Lichfield
Pictures on these 2 pages clockwise from top left :
Commemorative plaque to Erasmus Darwin .
Statue of Dr Samuel Johnson . The 3 spires of Lichfield Cathedral .
One of the many narrow alleyways off the old market square .
for work to begin on restoring the cathedral , raising the magnificent Gothic structure that drew our eyes as we drove down the A38 .
It was Bishop de Clinton who was responsible for transforming the scattered settlements to the south of Minster Pool , creating the ‘ ladder plan ’ layout of streets existing today . Market Street , Wade Street , Bore Street and Frog Lane linked Dam Street , Conduit Street and Baker ’ s Lane on one side with Bird Street and St John Street on the other . Bishop de Clinton also fortified the cathedral close with a bank and ditch .
In 1387 Richard II gave the town its charter , allowing for the foundation of a guild dedicated to St Mary and St John the Baptist ; this guild functioned as the seat of local government .
The policies of Henry VIII had a dramatic effect on Lichfield ’ s prosperity . The Reformation brought about the disappearance of pilgrim traffic following the destruction of St Chad ’ s shrine in 1538 , which was a major loss to the city ’ s economy . That year the Franciscan Friary was dissolved , the site becoming a private estate . Things seemed to be looking up when Edward VI incorporated the town , making it a city . However , further economic decline followed the outbreak of plague in 1593 , which killed over a third of the entire population .
In the Middle Ages , Lichfield ’ s main industry was making woollen cloth ; there was also a thriving leather industry . Both industries were supported by farming based on open pasture in the surrounding area . By the 18 th century , Lichfield became a busy coaching centre . Inns and hostelries grew to provide accommodation , and also industries dependent on the coaching trade , such as coach builders , corn and hay merchants , saddlers and tanneries began to thrive . Much of this coach-based economy went into decline when the railway network linked the city to the rest of the country . All that is left of this one-time prosperity are the graceful Georgian town houses and inns scattered around the city centre . In their midst are even older buildings , such as the black and white Tudor Café built in 1510 .
A short passage off the cathedral close leads to a pleasant garden surrounded by elegant Georgian town houses . This is where , in the late eighteenth century Lichfield became the meeting place of great thinkers and inventors of the day . Founding what is still known as the ‘ Lunar Society ’, they met on the night of the full moon to discuss philosophical matters and expand theories of scientific interest .
The house which is open to the public , was owned by Erasmus Darwin , grandfather of Charles Darwin . Poet , inventor and botanist . It is a little known fact that he also published his theory of evolution , 60 years before his grandson , but his work never received the acknowledgement given to the younger Darwin .
Industrialists such as Matthew Bolton and James Watt , inventors of steam engines , Josiah Wedgewood , father of English fine pottery , James Keir who invented affordable soap , William Murdoch who used coal gas to provide illumination , all met with the likes of Matthew Bolton the industrialist and Joseph Priestly the scientist who first isolated oxygen and discovered carbon dioxide . Mathematician William Small , philosopher and mentor of the young Thomas Jefferson who became the third President of the United States of America was also a member , along with Doctor William Withering , a botanist who worked on early methods of curing heart disease by the use of digitalis – extract of foxglove . Many of the papers produced by these great men are on display along with models of their inventions in the museum dedicated to their memory .
There are several parks and open spaces in and around Lichfield , the most accessible to visitors to the city centre is the open space around the cathedral , where trees overhanging Minster Pool and its neighbour Stowe Pool create shade for the waterside paths . The Garrick Theatre built in 2003 commemorates the life of David Garrick ( 1717-1779 ), actor , playwright , theatre manager and producer who was born in Lichfield .
The Triennial Lichfield Mysteries claims to be the biggest community theatre event in the country and takes place in the Cathedral and Market Place . It consists of a cycle of 24 medievalstyle plays involving over 600 amateur actors . Other weekend summer festivals include the Lichfield Folk Festival and the Lichfield Real Ale , Jazz and Blues Festival .
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