Two things dominated Stoke:

Two things dominated and shaped the town of Stoke - one is still easily visible, the other is now long gone but the evidence is still there if we look around.....

1) Stoke Church

Stoke and the medieval period (pre-Norman (1066))

No detailed records of the first Christian preachers or worship remain for us now, but we do know that early building(s) were replaced by a stone church around 805 AD. This stone building was altered and enlarged many times, but stood for over one thousand years until 1826, when it was demolished to make way for the present Church of St. Peter Ad Vincula ("St. Peter in Chains").

Walking around St. Peter's church yard in Stoke today, one can still see the site of the altar of the ancient church close to a re-constructed archway. Of particular interest is a Saxon Cross dating from around 800 AD, on which the earliest examples of the "Staffordshire Knot" are clearly visible. A Saxon font is still used for the christenings which take place at the church.

Fragment of a pre-Norman Cross in the grounds
of Stoke Minster Church -  St. Peter Ad Vincula

2) The Minton family of potters

Minton, Spode, Wolfe, Adams were all significant Stoke pottery families.

Although today Spode are the only significant works still operating in the town it was the Minton family who dominated the town.

Much as the Baker family shaped Fenton so the Minton family shaped Stoke and the evidence of their influence is still to be found..........

Campbell Square in Church Street, Stoke
(London Road goes off to the right)

Campbell square was named after Colin Minton Campbell.  The rise in the road can be clearly seen - because a canal tunnel used to run under here - the Spode, Wolfe and Minton pottery works were served by this canal.

The light blue building on the left is the Wheatsheaf public house (an old coaching inn).