Chapter 1

NEWCASTLE AND THE GREAT NORTHERN COAL-FIELDS.

The colliery districts of the Pages 1-11 North--Newcastle-upon-Tyne in ancient times--The Roman settlement--Social insecurity in the Middle Ages--Northumberland roads--The coal-trade--Modern Newcastle--Coal haulage--Early waggon-roads, tram-roads, and railways--Machinery of coal-mines--Newcomen's fire-engine--The colliers, their character and habits--Coal-staiths--The keelmen