Long Stairs

HER Number

6571

District

Newcastle

Site Name

Long Stairs

Place

Newcastle

Map Sheet

NZ26SE

Class

Transport

Site Type: Broad

Pedestrian Transport Site

Site Type: Specific

Steps

General Period

MEDIEVAL

Specific Period

Medieval 1066 to 1540

Form of Evidence

Structure

Description

Linked The Close (HER 6569) with the upper part of the medieval town (Bailiff Gate, Castle Garth, The Side and a small key called Javel-Gripp). Known as "via Hoge" in 1292-4 and Langstare in 1430. Walls of varying date survive alongside and at the top of Long Stairs. The earlier fabric could well be medieval in date. LOCAL LIST. The Long Stairs are said to be haunted by the spirit of Henry Hardwick, who was thrown down the stairs to his death by a press gang in the 16th century, when he refused to work on board their ships {Kirkup 2009}.

Easting

425030

Northing

563770

Grid Reference

NZ425030563770

Sources

H. Bourne, 1736, History of Newcastle, p 126; B. Harbottle and P. Clack, 1976, Newcastle upon Tyne: Archaeology and Development, in D.W. Harding (ed), 1976, Archaeology in the North.; Jack and John Leslie, 2001, Bygone West Quayside and the Chares; Rob Kirkup, 2009, Ghostly Tyne and Wear, pages 55-57; Gordon Rutter, 2009, Paranormal Newcastle