What was Durham Market Place like in the past?

 
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Home > Durham market Place> Why did the Market Place develop where it did?
 

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What did it look like?
Why did it develop there?
Who lived there?
What could you buy there?
Why did St Nic's change?

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Why did the Market Place develop where it did?

Take a look at the image below. It shows the city of Durham in 1610. Are there any features you recognise from the photographs you looked at? Can you see the following: the Cathedral; the Castle; St Nicholas' church?

Map of Durham by Speed

Photograph of a map of Durham City, 1610 by John Speed. (DUL ref: Gibby City/B/37). Click on image to enlarge.

What it does show is that the Market Place has been in the same place for centuries. But why did it develop here? Have another look at this map and make a list of all the reasons why this would be a good place.

Finished? Have a look at another map of Durham to see if this will help you answer the big question.

 

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