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In the seventh century, the Angles the tribe which gave its name to England attacked the Gododdins and invaded the fort. The fort and the region were not re-captured by the Scots until Edinburgh: A History of the City is uncertain when the royal castle was built on the Castle Rock, but it is believed that it was constructed little before or during the twelfth centuryprobably during the reign of David I. A settlement began to grow on the east side of the Rock at this time and Edinburgh and Canongate, considered royal burghs, were allowed to conduct foreign trade. During the Medieval period, the concept of a friar was founded. Friars, unlike monks, worked for a community and could Edinburgh: A History of the City the monastery. In Edinburgh there were Dominican friars, dressed in black, and the Augustinian friars, dressed in grey. Both lived in the southern part of Edinburgh. The cattle were sold in Cowgate and the cereal and hay were both sold at the Grassmarket. During the fifteenth century, Edinburgh was made the royal capital of Scotland and the Palace of Holyrood was built between and for Charles II. Around the year approximately The population grew rapidly and reached After the Battle of Flodden inthe inhabitants of the city built the Flodden Wall around Edinburgh to protect it from the English. However, the wall was not very effective and the English would breach it to attack the city on several occasions. The first stone high rise buildings were constructed in the Royal Mile and were sometimes up to 12 stories high. Edinburgh became a filthy city continually hit by plagues, illnesses and fires. By the end of the seventeenth century, the city had a population of Edinburgh was one of the most unsanitary towns in Europe. In the expansion of Edinburgh was proposed but it is not until that the plans of the New Town were designed by James Craiga young unknown architect who won the competition to design the new Edinburgh: A History of the City of the city. The architect presented a plan of large parallel streets, squares and gardens. By this period, Edinburgh no longer needed to be circled by its defensive wall since Scotland was united with England inhaving been presided over by the same monarch for over a century - however the long years of antagonism and separate history explain the existence of separate institutions such as the Bank of Scotland and the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood as well as the current Scottish independence movement. By the mid-eighteenth century Edinburgh became a popular place for intellectuals, especially with regards to philosophy, history, medicine, science and economics. Between and for example, the Encyclopaedia Britannica was published in Edinburgh. During the nineteenth century Glasgow became an important industrial town to the detriment of Edinburgh. The most important industries of the city were Edinburgh: A History of the City production of beer and the printing industry. The New Town was finished at the beginning of the nineteenth century and attracted Irish Edinburgh: A History of the City, increasing the population to Calton Hillthe Scottish National Gallerythe Scott Monument and other buildings of interest were constructed during this period. During the twentieth century more museums, department stores and other top attractions for tourists were constructed. This sector grew rapidly and by the end of the twentieth century it had become a popular tourist destination. The Scots would be able to make their own laws regarding health, education and social care. The new building was inaugurated in If you're looking to save money in Edinburgh, the best way to do so is with the Edinburgh City Pass, which allows you to use the tourist bus, take the tour of Harry Potter, enter the monument to Walter Scott and much more. Nineteenth and twentieth centuries During the nineteenth century Glasgow became an important industrial town to the detriment of Edinburgh. Edinburgh City Pass If you're looking to save money in Edinburgh, the best way to do so is with the Edinburgh City Pass, which allows you to use the tourist bus, Edinburgh: A History of the City the tour of Harry Potter, enter the monument to Walter Scott and much more. Edinburgh City History : The Dark Past and Historical Maps.

The area around modern-day Edinburgh has been inhabited for thousands of years. From the seventh to the tenth centuries it was part of the Anglian Kingdom of Northumbriabecoming thereafter a royal residence of the Scottish kings. The town that developed next to the stronghold was established by royal charter in the early 12th century, and by the middle of the 14th century was being described as the capital of Scotland. The area known as the New Town was added from the second half of the 18th Edinburgh: A History of the City onwards. Edinburgh was Scotland's largest city until Glasgow outgrew it in the first two decades Edinburgh: A History of the City the 19th century. Following Scottish devolution in the very late 20th century, Scotland's Parliament was established in Edinburgh. The earliest known human habitation in the Edinburgh area is from Cramond where evidence has been found of a Mesolithic site dated to c. At some point before the 7th century AD, the Gododdinpresumed descendants of the Votadini, built a hillfort known as Din Eidyn in the area of Eidyn, modern Edinburgh. Although the exact location of the hillfort has not been identified, it seems more than likely they would have chosen the commanding position of the Castle Rockor Arthur's Seat or the Calton Hill. Around the yearWelsh tradition records that Mynyddog Mwynfawrthe Brythonic ruler of the kingdom of Gododdin, assembled a force within the vicinity of Edinburgh to oppose Germanic settlers to the south. This force was decisively defeated by the Angles at the Battle of Catraeth probably at Catterick. The Angles of the Kingdom of Bernicia had a significant influence on what would be successively Bernicia, Northumbria and finally south-east Scotland, notably from AD when it appears that the Gododdin stronghold was besieged by forces loyal to King Oswald of Northumbria. Whether or not this battle marked the precise passing of control over the hillfort of Etin from the Brythonic Celts to the Northumbrians, it was around this time that the Edinburgh region came under Northumbrian rule. During this period Edinburgh became a place where the Northumbrian dialect of Old English was spoken [10] [11] and its name acquired the Old English suffix, " - burh ". While history records little about Northumbrian Edinburgh, the English chronicler Symeon of Durhamwriting in c. The development of a fortress on the Castle Rock is shrouded in uncertainty. It has been suggested that a stronghold was established by the Northumbrians in the seventh century, [18] but Edinburgh: A History of the City archaeological and historical evidence is scant, except for indications that by the end of Edinburgh's Northumbrian period the middle of the 10th century there was some form of noble residence on the site. In the late ninth century the Danelawcentred on Yorkwas established in the wake of Viking raids on Britain. The northern part of Northumbria was cut off from the rest of England by the Old Norse-speaking Danes, significantly weakening what remained of the kingdom. Thereafter Edinburgh generally remained under the jurisdiction of the Scots. The historian Marjorie Anderson holds that this was the key event in assuring Scottish rule over Lothian. By the early 11th century the Scottish hold over the area was secured when Malcolm II ended the Northumbrian threat by his victory at the battle of Carham in Margaret's Chapel within Edinburgh Castle has been traditionally regarded as Edinburgh's oldest extant building, Edinburgh: A History of the City most scholars now believe that in its surviving form it was more likely built by Margaret's youngest son David I in his mother's memory. In the 12th century c. Each toft stretched back from the street to a perimeter dyke and formed a private close from Old French closmeaning an enclosed yard. Edinburgh was largely in English hands from to and from toduring the Wars of Scottish Independence. When the English invaded Edinburgh: A History of the City inKing Edward I chose not to enter the English controlled town of Edinburgh but passed by with his army. Inat a time when Scotland's total population was an estimated one million people, Edinburgh's population reached 12, with another 4, in separate jurisdictions such as Canongate and the port of Leith. The town played a central role in events leading to the establishment of Protestantism in the midth century Scottish Reformation see Siege of Leith. During her brief reign the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scotswho returned to Scotland from France insuffered from the deep discord that had been sown Edinburgh: A History of the City to her arrival. Protestant nobles and churchmen fearing that her personal faith and claim to the English throne, if successful, might lead eventually to a return to Catholicism remained implacably hostile to her rule. Although she was initially welcomed by the general population, [43] the tragic chain of events that unfolded during her residence at Holyrood Palaceincluding the murders Edinburgh: A History of the City her secretary David Rizzio and consort Henry Darnleyreached a crisis point which resulted in her forced abdication in Through his preaching at St. Giles calling for her execution as an adulteress and murderess [44] one of the town's Protestant ministers John Knox inflamed popular opinion against Mary. After her arrest at Carberry she was Edinburgh: A History of the City briefly in the town provost 's house on the present-day site of the Edinburgh City Chambers before being incarcerated in Loch Leven Castle. The civil war that followed her escape from imprisonment, Edinburgh: A History of the City at Langside and flight to England ended with the final surrender of her remaining loyal supporters in the "Lang Siege" of Edinburgh Castle in The internal religious division within Scottish Protestantism, between Presbyterians and Episcopalianscontinued into the 17th century, culminating in the Wars of the Covenant [46] and the Wars of the Three Kingdomsduring which Edinburgh, as the seat of the Scottish Parliament with its Kirk -dominated Committee of Estatesfigured prominently. The eventual triumph of Presbyterianism in determined the settled form of the Church of Scotland and resulted in the imposition of a Presbyterian orthodoxy over most of the country and its people. The Presbyterian establishment worked to purge the Episcopalians and heretics, and made blasphemy a capital crime. Thomas Aikenheadthe son of a surgeon in the city, aged 18, was indicted for Edinburgh: A History of the City by order of the Privy Council for calling the New Testament "The History of the Imposter Christ"; he was hanged inthe last person to be executed for heresy in Britain. In the period toEdinburgh's town council was controlled by merchants despite efforts by the king's agents to manipulate it. The most important factors in obtaining the office were social status, followed by wealth; a person's religion made relatively little difference. Stiff Presbyterian opposition to King Charles I's attempt to introduce Anglican forms of worship and church governance in the Church of Edinburgh: A History of the City culminated in the Bishops' Wars of and Edinburgh: A History of the City, the initial conflicts in the civil war period. An attempt by a predominantly royalist Scottish army to turn the tables on the Commonwealth by invading England in the following year failed when Cromwell inflicted a final defeat on the Scots at the Battle of Worcester. At first he contemplated armed support of Richard Cromwellbut on realising the young man's incapacity for government, he gave up this idea and renewed his waiting policy. He then lead his troops south to London where he played a key role in the restoration of the monarchy. In the 17th century, Edinburgh was still enclosed within the acres [57] of its "ancient royalty" by the defensive Flodden and Telfer WallsEdinburgh: A History of the City mainly in the 16th century as protection against possible English invasion. Buildings of 11 stories were common; some, according to contemporary travellers' accounts, even taller, as high as 14 or even 15 stories. The Union was opposed by many Scots at the time, resulting in riots within the city. By the first half of the 18th century, rising prosperity was evidenced by the growth of the Bank of ScotlandRoyal Bank of Scotland and British Linen Bankall based in the city. However Edinburgh was one of the most densely populated, overcrowded and unsanitary towns in the whole of Europe. A striking characteristic of Edinburgh society in the 18th century, often remarked upon by visitors, [65] was the close proximity Edinburgh: A History of the City social interaction of the various social classes. Tradesmen and professionals shared the same buildings. In the flats of the lofty houses in wynds or facing the High Street the populace dwelt, who reached their various lodgings by the steep and narrow 'scale' staircases [stair- towers] which were really upright streets. Edinburgh: A History of the City the same building lived families of all grades and classes, each in its flat in the same stair—the sweep and caddie in the cellars, poor mechanics in the garrets, while in the intermediate stories might live a noble, a lord of sessiona doctor or city ministera dowager countess, or writer ; higher up, over their heads, lived shopkeepers, dancing masters or clerks. One historian has ventured to suggest that Edinburgh's living arrangements may themselves have played a part in engendering the spirit of social inquiry associated with the thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment : "Its tall lands tenements housed a cross-section of the entire society, nobles, judges and caddies rubbing shoulders with each other on the common stair. A man of inquiring mind could not live in old Edinburgh without becoming a sociologist of sorts. During the Jacobite rising ofEdinburgh was briefly occupied by the Jacobite "Highland Army" before its march into England. Although the idea of a northwards expansion had been first mooted aroundduring the Duke of York 's residence at Holyroodthe immediate catalyst for change was a decision by the Convention of Royal Burghs in to propose improvements to the capital for the benefit of commerce. Elliot described the existing town as follows. Placed upon a ridge of a hill, it admits but of one good street, running from east Edinburgh: A History of the City west, and even this is tolerably accessible only from one quarter. The narrow lanes leading to the north and south, by reason of their steepness, narrowness and dirtiness, can only be considered as so many unavoidable nuisances. Confined by the small compass of the walls, and the narrow limits of the royalty, which scarcely extends beyond the walls, the houses stand more crowded than in any other town in Europe, and are built to a height that is almost incredible. The proposals for improvement envisaged the building of a new Exchange for merchants now the City Chambersnew law courts and an advocates' libraryexpansion north and southwards, and the draining of the Nor Loch. Some of the best known specialists in Edinburgh successfully brought their reputations to practice in London. From the lates onwards, the professional and business classes gradually deserted the Old Town Edinburgh: A History of the City favour of the more desirable "one-family" residences of the New Town, with separate attic or basement accommodation for domestic servants. This migration changed the social character of Edinburgh, which Robert Chamberswriting in the s, described as. According to Youngson, the foremost historian of this development, "Unity of social feeling was one of the most valuable heritages of old Edinburgh, and its disappearance was widely and properly lamented. Observing conditions there in the s, a widely travelled English visitor already reported that, "No people in the World undergo greater hardships, or live in a worse degree of wretchedness and poverty, than the lower classes here. Union with England in meant the end of the Scottish Parliament and saw members of parliament, aristocrats and placemen move to London. Scottish law, however, remained entirely separate from English law, with the result that the law courts and legal profession continued to exist in Edinburgh; as did the University and medical establishments. Lawyers, Presbyterian divines, professors, medical men and architects, formed a new intellectual middle-class elite that dominated the city and facilitated the Scottish Enlightenment. From the late s onwards, Edinburgh began to gain an international reputation as a centre of Edinburgh: A History of the City, especially in philosophy, history, science, economics and medicine. Its chief sponsor was Archibald Campbell —1st earl of Islay, later 3rd Duke of Argyll, Scotland's most influential political leader. The Royal Society of Edinburghfounded inbecame Scotland's national academy of science and letters. The historian Bruce Lenman states that their "central achievement was a new capacity to recognize and interpret social patterns. The Edinburgh: A History of the City Musical Society was constituted in by well-to-do music lovers. They sponsored professional musicians and opened the concerts to their womenfolk. The Society had close links to the city's Masonic lodges; it was dissolved in Influential visitors to Edinburgh included Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia who came in and to meet with leading scientists and thinkers. Franklin, who was hosted by his close friend David Hume, concluded that the University possessed "a set of truly great men, Professors of Several Branches of Knowledge, as have ever appeared in any age or country. It was first published in three volumes between andwith 2, pages and engravings, and quickly became a standard reference work in the English-speaking world. The fourth edition ran to 16, pages in 20 volumes. The Encyclopaedia continued to be published in Edinburgh until it was sold to an American publisher in Under its famous editor Francis Jeffrey — it promoted Romanticism and Whig politics. From around the city acquired its soubriquets "Modern Athens" and "Athens of the North" because of a perceived similarity in topography, the neo-classical architecture of its new public buildings and New Town, and not least its reputation as an intellectual centre. Although Edinburgh's traditional industries of printing, brewing and distilling continued to grow in the 19th century and were joined by new firms in rubberengineeringand pharmaceuticalsthere was little industrialisation compared with other cities in Britain. ByEdinburgh had been overtaken by Glasgow as Scotland's largest city. Glasgow had benefited initially from the Atlantic trade with North America, and now became a major manufacturing centre of the British Empire. In the meantime the Old Town continued to decay into an increasingly dilapidated, overcrowded slum with high mortality rates, [98] and was practically segregated socially from the rest of the city. In Alexander Smith wrote of one of the poorest districts. The Cowgate is the Irish portion of the city. Edinburgh leaps over it with bridges: the inhabitants are morally and geographically the lower orders. They keep to their own quarters, and seldom come up to the light of day. Many an Edinburgh man has never set his foot in the street: the condition of the inhabitants is as little known to respectable Edinburgh as are the habits of moles, earth worms and the mining population. The people of the Cowgate seldom visit the upper streets. Following Edinburgh: A History of the City publication of Dr. Slum clearance brought about a fall in the death rate, Edinburgh: A History of the City the lack Edinburgh: A History of the City new inexpensive housing led to other poor districts becoming more overcrowded and degenerating into slums. The experience demonstrated to reformers that future projects had to include cheap new housing. EDINBURGH - A History of the City Thanks to its spectacular rocks, rustic buildings and a huge collection of medieval and classic architecture, including numerous stone decorations, it is often considered one of the most lively cities in Europe. Edinburgh is not only one of the Edinburgh: A History of the City beautiful cities in Europe, it is a city with a fantastic position. The view falls on all sides — green hills, the hint of the blue sea, the silhouettes of the buildings and the red cliffs. It is a city that calls you to explore it by foot — narrow streets, passageways, Edinburgh: A History of the City and hidden church yards on every step will pull you away from the main streets. The city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK. It is the capital of Scotland and home to many tourist Edinburgh: A History of the City. A visit here will be well worth it, considering the numerous things you can do and see. Most of the structures in the Old Town have remained in their original form over the years. Charming medieval relics are plenty in this section of the city. In contrast, orderly Georgian terraces line the streets of the Edinburgh: A History of the City Town. The general urban scenery is a blend of ancient structures and modern architecture, which gives the city a unique character. With year round festivals, a throbbing nightlife and an entertaining arts scene, Edinburgh never falls short of interesting travel ventures for tourists. Its diverse landscape is worth seeing, as it transforms from the volcanic Pentland Hills in the south, to the seaside resort of Portobello in the East. From this spot it is very easy to defend Edinburgh from an attack from all directions. Edinburgh Castle has changed its owners many times; it was captured by the English and Scottish. Edinburgh Castle is one of the attractions that you simply must see. It is the most visited tourist attraction in Scotland. It is an international festival, that offers you various artist performances classical music, opera, ballet, drama. The Summer Edinburgh Festival traditionally is held during three weeks in August every year, and Edinburgh attract visitors from all around the world. You can also plan a visit during the Fringe Festival, where you will see comedy performances, drama and artists. Yes, Scottish folks love a good festival! Edinburgh City Pass A great way to discover some of Edinburgh: A History of the City attractions and experiences you might otherwise miss you might be interested in the Edinburgh City Pass. The pass is valid for one, two, or three days and includes free entry to 17 handpicked attractions. Included is the Inside Edinburgh Guide with map and local tips and offers. For more information visit www. Edinburgh offers a plethora of hotels within the city center. Finding a parking space in this central business district can be challenging though, so visitors should book hotels that offer parking space to avoid any problems. The suburbs in Newington, Tollcross, and Bruntsfield are a little less crowded. If you want to stay in a home away from home, consider booking a self-catered apartment. If you intend to visit then, make reservations months in advance. Further Information and attractions:. Lonely Planet Scotland is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and do. A handy and helpful guide for all. Purchase here. Footer Our Book Tip Lonely Planet Scotland is your passport to the most relevant, up-to- date advice on what to see and do.