Newcastle is a town of great antiquity. Its first charter was granted by King Edward II., a grandson of the Conqueror. Recent discoveries have enabled the Corporation to definitely fix the date of the charter as September 18th, 1173.

Henry III., 62 years later, constituted Newcastle a free borough, and a Merchant Guild was established. 

From records still in existence, it is clear that Newcastle was a place of considerable importance even before the Norman invasion; and was a point of observation and defence in Saxon times, and probably even in British. 

The remains of the castle built by Henry I. were discovered three years ago in Silverdale-road in an excellent state of preservation. 

Mayors have been elected in Newcastle since the 12th century. The present occupant of the civic chair is Councillor W. L. Elliott. The office of High Constable has also come down in unbroken succession from the Earl of Chester, the first Constable of the Castle, and is now held by Mr. G. T. Bagguley. 

Among the most distinguished natives of Newcastle have been General Thos. Harrison, the famous Cromwellian soldier, and John Bradshaw, who, as President of the High Court, signed the death warrant of King Charles I. Bradshaw was also a Recorder of Newcastle. Elijah Fenton, the poet, though born at Shelton, descended from a Newcastle family.

Newcastle is a residential borough, and is outside the Potteries. 

The only works of any importance are the Enderley Mills, a Government clothing manufactory, employing about 1,500 hands. 

Newcastle's main streets are 'broad and well-kept'

The area of the town is exactly one square mile. The population is about 22,000. King Edward VII. is the Lord of the Manor of Newcastle-under-Lyme. 

The Grand Duke Michael of Russia, who resides at Keele Hall, is the Lord High Steward of the borough. The Duke of Newcastle takes his title from the town. 

Newcastle is a picturesque-looking town, with no traces of its antiquity. "The ancient and loyal borough" is a designation of which the inhabitants are proud. 

Newcastle has always had the reputation of being a good shopping centre. Its main streets are broad and well-kept. Some are lined with trees. 

Orme Boys School, Newcastle-under-Lyme

It is also a fine educational centre. There are three Endowed Schools, under the management of a trust. The High School, for boys, was originally founded in the days of Quern Elizabeth. The present headmaster is Mr. F. Harrison, M.A. The Orme School is the largest high school for girls in the county. The principal is Miss Powell. There is also what is termed the Middle School. Besides these there is an excellent School of Science and Art (headmaster, Mr. J. T. Jordan), and several evening classes, which are the largest and best-attended in Staffordshire. 

There is a free public library in the Municipal Hall. 

The Corporation own the gas works, and the electricity works, and have recently erected public baths as a memorial of the coronation of King Edward VII. 

The Corporation have also just completed new sewage disposal works on the bacteriological principle at a cost of £25,000. 

Six years ago an infectious hospital was built. Newcastle has for years been the lowest rated borough in North Staffordshire. It is also one of the most healthy, cases of infectious disease being few in number, and the death rate being low. 

Of late years a good deal of slum property has been demolished. The Burgesses Trustees have the management of about 200 acres of land in or near the borough, which was bequeathed to the freemen by John o' Gaunt, who resided at the castle. 

There are about 600 burgesses who annually share the income of about £1,000 from the lands, the dividend last March being 29s. each. 

The marsh lands, consisting of about 16 acres of land, are also managed by a body of trustees, but in this case the revenue of about £370 is handed over to the overseers in relief of the poor rates.

Newcastle is a Quarter Sessions borough, the present Recorder being Mr. A. E. Pole. The court of the petty sessional division of Pirehill North is held at Newcastle. There is a Board of Guardians for Newcastle and the rural district, the chairman being the Rev. P. E. Mainwaring, and the clerk Mr. John H. Knight. 

The workhouse is situated in Keele-road, the average number of inmates being 300. 

The Barracks, Friars Road, Newcastle in c.1910
picture: © Staffordshire Arts & Museum Service
Staffordshire Past Track

Among the public buildings of Newcastle are the Municipal Hall a fine structure in the Ironmarket, opened in 1890 the Town Hall, built in 1718; the Militia Barracks, built in 1855, and now used by the G and H Companies of the 1st Volunteer Batt. North Staffordshire Regiment, of which Capt. A. J. Hall is the commanding officer; and the Theatre Royal, one of the first play houses to be erected in the provinces, in which there appeared from time to time the finest actors and actresses of the day. The theatre has been closed for some years. In front of the theatre, which stands in Nelson-place, is a bust of Shakespeare, designed by Flaxman. 

There are a number of fine churches. The foundation of the parish church of St. Giles was associated with the early history of the castle. The Unitarian Chapel is the oldest Nonconformist place of worship in North Staffordshire. It had its origin in the passing of the Act of Uniformity in 1662. 

There are public gardens in the Ironmarket, and public walks known as Stubbs Walks and Station Walks. The covered market was opened in 1854, and the Smithfield, for the sale of horses and cattle, in 1871. 

Several statutory fairs are held in the town during the year.

Unveiling of the Queen Victoria Statue, Nelson Place

A fine bronze statue of Queen Victoria on a granite base stands in Nelson-place, one of the finest public squares in North Staffordshire. It was given to the Parliamentary Borough in commemoration of the coronation of King Edward VII. by Sir Alfred Seale Haslam, Kt., the then member of Parliament, and Mayor of the borough, and was unveiled on November 5th. 1903, by the Grand Duke Michael of Russia, who represented his Majesty the King. 

the Market-cross and the Guildhall

In the Market-place is the Market-cross, the history-of which can he traced to 1579, when it was restored. 

The Almhouses in Bridge-street for poor widows were founded and endowed by the Duke of Albermarle in 1687, and the appointments now rest with the Duke of Sutherland. 

The Post Office, which stands at the corner of the Ironmarket and High-street, is the property of the Corporation, from whom it is leased. 

Newcastle railway station - situated off King street

Newcastle is on a branch line of the North Staffordshire Railway, about 1¾ miles from Stoke. Trains run at frequent intervals-Electric tramways communicate with Newcastle and the suburbs and the Potteries by five different routes, viz., Hanley. Stoke, Burslem, Silverdale and Chesterton. 

There is a Tradesmen's Association, of which Mr. Henry White is the president, and there is a Lodge of Freemasons and branches of several friendly societies. 

Mr. Josiah C Wedgwood, of Barlaston Hall, is the member for the Parliamentary Borough, which includes Newcastle, Tunstall, Silverdale, Chesterton, and Wolstanton.