Economic growth in eighteenth century Warwickshire; a study of the rise of the Warwickshire coal industry with special reference to Sir Roger Newdigate (Bart.) of Arbury Estate owner and coalmaster

White, A. W. A. (1972). Economic growth in eighteenth century Warwickshire; a study of the rise of the Warwickshire coal industry with special reference to Sir Roger Newdigate (Bart.) of Arbury Estate owner and coalmaster. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

During the early years of the classical industrial revolution the Warwickshire coal industry was the subject of important developments in mining technology, business organisation and transportation. These, allied to the engineering advances which it had experienced earlier in the eighteenth century, were sufficiently radical to enable it to meet the demands of growing markets and to ward off the more dangerous aspects of West Midlands competition until well into the nineteenth century.
Only a limited number of local men possessed the necessary vision, will and means to effect this transformation. Of these the most important was Sir Roger Newdigate of Arbury whose North Warwickshire estate possessed important mineral deposits. Thrice during the eighteenth century the family undertaking at Griff, midway between Bedworth and Nuneaton, became one of the most technologically advanced collieries on the field and, in some respects, a model for lesser entrepreneurs. Only under the leadership of the last baronet, however, did it become a worthwhile business venture.
Success of this type was dependent upon prior changes in land ownership and estate organisation in order to command the necessary financial and mineral resources. Estate development and inclosure were therefore indispensable preliminaries to the growth of heavy industry. Under the hand of Sir Roger Newdigate the Arbury estates were consolidated and expanded, a large and profitable colliery undertaking was established, extensive markets were cultivated, long-standing debts were eliminated and family fortunes were once more set upon firm foundations.

Type of Work: Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)
Award Type: Doctorates > Ph.D.
Licence: All rights reserved All rights reserved
College/Faculty: Faculties (to 1997) > Faculty of Arts
School or Department: Department of History
Funders: None/not applicable
Subjects: D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain
URI: http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/12270

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