Weegie Web : : Old Glasgow

The beginnings….

The name 'Glasgow' derives from the Gaelic word 'Ghlaschu' - meaning 'dear, green place'. It is Scotland's largest city. However, it began as a small fishing community along the banks of the River Clyde. There is evidence of Stone Age settlement, but little is known prior to the arrival of the Christian missionary St Kentigern in the 6th century. St Kentigern established a Christian church on the banks of Molendinar burn in 543AD after his exile from Culross. Such was St Kentigern's popularity that he was named 'Mungo' meaning 'dear one'.

St Mungo is Glasgow's patron saint and the city's coat of arms is based upon miraculous incidents which occurred in his life.

The city's coat of arms is:

Here is the Bird that never flew
Here is the Tree that never grew
Here is the Bell that never rang
Here is the Fish that never swam

The bird represents a robin that he brought back to life after being unfairly blamed for its death.

The bell represents one that the Pope gave to him.

The tree represents a hazel branch that he lit after the holy fire of the Culross monastery was extinguished.

The fish represents a salmon from the Clyde with the lost wedding ring of Queen Langeoreth in its mouth. This Queen had been unfaithful and had lost her wedding ring. St Mungo suggested fishing for a salmon in the Clyde and the ring was found.

Glasgow became a Burgh in 1180 when King William the Lionheart signed a charter. This basically opened the city's doors to trade.

In 1451 Glasgow University was founded - it's the fourth oldest in the UK and the second oldest in Scotland. St Andrews University was the first. The original Glasgow University site was in High Street, and it re-located to Gilmorehill in the west end of the city in 1870.

In 1490, an archbishopric was established and Glasgow was consequently granted city status. By the end of the 15th century, Glasgow was a powerful academic and ecclesiastical centre rivalled only by St Andrew's.

In 1560, following the Reformation, Glasgow's last Roman Catholic archbishop, James Beaton, fled to Paris. This exile signified a move towards greater civic power, and the emerging influence of the city's trading merchants and craftsmen.