Corbridge

On an important river crossing, the town is steeped in history. Corbridge is a peaceful, attractive Border village and stands high above the Tyne.

Corbridge, like Hexham, suffered severely during the Border unrest, not only from Scots incursions, but also at the hands of the reivers from upper Tynedale and Redesdale and elsewhere. Nearby, in the upper Tyne valley, and in Redesdale, lived the most active reiving families—the Robsons, Charltons, Potts and others. Their aggressive activities resulted in retaliatory raids not only from across the Border in Scotland, but also from other aggrieved neighbours who had suffered owing to family feuds. Tynedale was also a route favoured by invading armies in both directions and so the whole area was almost continuously involved in the turmoil and the whole population suffered.

Strongholds were built ranging from major works such as Wark and Aydon Castles down to the bastle, a kind of fortified home. 
Many of these defensive fortifications have disappeared entirely or exist only as ruins. 
Most of the destruction was due, not to warring parties, but in more peaceful times, the stonework being used as a convenient quarry. 
Roman works suffered particularly in this way as they have been there longer. Where Thirlwall Castle is, situated almost on the line of the Roman Wall, there is a huge tell tale gap in the wall.

St Andrews Church.

The church is 13th century but parts are 7th century. 
An interesting feature of the Saxon tower is the number of Roman stones used in its construction.

In the churchyard, is the Vicar’s Pele which was provided for the protection of the local priest.

This was not unusual and some are still used as vicarages. Other examples are at Longhorsley, and at Elsdon, in Northumberland.

The tower was built of stones from the nearby Roman wall.

Now part of a residence, it is probably nearly 500 years old and is one of the oldest of towers. It stands at the east end of the main street.
See the slab built into part of the outside wall of the tower bearing an inscription to the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

This is a 15th century tower.

In 1517 William Ogle obtained Cocklaw by exchanging it from Lord Ogle for Great Tosson Tower, near Rothbury.

It was later occupied by the Erringtons who held it for nearly two hundred years. They became affluent and moved to the more spacious Beaufront Castle.

The tower was involved in many a border affray but neglect mainly accounts for its present condition. There is enough of it left, however, for it to be restored to much of its former glory should someone be willing to undertake the work.

While you are in Corbridge do notice the old bridge.

During the disastrous floods of 1771, it was the only one not swept away. It was then a hundred years old and it still stands as strong and handsome as ever. Its overuse has been relieved somewhat by the construction of a parallel bridge.

Bywell Castle

Rebellion

Known as the Rising of the North, the Earls of Northumberland and

Westmorland and Derwentwater, were at the heart of the insurrection in support of catholic Mary, Queen of Scots. The rebels met near Sweetholm Lough, (Map ref: 80 940 825, between Bellingham and Kirkwhelpington) and raised the Jacobite flag. 

The backing they had hoped for was not forthcoming and Newcastle would not let them into the city. They plodded on into Scotland where, they hoped, support would be assured, but many of the Scots were reluctant to cross the Border into England. Meanwhile, Carlisle, to the west, fell, temporarily, to the rebels but they were eventually soundly defeated at Preston.

After the round up of the rebels, some were deported and others, including the Earl of Derwentwater, were taken to London and executed on Tower Hill.

Prudhoe Castle   

Prudhoe Castle 

This majestic fortress has a 12^th century keep and gatehouse. It is sited in beautiful surroundings on a hillside overlooking the Tyne.

The position of the castle is very strong, standing as it does on a ridge with a drop of 60 feet to the north, and to the south and east there is a deep ravine.

The south-west approach is protected by a deep moat.

The castle was built by Odinel de Umfraville, and remained in this family for many years. 
The Umfravilles, a distinguished and powerful family, incurred the wrath of William the Lion of Scotland for refusing     
In 1174 he attacked Prudhoe and laid siege to the castle and vigorously attacked it, hurling huge boulders at its walls from his war machines.

All his attacks were repulsed and his forces had to be content with destroying the gardens and growing crops near the castle.

Eventually William was forced to call off the siege and he retreated to Alnwick where he was later engaged by an English force and was taken prisoner by no other than de Umfraville himself.

Eventually Prudhoe passed to the ownership of the Percies by way of marriage.

Inside, the Castle contains a fascinating exhibition of Northumbrian Castles.

Tel: 01661 833459. 

An English Heritage site.

Border Strongholds                  Halton Castle 

This is a pele, not a castle, but imposing nonetheless.

It can be located two miles to the north of Corbridge and almost on the Roman Wall.

As may be expected the tower was built from Roman stones.

This pele is associated with the Carnaby family.

Halton is actually a group of three buildings which includes the pele tower.

Halton take its name from the builders, the de Haltons. Like so many of the nobility (and clergy) of those times, the Haltons were not averse to a little mild reiving or ‘lifting’ at the expense of their neighbours, if the opportunity presented itself.

The evidence was so strong that even his own court could not avoid pronouncing him guilty. His position, however, had other  advantages besides a sizeable salary, and it saved him from severe punishment, even the gallows, a punishment often meted out to those of lower status. He succeeded in buying himself out of trouble by paying a mere ten marks in silver to Thomas Fairburn.

No doubt he continued to serve in his position of administering the law.

Dilston Castle

Not a castle but a 15^th century pele now in ruins.

The mansion attached to the tower, Dilston Hall, is associated with the unfortunate Third Earl of Derwentwater who backed the wrong side in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715.

The young Earl had been brought up in France and learnt to favour the Jacobite cause.

His wife, too, had Jacobite sympathies and urged him to join the rebellion which was being planned to replace Protestant Elizabeth I with Catholic Mary.

Known as the Rising of the North, the Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland and Derwentwater, were at the heart of the insurrection.

James Radcliffe bade farewell to his young wife and baby and set off to join the rebels. They met near Sweethope Lough, between Bellingham and Kirkwhelpington, and raised the Jacobite flag. They did not have the support they had hoped for and Newcastle would not let them into the city.

They plodded on into Scotland where support was assured, but many of the Scots were reluctant to cross the Border into England.

Meanwhile, Carlisle, to the west fell to the rebels but they were soundly defeated at Preston.

The rebellion was over, and Elizabeth dealt most severely with the prisoners.

After the round up, some were deported and others, including the young Earl of Derwentwater, were taken to London and executed on Tower Hill.

His body was taken to Prudhoe where it was buried in the little chapel by the castle.

Map ref: 87 975 632

words 1569