Forget fancy shopping centres – Market Place was THE place to be in Dalton-in-Furness back in 1239. King Henry III himself basically said, “This town needs a killer marketplace,” and BAM! Royal charter granted. Imagine a mediaeval mosh pit of commerce – farmers hawking cabbages louder than rock stars, the air filled with the earthy aroma of freshly dug vegetables and the sweet perfume of ripe fruits. Blacksmiths hammering out tunes on anvils, sparks flying and the rhythmic clang echoing through the square, and housewives with bargaining skills
sharper than any knight’s sword, their voices a lively chatter as they haggle for the best prices. Feel the cobblestones beneath your feet, worn smooth by centuries of footsteps, and the press of the crowd as you navigate the bustling marketplace. #RoyalShoppingSpree #MarketDayMayhem
Market Street: Shopping Spree fit for a Knight (or Peasant!) #ShopLikeAKnight #MedievalMarketfinds
Market Street wasn’t just a boring road leading somewhere. It was like a treasure hunt come to life! Picture yourself decked out in your finest (or maybe not-so-fine) attire, browsing through shops overflowing with hand-stitched clothes, the soft wool and rough linen brushing against your skin. Shiny metal pots that could make even the worst cook look like a pro, gleaming in the sunlight that streams through the open doorways. And spices that would have your taste buds doing a jig, the air thick with the exotic aromas of cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Need a potion to cure your dragon breath? The apothecary’s got you covered, vials and jars filled with colourful concoctions lining the shelves. Feeling peckish? Grab a loaf of bread fresh from the oven – it’s guaranteed to be better than anything that dungeon grub could offer. The warm, yeasty scent fills your nostrils as you tear into the crusty loaf.
Market Cross: The Original Town Crier Twitter Feed #TownCrierNews #MedievalSocialMedia
Forget Twitter – the Market Cross was the OG social media platform. This grand stone cross wasn’t just for show; it was the town’s announcement board. Need to know the latest gossip? Lost your prized sheep? (Seriously, people back then lost sheep… a lot!) The booming voice of the town crier would echo through the marketplace, keeping everyone in the loop. Imagine the drama! See the crowd gather around the cross, their faces a mix of anticipation and curiosity. Hear the hush fall as the town crier steps forward, his bell ringing out across the
square. Feel the cool, rough texture of the ancient stone as you lean closer to hear the news.
Skelgate: The Secret Passage to Pirate Adventures (Maybe) #HiddenHistory #MedievalMystery
Skelgate is more than just a narrow alleyway – it’s a portal to a time-travelling adventure! Rumoured to be one of Dalton’s oldest streets, it might have even been a secret path leading all the way to the swashbuckling world of pirates (a pirate wouldn’t be caught dead walking down Market Street, that’s for sure). Imagine horse-drawn carts overflowing with mysterious cargo rumbling down this hidden passage, the sound of their wheels echoing off the narrow walls. Maybe it was a shortcut for sailors on their way to a salty adventure, or a smuggling route for merchants with more treasures than they could carry. Feel the chill of the damp stone walls as you walk down the narrow alleyway, the darkness broken only by slivers of sunlight filtering through the overhanging buildings.
A Time Capsule Waiting to be Explored #DaltonHistory #TravelBackinTime
Sure, the market might not be as wild these days, but the spirit of those mediaeval mosh pits lives on in the shops lining Market Street. The replica Market Cross still stands, whispering tales of town criers and lost sheep. And Skelgate, with its timeless charm, is a secret passage waiting to be explored by anyone with a curious mind. So next time you’re in Dalton-in-Furness, ditch your phone and unleash your inner history buff! You might just hear the echoes of laughter, the clang of a blacksmith’s hammer, or the town crier’s voice booming through the ages. Just watch out for those stray sheep!
A huge thank you to Cumbria Archives for providing the captivating photos used in this blog post and for their dedication to preserving Cumbria’s heritage. With their kind permission, these images help bring the story of Dalton Street’s to life. Image courtesy of Cumbria Archives #CumbriaArchivesPhotos #CumbriaHistory