Synopsis: |
The historic city of Durham is still dominated today by its Norman Cathedral and Castle which were designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 but it is also a major centre for the County of Durham. Founded on a high outcrop on a peninsula above the River Wear as the burial place of St Cuthbert and St Bede it soon became a leading shrine in mediaeval England and its strong defensive location also gave the city a strategic importance in defending the north of England against the Scots. Loyal to the king in the Civil War, the Cathedral and Castle suffered under Cromwell's rule but during the Restoration of the monarchy they and the city were restored. In later years, although the Industrial Revolution changed little in the city, the area around became transformed by the development of a large coalfield. Durham city centre itself has changed little in the last 200 years, although the university has taken over the Castle buildings, and the Victorians remodelled the Castle walls. In more recent decades the commercial districts have been renovated postwar and the population has continued to grow in the outlying townships of the city. In Durham: The Postcard Collection the author has drawn on a remarkable selection of old postcards to give a pictorial record of life in the city in the past, going back to the 19th century. Although many of landmarks have remained the same over the years, there have also been many changes to Durham's fabric and the photographs show the city and its community adapting and changing over the course of this period. This fascinating collection of images will be of interest to those who have lived in Durham or know it well. |