A rare opportunity for the public to see the oldest surviving Grimsby charter (1227 AD) presents itself at a free exhibition to celebrate Great Grimsby Charter Day (March 11).
The display will include local history resources from North East Lincolnshire Archives dating from the Middle Ages to the late 20th century.
Visitors will have the chance to browse photographs of royal visits to the area, including when the future Charles III visited Grimsby as Prince of Wales in July 1978.
There will 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.
Items relating to Thornton Abbey, Wellow Abbey and the statue of Prince Albert on Cleethorpe Road will also feature.
Pictured: the Charter granted to Grimsby in 1227 by Henry III. March 11th marks the 822nd anniversary of King John granting Grimsby its first Charter, defining the rights and privileges of the town. Sadly, King John’s Charter did not survive among the borough records, however, the Charter granted to Grimsby in 1227 by his son, Henry III, has been preserved and will be the centrepiece of the exhibition.
The granting of Grimsby’s first charter was a key event in the development of the town. North East Lincolnshire is sometimes regarded as being a little off the beaten track but, as this exhibition will show, the region was visited by royalty on many occasions and was far from being a backwater in the nation’s history.
Adrian Wilkinson Archivist, Lincs InspireThe free exhibition takes place on Saturday, March 11, 10am to 3pm in the Bremerhaven Room at Grimsby Town Hall.
For more information call North East Lincolnshire Archives on (01472) 323603.
The Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII) inspecting local men who had served on minesweepers during the Great War, 19th July 1928.
The proclamation of George V’s accession to the throne, Grimsby Town Hall, 9th May 1910.
The Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII) leaving the offices of the Grimsby Ice Company Limited, 19th July 1928.
The Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII) in Grimsby on 19th July 1928.