Did You Know?

Wolverhampton Grammar School was founded in 1512, making it one of the oldest active schools in the UK. 

It is named after Lady Wulfruna, who founded the town in 985 AD and was the granddaughter of Ethelred I.  'Wolverhampton' name derives from 'Wulfruna's town on the hill.

While the original Charter gave Lady Wulfruna the absolute right to nominate an heir to her lands, it was only eightyone years after the charter that the complete map of England and Wales had to be redrawn following the Norman conquest.

In 1258 Wolverhampton was granted the right to hold markets and fairs. In the Middle Ages, there were few shops so if you wanted to buy or sell anything you usually went to a market.

In the Industrial Revolution, it became a major centre for coal mining, steel production, lock making, and the manufacture of cars and motorcycles. The economy of the city is still based on engineering, including a large aerospace industry, as well as the service sector.

Wolverhampton was developed into a rich city during the Victorian period because the industries were flourished in the city.  The area was filled with high amount of iron and coal deposits

The present house was built at the end of the 15th century, and is the oldest building in Wolverhampton after St. Peter's Church." "The interior of the house, after the careful restoration by Mr. George Green, preserves much of its Tudor original..

It is famous for lock making and iron goods of all kinds. In 1859 the Great Western Railway opened it's factory for making and repairing trains. It soon became a major employer in the City. In the 19th century there was an important industry making bikes.

The Wolverhampton Magistrates Court building is an impressive example of Victorian architecture. Constructed in the late 1800s, this courthouse features the uniqueness of an 18th-century design. The historic courtroom inside has been preserved and is still used today for some court cases.

It is the hometown of Slade, one of the most successful rock bands in UK chart history. Formed in Wolverhampton in 1966, Slade went on to dominate the charts in the early 1970s. The original lineup featured Noddy Holder, Jim Lea, Dave Hill and Don Powell, all of whom grew up in the Black Country area. With their catchy songs, flamboyant fashion sense and riotous live shows, Slade epitomised the glam rock era. They scored 17 consecutive top-20 hits, including 6 number-ones. Their rollicking singles “Mama Weer All Crazee Now” and “Cum On Feel The Noize” turned them into national superstars.

Prominent food writer and cookbook author Nigel Slater was born here in 1958. His memoir Toast, describing his childhood in the Midlands town, was adapted into a BBC film.