HISTORY OF PRESTON (to 1780)

Acknowledgement; A History of Preston by David Hunt. Excellent information very much summarised here and built upon.

In common with most of the rest of the world, before 1780 it isn't evident that there was much manufacturing in Preston beyond local requirements. Home spinning and weaving and agriculture were the main activity.

Around the area there was some iron ore mining and iron production on a small scale.Preston has evidence of Bronze Age life in the Harris Museum in the city centre. Common items for the age; arrowheads, canoes. After that the Romans came, Watling Street Road, Walton, Ribchester, and Norsemen as evidenced by the Cuerdale Hoard.

The town was a small gathering above the River Ribble flood plain and acted as a focus for the area taking advantage of its position at the foot of the Pennines and above the fertile flood plain. The lowest fordable point and at the limit of the tidal flow enabling vessels to get up the river.In 1179 a Royal Charter was granted giving Preston Royal Borough status and enabling its traders to travel the country without payment of tolls and duties and preventing other traders entering Preston. These traders were called Burgesses and were listed by the Guild Merchant. In the 14th century the town was hit by the plague and attacks by the Scots which set it back. It wasn't much more than about 2000 people at this time and huddled around Fishergate and Friargate with a hub of todays Flag Market.

Preston was a regional centre but the region was poor.Over the next 400 years the town grew with the Burgesses building more property in the centre and it gradually expanding. Major landowners ran an agricultural economy. The Derby's, Stanleys, Farringtons, Hoghtons, Rawstornes funded and promoted their own including Members of Parliament.In the 16th century the textile industry began to grow in the region.

Unhelpful events included the return of the plague to Preston in 1631. Also the civil war from 1630 to 1650 caused upheaval with a major battle being won by Cromwell in 1648 at Preston and when Royalist and Scottish armies passed through Preston on their way south. In 1715 King Georges troops defeated a Jacobite Army in Preston. In November 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlies army occupied Preston prior to their defeat heading north.

In 1725 it was reported that Preston has no manufacture. It is full of attorneys, proctors and notaries with a different process of law to other places, it being a Duchy. Other visitors noted what a fine and gay place it was in the 18th century although 'not as wealthy as Manchester or Liverpool'. No manufacture in 1725. The next 100 years bring big change as the Industrial Revolution swept the UK and then Europe and America.Click here to continue to 1900