Rebel City

Rebel City. . Nottingham is a city of rebellion and has been for centuries. There's something ingrained deep in the civic psyche that makes the city and its inhabitants defiant in the face of oppression. It's impossible to precisely put a finger on where this attitude began, but having Robin Hood, the world-famous fighter of class injustice certainly helps., Nottingham and its people have activism at their core. We've battled racism in the streets since 1958 and before and, inspired by Eric Irons, we've continued to fight racial discrimination, including the founding of the UK's first chapter of Black Lives Matter. We fought to make misogyny an official hate crime, advocated for refugees, walked out of school for climate change and made Nottingham one of the country's most LGBTQI+ friendly cities. The hard work of our charities, grassroots organisations and community workers are all testament to that enduring Nottingham spirit., "Once a rebel, always a rebel. You can't help being one. You can't deny that. And it's best to be a rebel so as to show 'em it don't pay to try to do you down" , Alan Sillitoe, Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, Nottingham Castle has seen many turbulent events during its 1,000 years of history atop Castle Rock., It has been besieged, fought over and captured by kings, lords and empresses. It has witnessed civil wars and the cries of people urging reform., In 1068 William the Conqueror ordered the building of a castle at Nottingham to strengthen Norman power in central and northern England. Throughout the Medieval period, Nottingham's Castle was fought over and rebuilt from a basic wooden motte-and-bailey into an imposing stone fortress. By the 14th century, Nottingham Castle had become an important royal palace., In 1642 King Charles I raised his standard at Nottingham Castle, beginning the British Civil War. Charles' support in Nottingham was short-lived and the town became a parliamentary stronghold throughout the war., Nottingham was transformed by the industrial revolution - the gardens and meadows were replaced with factories and overcrowded slums. The town was a hotbed of unrest with Luddites defending their livelihoods and selectively smashing industrial machinery and, in 1831, rioters set fire to the Castle after the current owner, the Duke of Newcastle voted against extending the right to vote., The Castle remained a charred ruin perched above the town for over 45 years until, in 1878, it went from ashes to art reopening the first municipal art gallery outside London for all the people of Nottingham to enjoy.