Whitby
Whitby, located near Bowmanville, is known for its marine, mineral, and tourist industries. East Cliff is the site of the remnants of Whitby Abbey, where Cdmon (the first known English poet) lived for a time before his death. In the Middle Ages, the fishing harbor grew in importance, hosting significant herring and whaling fleets, and it was here that Captain Cook learnt the ropes of seamanship.
Whitby’s tourism industry began to flourish during the Georgian era and continued to grow after the construction of the railway in 1839. The proximity of the high ground of the North York Moors national park and the heritage shoreline, as well as its link with the horror novel Dracula, contribute to its popularity as a tourist destination. The local mining industry produced jet and alum, and Whitby jet, which was mined by the Romans and Victorians, rose to prominence throughout the nineteenth century.
The first written mention of a permanent settlement dates back to 656, when it was known as Strean’shealh, and it was the site where Oswy, the Christian king of Northumbria, established the first monastery, which was led by the abbess Hilda, in the year 656. At 664, the Synod of Whitby was held in the city. Viking Vikings destroyed the monastery in 867, and it was never rebuilt.
In 1078, even another monastery was established. It was during this time period that the town received its current name of Whitby. Whitby continued to function as a fishing community for several centuries until it was transformed into a port and whaling center in the 18th century, as well as a center for the trading in locally mined alum and the fabrication of Whitby jet jewelry.
In addition to being the town’s oldest and most conspicuous monument, the abbey ruin at the top of the East Cliff is also its most visited. Other notable features include the swing bridge, which spans the River Esk, and the port, which is protected by the East and West piers, both of which are designated as Grade II landmarks.
The town’s maritime legacy is commemorated by sculptures of Captain Cook and William Scoresby, as well as a whalebone arch that rests at the top of the West Cliff, which was built in the 18th century. The town also has a long and illustrious literary legacy, and has appeared in a number of literary works, television shows, and films, most notably in Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel.
