E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Newcastle (Northumberland)
was once called Moncaster, from the monks who settled there in Anglo-Saxon times; it was called Newcastle from the castle built there by Robert, son of the Conqueror, in 1080, to defend the neighbourhood from the Scots.
1
Newcastle (Staffordshire) is so called from the new castle built to supply the place of an older one which stood at Chesterton-under-Line, about two miles distant.
2
Carry coals to Newcastle. A work of supererogation, Newcastle being the great seat of coals. The Latins have “Aquam mari infundre” (“To pour water into the sea”); “Si’dera cœlo addre” (“To add stars to the sky”); “Noctas Athénas” (“To carry owls to Athens,” which abounds in them).
re” (“To pour water into the sea”); “Si’dera cœlo add
as Athénas” (“To carry owls to Athens,” which abounds in them).
