History 1
Doncaster
has always been proud of its Roman origins, though there were people living
around the Don river-crossing well into prehistory. ‘Don’ itself is a Celtic
word meaning ‘ford’. Archaeological sites in the area have turned up beautiful pre-Iron
Age bronze axe-heads from local foundries that can be seen at the museum. According to DMBC’s own figures the
Borough has 41 Conservation Areas, around 800 Listed Buildings and 48 Scheduled
Monuments.**
Of Roman Doncaster, Danum, almost nothing remains: part of a wall near Tescos off Church Way can just be seen. The Roman fort occupied an area taken now by St George’s Church. Remains found during excavations for what is now the Frenchgate Centre are also in the museum. Danum was a way-station for Roman legions travelling between Lincoln (Lindum) and York (Eboracum), as well as a guard station to protect river traffic moving up and down the Don.
In the Middle Ages Doncaster was a walled and gated town. No sign of that wall now remains. Only a few place names remain to remind the people of those times. Priory Place is named after the Carmelite Priory that stood close to the centre of the town. And of course St Sephulchre Gate, East Laith Gate, etc.
This site contains fascinating information about Doncaster’s Poor Law before and after Victoria came to the throne.