HERITAGE TALK: THE TUDOR TYNE

The Tudor Tyne is one of the areas we are focusing on during 2025 as we celebrate the 800th anniversary of the founding of North Shields.

We are very pleased that Nina Brown, one of our founding trustees, is sharing her research about this significant historical period.

She will outline how 1485 – 1603, the reign of the Tudors, was a time of change and challenge in England, describing the highs and lows of the period and the impact on communities living on the Tyne, particularly North Shields.

Her talk will include how Tynemouth Priory was dissolved, its treasures scattered and its valuables sold off.

The growth of power and wealth in Newcastle, with trade expanding across the country and into Europe and, once again, the suppression of Shields.

There were new lights to guide ships up a treacherous river, the growth of the coal trade and attacks by pirates. Royal Navy ships were landing troops for battles in Scotland and there was a visit from the Mary Rose and a skirmish with an Armada ship. The seamanship skills of local men were valued, with worries about defences at the river mouth.

And, of course, there was fishing with ships travelling as far as Iceland for catches.

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