Belsay
Belsay estate
has belonged to the Middleton family since at least 1270. At that time it
was owned by Sir Richard to Middleton, Lord Chancellor to Henry III. The
early Middletons built the castle tower during the time of Border warfare.
Situated 14 miles north-west of Newcastle on the A696 Belsay village has a
curious history. Its name means Bill's-hoh, or ridge (Bill being short for
Bilfrith or Bilheard) - an ancient derivation, though the present-day village
dates entirely from the 1830's. For it was during this time that a local
aristocrat demolished the old settlement and relaid the new one to make way for
his new family home!
Sir Charles Monck of the Middleton family, on returning from honeymoon in
Greece, determined to fashion his own Grecian masterpiece on his own
back-doorstep. So, with the help of the famous John Dobson, the impressive
neo-classical Belsay Hall was erected, and the 'new' village created - arcaded
stone terraced houses and all. The Hall itself was, in fact, constructed with
stone from the estate, and is some 100 ft square. The quarry created by the work
remains nearby.
Traces of the old village are still faintly visible on the high ground to the
west of the Hall, but the estate dominates the scene. The Middletons'
periodically held and lost the estate in medieval times until they took the land
for good around 1370 when the tower/castle was built. The relative Border peace
of the early seventeenth century saw the addition of a Jacobean manor house to
the structure, and this remained the family home until the Hall was erected.
English Heritage now cares for the site - the Middletons vacated the estate in
1962.
The old pele-tower is admired as one of the biggest and best of its type in the
Borders, though it is now a ruin. The gardens are large, varied and exotic -
even the old quarry has been beautified. The grounds of some 30 acres are, in
fact, largely the work of Sir Charles' grandson, Sir Arthur Middleton.
The entrance fee is worth it. And don't miss the exhibition! As historian
P.A.Graham once said: "Belsay is a joy to the architect and antiquarian." And, I
would add, to us all. MS
Sources:
AA/Ordnance Survey Leisure Guide to
Northumbria (1987);
Highways & Byways in Northumbria
(P.A.Graham, 1920);
Northumberland Place-Names (S.Beckensall,
1975).
Belsay Castle
Belsay is said to be one of the most impressive castles in Northumberland.
It is situated midway between Otterburn and Newcastle near an important route to and from Scotland.
Belsay belonged the Middleton family but they lost possession when they dabbled in some lawless activities and were caught. Sir John de Strivelyn who had suffered as a result of the Middletons' wrongdoing, purchased the property at a knock down price and added a very fine tower house, a very strong fortress of great strength. Inside, the tower was lavishly equipped as a residence.
Probably because of its formidable strength. Belsay avoided major conflict with the Scots whose armies gave it a wide berth.
Eventually the Middletons regained possession of the castle and they added a manor house to the tower. Belsay village was dismantled by the Middletons because the road to the access village interfered with their view from the Hall and threatened their privacy. The village was rebuilt about a mile away and the main rout was diverted away from the Hall to pass through the village as it does to this day.
The whole complex is in the care of English Heritage.
Bradford
To the north of Belsay and on the River Blyth, once a considerable village. The unevenness of the ground indicates the position of the village. In the nearby farm of Bradford South is a barn which was a bastle house built by Gabriel Ogle in 1567. The original fire place still remains and the lintel is inscribed 'G.O.1567.'
Bradford was a place of some importance and in the 19th century was large than Belsay being on the convergence of some important tracks.
Now all out remains of Bradford are two farms and a few cottages.
Location: 87 068 795.
Words 298+