By Exciting “Royal Connections” exhibit at Grimsby Town Hall
In celebration of Great Grimsby Charter day a ‘Royal Connections’ exhibit will be on display alongside Henry III’s Charter of 1227.
March 11th marks the 821st anniversary of King John granting Grimsby its first Charter, defining the rights and privileges of the town.
Although King John’s Charter did not survive among the borough records, the Charter granted to Grimsby in 1227 by his son, Henry III, has been preserved and will be the centrepiece of the exhibition.
Items relating to Wellow Abbey, which was founded by King Henry I, and Thornton Abbey, which was visited by Henry VIII in October 1541 will also be on display.
Visitors will also have a chance to see documents relating to the Dock Tower, which was officially opened by Queen Victoria in 1854, and the statue of Prince Albert, which was unveiled by the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VII) in 1879.
The exhibition will also feature items relating to George V and Queen Mary’s visits to the region.
In 1912 the royal couple attended the official opening of Immingham Dock and in 1918 they returned to the area to inspect the National Shell Factory in Grimsby.
There will also be an opportunity to see items connected with the royal visit of 1928, when the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII) opened Grimsby’s Corporation Bridge.
The prince also paid a visit to Dixon’s Paper Mill, laid the foundation stone of Armstrong Street School, had a tour of the Fish Docks and met ex-servicemen in People’s Park.
The exhibition is open on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12, at Grimsby Town Hall, in the Bremerhaven Room from 10am to 3pm on both days.
It is part of local history project Streets and Their Stories led by Lincs Inspire Libraries and North East Lincolnshire Archives, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
(Image: Lincs Inspire)
