Teesside’s early history starts with the defeat of the early tribal natives by the invading Romans who constructed their first fort in the region in the Piercebridge area, just west of Darlington around 70AD.
The Romans then stayed in and dominated the area until about 410AD, when they left in their droves to defend Rome, which itself was under invasion.
To many people, the Stockton and Darlington railway was the first railway. In fact, this is not true. It was not the first passenger or freight carrying railway by over 20 years.
Nor was 'Locomotion' the first steam Locomotive. What made them special was the fact that, with it's size and financial success and the fact that steam locomotion, railways and passenger carrying was all brought together, they became the catalyst for the lauch of the entire railway system the world over.
The manor of Stockton was created around 1138 and subsequently purchased by Bishop Pudsey in 1189. The economy of Stockton was severely restricted in these early years as it existed, in the main, to serve the Bishops of Durham.
At this time, the Bishops manor house (Stockton castle),was situated at the southern end of the town and regularly provided a venue for the entertaining of bishops and royalty.
In the mid-1500’s, the powers of the Bishops was reduced and Stockton’s constraints under the bishops were lessened and it became easier for the population to trade with the surrounding areas and further afield.
In 1800, the town of Middlesbrough did not exist. Stockton was a small port, shipping farming produce to and fro' and Redcar was a small fishing settlement.
Just 100 years later, however, Teesside was one of Britain’s most Industrial of areas, with Iron and Steel works belching smoke and flame into the sky. This transformation took place so fast, it's surprising that it never left itself behind!
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