Something that has fascinated me for a long time and our Scottish members might be able to answer well... I'll admit, I got the idea from this episode of Time Team.
Back in the Middle Ages, Roxburgh was one of the most developed Scottish cities, and for a fairly long time, it was a flourishing de facto royal capital (particularly during the reign of David I.). However, after Berwick-upon-Tweed was annexed for good by the Kingdom of England, some of the trade routes that Roxburgh relied upon for its prosperity and growth that were linked to Berwick got blocked due to the annexation. Furthermore, the city also became closer distance-wise to the Scottish-English borders, making it potentially more vulnerable. It entered a gradual decline, as power and wealth started flowing off to other developing Scottish cities and towns. By the 16th century, it was virtually a ruin and the last stalwart inhabitants had left it behind. Thus came the end of a once promising future city.
What would it take to make Roxburgh survive as a city (up to the present day, if possible) ?
What would it take to make Roxburgh one of the most important cities of Scotland in earlier centuries (and a quaint historical city/attraction nowadays) ?
Was Roxburgh doomed to become irrelevant, decline and then disappear ? Or are there enough plausible PODs to avert this ?
I'd be really interested in hearing your ideas.
Back in the Middle Ages, Roxburgh was one of the most developed Scottish cities, and for a fairly long time, it was a flourishing de facto royal capital (particularly during the reign of David I.). However, after Berwick-upon-Tweed was annexed for good by the Kingdom of England, some of the trade routes that Roxburgh relied upon for its prosperity and growth that were linked to Berwick got blocked due to the annexation. Furthermore, the city also became closer distance-wise to the Scottish-English borders, making it potentially more vulnerable. It entered a gradual decline, as power and wealth started flowing off to other developing Scottish cities and towns. By the 16th century, it was virtually a ruin and the last stalwart inhabitants had left it behind. Thus came the end of a once promising future city.
What would it take to make Roxburgh survive as a city (up to the present day, if possible) ?
What would it take to make Roxburgh one of the most important cities of Scotland in earlier centuries (and a quaint historical city/attraction nowadays) ?
Was Roxburgh doomed to become irrelevant, decline and then disappear ? Or are there enough plausible PODs to avert this ?
I'd be really interested in hearing your ideas.