12th century – DD TOURS

The Charter of 1199

Categories: Dundee History ArchiveTags: 12th century, ancient Dundee, charters and lawsLeave a comment

The Charter of Dundee holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving document associated with the city. It serves as a trade agreement between King John of England and the merchants of the Burgh of Earl David of Huntingdon (Dundee), who interestingly happened to be the brother of King William 1st of Scotland. Although theRead more ⟶

The burning of the city churches

Categories: Dundee History Archive, Dundee landmarksTags: 12th century, 16th century, 19th century, burning, churches, disaster, fire, landmarks, Old Steeple, St Mary'sLeave a comment

The site of the city churches, St Mary’s and The Steeple, which sit surrounded by the Overgate shopping centre, has been the home to a church since the very beginnings of Dundee as a town. When the Earl of Huntingdon landed here in 1190 he founded the ‘kirk in the field’ dedicated to St Mary,Read more ⟶

The Overgate

Categories: Dundee History Archive, Dundee landmarksTags: 12th century, 15th century, 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, 19th century, crime, David Earl of Huntingdon, death, debauchery, disease, dundee landmarks, history, landmarks, living conditions, sanitation, streets, witchLeave a comment

If you’ve seen any really old maps of Dundee, you might notice that there’s no mention of the Overgate as we know it, or indeed, the Nethergate. Known back then as Argyllsgait (Argyllgait) and Flukergait respectively, it wasn’t until the latter part of the 1500’s that the new names came into play, not long afterRead more ⟶