Belper
Belper is a town that is located in the East Midlands region of England. It stands in the county of Derbyshire and is part of the Amber Valley District. The town lies close to the River Derwent.
During Norman times the town was probably part of the Duffield estate which was given to the Norman knight, Henry de Ferrers after the invasion of England. According to the Domesday Book there was a manor in the Belper area at the time which was referred to as Bradley Manor. At this time much of the surrounding area was heavily forested.
In the 1230s a charter was given in this area for a hunting lodge. It is thought by many experts that the town name of Belper is actually based on the name of this lodge which was known as Beaurepair, or Beautiful Retreat. The town has long been associated with its mining industry. This actually dates back to Norman times and Henry de Ferrers may well have mined here as he had also been involved in iron mining in his home in Normandy. Forging became a major industry for the town from the 13th century and it became particularly well known for the nails that were made here.
Belper grew over the years to be a fairly substantial settlement by the time of Henry VIII. For example, records show that over 50 people died of the plague in the town in the early 1600s which shows a significant population in the area. The industry in the area also grew over the years and by the end of the 1700s it is estimated that there were 500 people working to make nails in the area.
As industrialisation moved into the area many of the independent nail workers ended up working elsewhere as their jobs became automated. By the late 18th century the town had, for example, taken on board new developments that helped it turn into a mill town. It is held that the second water powered cotton mill in the world was built at Belper.
This helped Belper and the surrounding area become well known for the trade of framework knitting. Belper ‘Cheveners’ (a type of decorated stocking) were particularly well known at the time. The growth in the cotton industries of the time saw the population of Belper grow from around 500 people in the 1740s to around 8000 people around a century later. The economy and local population grew further with the arrival of the railway in the 1840s.
Visitors to Belper should take the time to visit one of the town’s last standing mills which is known as the North Mill. This is now home to the Derwent Valley Visitor Centre which shows a range of exhibits outlining the industry’s growth in the area. The 20th century East Mill is also worth a visit as it stands close to the Derwent by a waterfall site which is in itself worth a visit. Belper River Gardens are also a good place to relax and to enjoy the local scenery.
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