Situated in the heart of Staffordshire is the City of Lichfield, a small city known for its stories of martyrdom, medieval grandeur, and Georgian elegance. With a population of around 100,000 fantastic folk, it may not be a bustling metropolis, but its rich history dates back to before Roman times. The City of Lichfield encourages visitors to explore its numerous layers and uncover untold stories, ranging from ancient legends to the bustling coaching inns of the 18th century.
A Grim Beginning
The city’s story begins with a gruesome bit of violence, as so many good tales do. Legend has it that in 297 AD, Roman authorities martyred a thousand Christians. This gave the place its rather macabre name ‘The Field of the Dead’. Nice. Can you imagine the estate agents of the time trying to put a positive spin on that particular selling point?
Rise to Religious Prominence
But Lichfield wasn’t content to rest on its gory laurels. By the 7th century, it had become a right proper religious centre, thanks in no small part to St Chad. St. Chad, also known as Chad of Mercia, played a significant role in early English Christianity. Born around 634 AD, Chad was a prominent Anglo-Saxon churchman and the brother of Cedd, another well-known saint. Chad was a bona fide saint who established the first cathedral in Lichfield. The cathedral that looks over the city today is a fine example of Gothic architecture but, it wasn’t built until the 12th century.
Prehistoric Roots and Roman Influence
Our story takes us back to prehistory. The first hints of settlement emerged with some Mesolithic flints discovered on the high ground of the cemetery at St Michael on Greenhill. These ancient artefacts suggest an early flint industry and offer a tantalising glimpse into Lichfield’s ancient past. On the south side of the sandstone ridge occupied by the cathedral, traces of Neolithic settlements whisper tales of the city’s prehistoric roots.
Fast forward to the Roman era and we find Lichfield in the shadow of Letocetum, a Roman military fortress established in AD 50. Located 2.2 miles southwest of the city, this site evolved into a bustling civilian settlement with a bathhouse and a mansion by the 2nd century. Although Letocetum fell into decline by the 4th century, its influence lingered, possibly paving the way for Lichfield’s emergence as a significant settlement.
Medieval Marvels
As the early Middle Ages dawned Lichfield’s true rise to prominence began. The city’s name first appeared in Bede’s history recorded as Licidfelth the place where St Chad established the episcopal see of the Mercians in 669. The first Christian king of Mercia, Wulfhere, donated land to St Chad for a monastery cementing Lichfield’s status as an ecclesiastical hub. The early cathedral built in 700, became a sacred shrine housing the bones of St Chad attracting pilgrims and boosting the city’s prestige.
Lichfield’s medieval history is punctuated by pivotal moments and colourful characters. In 786, King Offa elevated Lichfield to an archbishopric albeit briefly, with authority over all bishops from the Humber to the Thames. Offa’s desire for his son, Ecgfrith, to be consecrated as king may have been the motivation for this ambitious move. But after Offa’s death, the city’s fortunes waned and in 803 the primacy was restored to Canterbury by Pope Leo III.
The 9th century brought turmoil as Danish Viking raids ravaged Mercia. The city, unwalled and vulnerable, saw its cathedral despoiled leading to the bishopric’s temporary relocation to Chester in 1075. The Domesday Book of 1086 painted Lichfield as a modest village with its significance seemingly diminished.
Resilience and Transformation
By the 12th century, under Bishop Roger de Clinton’s transformative vision, the scattered settlements coalesced into the street layout we see today. Market Street, Wade Street and Bore Street emerged linking the town with Minster Pool and other key areas. Bishop de Clinton fortified the cathedral close and enclosed the town with a bank and ditch, setting the stage for Lichfield’s medieval evolution.
The city’s story isn’t all saints and scholars, though. The Reformation under Henry VIII saw the destruction of St Chad’s shrine and the dissolution of the Franciscan Friary in 1538, dealing a blow to Lichfield’s economy. And in 1593 the plague further decimated the population. Oh dear. But wait, there’s more. Drama persisted through the English Civil War with Lichfield changing hands multiple times. The cathedral, suffering extensive damage, had its central spire shot off, a literal and metaphorical low point.
A Blooming Intellectual Hub
But Lichfield, as ever, recovered and shone through once again. The 18th century brought a blossoming of intellectual activity. Samuel Johnson, the city’s most famous son, compiled the first comprehensive English dictionary. You can just picture him stomping around the cobbled streets, muttering definitions under his breath and scaring the local pigeons. Erasmus Darwin, grandfather of Charles Darwin, also called Lichfield home. A doctor, poet, and inventor, Erasmus’s lively dinner parties must have been a riot of intellectual discourse and horrible punary.
The Georgian era marked Lichfield’s further transformation into a bustling coaching town, its streets echoing with the clatter of horse-drawn carriages. The city’s infrastructure improved with paved streets, underground sewerage systems and gas-powered street lighting enhancing the urban experience.
Industrial Revolution and Victorian Developments
As the 19th century ushered in the Industrial Revolution, Lichfield remained largely untouched by heavy industry, preserving its historic character. The arrival of the railways in 1837 marked the end of its coaching heyday but the city’s charm endured. Victorian landmarks and urban developments further shaped Lichfield’s landscape.
Modern Lichfield: A Blend of Old and New
Today, Lichfield is a charming blend of old and new. Its three-spired cathedral (yes, they did rebuild that shot-off spire) still dominates the skyline. The city centre is a pleasing mishmash of Tudor, Georgian, and Victorian architecture. Lichfield is a place where history is not just preserved but experienced. It invites you to become a part of its ongoing story.