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During a time with no maps or road signs, travellers feared getting lost, or even worse – coming across a highwayman.

The first record we have of the word ‘highwayman’ came from 1617 but evidence for highwaymen can be found earlier in the medieval period. The peak of highwayman activity spanned from roughly 1660 to 1714, but the threat of highwaymen continued into the 19th century to a lesser extent, with the last recorded mounted robbery was in 1831.

A large cause for this peak in robbery was the English Civil War. With the beheading of King Charles I in 1649, the civil war ended which left some of Charles’ Royalist soldiers, that had no other skills or trades, without means to support themselves and their families. In most cases, they had little choice but to rob to stay alive.

Some highwaymen chose to attack travellers and coaches to take their money and expensive items. In other circumstances, highwaymen forced travellers to pay a fee to go free and unscathed. It was not only rich travellers who got held up by highwaymen, postboys who carried the mail were often targeted.

The hot spots for highwaymen encounters in the East Midlands included the Peak District and the old Great North Road, which ran between Newark, East Retford and Tuxford.

At this time, parish policing was rather ineffective and making arrests was difficult. This did not mean that being a highwayman was an easy vocation. With an average life expectancy of a highwayman estimated to be only 28 years old, it was a very risky trade. Being caught, more often than not, lead to death by hanging, following which their bodies would be placed in gibbets near roads to warn other highwaymen and criminals.

Above: Asalto al coche (Attack on a Coach), by Francisco Goya (1786-1787), Public Domain

The most famous highwayman based in the East Midlands was John Nevison, sometimes nicknamed ‘Swift Nick’.

Born in 1639 in South Yorkshire, Nevison became a highwayman after death of his father. Before that, he was serving under the Duke of York in an English regiment, reportedly taking part in the Battle of Dunkirk in 1658 before being leaving. Even during his time serving under the Duke of York in Flanders, he was reportedly arrested for stealing!

As a highwayman, Nevison based himself in Newark. He worked with a gang of, potentially, up to 20 other highwaymen who he met at safe houses in Tuxford and Newark to divide up their spoils. It is reported that the gang kept rooms at the Talbot Inn (possibly the now demolished Clinton Arms Hotel) in Newark all year round for this reason. They tallied up over £1,500 in one year which would have been around £150,000-£170,000 in today’s money, according to retellings of the housekeeper’s reports. Nevison and his gang focused their efforts on the old Great North Road and would travel as far York and Huntingdon on occasion for opportunities.

Nevison found some fame during his lifetime, with his actions being acknowledged, and perhaps even praised by King Charles II. Charles supposedly named him ‘Swift Nick’ and granted him free pardon upon hearing of his dastardly famous ride. This famous ride involved Nevison travelling from Kent to York in 1676 after robbing a traveller in Rochester. To escape capture, he rode all the way up to York (which is over 200 miles north!) and met with the Lord Mayor of York to create an alibi. When he was arrested for the Rochester robbing, the Lord Mayor provided him with this alibi and Nevison was amazingly acquitted.

He also had a reputation for being a gentlemanly highwayman. According to written sources, Nevison chose not to use violence against his victims and only robbed those who were rich. He was even reportedly polite to those he robbed! Unfortunately, this version of Nevison comes mainly from 18th and 19th century literary works and therefore may be more fiction than reality. This romanticised portrayal of his character during this period is similar to how the legend of Robin Hood has evolved over time to be more noble, and in some situations, Nevison is compared to Robin Hood.

Nevison was tried for theft multiple times between 1674 and 1681 but managed to avoid the hangman’s noose. After which, he restarted his robbing ways. In 1684, however, he was finally caught, tried, and later hung at York for the murder of a constable who was attempting to arrest him. He was buried in an unmarked grave in a church in York.

Cut to the modern day, ‘Swift Nick’ Nevison is the feature of multiple songs and even a novel. The 1913 novel ‘Swift Nick of the York Road’ by George Edgar portrays Nevison as a gentleman who can hold himself in many a dual.

A blue plaque is even placed on the Three Houses Inn public house where John Nevison was thought to have been arrested for the final time.

Above: Blue Plaque commemorating John Nevison, 2009 (by Mike Kirby, CC BY-SA 2.0)

With many historic sites in Nottinghamshire having long histories, it is no surprise that many are said to be haunted.

Stories of ghosts and hauntings have been around in different forms for centuries. They were perhaps as popular in contemporary times as they are now. These stories provide a valuable, and often tangible, link between the living and dead. In some cultures, these spirits are evil, intending to cause harm to the living, and in others, spirits are kind and protect the living. As we see in our media today, sometimes spirits can have both good and bad intentions as well.

Tales of ghosts and spirits are useful to us as they offer us a window into contemporary societies, usually taking the form of a moral messages or warnings. The nature of the spirits, and the messages they are meant to be the manifestation of, evolves as societies do, creating a snapshot of their social and religious beliefs, their ideas of social justice, and even their shared fears. They can also allow us a glance into contemporary views on gender, class, and identity. They are a valuable piece of history that can often be overlooked.

Ancient civilizations across the world such as ancient Mesopotamia, ancient Greece, and ancient Egypt all have tales of restless spirits weaved into their folklore, mythologies, and oral stories. Spirits in ancient Mesopotamia, for example, were often believed to be capable of causing genuine injury to the living and many attempted to keep them at bay with routine offerings and rituals. The responsibility to appease the spirits fell upon their direct descendants, and any family members that neglected to provide offerings of food and drink to their dead relatives were at risk of being cursed with disease or bad fortune. This shows what their society placed value in and well as what they feared.

Later in Medieval England, tales often reflected Christian religious values, with both Catholicism and Protestantism using spirits in their teachings. The threat of your soul wandering through purgatory was a real threat for some in Medieval society while others believed that ghosts were apparitions to trick the living into evil temptation. Staying away or atoning from sin was a predominant and pivotal message. We also see this message in literary hauntings, in works such as Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Hamlet. These stories were often meant as warnings for deviating from religious or societal values, showing us the consequences of this deviation.

Above: The Last of the Spirits, from Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol, 1834. Illustration by John Leech, Public Domain

The Victorian era, however, was the catalyst for our love of horror stories. Their fascination with death, ghosts, and all things macabre still resonates into our modern society. Haunted houses and horror theatre, known as Phantasmagoria, began to be popular during this period. This was also the time of popular gothic literature such as the poems by Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. With mortality rates rather high during this period, it seems that embracing death, and the idea of ghosts, was a way of helping society cope with the common occurrence of death. We also continue to see the theme of ghosts appearing in stories preaching moral values during this era, both in stories of ‘real’ ghosts and of literary ghosts, such as in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Modern media has allowed us to create, engage with, and disseminate ghost stories on a larger scale than ever before, be it horror movies and tv shows, social media videos, ghost tours and attractions, or almost anything else under the umbrella of popular culture. What do you think our 21st century ghost stories will tell the historians of the future about us? Do we use horror stories as a way of coping with the current state of our world? Do we see them as warnings? Do we just enjoy them as pieces of art or media, meant to shock and scare us?

Many sites in Nottinghamshire such as Annesley Hall, Wollaton Hall, and Rufford Abbey, are often quoted as having spirits roaming their halls. Many of these historic buildings said to be haunted in Nottinghamshire are open to the public, so if you fancy some spooky heritage this Halloween we would recommend a visit!

Wollaton Hall, for example, is said to be haunted by ‘The White Lady’, also known as Lady Jane Middleton. Her ghost story states that she was accidentally paralysed and kept confined to her room in Wollaton Hall until she died, subsequently haunting the hallways of the house. Strange lights can be seen from her bedroom and visitors are said to have heard, seen, and felt her presence. The portrayal of 'White Lady' spirits in folklore can be traced back to the Medieval period, with these lady ghosts often being attached to manor houses or noble families, especially within a rural setting. Their stories often depict tragedies, such as accidents, unrequited love or harrowing deaths, and they are said to sometimes be bad omens. There is a little truth wrapped in the 'White Lady' tale of Wollaton Hall. Wollaton Hall was owned by the Willoughby family since it was built in the 1580’s up until 1925, with the title of Baron Middleton being passed on by the Hall’s owners since 1688. The 6th Baron Middleton, Henry Willoughby, did marry a Jane Lawley who died around 1852. Unfortunately, not much is written about her, but her ghost story is likely rather dramatized and embellished. That does not stop many ghost investigations taking place at the house in search of ‘The White Lady’.

Beyond their historical significance, ghost stories challenge us to look at our own beliefs. As it did throughout history, the ability to engage and share in these stories helps bind communities and groups together. They can also create a link between us in the modern day and historical individuals, families or societies. In some cases, they can create a link between us and our own ancestors. So, whether you believe in ghosts or not, their impact and influence cannot be denied.

This coming September will be very exciting for heritage lovers in Nottinghamshire with the return of Heritage Open Days’ annual community festival!

The festival, which has been running for over 25 years in the UK, provides individuals with the chance to get involved in heritage through exclusive local events. This festival contributes to the European Heritage Days in which 50 signatory states celebrate diversity, culture, and heritage every September.

Heritage Open Days aims to celebrate heritage and community by organising talks, workshops, and tours of historical sites. All the events in this festival are free. This includes rare visits to selected sites that normally ask for an entry fee. Sites included in this festival are Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Newstead Abbey, the Adams Building, and the Workhouse and Infirmary. Visit the Heritage Open Days website for the full list.

Running from Friday 12th until Sunday 21th September, there are over 80 exciting events happening in the Nottinghamshire area.

Above: St Mary Magdalene, Newark

Some of our wonderful heritage team will be hosting events; our Senior Practitioner of Historic Buildings, Jason, will be hosting a talk in Newark about the timber-framed buildings of Nottinghamshire on 17th September (book here). Our Historic Environment Officer, Janine, will also be hosting a talk, celebrating the pre-eminence of the horse on Nottinghamshire’s country estates at Worksop Library on 12th September (book here).

Other events across the county include:

• 13th September: Guided tour of the old section of Mansfield Cemetery. 'A Guided tour around the old section of Mansfield Cemetery. Notable monuments will be pointed out and discussed, together with the history of the cemetery and its buildings. A leaflet guide to the Cemetery will be provided'. Booking is not required. Click here for more information.
• 13th September & 20th September: George Martyn's Barn. In Keyworth, visit the 17th century threshing barn which has opened for the Heritage Open Days festival for the past six years. 'This year CAAG is exploring the theme of 'Architecture' with an exhibition in the 374 year old Barn. Visitors can step inside and appreciate the original features and the skills and materials used in producing such a structure all those years ago. Also, learn about the Parish Church (grade 1 listed) and the historic buildings in the village centre related to farming and framework knitting. View works by local artists on the 'Architecture' theme'.
• 14th September: Walk with an Expert: Blue Plaques – Chilwell + Beyond. 'A guided walk around some of [Chilwell's] old and new blue plaques - led by local experts Dr Peter Robinson, and Alan Dance'. Booking is not required. Click here for more information.
• 18th September: Inspire Nottinghamshire Archives - Behind-the-Scenes Tours. 'Come and see behind the scenes and discover the hidden world of archives! An introduction to the Archives with a tour of the search room and storage areas. A chance to view some unique and incredible highlights from the collections, including architectural plans and building records. You will be able to interact in new ways with our collections via your own tablet or smartphone device. View pop-up versions of archival documents, explore 360 degree images of historic streets and listen to audio descriptions of the archives. Enjoy a display and tour of the conservation studio as an introduction to what conservation is, and learn the different types of materials treated, and the techniques used'. Pre-booking is preferred. Book your place here.
• 19th September: The Reawakening of St Mary Magdalene: A Sustainable Regeneration Project. 'Find out more about the major conservation project at St Mary Magdalene Parish Church in Newark. St Mary Magdalene in Newark is a Grade I listed church with a rich history dating back to the 12th century. The church is currently on the Heritage at Risk Register, and 'The Reawakening of St Mary Magdalene' is a project which aims to make vital repairs to the church to secure its future, while also opening up the building to the community for a variety of events and activities'. Booking is required. Book your place here.
• 20th September: The Original Bramley Apple Tree. In Southwell, 'Nottingham Trent University are offering visitors an opportunity to view the original Bramley apple tree and to learn about the history of the Bramley apple and why the tree is so special'. Pre-booking is not required. Click here for more information.
• 21st September: Echoes of the Erewash Canal - Sandiacre Lock Cottages. Head down 'for a free, family-friendly day of fun, stories, and discovery along the Erewash Canal! Explore hands-on activities, canal heritage, and beautiful waterside spaces. There’s something for all ages'. Pre-booking is not required. Click here for more information.

To find out about all the events being offered in Nottinghamshire, including dates and booking information, please visit the Heritage Open Days website.

Please be aware that free entry to some heritage sites is only on specific set days and some events may require booking.

Earlier this year, the Nottinghamshire HER completed its five-yearly audit. This audit, conducted in partnership with Historic England, analyses how effectively local Historic Environment Records (HERs) are being maintained and improved. It also helps to identify areas which could be improved upon in the future.

The audit looks at four key areas in particular: Content and Coverage, Data Standards and Security, Access and Engagement, and Infrastructure (Service Delivery). It looks at the quality of our records, how often we engage in public outreach, how maintain and protect our written and online records, as well as many other aspects.

We are delighted with the results of our recent audit. Across all four areas, we consistently received top marks, with very minimal suggestions for improvement. It signifies that the Nottinghamshire HER is currently amongst the highest rated in the country! This is a great achievement for us and one we are all very proud of.

The HER is a valuable tool for local planning and development, but also for the Nottinghamshire community. It helps to provide protection for heritage sites/features and helps to connect the local community to their local environment and landscapes. So we are over the moon that our hard work and dedication to improving the Nottinghamshire HER and engaging with the local community is being recognised.

We look forward to working on further enhancing the record and improving access to our resources to ensure we maintain a dynamic high-quality service.

If you would like to explore the results of all audited English HERs, you can interact with the map published on the Historic Environment website here (scroll down the page a little if you’re struggling to find it). Alternatively, you can read our audit summary for yourself here.

Above: A summary of our audit results

When you’re out and about in Nottinghamshire, keep an eye out for distinctive patterns of brickwork that can occur on historic buildings. It’s easy to spot different types of bond brickwork once you know how!

Bond brickwork was popular in Georgian architecture, but the use of these brick patterns is not restricted to this era. It often involves alternating the laying of header and stretcher bricks to form a pattern on the building’s façade. In more simple terms, some bricks are laid out lengthwise, so the long side of the brick is visible (stretchers), and others are laid out with their shorter ends exposed (headers) to produce a visible pattern in the building’s brickwork.

Sometimes treated bricks, ones that have been glazed or burnt to change the appearance/colour, are used to emphasise the pattern.

Above: Faces of a brick. By Mtpanchal - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.

There are many different styles of bond brickwork but  you may notice that some styles are more common than others in the area. Sadly some buildings sporting these beautiful brickwork patterns will have been demolished or altered over time. 

Here are some of the bonds you might be able to spot on some Nottinghamshire buildings:

1. Flemish Bonds: This style uses alternating header and stretcher bricks within the same courses (rows). Despite the name, this style is not Flemish in origin and examples can be found in England from around the 17th century. This bond is difficult pattern to lay and often requires a high skill to lay it well as all the joints must be aligned perfectly.

Examples of Flemish bonds: Cotton Mill Cottage in Farnsfield, Farm Buildings at Lilac Farmhouse in Laxton, and Moors Farm in Askham.

Above: Flemish bond wall (headers are dark brown). By Jonathan Riley - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

2. English Bonds: This style has alternating courses of headers and stretchers. This is one of the strongest types of bond, but to achieve this pattern, more bricks are required than for some other bond patterns.

Examples of English bonds: Bridge over the Nottingham Canal in Awsworth, Bunny School House in Bunny, and the Manor House in Walkeringham.

Above: English bond wall. By Jonathan Riley - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0.

3. English Garden Wall Bond: This style is similar to the English bond pattern, but instead of one course of headers and one course of stretchers, the English Garden Wall bond style features multiple courses of stretcher bricks (commonly three courses) and one course of header bricks in a sequence.

Examples of English Garden Wall bond: Farm Buildings at Home Farm in Beckingham, 5-7 Main Street in Linby, and Threshing Barn at Yew Tree Farm in North Leverton.

Above: A raking English Garden Wall bond wall. By Jonathan Riley - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0.

4. Header Bond: One of the simpler types of brickwork, this style consists entirely of headers across all courses. Due to its simple structure, it’s an easy pattern to lay that doesn’t always require a skilled brick layer.

Example of Header bond: Farndon Mill in Farndon.

Above: Header wall. By Jonathan Riley - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0.

5. Stretcher bond: Similarly, stretcher bonds are courses made up of entirely stretcher side bricks. This style is generally considered relatively weak and often requires structural support to retain the integrity of the wall.

Example of Stretcher bond: Rose Cottage in Farnsfield and Beech Cottage in Barnby in the Willow. 

Above: Stretcher wall. By Jonathan Riley - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0.