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In my opinion, Manchester is England’s second city. Even in 1724, it was said that it was the largest, richest and busiest village in England! There has always been industry in Manchester; fabrics were dyed in the town from as early as the mid-thirteenth century. The fabric and cotton industry made Manchester rich, and the city and its nearby towns are famous for invention; many of the instruments used in the city’s cotton trade were developed in the city and its nearby towns. James Kay from Bury invented the flying shuttle in 1733. James Hargreaves from Bolton made the spinning jenny in 1764, and in 1775, Sam Cromton, also from Bolton, invented the ‘mule’, another instrument of the weaving trade.
This hive of industry is represented by the image of a bee. The useful insect is repeated in the mosaic in the beautiful town hall. Today, you can see the image of the bee throughout the city – in honour of its past and in honour of people working together, busy as bees.
As J. Wood puts it in the book The Story of Manchester: ‘The name Manchester to foreigners calls up an image of grey skies, murky buildings and muddy streets. Yet, in spite of the disadvantages of the city, there is a certain charm about Manchester people. In truth, this city, so modern in appearance, is a veritable home of romance.’
Manchester has always been on the cutting edge of industry, science, music and revolution. As well as romance, Manchester is no stranger to fights – witness the odd bout of fisticuffs on a Saturday night! Mancunians are a passionate lot, from the Roman warriors who settled in ‘Mamucium’ to the siege of Manchester, from the horror of Peterloo, to industrial revolution, socialism and the suffragettes.
Speaking of Peterloo, this was a dark moment in Manchester’s history. The pub, the Briton’s Protection, is not far from St Peter’s Square, the scene of the massacre. It was said that here people who had been attacked by the yeomanry were ministered to. It is fitting that today many traditional tales are kept alive here with a long-running storytelling night, Word Of Mouth.
One final thing you should know about Manchester. The city is not renowned for clement weather: if you’re going to visit, don’t forget your brolly!
THE SIEGE OF MANCHESTER
Lancashire was divided during the English Civil War (1641–1651), with Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentarians (the Roundheads) versus the Royalists (Cavaliers). Prominent aristocrat, Lord Strange, was a leader of the Cavaliers who had seized weapons from Lancaster, Preston, Liverpool and Warrington. He had his beady eye on Manchester which had declared itself Parliamentarian.
John Rosworm was a German man who had settled in Manchester. He had fought in Europe and his military skills were well renowned. He had offered his services to both sides. However, as he lived in Manchester, it is said that he made his first offer there – finding himself on the side of the Roundheads. And so, in 1642, Rosworm served the Parliamentarian cause during the English Civil War for the sum of £30 for six months’ service.
Manchester awaited Lord Strange and the army of Royalists who feared his appearance every day. With Roswell’s skills in fortification, Manchester was secured. Yet the townspeople still anticipated Strange. On 15 July 1642, Strange arrived in Manchester and a fight broke out where a linen weaver was killed – the first to die in the city’s involvement in the bloody Civil War.
Strange left Manchester to regroup; the inhabitants of Manchester were expecting Strange to return at any moment.
Rosworm fought the Royalists in September 1642. The heavy rain lashed down as both sides marched along the Irwell and the Mersey towards Salford. The battle came to a head on Deansgate where the Royalists were defeated. Lord Strange was eventually executed in Bolton in 1644. Rosworm moved to London where he complained of having pledged his ‘faithfulnesse to this ungratefull town’. He was sporadically paid by, as he put it, the ‘promise-breakers’ of Manchester. He is thought to have died during the Restoration, when King Charles II, the ‘Party King’ was restored to the throne.
FRED: In the morning we pack a picnic and set outside. Here we catch the bus from Shudehill to travel to Worsley, a pretty village in the borough of Salford. It’s a beautiful day so we sit on a blanket near the Bridgewater Canal. There’s a statue of Francis, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater in Worsley Green. He’s known as ‘the Canal Duke’ as he founded the great canal. We open egg barmcakes from greaseproof paper, and unwrap pork pies shining with gelatine. In between bites, Lily will now tell some stories from Salford and Oldham that her auntie told her when she was little.