's history. This small harbourside area has some very fine restaurants and shops which offer a wide range of goods, from local art and antiques to crystal and crafts.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Brad Watmuff

Photo: Will Richards

Photo: Stewart Hector

Buckland Abbey

History, fun and games for kids Yelverton
Plymouth, Devon PL20 6EY
United Kingdom
+44 1822 85 3607 This National Trust property has an excellent record for providing fascinating events and activities for children. There are dozens of different events each season, so phone for details. Once Sir Francis Drake's Dartmoor home, and containing Drake's Drum (which they say will beat a warning if England is in dire peril), Buckland Abbey is steeped in history. Originally a 13th century Cistercian monastery, whose church is incorporated into the fabric of the house, it now contains many mementos and exhibits devoted to Drake's adventures and achievements. The grounds contain the magnificent monastic barn, craft workshops, herb garden and country walks, plus a new Elizabethan garden under construction. Admission to House & Garden:adult £4.60, child £2.30, family(2+3)£11.50. Grounds only, adults £2.40, child £1.20.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Kim Precious, Plymouth
Photo: Sean Wright
Photo: T R I N E

Devonport Royal Dockyard

Europe's largest marine engineering complex DML Ltd.
Plymouth, Devon PL1 4SG
United Kingdom
+44 1752 60 5665 Devonport Dockyard is well known to sailors all around the world. It has been an outstanding marine center for more than 300 years and despite massive reductions, still has a workforce of over 4,000 people. Over half of its current work is involved in the refitting, refuelling and repair of nuclear powered submarines. After privatization, Devonport Management Limited (DML) bought the dockyard in 1997. They have improved efficiency and attracted commercial business, which now accounts for 30 per cent of their work. The most famous ship to have been refitted here must surely be the Royal Yacht Britannia, which came to Devonport for her last refit before retirement. Now many luxury vessels are being refitted and built here. There are tours of the Dockyard at regular intervals.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Steve Dent
Photo: Mark Robinson

Elizabethan House

Jump back to the 16th century 32 New Street
The Barbican
Plymouth, Devon PL1 2NA
United Kingdom
+44 1752 30 4774 The Elizabethan House was built in 1580. Once the home of a merchant or sea captain, the house has been carefully restored, with everything as it would have been at the time of Queen Elizabeth I. It was constructed on three floors; a shipping company used two rooms on the ground floor, and the merchant seafarer occupied the floors above. Period features include low wooden beams, a spiral staircase, windows with tiny panes, an inglenook oven, and original floors and furniture.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Mayflower Steps

Pilgrims' portal The Barbican
Plymouth, Devon PL1
United Kingdom
+44 1752 26 4849 For many years Plymouth had nothing to commemorate the place where the Pilgrim Fathers took their leave of the Plymouth shore to set out for a new life of religious freedom in America. In 1934, the Mayor of Plymouth added a stone gateway over the Mayflower Stone and called it "The White Gateway to the Ocean". Visitors, especially Americans, have always flocked to this site on the historic Barbican, and to the plaque on which the names of the Pilgrim Fathers, their wives and servants are recorded. This is found very close by, on the side of the Island Tourist Information Office.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Richard and Gill Long
Photo: Markus Schroeder
Photo: lyndl nanos
Photo: Dave Snook
Photo: Rob Ditcher
Photo: popepenelope
Photo: Tom Smith
Photo: Ashley Warner

Photo: dave garland
Photo: David Brummel

Theatre Royal

Dance, drama, dinner and dreams Royal Parade
Plymouth, Devon PL1 2TR
United Kingdom
+44 1752 26 7222
http://www.theatreroyal.com This modern theatre is one of the best in Britain, producing large mainstream events, with performers such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, Glyndebourne Touring Opera, Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Rambert Dance Company. The theatre has a good education department and also the Young Company, which gives theatre training to youngsters. The large, attractive building on Royal Parade is a popular meeting place for shoppers as well as theatre buffs, as the huge windows of its excellent restaurant and café look out over the city.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Graham Richardson
Photo: Oreplym maid

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Plymouth - Historical Background"
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Plymouth - Neighborhood Guide
Plymouth - Where to Stay
Plymouth - Dining & Drinking
Plymouth - Art & Entertainment
Other nearby cities:
Cardiff (148 miles)
Bristol (163 miles)
Bath (169 miles)
Southampton (203 miles)
Oxford (254 miles)
Birmingham (283 miles)
Brighton (287 miles)
London (320 miles)
Liverpool (345 miles)
Cork (346 miles)

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