History of Neath
The surrounding areas of Neath have a far older history of human
activity than Neath town. Bronze-Age burial chambers and Iron-Age
hillforts are to be found on the upland hills and the Romans
constructed a fort at what is now Neath Abbey in the first century
AD.
The history of Neath town commences in the early 12th century
with the Norman Conquest of Glamorgan. Sir Richard de Granville
defeated the local Welsh Lords and established a timber motte and
bailey castle near Neath Abbey in 1129. This was later destroyed by
the native Welsh Lords.
A second castle was erected on the east bank of the River Neath
- the site of the present castle. A small village with a market and
a church was developed by the Normans circa 1150. This later formed
the nucleus of Neath town. Intermittent warfare between the Welsh
and the Normans continued for the next 150 years and so hindered
any development and population increase. The town of Neath was
destroyed by the Lords of Afan in 1184, 1230, 1259. Peaceful
conditions from the 14th century onwards allowed the village to
develop and for commerce to expand. A river bridge was erected in
1320, trade flourished and regular markets were held.
The Tudor period saw the demise of the Marcher Lordships and the
emergence of the gentry class of people who assumed control of
trade and economic growth with a Portreeve and a body of Councilors
to govern the town. Coal mining commenced around Neath in the early
16th century and copper smelting in the surrounding area at
Aberdulais in 1584. Neath was still a small town clustered around
its castle and church throughout the 15th and 16th centuries but
huge changes were to take place in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Evans family of Eaglesbush expanded the small coalfield at
the lower Cimla which were greatly improved and enlarged by the
Mackworth family from Derbyshire. The Mackworths constructed one of
the largest and most modern copper smelting factories in the
country at Melincryddan in 1695, the refined pigs of copper were
transported to the Gnoll mills where they went through a number of
processes of battering, rolling and eventual manufacturing into
pots and pans. Neath became an industrialized town at that time
with coal mining and heavy metal refining as a major source of
employment. The streets of old Neath remind visitors of the
pre-industrial nature of the town; Cow lane, Duck Street, Cattle
Street, Butter Street, Bull Ring. Some of which survive at the
present time.
The Neath Canal was completed from Neath to Glyn-Neath in 1795
followed by the Tennant Canal in 1824 from Swansea to Aberdulais.
These led to an increase in manufacturing industry reliant on coal
as a fuel. Brick making, ship building and chemical production on
the towns outskirts and iron manufacturing at Neath Abbey. In 1823
Neath's population was only 3000 persons which increased to 4000 by
1849 and to 14,000 in 1880.
The arrival of the steam railways was a major factor in the
expansion of industry and population growth. The South Wales
Railway 1850 and the Vale of Neath Railway 1851 encouraged
industrial growth. An industrial suburb was created at Melincryddan
due to the construction of the Melyn forge and foundry 1864, the
Melyn tinplate works 1864, Eaglesbush tinplate work 1890 and later
the Neath Steel Sheet and Galvanizing Company works adjacent
1896.
Neath also became a prosperous commercial centre and fine civic
buildings were erected. The old Town Hall 1820, new market 1837,
Mechanics Institute 1847 where Alfred Russell Wallace worked on his
ideas on the evolution of man. Alderman Davies School 1858, St
David's Church 1866, Gwyn Hall 1887, Victoria Gardens 1897. New
streets were laid out - Windsor Road, London Road, Queen Street,
Eastland Road, Cimla Road. Residential suburbs sprang up at
Penydre, Tyn-y-caeau, Mount Pleasant and Hillside.
Later development included the Cimla and Westernmoor, Neath
Abbey, and Caerwern. Neath is a pleasant town to shop in, it has
many attractions for the visitors and local alike. The Victoria
Gardens is a Victorian gem where one can relax away from the bustle
of shopping. Neath Museum which occupies part of the Gwyn Hall
houses displays that depict the areas history. The Gnoll Country
Park, once the seat of the Mackworths is now a magnificent country
park. Neath Canal which at one time was the lifeline of industry
has been tuned into a linear park which offers boat trips in the
summer months.
Neath is an historic town that retains much of its former
character and charm and also its culture. Operatic societies and
musical entertainment are frequently hosted at the Gwyn Hall and
similar venues in the town. Neath is a town for all ages and
interests and well worthy of visiting.
Clive Reed Museums Education Officer 25 February 2004
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Last Updated: 24.08.2009 at 14:27