Eggbert's Travels

Tuesday 4^th August 2015

SHE SAID:

Geoff & I headed out to Southwell, to see the old Workhouse, which was the first of it's kind to be built in England when the Poor House system became too costly in the early 1800's. It was a fascinating tour back in time & both Geoff & I found it interesting.

The village of Southwell also has a connection with older history; a lot of the English Civil War was based around the area.

Also Newark-on-Trent, which was a few miles further on, has many connections to Charles l & the Parliamentarian (Roundhead) uprising. History, history & more history.

The Saracens Head Inn- Named after the sword that chopped off Charles l head.
Also the inn that he hid in when he escaped from Newark dressed as clergyman, before surrendering

Southwell Minister

Southwell Workhouse - the first of it's kind in England

Southwell bridge across the River Trent

The ruins of Newark Castle on the river

Decorative

The ornate façade, once belonged to the Old White Hart in - Newark-on-Trent.
The oldest surviving pub in Newark. From the 14th century it billeted soldiers in the Civil War




House dating from 1300, also used for soldiers billets & housed Prince Rupert
when he quarrelled with his father.

HE SAID:

I think that the Southwell (most locals pronounce it Suthell) Workhouse would have been a horrible place to be. The thinking at the time seemed to be that if you became poor it was your fault, so there needed to be some motivation to stay unpoor, and punish you if you let your circumstances slide. Not very logical, but that is how it was. Our current thinking in some regards is just as illogical, yet widely accepted. Politicians have a lot to answer for at all stages of history I reckon.