It was founded in the 7th century AD, around the Northumbrianmonastery of Hartlepool Abbey. The village grew during the Middle Ages and developed a harbour which served as the official port of the County Palatine of Durham. A railway link from the north was established from the South Durham coal fields to the historic town. An additional link from the south, in 1835, together with a new port, resulted in further expansion, with the establishing of the new town of West Hartlepool.[2] Industrialisation and the establishing of a shipbuilding industry during the later part of the 19th century caused Hartlepool to be a target for the German Navy at the beginning of the First World War. A bombardment of 1150 shells on 16 December 1914 resulted in the death of 117 people. A severe decline in heavy industries and shipbuilding following the Second World War caused periods of high unemployment until the 1990s when major investment projects and the redevelopment of the docks area into a marina have seen a rise in the town's prospects.
A prominent feature of the Headland, St Hilda's church was built in the late twelfth century but the south doorway shows in its decoration that it belonged to an earlier Norman church, probably erected in the time of Robert de Brus II, founder of Guisborough Priory. Like most ancient churches, St Hilda's contains architecture of different periods and styles but the nave and tower are the oldest sections.
There was a monastery, founded by St Aidan, on the Headland as early as AD 640. The first abbess was St Bega. In 648 she was succeeded by St Hilda. Hilda remained here for ten years and then proceeded to Whitby, where she died in 680. The Hartlepool monastery was destroyed by Danish raiders in about 800.
Among the knights who came with William the Conqueror in 1066 was Robert de Brus. His son married Agnes, the daughter of the Lord of the Manor at Hart, thus starting a connection with Hartlepool which lasted for many generations. It is generally believed that St Hilda's was built by the grandson of Robert and Agnes, Robert de Brus IV - hence the Bruce Chapel and Tomb.
A host of famous names are connected with Hartlepool, including:
·
Movie director Ridley Scott who attended the town’s college of art, and his brother Tony, who was also a student in the town.
·
Brian Clough, who started his managerial career at Hartlepool United at the tender age of 30. At the time he was the youngest football league manager and lived in Hartlepool’s Fens area. He went on to manage Nottingham Forest’s successful league championship and European Cup winning sides.
·
Wayne Sleep – the ballet dancer, who was educated at the former West Hartlepool Technical School.
·
Andy Linighan - the footballer who scored the winning goal for Arsenal in the 1993 FA Cup final. Andy and his footballing brother David both started their careers with Hartlepool United and went to Hartlepool’s English Martyrs School.
·
Compton McKenzie. Born in the town, he is perhaps best remembered for his classic novel ‘Whisky Galore,’ which was later made into a memorable film.
·
Chick Henderson – a regular pre-war performer at Hartlepool’s Borough Hall, he was the first person to sell over a million records in Britain with the classic ‘Begin The Beguine.’
· Janick Gers – Lead guitarist with heavy metal band Iron Maiden who went to Hartlepool’s St Cuthbert’s Primary School and was part of local band White Spirit.
Town History
