Nottingham, city and unitary authority in central England, on the Trent River. It is a transportation center located in a coal-mining region. For centuries Nottingham has been noted for the production of lace; other manufactures include pharmaceuticals, tobacco products, textiles, and computers. In the city are Nottingham Castle (11th century, rebuilt 1670s), now housing an art gallery and museum, and several theaters. Nottingham is the seat of the University of Nottingham (1948) and Nottingham Trent University (1992, formerly a polytechnic college). An early Saxon settlement, Nottingham was taken by the Danes in the 9th century. It was granted a charter and the right to hold a market in 1155. The legendary figure Robin Hood is often associated with Nottingham and nearby Sherwood Forest. In 1642 Charles I raised his standard here, marking the start of the English Revolution. Population (1996 estimate) 283,969.
