I realise that this is only a whistle stop tour of history, but the simple fact is also that we don’t really have any evidence of anything actually important happening, or even being in the area for great swathes of history.
Perhaps sadly, the fact is that the site of Liverpool really wasn’t that important. Even though there were no doubt small settlements dotted across the region, there were none of enough merit to justify recording by anyone. There weren’t tradeable resources to be exploited as there were further inland or south, it wasn’t a hugely strategic location, and crucially, even as a harbour, it was the least attractive of all the available options at the time.
With a fast flowing high tide, why stop the boat where there were no major settlements (and a steep hill to climb) when you could sail right inland to Warrington, get off on the flat on the opposite shore in the Wallasey Pool inlet, or simply travel round the Wirral and up the Dee to North Wales with its quarries and mines, and tradeable materials?
Don't worry, we're getting to the good stuff soon though! And hopefully, as a slight sidebar, I'm hoping we'll be able to announce the launch of the Confederates of the Square exhibition this week, so I may save a post or two for that.