Editing Whitby (section)

==History==
===Priests and harrying===
Whitby was known in the Anglo-Saxon period as ''Streoneshalh'', meaning "Streon's nook of land". The modern name, which first appears in the [[Domesday Book]], means "Hvíta's farmstead", from Old Norse ''Hvítabýr''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Smith|first=A. H.|title=The Place-Names of the North Riding of Yorkshire|year=1928|publisher=Cambridge University Press|pages=13, 126|url=https://archive.org/details/placenamesofnort0005ahsm/page/126}}</ref>

A [[Whitby Abbey|monastery]] was founded at Streoneshalh in 657&nbsp;AD by King [[Oswiu of Northumbria|Oswiu or Oswy]] of [[Northumbria]], as an act of thanksgiving, after defeating [[Penda of Mercia|Penda]], the [[Paganism|pagan]] king of [[Mercia]]. At its foundation, the abbey was an Anglo-Saxon "double monastery" for men and women. Its first abbess, the royal princess [[Hilda of Whitby|Hild]], was later venerated as a saint.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bede |title=The Ecclesiastical History of the English People |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1994 |editor-last=McClure |editor-first=J. |pages=150–151 |author-link=Bede |editor-last2=Collins |editor-first2=R.}}</ref> The abbey became a centre of learning, and here [[Cædmon]] the cowherd was "miraculously" transformed into an inspired poet whose poetry is an example of [[Anglo-Saxon literature]]. The abbey became the leading royal nunnery of the kingdom of [[Deira (kingdom)|Deira]], and the burial-place of its royal family. The [[Synod of Whitby]], in 664, established the [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman]] date of Easter in Northumbria at the expense of the [[Celtic Church|Celtic]] one.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Anglo-Saxon England |publisher=Blackwell |year=1999 |editor-last=Lapidge |editor-first=Michael |pages=155,&nbsp;472 |display-editors=etal}}</ref>

The monastery was destroyed between 867 and 870 in a series of raids by [[Viking]]s from [[Great Heathen Army|Denmark]] under their leaders [[Ivar the Boneless|Ingwar]] and [[Ubba]]. Its site remained desolate for more than 200 years until after the [[Norman Conquest]] of England in 1066.<ref name="vch">{{cite book |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/yorks/north/vol2/pp506-528 |title=A History of the County of York North Riding: Volume 2 – Parishes: Whitby |publisher=British History Online |year=1923 |editor-last=Page |editor-first=William |series=[[Victoria County History]] |pages=506–528 |access-date=5 September 2010 |archive-date=20 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020010035/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=64701 |url-status=live }}</ref> After the Conquest, the area was granted to [[William de Percy, 1st Baron Percy|William de Percy]] who, in 1078 donated land to found a [[Benedictine]] monastery dedicated to [[St Peter]] and St Hilda.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hinson |first=Colin |title=GENUKI: Whitby History |url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/NRY/Whitby/WhitbyHistory.html |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=4 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604182147/http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/NRY/Whitby/WhitbyHistory.html |url-status=live }}</ref> William de Percy's gift included land for the monastery, the town and port of Whitby and [[Church of Saint Mary, Whitby|St Mary's Church]] and dependent chapels at [[Fylingdales|Fyling]], [[Hawsker]], [[Sneaton]], [[Eskdaleside cum Ugglebarnby|Ugglebarnby]], [[Newholm-cum-Dunsley|Dunsley]], and [[Aislaby, Scarborough|Aislaby]], five mills including [[Ruswarp]], [[Hackness]] with two mills and two churches.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dugdale |first=William |date=1817–1830 |title=Dugdale's Monasticon Volume 1 |url=http://monasticmatrix.usc.edu/MatrixBooks/Dugdale/Volume1/Dugdale-Monasticon%20%28Vol.%201%20Part%2013%20Whitby%29.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911182534/http://monasticmatrix.usc.edu/MatrixBooks/Dugdale/Volume1/Dugdale-Monasticon%20%28Vol.%201%20Part%2013%20Whitby%29.pdf |archive-date=11 September 2011 |access-date=12 August 2011 |website=Monasticon Anglicanum: a History of the Abbies and other Monasteries, Hospitals, Frieries, and Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, with their Dependencies, in England and Wales}}</ref>

When the [[Domesday Book]] was compiled in 1086, Whitby was recorded being partially waste and a small settlement lying within the [[Langbaurgh Wapentake]] of Yorkshire.<ref>{{OpenDomesday|NZ9011|whitby|Whitby}}</ref> Further details reveal the state of Whitby's economic and agricultural decline (when compared with its pre-Conquest state under [[Siward, Earl of Northumbria|Earl Siward]]) which were due to the depredations of [[William the Conqueror]]'s army during the [[Harrying of the North]] in 1069–70.<ref>{{cite book |last=White |first=Andrew |date=2019 |title=A History of Whitby |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=myVnDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT22 |location= |publisher=Phillimore & Company Limited |isbn=9780750990370 |access-date=28 May 2023 |archive-date=21 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321141749/https://books.google.com/books?id=myVnDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT22 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In about 1128 Henry&nbsp;I granted the abbey [[burgage]] in Whitby and permission to hold a fair at the feast of St Hilda on 25 August. A second fair was held close to St Hilda's winter feast at [[Martinmas]]. Market rights were granted to the abbey and descended with the [[Liberty (division)|liberty]].<ref name="vch"/>

===Blubber, Cook and dissolution===
[[File:Whitby Abbey 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|The ruins of [[Whitby Abbey]] are reflected in the abbey pond]]

Whitby Abbey surrendered in December 1539 when [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]] [[Dissolution of the Monasteries|dissolved]] the monasteries. By 1540 the town had between 20 and 30 houses and a population of about 200.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Brief History – Whitby |url=http://www.whitbysights.co.uk/whitby-history/abriefhistory.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023143239/http://www.whitbysights.co.uk/whitby-history/abriefhistory.html |archive-date=23 October 2009 |access-date=2 August 2009 |publisher=Whitby Sights}}</ref>
The [[Burgess (title)|burgesses]], who had little independence under the abbey, tried to obtain self-government after the [[dissolution of the monasteries]]. The king ordered [[Letters Patent]] to be drawn up granting their requests, but it was not implemented. In 1550 the [[Liberty (division)|Liberty]] of [[Whitby Strand]], except for Hackness, was granted to the [[Earl of Warwick]] who in 1551 conveyed it to [[Sir John York]] and his wife Anne who sold the lease to the Cholmleys.<ref>{{cite book |title=A History of the County of York North Riding: Volume 2 – The liberty of Whitby Strand |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=64700 |pages=502–505 |year=1923 |editor-last=Page |editor-first=William |series=[[Victoria County History]] |publisher=British History Online |access-date=5 September 2010 |archive-date=26 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026121000/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=64700 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the reign of [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I]], Whitby was a small fishing port. In 1635 the owners of the liberty governed the port and town where 24 burgesses had the privilege of buying and selling goods brought in by sea. Burgage tenure continued until the {{visible anchor|Whitby (Yorkshire) Improvement Act 1837}} ([[7 Will. 4 & 1 Vict.]] c. x) entrusted government of the town to a board of improvement commissioners, elected by the ratepayers.<ref name=vch/>

At the end of the 16th&nbsp;century [[Thomas Chaloner (courtier)|Thomas Chaloner]] visited [[alum]] works in the [[Papal States]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Balston |first=John |title=The Whatmans and Wove Paper – In Defence of Alum – 2. England |url=http://www.wovepaper.co.uk/alumessay2.html |access-date=2 August 2009 |publisher=John Balston |archive-date=15 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515140918/http://www.wovepaper.co.uk/alumessay2.html |url-status=live }}</ref> where he observed that the rock being processed was similar to that under his [[Guisborough]] estate. At that time alum was important for medicinal uses, in curing leather and for fixing dyed cloths and the Papal States and Spain maintained monopolies on its production and sale. Chaloner secretly brought workmen to develop the industry in Yorkshire, and alum was produced near [[Sandsend Ness]] {{convert|3|mi|km|0}} from Whitby in the reign of [[James I of England|James I]].<ref>{{cite DNB|wstitle= Chaloner, Thomas (1561-1615) |volume= 09 |last= Gibson |first= J.&nbsp;W.|author-link= |pages= 458-459 |year= |short=1}}</ref> Once the industry was established, imports were banned and although the methods in its production were laborious, England became self-sufficient.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 July 2005 |title=Coast – Point 7 – Alum |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/content/articles/2005/07/21/coast05walks_stageseven.shtml |access-date=2 August 2009 |website=Where I Live – North Yorkshire |publisher=BBC |archive-date=21 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921194637/http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/content/articles/2005/07/21/coast05walks_stageseven.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lloyd |first=Chris |date=26 July 2008 |title=Taking the waters |work=The Northern Echo |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/chrislloyd/3549153.Taking_the_waters/ |url-status=dead |access-date=30 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823034244/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/chrislloyd/3549153.Taking_the_waters/ |archive-date=23 August 2009}}</ref>
Whitby grew significantly as a port as a result of the alum trade and by importing coal from the Durham coalfield to process it.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alum Quarrying, The effect of extractive industry on the Yorkshire Coastal Landscape |url=http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/ecolodge/25/alum.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716030245/http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/ecolodge/25/alum.htm |archive-date=16 July 2011 |access-date=30 July 2011 |publisher=East Yorkshire Coast – Geology and Geomorphology}}</ref>

Whitby grew in size and wealth, extending its activities to include [[Ship and boat building in Whitby|shipbuilding]] using local [[oak]] timber. In 1790–91 Whitby built 11,754&nbsp;tons of shipping, making it the third largest shipbuilder in England, after London and Newcastle.<ref>{{cite book |last=White |first=Andrew |title=A History of Whitby |publisher=Phillimore & co |year=1993 |isbn=0-85033-842-5 |location=Chichester |page=69}}</ref> Taxes on imports entering the port raised money to improve and extend the town's twin piers, improving the harbour and permitting further increases in trade. In 1753 the first [[whaling]] ship set sail to [[Greenland]] and by 1795 Whitby had become a major whaling port. The most successful year was 1814 when eight ships caught 172 whales, and the [[whaler]], the ''Resolution'''s catch produced 230&nbsp;tons of oil. The carcases yielded 42&nbsp;tons of [[whale bone]] used for '[[Bone (corsetry)|stays]]' which were used in the corsetry trade until changes in fashion made them redundant.<ref>{{cite book |last=Young |first=George |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q4BHAAAAIAAJ&q=whitby++1814&pg=PA199 |title=A picture of Whitby and its environs |publisher=R. Rogers |year=1824 |location=Whitby |page=199}}</ref> [[Blubber]] was boiled to produce oil for use in lamps in four oil houses on the harbourside. Oil was used for street lighting until the spread of gas lighting reduced demand and the Whitby Whale Oil and Gas Company changed into the Whitby Coal and Gas Company. As the market for whale products fell, catches became too small to be economic and by 1831 only one whaling ship, the ''Phoenix,'' remained.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whitby Whalers |url=http://www.whitbysights.co.uk/whitby-history/whitbywhalers.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328014952/http://www.whitbysights.co.uk/whitby-history/whitbywhalers.html |archive-date=28 March 2012 |access-date=22 July 2011 |publisher=Whitby Sights}}</ref>
[[File:Captain James Cook Memorial Monument, Whitby (geograph 7256328).jpg|thumb|Captain Cook's statue]]
Whitby benefited from trade between the Newcastle coalfield and London, both by shipbuilding and supplying transport. In his youth the explorer [[James Cook]] learned his trade on [[Collier (ship type)|colliers]], shipping coal from the port.<ref>{{cite web |last=Simpson |first=David |year=2009 |title=Coal Mining in North East England |url=http://www.englandsnortheast.co.uk/CoalMiningandRailways.html |access-date=20 July 2011 |website=England's North East |archive-date=27 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727095132/http://www.englandsnortheast.co.uk/CoalMiningandRailways.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[HMS Endeavour|HMS ''Endeavour'']], the ship commanded by Cook on his voyage to Australia and New Zealand, was built in Whitby in 1764 by Tomas Fishburn as a coal carrier named ''Earl of Pembroke''. She was bought by the Royal Navy 1768, refitted and renamed.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |year=1966 |title=Ships, Famous |encyclopedia=An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage/Te Manatū Taonga, Government of New Zealand |url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/S/ShipsFamous/Endeavour/en |editor-last=McLintock |editor-first=A.&nbsp;H. |access-date=5 May 2009 |archive-date=1 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801100025/http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/S/ShipsFamous/Endeavour/en |url-status=live }}</ref>

Whitby developed as a [[spa town]] in [[Georgian era|Georgian times]] when three [[chalybeate]] springs were in demand for their medicinal and tonic qualities. Visitors were attracted to the town leading to the building of "lodging-houses" and hotels, particularly on the West Cliff.<ref name=vch/>

===Rail and jet===
In 1839, the [[Whitby and Pickering Railway]] connecting Whitby to [[Pickering, North Yorkshire|Pickering]] and eventually to [[York]] was built, and played a part in the town's development as a tourism destination. [[George Hudson]], who promoted the link to York, was responsible for the development of the Royal Crescent which was partly completed.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 September 2006 |title=Coast – Point 9 – Royal Crescent |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/content/articles/2005/07/21/coast05walks_stagenine.shtml |access-date=4 November 2008 |website=Where I Live – North Yorkshire |publisher=BBC |archive-date=11 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211060221/http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/content/articles/2005/07/21/coast05walks_stagenine.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> For 12 years from 1847, [[Robert Stephenson]], son of [[George Stephenson]], engineer to the Whitby and Pickering Railway, was the Conservative MP for the town promoted by Hudson as a fellow [[Protectionism|protectionist]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Seatrobe |first=J.&nbsp;B. |date=29 October 2010 |title=They were also MPs: Robert Stephenson (1803–1859) |url=http://www.totalpolitics.com/history/5553/they-were-also-mps-robert-stephenson-18031859.thtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004152237/http://www.totalpolitics.com/history/5553/they-were-also-mps-robert-stephenson-18031859.thtml |archive-date=4 October 2011 |access-date=20 July 2011 |website=Total Politics}}</ref>
[[File:Schwarzer Trauerschmuck2.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|[[Jet (gemstone)|Whitby jet]] mourning jewellery became popular in late Victorian England]]
The black [[mineraloid]] [[Jet (lignite)|jet]], the compressed remains of ancestors of the [[Araucaria araucana|monkey-puzzle tree]], is found in the cliffs and on the moors and has been used since the [[Bronze Age]] to make beads. The Romans are known to have mined it in the area.<ref>{{cite web |title=Superstitions |url=http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/Collections-Research/Research/Your-Research/Londinium/analysis/religiouslife/rites/18+super.htm |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=1 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110801145627/http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/Collections-Research/Research/Your-Research/Londinium/analysis/religiouslife/rites/18+super.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Durham Mining Museum – Mine & Quarry Engineering |url=http://www.dmm-gallery.org.uk/minequar/4302-01.htm |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=3 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203183412/http://www.dmm-gallery.org.uk/minequar/4302-01.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In Victorian times jet was brought to Whitby by pack pony to be made into decorative items. It was at the peak of its popularity in the mid-19th&nbsp;century when it was favoured for mourning jewellery by [[Queen Victoria]] after the death of [[Albert, Prince Consort|Prince Albert]].<ref>{{cite web |date=6 April 2011 |title=Jet Jewellery |url=http://www.whitbymuseum.org.uk/hpmimages/index7.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722230212/http://www.whitbymuseum.org.uk/hpmimages/index7.htm |archive-date=22 July 2011 |access-date=2 August 2011 |publisher=Whitby Museum}}</ref>
[[File:DV307 no.138 Whitby from Abbey Terrace Oct 3 1861.png|thumb|upright=1.3|Whitby town from Abbey Terrace, sketched on 3 October 1861, looking across to Whitby Abbey]]
The advent of iron ships in the late 19th&nbsp;century and the development of port facilities on the [[River Tees]] led to the decline of smaller Yorkshire harbours. The ''Monks-haven'' launched in 1871 was the last wooden ship built in Whitby, and a year later the harbour was silted up.<ref>{{cite web |year=2011 |title=Records of the Smales Brothers, shipowners and shipbuilders |url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=1224-0063&cid=0 |access-date=4 October 2011 |website=Access to Archives |publisher=The National Archives |archive-date=17 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617135248/http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=1224-0063&cid=0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |year=2011 |title=Whitby Port – Whitby Sights |url=http://www.whitbysights.co.uk/whitby-history/whitbyport.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328014937/http://www.whitbysights.co.uk/whitby-history/whitbyport.html |archive-date=28 March 2012 |access-date=13 August 2011}}</ref>

===20th century===
[[File:Whitby Old Town (NBY 440718).jpg|thumb|[[Henry B. Wimbush]], Whitby Old Town, 1903]]
On 30 October 1914, the hospital ship ''[[Rohilla Steamship|Rohilla]]'' was sunk, hitting the rocks within sight of shore just off Whitby at [[Saltwick Bay]]. Of the 220 people on board, 74 died in the disaster.<ref>{{cite web |year=2011 |title=The RNLI rescue of The Rohilla, 1914 at Saltwick Bay – Whitby |url=http://www.scarboroughsmaritimeheritage.org.uk/arohilla.php |access-date=13 August 2011 |archive-date=7 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007165412/http://www.scarboroughsmaritimeheritage.org.uk/arohilla.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

In a [[raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby]] in December 1914, the town was shelled by the German [[battlecruiser]]s [[SMS Von der Tann|''Von der Tann'']] and [[SMS Derfflinger|''Derfflinger'']]. In the final assault on the Yorkshire coast, the ships aimed their guns at the signal post on the end of the headland. Whitby Abbey sustained considerable damage in the attack, which lasted ten minutes. The German squadron responsible for the strike escaped despite attempts made by the Royal Navy.<ref>{{cite web |year=2011 |title=Whitby WWI Raids |url=http://www.thewhitbyseagull.co.uk/whitby_history_ww1_raids.html |access-date=13 August 2011 |archive-date=7 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207121735/http://www.thewhitbyseagull.co.uk/whitby_history_ww1_raids.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:William Scott Hodgson - The Bombardment of Whitby, 16 December 1914 NY PPA 116.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|The Bombardment of Whitby, 16 December 1914, by William Scott Hodgson]]
During the early 20th&nbsp;century the fishing fleet kept the harbour busy, and few cargo boats used the port. It was revitalised as a result of a strike at [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]] docks in 1955, when six ships were diverted and unloaded their cargoes on the fish quay. Endeavour Wharf, near the railway station, was opened in 1964 by the local council. The number of vessels using the port in 1972 was 291, increased from 64 in 1964. Timber, paper and chemicals are imported, while exports include steel, furnace-bricks and doors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whitby Port |url=http://www.whitbysights.co.uk/whitby-history/whitbyport.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328014937/http://www.whitbysights.co.uk/whitby-history/whitbyport.html |archive-date=28 March 2012 |access-date=22 July 2011 |publisher=Whitby Sights}}</ref> The port is owned and managed by Scarborough Borough Council since the Harbour Commissioners relinquished responsibility in 1905.

A [[marina]] was started in 1979 by dredging the upper harbour and laying pontoons. Light industry and car parks occupy the adjacent land. More pontoons were completed in 1991 and 1995.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whitby – History |url=http://www.yorkshireports.co.uk/content/whitby/history.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830040603/http://www.yorkshireports.co.uk/content/whitby/history.aspx |archive-date=30 August 2011 |access-date=19 July 2011 |website=Yorkshire Ports |publisher=Scarborough Borough Council}}</ref> The Whitby Marina Facilities Centre was opened in June 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whitby Marina Facility |url=http://www.yorkshire-forward.com/media-centre/our-success-stories/whitby-marina-facility |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825185942/http://www.yorkshire-forward.com/media-centre/our-success-stories/whitby-marina-facility |archive-date=25 August 2010 |access-date=22 July 2011 |publisher=Yorkshire Forward}}</ref>