| Henry VIII came to Gainsborough in
1541 while on his way to York. Accompanying him was his fifth
wife, Catherine Howard, along with some 5000 soldiers and 200
tents! At this time his future sixth wife, Katherine Parr, was
married to Lord Latimer, having been previously married to Lord
Burgh's eldest son, Edward. The Lord Burghs were owners of
Gainsborough Old Hall between 1460 and 1596.
Another royal connection is King Alfred the Great who married
Elswitha, a Gainsborough girl.
Today this red brick market town and river port has retained
some of its 18th century buildings, but its jewel is
Gainsborough Old Hall where kings have dined. Medieval
Magnificence, reputedly the best Baronial hall in the land,
owned by only three families right up to the 1970s (Lord Burghs
from 1460 to 1596, Hickmans from 1596 to 1826 and Bacons from
1826 to 1970) and now preserved by English Heritage. Richard III
and Henry VIII dined here, John Wesley preached here, the
Pilgrims met secretly here. It was a factory, a store, a market,
a pub. Walk inside this awesome past. Take in the
wonderful view of the Trent Valley, almost to the Humber, from
the top of the tower in the Old Hall.
The town has origins as a river crossing place, and later an
inland port, miles from the sea, but on the River Trent which
runs through the west of the city marking the border with
Nottinghamshire. It flourished in the Middle Ages and in the
Civil War was a frontier town. Industry helped it prosper. Wool
was exported whilst machinery and even submarines were built
here.
Enjoy the town, take in the markets, stroll along the river
where George Eliot was inspired to write ‘The Mill on the
Floss’, enjoy the Bend in the River Gallery.
Places to visit - The Old Hall Gainsborough and don't
miss Hemswell Antique centre
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