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 PICTURE 
 
 
 OF 
 
 *EWCASTJLTE UPON TYNE, 
 
 BEING A 
 
 BRIEF HISTORICAL & DESCRIPTIVE 
 
 Puttie 
 
 THE PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS, STREETS, PUBLIC 
 
 INSTITUTIONS, MANUFACTURES, 
 
 CURIOSITIES, &c. 
 
 WITHIN THAT TOWN & iFs^A^EtG HBOURHOOD 
 FOR TWELVE MILES ROUND: 
 
 AND 
 
 INCLUDING AN ACCOUNT OF THE 
 
 Koman CKEiatf, 
 
 AND A DETAILED HISTORY OF 
 
 THE COAL TRADE, 
 
 The Whole illustrated by a Map of the Various Coal Mines 
 
 on the Rivers Tyne and Wear, a Plan of New- 
 
 caflle, and other Engravings. 
 
 NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE: 
 
 PRINTED BT AND FUR D. AKENHEAD AND SONS, SANDHILL: 
 
 SOLD ALSO. BY LONGMAN, HURST, REE8, ORME, AND 
 
 BROWN, PATER NOSIER ROW, LONDON, 
 
 1812. 
 

 
 -• " • 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 The first edition of this Work appeared in 1807, 
 and was rapidly sold. Since that time nearly the 
 whole of it has been rewritten by a different hand, 
 and a great variety of new matter added. In its 
 grouping and general design, the main attention has 
 been | aid to simplicity and accuracy. As a Picture, 
 however, it aims at no higher pretension, than of its 
 being an outline — a rapid sketch, upon a small scale, 
 and without local colours. Newcastle, Gateshead, 
 and the Coal Trade, are placed in the foreground; 
 the Roman Wall occupies the offskip; and the 
 towns, villages, and country seats in the neighbour- 
 hood, diminish into aerial perspective, according to 
 their size or importance in history. 
 
 The utility of works of this nature is sufficiently 
 proved by their number. Almost every town of con- 
 sequence in the kingdom has its Picture or Guide- 
 something to conduct the traveller to places worthy 
 ot his attention, and to answer the garrulous and time- 
 beguiling purpose of a living chronicler. 
 
 Encouraging a hope that this little performance 
 will be equal to the pretensions of its title page, the 
 Editor presents it to the reader, in the language, but 
 not with the confidence, of the city mouse in the 
 fable; — Carpe viam, mihi crede comes. 
 
(£^> A list of additions and corrections is given 
 at the end of this volume; and any information tend- 
 ing to make it more accurate, useful, or curious, will 
 be thankfully received by the publishers. 
 
THE 
 
 PICTURE 
 
 OP 
 
 NEWCASTLE UPQNTYNE. 
 
 Pons jElii. — In the seventy ninth year of the 
 christian aera Julius Agricola completed the conquest 
 of the country of the Brigrantes. After this he spent 
 three years in subduing the province of the Meataa and 
 in securing his conquests with strong fortifications. 
 These nations were separated by the river Tyne, and 
 all modern antiquaries agree that he built a chain of 
 forts between them ; but no antient author expressly 
 mentions the circumstance, nor have any antiquities 
 been found to establish the conjecture. 
 
 If, however, it cannot be completely ascertained 
 that Newcastle was the scite of a Roman fort in the 
 time of Agricola, it can with great confidence be as- 
 serted that it became a place of importance under 
 the auspices of iEhus Hadrianus. That emperor 
 came into Britain in the year 120, and built, accord- 
 ing to Spartian, a wall eighty Roman miles in length, 
 from sea to sea. This wall commenced at Pons 
 
3 PONS ^LIX. 
 
 JElii, upon the Tyne, and ended at Tunnocelum, on 
 Solway Firth, at which place were stationed the first 
 cohort of iElian marines. Hadrian was of the iElian 
 family. He rebuilt Jerusalem, and called it JElia 
 Capitolina. The games at Pincum in Mcesia were 
 of his institution, and called iElia Pincensia. Two 
 medals, one bearing a bridge with five, the other one 
 with seven arches were struck in his reign. The 
 iEiian bridge at Rome has five arches, and as seven 
 might span the Tyne at Newcastle, and the station 
 here bore the name of the iElian bridge, it is not un- 
 fair to suppose that the medal, bearing the bridge of 
 seven arches, was struck to commemorate the build- 
 ing of a bridge at this place by Hadrian. It is cer- 
 tain that Newcastle bridge was of Roman origin, for 
 coins of emperors, both before and after the time of 
 Hadrian, were found in its piers about the time of 
 rebuilding it, after the great flood, in 1771. Late 
 discoveries have also ascertained the real scite of the 
 Roman station here ; for in digging the foundations 
 of the new county court, in 1810, two Roman altars, 
 coins of Antoninus Pius, a beautiful fragment of a 
 Corinthian pillar, large stags horns, and several other 
 Roman antiquities were discovered. Under more 
 than twenty feet of rubbish was also found a deep 
 well, cased with fine ashlar work, It was surround- 
 ed by a square wall, built on frames of oak timber. 
 There were also large remains of other foundations of 
 thick strong walls ; and the whole scite of the court 
 house was nothing less than a chaos of Roman ruins ; 
 a circumstance which clearly points out the high an- 
 tiquity of the town, and at last places it upon a level 
 
MONKCHESTER. 3 
 
 with the other stations of the wall, as a place still 
 rich in treasures of this kind. 
 
 Monkchester — Under the Saxon kings of 
 Northumberland, Pons JElii became so famous for 
 its monasteries, as to be called Monkchester; but, 
 when the Danish army under Halden ravaged the 
 banks of the Tyne, it suffered desolation in common 
 with all other places of civilization and religion. In 
 1074, says Simeon of Durham, three Mercian monks, 
 came to York and desired of Hugh, the son of Baldric, 
 who was then sheriff, a guide to Monkchester, which 
 is now called the New Castle. Arriving at this place, 
 they stayed at it a short time ; but, finding no vestige 
 of the antient congregation of the servants of Christ, 
 they went to Jarrow, where they settled, and, amidst 
 the ashes of the offices of that antient monastery, and 
 its half ruined churches, rekindled that zeal for monas- 
 tic life, which had so long time been extinct in these 
 parts.* 
 
 Castle of Newcastle.— -Though two centu- 
 ries had been sufficient to sweep away the humble 
 edifices of the relidotis of Monkchester, vet the ve- 
 nerable walls of Pons JElii had so effectually braved 
 the rudeness and the storms of eight hundred vears, 
 that when Robert Curthose, in his return from his 
 expedition against Malcolm, king of Scotland, in 
 1080, erected a fort upon their ruins, it was called, 
 in opposition to these remains, The New Castle 
 upon Tyne.f 
 
 As this building protected the bridge from the at- 
 tacks of the Scots, and secured at all times a free pass 
 A c 2 
 • De Gest. Reg, Acg, col. zo6. f lb- six. 
 
4 CASTLE OF NEWCASTLE. 
 
 for the English armies into Northumberland, it was 
 a place of considerable importance. Rufus, however, 
 was the first who had to employ his arms against it ; 
 for in the rebellion headed by Earl Mowbray it was 
 one of the castles seized by his adherents* Before 
 the garrison surrendered to the king, their leader fled 
 to Tinmouth, There also he found himself insecure, 
 and fled to Bamborough, in which castle he sustained 
 a long and vigorous siege ; but, yielding to the solicita- 
 tions of the guards of Newcastle, he was betrayed 
 from his strong hold and taken to Windsor Castle, 
 where he died in great wretchedness, after a confine- 
 ment of thirty years^ 
 
 King John made additional works to this castle, 
 and large sums were expended on its repairs in suc- 
 ceeding reigns. The Black-gate was built by Henry 
 III., and cost 5141. 15s. lid. John Baliol did 
 homage here to Edward I. for the crown of Scotland. 
 Amongst its constables we find the names of Richard 
 duke of Gloucester, several of the Percys, Hugh de 
 Bolbeck, John de Nevil, Sir Ralph de Eure, John 
 de Copeland, and other celebrated names. Several 
 of the old Northumbrian barons, such as Heron, 
 Whalton, Lord Robert de Clifford, the chief lord of 
 the barony of Gaugie, the lords of Devitstone, Wark, 
 and Bolbeck, and the barons of Bothal and Delaval 
 seem to have had houses for its defence within its li- 
 berties. It was, however, so completely stript of its 
 splendour in 1605, as to be let to the incorporated 
 company of taylors, for the paltry sum of 40s. a year; 
 and before that, in the 31st of queen Elizabeth, it is 
 described as a place of refuge for thieves and vaga- 
 
CASTLE OF NEWCASTLE, 5 
 
 bonds flying from the justice of the town. While the 
 free burgesses assumed to themselves the exclusive 
 right of carrying on trade and manufactories in the 
 town, the Castle Garth continued the resort of ped- 
 lars, and chapman of various descriptions, and is even 
 to this day the rag-fair of the town. 
 
 It has been a place of considerable strength and 
 beauty. When Newcastle was taken by the Scots, 
 in 1644, sir J. Marley planted cannon upon it, and 
 bravely defended it for eight days after the town sur- 
 rendered. The Bla> k-gate was always the main en- 
 trance, and had a draw-bridge both within and with- 
 out. Besides this there were three posterns in its 
 walls, which were of great strength, and enclosed an 
 area of more than three acres. The keep or great 
 tower was strengthened on the south and west side* 
 with a second wall, in which w r ere one large gateway 
 and two posterns. The e trance into the keep was 
 by a flight of steps on the outside to the second story: / 
 a circular staircase on the south east corner led down 
 to the great hall, and below if to the dungeon. The 
 door ot the main entrance has been ornamented with 
 short pilasters, and zigzag work. On the head of the 
 outside staircase is a small oratory, a^d beneath it 
 the king's chapel, a place of very rich Norman archi- 
 tecture. The wails of die tower have chambers with- 
 in them, and are about fouiieen feet thick. The 
 kitchen was on the nortn side of the first floor, and 
 the kmg^ c< amber on the south side 01 the second 
 floor. Ti.e tower is eighty-two leet high, and the 
 square of it on the outside is sixty two feet by fifty- 
 four. When the soutn part of the inner waR was taken 
 A 3 
 
€ CASTLE OF NEWCASTLE* 
 
 down in 1811, to obtain a way to the County Courts 
 through Bailiff-gate, the base of the keep, still in fine 
 preservation, was exposed by clearing off a large ac- 
 cumulation of rubbish. Its uppermost gallery is more 
 modern than the rest* There is a well on the north- 
 east corner, and conduits from it to the lower stories. 
 The dungeon is supported by one pillar, in the center 
 of which is one of these conduits. The eastern tower 
 of Black-gate, which may be viewed in a yard in the 
 Side, is worthy of observation* 
 
 The old Moot-Hall was pulled down in 1810. 
 It exhibited at that time a curious mixture of Roman., 
 Norman, Gothic, and modern architecture. Its east- 
 ern wall appears to have been the wall of the Roman 
 station. It is of vast thickness, has a semi-circular 
 door-way, is built of square, tessilated ashlar-work, and 
 ranges with a wall every way similar to itself and whose 
 foundations were discovered under the County Court. 
 At the north end of the Moot-Hall was a range of 
 low Norman arches and pilasters; its roof was sup- 
 ported by two heavy pointed arches; and its front had 
 square windows with stone mullions, and the arms 
 of England quartered with those of Scotland, over 
 the main entrance. Till Elizabeth's time, we are sure 
 the county courts were held in the great tower. After 
 the time of James I. the old chapel of the garrison was 
 converted into a Moot-Hall, and the dungeon of the 
 keep reserved for the county prison during the time 
 of the assizes. 
 
 The whole of the Castle Garth is in the county of 
 Northumberland; though its inhabitants, since the 
 SI st of Elizabeth, have been subject in all criminal 
 
TOWN WALLS. J 
 
 prosecutions to the sheriff of the county of New- 
 castle. 
 
 The County Courts are on the scite of the old 
 half-moon battery. Several thousand cart loads of rub- 
 bish were led away before a foundation for this building 
 could be procured. Great care and singular indus- 
 try have been employed in constructing the ground- 
 work of the most massive and durable materials. It 
 is now building under the direction of Mr Stokoe, 
 architect, and is expected to be one of the tinest and 
 purest specimens of Grecian architecture ever attempt* 
 ed in Britain. 
 
 Town Walls. — Hardyng, in his Chronicle, not 
 only attributes the building of the castle to William 
 Kufus; but, as it should seem, ascribes the origin of 
 the walls of this town to his policy. 
 
 He buylded the Newcastell upon Tyne 
 
 The Scottes to gaynstande, and to defende 
 
 And dwell therin, the people to enclyne 
 
 The towne to builde and walle as did append 
 
 He gave them ground and golde ful great to spend 
 
 To buylde it well and walle it all aboute, 
 
 And fraunchised theira to pay a free rente out. 
 
 These walls are mentioned in the charter of the 
 17th of king John; andEdward I. granted the Black 
 Friars a passage to their garden through the- new wall. 
 The same king, in 1299, united Pampedon with 
 Newcastle, which occasioned the new wall to be 
 built through the close of the Carmelites on Wall- 
 Knoll. A manuscript in the Cotton library says, 
 " that in the reign of Edward I. a person of great 
 opulence in Newcastle was taken prisoner by the 
 
B TOWN WAL1S. 
 
 Scots, and, being at last ransomed by a large sum, lie 
 first of all, began to surround the town with walls. 
 His fellow citizens followed his example, and in the 
 time of Edward III. the whole town was encom- 
 passed with a very strong wall/' Leland tells the 
 same story, and adds, " the strength and magmficens 
 of the waulling of this town far passeth al the waulles 
 of the cities of England, and most of the townes of 
 Elirope." 
 
 After the completing of the walls, the town was 
 divided into twenty-four wards, according to the num- 
 ber of gates and towers in them. In 1402, nightly 
 watches were kept upon them by one hundred per- 
 sons, at the charge of the inhabitants. Parliament 
 granted 2 ; 564l. towards their repair, after the destruc- 
 tive seige by the Scots, in 1644. Happier times than 
 those they originated in have, however, superseded 
 their utility. The part between Sandhill and Sand* 
 gate was removed at the charge of the corporation, 
 and by order of the privy council, hi 1762. They 
 have also been taken down between the Tyne 'bridge 
 and the scite oi the Closegate; and are altogether 
 much delapidated. The linest remains of them are 
 hi Carliol Croft, behind Charlotte Square, and from 
 the Westgate to White Friar tower. 
 
 The principal gates in these walls were the Bridge- 
 gate, Closegate, the Postern, Wes'gate, Newgate, 
 Pilgrimstreet gate, Pandon-gate, Wallknoll-gate, and 
 Sandgate. The Closegate was used as a prison af- 
 ter the * ridge fell in 1771. The PosUrn-gate was 
 remarkably strong, having ->atts of oak, iron doors, 
 and a very heavy portcullis. Through it, in the reigo 
 
(Jates. 9 
 
 of Edward III., three hundred valiant men sallied by 
 night, and rushing into the camp of the Scots, routed 
 the whole army and took earl Murray prisoner in his 
 tent. # Leland calls the Westgate " a mightye 
 strong thinge of four wards and an yron gate/' Tra- 
 dition attributes its building to Roger Thornton, a 
 merchant, who rose from indigence to great opulence, 
 and of whom it has been facetiously said : 
 
 " In the Westgate came Thornton in 
 With a- happen hapt in a ram's skynn." 
 
 Newgate, called by Froissart La Porte de Berwick, 
 has been long used as the county prison of Newcastle : 
 its portcullis is still remaining. Pilgrimstreet-gate 
 ' is a very strong edifice, flat roofed, with embi azures, 
 a portcullis and iron gates.'*f- i Pandon-gate, so called 
 from the antient towne of Pampedon, where was the 
 Picts' wall and a Roman tower.'J As old as Pandon 
 Yate is a proverb of great antiquity. The gate of 
 Wallknoll, and the whole of the town wall, across 
 Pandon, may be considered of Roman origin, being 
 exactly on the scite of the Picts' wall. The Bridge- 
 gate and Sandgate * were added in more modern 
 times.' All these gates, except the Westgate, New- 
 gate, and that on Wallknoll have been deemed nui- 
 sances and removed ; and, as the dismantling of West- 
 gate is Jar advanced, it is not likely that either vene- 
 ration for the memory of Thornton, or deference 
 to the monuments of antient times, will long preserve 
 it from destruction. 
 
 The gates were all embattled, and the walls at all 
 • Johnes' Frois. Chron. 
 f Hutch* Northumb. vol. ii. p. 373, \ Grey's Chor. p. 8, 
 
10 EELIGIOUS HOUSES. 
 
 points defended with strong towers, " between each 
 of which there were for the most part two watch 
 towers made square with effigies of men cut in stone 
 upon the top of them, as though they were watching, 
 and they are called garret, which had square holes 
 over the walls to through stones down."* 
 
 The whole circumference of the walls, according 
 to Button's plan, is 2740 yards. They were twelve 
 feet high and eight feet thick ; and strengthened with 
 a foss uniformly twenty-two yards broad. This foss 
 in 1312 was called \ the New Foss/ and at present 
 is styled the King's Dykes. 
 
 RELIGIOUS HOUSES. 
 
 NuNNEEYr — In 1086 Agas, the mother of Mar- 
 garet queen of Scotland, and Christiana, her sister, re- 
 tired to a nunnery in this town. Leland says it was 
 of the Benedictine order ; and a manuscript in the 
 Bodlean library ascribes its foundation to a baron 
 de Hilton/f- Speed says it owed its origin to Henry 
 I., and Fordun contends that it was founded in 1135, 
 by David, king of Scotland. It was dedicated to St. 
 Bartholomew. Among other grants to this house 
 there was one of certain property in Hartlepool, "for 
 purchasing smocks for the nuns."§ Its yearly revenue 
 in 12921 was 171. 10s. 7d. Bishop Hatfield, pitying its 
 miserable estate, both with respect to temporals and 
 spirituals, committed € the poor servants ol Christ' 
 here to the care of Hugh de Arncliffe, priest of St. 
 Nicholas, in Newcastle. The hospital of St. Ed- 
 
 * Bourne, p. 17. 
 f Brand ii. 4.04* § Mado* Form, Ang. p, t* 
 
RELIGIOUS HOUSES. l\ 
 
 mund in Gateshead was appropriated to this institu- 
 tion. It was preserved from dissolution by letters 
 patent of Henry VIII. dated Mch. 30, 1537: but 
 resigned, and was fully suppressed Jan. 3, 1540. Its 
 clear yearly value at that time was 361. 10s. 
 
 It was situated in the field behind the Nungate, 
 where several pieces of its walls, doors and windows 
 are still to be seen in the premises belonging to the 
 Turk's Head. It became a receptacle to persons not 
 free of the town ; and was therefore pulled down a- 
 bove a century ago : its scite was then levelled and 
 the dene filltd up with its rubbish. * It was from 
 corner to corner eleven score yards.' # 
 
 Black friars. — This bouse was founded about 
 a. d. 1251. by sir Peter Scot avid his son sir Nicho- 
 las. Sir Peter was the first mayor of Newcastle; 
 and his son was chosen one of the four bailiffs for 
 three different years. It was instituted for a prior 
 and brethren of the order of St. Dominic. They 
 wore a white cassock with a white hood over it, in their 
 house ; and abroad they had a black cloak and hood, 
 over all. They were one of the four orders of men- 
 dicants; and were called in Newcastle Shod Friars, 
 in opposition to the practice of the Grey Friars, who 
 went barefooted. It was in the chinch of this house 
 that Edward Baliolf did homage to Edward III. 
 for the crown of Scotland.^ 
 
 It is said to have been dependent on the priory of 
 Tynemouth. At the dissolution it consisted of a 
 prior and twelve brethren, and had an annual income 
 
 * Bourne p. 50. f Rym. Faed. iv. 617. 
 f Knyghtoa de Event Ang. col, 1559* &c. 
 
12 RELIGIOUS HOUSES, 
 
 of £l 19s* 4d. It was granted by Henry VIII. Mch. 
 10, 1544, to the mayor and burgesses of Newcastle; 
 and by them in 1552 to nine of the mysteries or an- 
 tient trades of the town, seven of whom have their halls 
 in it to this day. The present remains of it shew that 
 it has been a building of considerable beauty. Its 
 well is still in use and called our Lady's Well. 
 
 € It is a pity, says Bourne, that those people who 
 are permitted by the companies to reside in it, are 
 not threatened into more cleanliness ; and that the 
 companies themselves are not at the expence of re- 
 pairing the area. Were these things done, it would 
 be a beautiful piece of antiquity, and the entertainment 
 of the curious from whence soever they came/ 
 
 Augustine friars. The first appearance of 
 this religious order in England was about the year 
 1£50. It has not been fully ascertained at what time 
 they settled in Newcastle ; though it is generally sup- 
 posed that this house was founded by William lord 
 Ross, baron of Wark upon Tweed, about the year 
 1£90. It is known on good authority to have exist- 
 ed in 1291. # Though it was a house of great cele- 
 brity, its revenues were extremely small at the disso- 
 lution,, when it was surrendered Jan. 9; 1539, by 
 Andrew Kel, its prior, seven brethren and three 
 novices. 
 
 These premises in 1540 ad usum domini regis re- 
 servaniur pro consilio suo in partibus borealis. 
 
 " Tie kings of Northumberland, says Grey, were 
 buried here, and the place in succeeding ages has 
 
 • Tanner. Bourne, 136. 
 
RELIGIOUS HOUSES. 13 
 
 been inlarged and beautified with stately buildings, 
 cloysters and a faire church. The kings of England 
 since kept house in it when they came with an army 
 royall against Scotland ; and since the suppression of 
 the monasteriese made a magazine and storehouse for 
 the north parts. Now of late that princely fabrick 
 demolished and layd levell with the ground."* In Le- 
 land's time " it had three or four faire towers belong- 
 ing to it." 
 
 King James granted it to a Scotchman, who took 
 the lead off it and sold it. He sold also the stones to 
 sir Peter Riddel, who " built the south end of his fine 
 house with them."+ It was in the hands of the cor- 
 poration in 1648, w 7 hen the common-council granted 
 a part of its scite to the Barber Surgeons to build a 
 meeting house on. Pike and gun exercise were per- 
 formed here by the townsmen. The house of cor- 
 rection, a tallow house for the butcher's company, the 
 hospital of Jesus, Blackett's hospital, the hospital of 
 the two Davisons, the charity school of All Saints, a 
 work house and penitentiary house, have been found- 
 ed within its limits. 
 
 Franciscan or Grey Friars, — This was 
 the most eminent of the four orders of mendicants. 
 They wore a grey habit and were called minors, from 
 their profession of humility. Their house ia this 
 town stood near the mansion of George Anderson, 
 esquire, which Grey calls " a princely house built 
 out of the mines of the Fryers." It was founded 
 by the opulent and commercial family of Carliols, in 
 
 B 
 • Chor. 13. I Bourne, p. t 5 7. 
 
14 RELIGIOUS HOUSES. 
 
 the lime of Henry III. After the reformation in this 
 order by St. Bernard of Sienna, his followers were 
 called observants or recollects, and the rest [conven- 
 tuals. Henry VII. expelled the conventuals from 
 this house, and filled it with observants. His succes- 
 sor, however, restored its ancient order ; but it was 
 prevailed upon to surrender, Jan. 9, 1539, when it 
 consisted of John Cray forth, prior, eight friars and 
 two novices. The Franciscans enjoying no property, 
 their house here was of small value at the suppression. 
 This body had a conduit from a fountain called the 
 Seven-head- well, which was walled about and locked up. 
 The spring being abundant they gave the public leave 
 to use it ; but the favour being abused by breaking 
 up the conduit, and changing its course, the brethren 
 obtained a royal grant from Edward HI., in 1342, 
 who was then in Newcastle, to wall it in again, 
 lock it up, and keep the key, as formerly, without 
 infringement of their exclusive right. This well is at 
 the head of Lork-burn and still kept in good repair. 
 
 The scholastic doctor Hugh of Newcastle belong- 
 ed to this house. Duns Scotus also entered into the 
 order of minors here. This celebrated scholar was 
 born at Embleton in Northumberland, was educated 
 at Oxford, and at Paris became the opposer of Aqui- 
 nas. His works are large and were printed at Lyons 
 in 10 vols. fol. 3 639. Friar Martin of Alnwick, 
 another great scholar, took the habit of St. Francis 
 in this convent, and was buried in it, a. d. 1338. 
 
 Friars of the order of Sac. — The mo- 
 nastery of this order stood at the foot of Westgate- 
 
RELIGIOUS HOUSES. 15 
 
 street, near White Friar tower. They were settled 
 here in 1268, and were called, friars of the sac or of 
 the penance of Jesus. Their house was granted by 
 Edward III. to the carmalites of the Wallknoll, on 
 condition that Walter de Charleton, the only survi- 
 ving brother, was supported during his life as became 
 his rank. 
 
 The Carmalites or White Friars had 
 their first residence on Wallknoll. Edward Dinley, 
 a learned carmalite, flourished among them in 1450. 
 Gerald Spor, prior, with seven brethren and two 
 novices, surrendered it Jan. 11, 1539, when the 
 whole of their possessions amounted to the trifling 
 sumof9l« Us. 4d. Dr. Adam Askew bought the 
 scite of this house in 1740, and built upon it a hand- 
 some mansion, in the kitchen of which some vestiges 
 of the walls and windows of the priory still remain. 
 
 St. Michael's Priory upon Wallknoll. 
 On their final removal from this place to the house of 
 the friars of the sac, the carmalites by royal authority 
 granted the premises here to William de Acton, a 
 burgess of Newcastle, who gave it to the Trinitarians 
 or Maturines, styled also the order of the Holy Trinity 
 for the redemption of captives. This order had the 
 rule of St. Austin, and wore white robes, with a red 
 and blue cross upon their breasts. One part of their re- 
 venues was appropriated to their own use, another to 
 the poor, and the third to the liberation of christians 
 in captivity 'among infidels. Their house here was 
 surrendered by Thomas Wade, its last master or war- 
 den, Jan. 10, 1539. The east end of the chapel of 
 b 2 
 
16 HELIGIOUS HOUSES. 
 
 this priory was standing in Bourne's time, and Brand 
 discovered " some .vestiges of old buildings, door- 
 ways, &c. still remaining." 
 
 St. Mary's Hospital is situated on the south 
 side of Westgate-street. It consisted of a hospital 
 and chapel founded in the time of Henry II. by Ase- 
 lack of Kiilinghowe. He built it on his own ground, 
 and placed in it two friars regular and a chaplain, to 
 serve God and the poor. Provision was also made 
 for indigent clergymen and strangers that were tra- 
 velling. Its benefactors were numerous, 
 
 " The Hospital of our Lady called Westgate 
 Spittle was founded by the inhabitants of New- 
 castle, for a master, and chaplain, to say divine service 
 for 6 bede folks in the almshouse, and to lodge poor 
 and wayfaring people, and to bury such as happened 
 to die there, and to distribute yearly nine chaldrons 
 of coals among poor people/' If Bourne has given 
 this account on any good authority, it rather relates 
 to some enlargement of the foundation than the origin 
 .of the institution.* 
 
 Its yearly revenues in 1535 were 261. 13s. 4d. It 
 fell to the crown by statute of 31st of Hen. VIII.; 
 but the house and its rents were still enjoyed, and the 
 community of Newcastle, as usual, presented a mas- 
 ter to the bishop of Durham. The old charter being 
 lost, James I. granted a new one, which decreed that 
 this foundation should in future consist of a master, 
 
 * There was an inventory of the wardrobe, plate, &c. of 
 this houfe taken in 1444. See Bourne 32. Brand i. 77. 
 Hutc. ii. 390. 
 
RELIGIOUS HOUSES. 17 
 
 who should at least be a master of arts, and of six un- 
 married poor old men, constituting together a body 
 politic in law, and having a common seal." 
 
 Dr. " Davar was master of this house and archdea- 
 con of Northumberland when Leland visited New- 
 castle : — he supplied that excellent antiquary with 
 much information. Dawes, the very learned author 
 of Miscellanea Critica, was also some time master 
 of this hospital : He died at He worth-shore. 
 
 The election of the mayor and officers of the town 
 was held in this hospital in 1512, according to antient 
 custom, as appears by the ordinary of the drapers* 
 company. The chancel of its church was fitted up 
 as an election room in queen Elizabeth's time, and 
 still continues to be used for the same purpose. 
 
 Magdalen Hospital. — The leprosy, a most 
 lothsome and contagious disease, formerly raged with 
 such violence in this kingdom, as to induce the neces- 
 sity of establishing lazar-houses in almost every town. 
 This hospital was founded by Henry I. for a master, 
 brethren and three sisters, who were to receive per- 
 sons afflicted with this pestilence. The grant was 
 confirmed by a papal bull. Though the institution 
 was dissolved by statute of 31. Henry VIII, it never 
 came in charge before the king's auditors, or paid 
 rent to his receiver. 
 
 " It was founded," says an authority dated 154G, 
 " for a master bretherene and systers to receyve all 
 suche leprose folks as should fortune to be diseased 
 
 of that kynde of sickness and syns that kynd oi 
 
 sickeness is abated it is used for the comforte and 
 b 3 
 
18 HELIGIOTJS HOUSES* 
 
 helpe of the poore folke of the towne that chaunceth 
 to falf sycke in tyme of pestilence. Yerely valew 
 91. Lis. 4d." 
 
 According to Bourne, it had fourteen persons re- 
 siding in it, each of whom was allowed a room/ coals 
 and eight shillings a month. Fifteen others were a 
 sort of out patients, with different allowances, some 
 of eight shillings, some of five shillings and some of 
 two shillings and sixpence a month. 
 
 James I. in 1611, incorporated it by charter with 
 the chapel of St. Thomas a Becket. By this charter 
 it was decreed, that the united institutions should con- 
 sist of a master, who should at least be a master of 
 arts, and three old, poor, unmarried burgesses of the 
 town, and that the mayor and common council 
 should be patrons ; the master to have a third part 
 pf the rents, and the rest to be divided amongst the 
 brethren. Part of the hospital is still remaining be- 
 tween Vine-lane and Barras-bridge ; and near it are 
 St. Mary Magdalen's Well, Maudlin Meadows, and 
 the Sick Man's Close. Barras is a corruption of 
 Barrows, a term antiently applied to all kinds of 
 burial ground ; and at this place to the cemetery of 
 the lazer house. 
 
 St. James* Chapel is on the north side of 
 Barras-bridge. In 1542, Edward Burrel, then 
 master of Magdalen Hospital, is also styled " Pre- 
 \dsour, of the chapell of St. Jayrnes and of the lazer 
 house neighe adjoining to the said hospital! ." It was 
 certainly, as Brand thinks, an appendage to the Mag- 
 dalen. " In the east end of it is a dwelling hotise^ 
 
RELIGIOUS HOUSES. 1Q 
 
 the fire place of which stands on the scite of the 
 communion table. Old arches, built up with brick, 
 are still observeable, and the eastern window may be 
 traced out from the stairs of an adjoining house. The 
 whole building is called at present. — " The Sick 
 Man's House." Brand, i. 196. 
 
 St. Mary's Chapel and Hospital at Jes- 
 mond, existed in 1351. Their founder unknown. 
 The corporation obtained a grant of it from Edward 
 VI., and in the same year sold it to sir John Brand- 
 ling. " There remains one of the little windows of 
 the hospital in the west gable of a house, at present a 
 public house. The chapel has had a north aisle, 
 which is now a stable, and the chapel itself is now a 
 barn/'* Such is the situation of a place, which in 
 former ages was resorted to by " pilgrims, who came 
 from all parts of the kingdom to worship at it."f 
 Jesmond is said to be derived from Jesus Mount ; 
 there having been an artificial mount at or near the 
 village, on which a cross or some image of Christ was 
 placed. 
 
 St. Lawrence Chapel stood on the edge of 
 the Tyne, a little below Ouse Burn. It was granted 
 by Edward VI. to the corporation. It was called 
 the chapel or chantry of St. Lawrence, within the 
 manor of Byker and in the parish of All Saints. 
 ft The said fre chapell was founded by the auncestors 
 of the late erle of Northumberland toward fyndyng 
 of a prieste to pray for their so wis and all christian 
 sowls, and also to herbour suclj persons and wayfayr 
 
 * Brand i, 198, t Bourne, p. 81. 
 
£0 UELIGIOUS HOUSES. 
 
 ing men in time of nede as it is reported. Yerely 
 value 60s. In 1558 its annual rent was 111. 8s. 8d. 
 u I found it converted into a lumber room to an ad- 
 joining glass house. The neighbouring work people 
 talk of treasure as being buried in a vault somewhere 
 near it, and suppose it to be haunted by apparitions/'* 
 
 Ben well Chapel.—-" The old tower of Ben- 
 well Hall was the place where the prior of Tinmouth 
 resided part of the summer; and the chapel, which 
 Mr Shaftoe opens, and supplies for the good of the 
 people of the village, was the priors domestic cha- 
 pel."f There was a register book belonging to it 
 and ending in 1742, in the possession of Mr Rutter, 
 attorney-at-law, in Mr Brand's time. The chapel 
 has been pulled down ; but a vault and a few grave 
 stones still continue to mark the scitb of its burying 
 ground.;}; 
 
 Maison de Dieu. — Roger Thornton, a wealthy 
 merchant, and a member of parliament, was the 
 greatest benefactor the town of Newcastle ever had. 
 Almost all its antient institutions were indebted to 
 his munificence. He obtained from Henry IV. a 
 licence to alien in mortmain to the corporation a piece 
 of ground one hundred feet in length, and twenty-four 
 in breadth, on which to build a ' House of God/ 
 where certain poor persons should be provided with 
 meat and clothing. It was for a warden, brethren 
 and sisters of the hospital of St. Catharine, called 
 Thornton s hospital. 
 
 * Brand, i, 395. Bourne, 157. 
 f lb. 113, I Brand i. 111. 
 
RELIGIOUS HOUSES. £1 
 
 The son of its founder granted the use of its hall 
 and kitchen t for a young couple when they were 
 married, to make their wedding dinner in, and receive 
 the offerings and gifts of their friends ; for at that 
 time houses were not large. ,# 
 
 In the 37 Henry VI11. 'the value of its ornaments, 
 jew r els, plate, goodes, and catalls, was 62s. 8d. and 
 its clear yearly revenues about that time amounted to 
 81. Id. It continued in the Thornton family after 
 its dissolution ; for sir Richard Lumley, one of their 
 descendants, by the female line, conveyed it, June 
 1, 1624, to the corporation for ever. The mer- 
 chants' court was built over the Maison-Dieu ; ,# and 
 the house itself has been converted into warehouses. 
 In Speed's plan of the town, it is the only building 
 "noiicea on hie sandnin. 
 
 Heaton Chapel. — From the wardrobe account 
 of the 28 Edward I. published by the Society of An-* 
 tiquaries, there appears to have been a chapel at 
 Heaton, at which that monarch attended to hear a 
 bishop of boys perform the vespers of St. Nicholas 
 (Dec. 7, 1299) and on which occasion he gave to 
 this clerical phenomenon, and to certain boys that 
 came to sing \\ ith him, the sum of 40s. 
 
 Other Chapels. — There have been several 
 other chapels within the boundaries of Newcastle ; but 
 sufficient light has not been thrown upon their history 
 to enable us to discover either the intention of their 
 founders or the time they began to be disused. 
 
 * Grey's Chor. printed an. 1649. 
 
22 ££LIGI0US HOUSES. 
 
 In a deed preserved in the archives of Newcastle, 
 and dated Nov. 20, l6l6, a tenement is mentioned 
 u as knowne by the name of the ladies cha^l on Tyne 
 bridged In taking down the tower of the bridge, after 
 the flood in 177 1, a stone coffin and a skeleton were 
 found in it; and on the north side of this tower there 
 was cut, rudely, in stone, on a shield, a holy lamb 
 passant. # 
 
 There is a remarkable house in Grindon Chare, 
 concerning which there is a tradition that it was call- 
 ed St. John's Chapel. It is built of stone with but- 
 tresses on the outside, and has a crypt, now used as a 
 cellar. Human bones have been dug up about it. 
 Boefhius, Fordun, and other Scottish historians assert 
 that David, king of Scotland, founded a monastery of 
 Praernonstratensians in Newcastle. The village of 
 Fenham belonged to this order ; and Bourne supposes 
 that the chapel of St. Lawrence " was dependent on 
 the Priory of St. John of Jerusalem." There was 
 antiently in the town's hatch a writing indorsed, 
 " The agreement made betwixt the prior of St. John 
 and the towne of Newcastle, touching a water-gate ;" 
 a circumstance which would induce the belief that 
 either their house or some of their possessions were 
 situated near the river. 
 
 We have mentioned the chapels within the walls of 
 the castle in our account of that place. The villages 
 of St. Peter's and St. Anthony's in the parish of AH 
 Saint's, have probably derived their names from some 
 ecclesiastical establishment; but we have met with 
 neither tradition nor record to support the conjecture. 
 • Brand, i. 47. 
 
23 
 CHURCHES and CHAPELS. 
 
 St, Nicholas. This antient and beautiful edi* 
 flee, dedicated to St. Nicholas, bishop of Myra, was 
 founded, a. d. 109 1, by St. Osmund, bishop of Salis- 
 bury, earl of Dorset, and a follower of the Conquer- 
 or .* Henry I. appropriated its rectorial revenues to 
 the church of Carlisle. Its privileges were still more 
 considerably abridged during the episcopacy of Nicho- 
 las Farenham ; and according to a manuscript in the 
 Exchequer its proceeds were divided in the following 
 manner, in 1291: to the bishop of Carlisle, its rec- 
 tor, 381. 13s. 4d. — to the prior of Carlise, 381. 13s. 
 4d. — to the prior of Tinmouth, 81. — to the vicar of 
 Newcastle (who paid out of his portion, 13 marks a 
 year to his rector) 201. 5s. — in all, 1051. lis. 8d. 
 Henry VIII. among other things, granted " a moiety 
 of the rectory of Newcastle upon Tyne" to the dean 
 and chapter of Carlisle, enjoining the payment of 8l. 
 a year out of it to the bishop of Durham. The pre- 
 sentation to this living is in the see of Carlisle ; but its 
 vicar claims jurisdiction over and right of nomination 
 to the other three parochial churches of this town, as 
 also right of nomination to the chapel of Gosforth. 
 The respective limits of the four parishes of Newcas- 
 tle were settled in 1220, though it is supposed that 
 in the Saxon times the whole town was included in 
 the parish of Gosforth. 
 
 This church appears to have been burnt down in 
 1216; and to have been rebuilt, as it now stands, in 
 1359. It is eighty yards long. The truces of Scot- 
 land were ratified in its vestry, Aug, 13, 145 It 
 
 f Brand i, 237. Bourne j6» 
 
24 CHTTRCHES AND CHAPELS. 
 
 u A. D. 1783, a subscription was opened, which 
 produced a very large sum of money, to defray the 
 expences of a plan for converting this church into a 
 kind of cathedral, which is now completed with great 
 taste and elegance; but the antiquary must forever la- 
 ment the alterations, as almost all the antient funeral 
 monuments have been destroyed/' Brand i 247- 
 
 St. Mary's Porch, stalled in a handsome manner 
 with oak, was till lately used at morning and evening- 
 prayers. The festival of St. George was celebrated 
 by lord Sheffield, president and knight of the garter, 
 in the porch of that saint, in 1617 :— this porch, says 
 Grey, was " built by some of the kings of this land." 
 There were also nine or ten oratories here, the burial 
 places of opulent Northumberland families, and which 
 were endowed with lands and other revenues for the 
 maintenance of chaplains, who officiated at their al- 
 tars, and said daily prayers -for the souls of their 
 founders and those of their families. These chantries 
 at the dissolution were valued at 481. 4s, 6d. 
 
 " In it are many sumptuous windows; that in the 
 east surpasseth all the rest in height, largenesse and 
 beauty, where the twelve apostles, seven deeds of 
 charity, &c. built by Roger de Thornton, (a great 
 benefactor of this towne) with this inscription, Orate 
 pro anima Rogeri Thornton, fy pro animabusjiliorum 
 fyfiliarum." 
 
 " In the north part of the same is a shrine of Henry 
 the fourth Percy earle of Northumberland, who was 
 killed by the hands of the rebells in Yorkeshire, gather- 
 ing up a subsidy: he was buried at Beverly, and this 
 
CHURCHES AND CHAPELS. 25 
 
 made in memory of him in his owne countrey, he 
 having a house in this towne, and parish ; and other 
 noblemen and gentry in those dayes in this towne. 
 Orate pro anima Henrici Percy IV. Northumbria, 
 qui per rebellium manus occubuit, fyc" Grey, p. 10. 
 
 Several antient sepulchral monuments still remain 
 in this church ; and many fine specimens of modern 
 sculpture have of late years been placed in it, especi- 
 ally those in memory of the Ridley, Askew, and other 
 families; but the figure of Religion, on the tomb 
 of the late Rev. Hugh Moises, greatly excels the rest 
 in simplicity of design, and delicacy of execution. 
 
 The steeple of this church is sixty-four yards high. 
 Its summit is justly considered a very ingenious and 
 admirable specimen of architecture. " It consists of 
 thirteen pinnacles, and two bold stone arches support- 
 ing a large and beautiful lanthorn, on which is a tall 
 and stately spire : the yvhole very much admired."* 
 This work is a superstructure, and, from an inscrip- 
 tion on the arch of the belfry, is supposed to have 
 been added by Robert Rhodes, in the time of Henry 
 VI. It was " much repaired" in 1601; and seve- 
 ral of its pinnacles being blown down by a violent 
 west wind " it was also repaired and restored to its 
 former splendour, in l6.51."*f 
 
 There is a tradition that during the siege, in 1644, 
 the Scottish general threatened sir John Marley, then 
 mayor, that unless the town was instantly delivered 
 he would demolish the steeple with his cannon. Sir 
 John ordered the chief of the Scottish prisoners to 
 
 c 
 • Wallij, Northumb, f MS. authority. 
 
26 CHURCHES AND CHAPELS* 
 
 the top of the tower, and then replied : € If the struc- 
 ture fall, it shall not fall alone: your countrymen 
 shall either preserve it, or be buried in its ruins/ The 
 reply had its desired effect. 
 
 Knox, the celebrated reformer, preached in this 
 church, between the years 1550 and 1553. Dr. 
 Jackson, whose works were printed in three vols, folio, 
 in 1673, was instituted vicar here, in 1623; and Dr. 
 John Brown, the author of Essays on Shaftesbury's 
 Characteristics, the tragedies of Barbarossa and Athel- 
 stan, and several other ingenious and popular works, 
 was inducted into it in 176 1. 
 
 The register of baptisms here commences in 1558 ; 
 that of burials and marriages, in 1574. 
 
 " St. Andrews, the ancientest of all the foure, 
 as appeareth by the old building and fashion of the 
 church."* The arch of the chancel is in the Norman 
 style : the rest of the edifice, heavy Gothic. The parish 
 of St. Andrew is mentioned in theTinmouth chartula- 
 ry, a. d. 1218. The justices itinerant held their courts 
 here, in 1£80; and in 1387 the bishop of Durham 
 granted an indulgence of forty days to such as should 
 contribute to the repairs of this church. There were 
 three chantries in it : one of them dedicated to the 
 Holy Trinity, supposed to have been founded by sir 
 Adam de Athol, of Jesmond, and in which is a tomb 
 bearing this inscription: Hie jacent dominus Adania- 
 rus de Atholl miles & Domina Maria uxor ejus quae 
 
 obiit quarto decimo die mensis anno dominimille- 
 
 simo tricentesimo....Animarum propitietur. " In this 
 church is to be seen a pardon of the pope for nine 
 
 * Grey, p. 1%, 
 
CHURCHES AND CHAPELS. 27 
 
 hundred yeares to come."* The altar-piece, a fine 
 old Italian picture, was presented by Major Anderson. 
 The register commences in 1597 : it has been badly 
 kept. 
 
 " St. John's, a pretty little church, commended 
 by an arch-prelate of this kingdome ; because it re- 
 sembleth much a crosse."*|- The date and founder 
 of it are unknown. A charter of the 15 Edward 
 I. mentions — venellum quo itur ad ecclesiam Sancti 
 Johannis. Mention occurs of " organes" here in 
 1570. £ In Bourne's time, there remained in the 
 chancel here the "funnel through which was conveyed 
 on the day of Pentecost, in the times of popery, an 
 artificial dove to represent the descent of the Holy 
 Ghost." In the windows are many curious specimens 
 of painted glass. There were three chantries in it. 
 Its register begins in 1587. John Cunningham, 
 author of i Love in a Mist/ &c. who was born in 
 Dublin, and became a strolling player, was interred 
 in this church-yard, where is a stone with this in- 
 scription: 
 
 " Here lie the remains of 
 
 John Cunningham. 
 
 Of his excellence 
 
 As a pastoral poet, 
 
 His works will remain a monument 
 
 For ages, 
 
 After this temporary tribute of esteem 
 
 Is in dust forgotten. 
 
 He died in Newcastle, Sep. 18, 177S, aged 44." 
 
 c 2 
 
 f Grey p. x%* f Ibid. p. «. \ Bourne, p. 24> 
 
£8 CHX3RCHES AND CHAPELS. 
 
 All Saints' Church is also of obscure founda- 
 tion. It existed in 1286. # "There is few monu- 
 ments or tombes in it. Onely one stately tombe of 
 that worthy benefactor, Roger de Thornton, having a 
 large jet stone, curiously engraven with his armes, and 
 the amies of that noble family of the Lord Lumley, 
 who married a daughter of Thorntons. He died in 
 the reign of Henry VII "+ The brass plate of this 
 monument is still preserved, and has around its bor- 
 der this inscription : 
 X Hie jacet domicilla agnes quo.dam uxor rogeri thornton 
 
 que obijt in vigelia fancte katrine anno domini m 
 
 cccc xi. 
 X Hie jacet rogerus thornton m.c.tor novi castrl super 
 
 tinam qui obiit anno — d.jn. mittesimo eccc xx ix et iij die 
 
 januarij. 
 This church before the reformation had seven 
 chantries, of which Mr Brand has collected a curious 
 account from the Augmentation Office and other 
 sources. The old building, which was one hundred 
 and sixty-seven feet long, and seventy-seven feet wide, 
 underwent great alteration about the years 1651 and 
 1655. The chancel, which was wainscoted and 
 stalled with oak, stood upon a large square crypt, the 
 pillar of which was in its centre, and its windows 
 much below the floor of the late church. The old 
 bells were cast out of an equestrian statue of James II., 
 which stood upon Sandhill. In 1783, an act of par- 
 liament was obtained for rebuilding this edifice, which 
 was finished, after a plan, and under the direction of 
 Mr Stephenson, architect, in 1789. It is a very 
 splendid and elegant structure. Its form is circular* 
 * See Bourne, p. 8e>, f Gf€ y? P* ** s 
 
OHURCHES AND CHAPELS. 29 
 
 On the south it has a fine portico supported by five 
 Ionic pillars. Its spire is lofty : the whole structure 
 built of polished freestone: its pews all of mahogany : 
 and at its entrance is a neat chapel, used at funerals 
 and matins. It cost the parish upwards of 27,0001. 
 There was a chained library here in IQSI* The re- 
 gister began in 1600. 
 
 St. Ann's Chapel. — " When this chapel was 
 originally built I have met with nothing that gives 
 any account. After the reformation it was neglected 
 and came into decay ; but the town in the year 1682 
 repaired it, and settled a lecturer there."* The pre- 
 sent neat and spacious structure, was built from a 
 design of the late Mr Newton, at the expence of the 
 corporation, and was consecrated by bishop Trevor, 
 Sept. 2, 1768. The corporation also endowed it, 
 and support a morning lecturer. It has no regis- 
 ters. 
 
 The Chapel of St. Thomas a Beckett, 
 at the bridge-end, is of obscure origin. It existed in 
 1248, and Beckett, to whom it is dedicated, was 
 murdered in 1171. It had two chantries in it. By 
 charter of James I. it was incorporated with the hos- 
 pital of St. Mary Magdalen ; and, in 1732, was re 
 paired and fitted up as a chapel of ease to St. Nicho- 
 las. " In 1782 the outside of it was hewn over, and 
 a new steeple built, the old one being taken down 
 to make the passage on to the bridge more spaci- 
 ous."+ It is built upon crypts or arched cellars, 
 which are now used as iron-warehouses. 
 c3 
 
 • Bourne, p. 154. 
 f Account of Newcastle ia 1787, p. 15. 
 
SO CHAPELS AND MEETXNG-KOUSES. 
 
 Gosforth Chapels. — These were two chapels 
 of ease to St. Nicholas, one called North Gosforth? 
 the other South Gosforth. The first of them fell in- 
 to disuse about eighty years since. Warburton's 
 MSS. describe North Gosforth as u a small village, 
 in a low ground, with a ruinous chapel." # Except a 
 few grave-stones on the scite of their cemetery, a lit* 
 tie eastward of Gosforth- Lodge, no trace remains of 
 either the chapel or the village. The advowson of 
 the church of South Gosforth was confirmed to 
 Robert [de Insula] lisle by Henry II. " St. Nicho- 
 las is not the mother church" to Gosforth, " but ra- 
 ther the contrary ."f This church has been lately 
 rebuilt on a neat and commodious plan. 
 
 Ckamlington Chapel, like its mother- 
 church dedicated to St. Nicholas, lies about eight 
 miles north of Newcastle. In it is a marble slab 
 with this inscription: Orate pro anima Thomae Law- 
 son, generosi, qui obiit £ d ° die mensis Julii anno 
 Domini, 1489. Cujus animus propitietur Deus." 
 The Lawsons obtained Cramlington by marriage in 
 the reign of Henry VI., and have held it ever since. 
 Ridleys and Lawsons patrons by turns. 
 
 CHAPELS and MEETING HOUSES of 
 DISSENTERS. 
 
 The Roman Catholics, prior to the year 
 1688, had a meeting house, adjoining the White Hart, 
 in the old Flesh-market. The number of persons of 
 this persuasion, in the parishes of St. Nicholas, St. 
 John's and St. Andrews, in 1705, was forty-seven.J 
 
 * Brand i. 2>%%> t Bourne, p, %*%. t Brand *• W* 
 
CHAPELS AND MEETING-HOUSES. 31 
 
 During the rejoicings, on the arrival of the duke of 
 Cumberland in January, 1746, some villains broke 
 into, and plundered a papist chapel in the nun?. 
 After this period they had a chapel in the Close ;* 
 from which they removed to a house at the foot 
 of Westgate-street. They have for some years past 
 had a chapel between Carliol-croft and Pilgrim-street, 
 The Quakers met with great opposition from 
 the clergy and magistrates, under the Commonwealth, 
 at Newcastle ; but with friendly treatment in Gates- 
 head. 4 }- They have for many years had a meeting- 
 house on the east-side of Pilgrim-street, where they 
 have also a burial ground. 
 
 The Presbyterians of the church of Scot- 
 land have six meeting-houses in this town : namely, 
 in the Castle-Garth, Groat-Market, High-Bridge, 
 (where the reverend John Murray, author of * a His- 
 tory of the American War/ &c. was many years 
 minister) in Silver-street, and at the Garth-heads and 
 Wall-knolLJ - 
 
 The Seceders from the church of Scotland, call- 
 ed Antiburghers, have a meeting-house in the Close, 
 and a schism from tins sect has, for a few years, occu- 
 pied the old Postern Meeting. The Sally-port 
 meeting-house belongs to the Burghers; and the 
 Glassites assemble in the lane leading downwards 
 from Carpenter's Tower. 
 
 The Calvinistic Baptists have a chapel 
 near the head of Tuthill-Stairs, where they have a 
 
 • See Gateshead. 
 
 f Fox's Journal, p. 281. Brand 340. 
 
 \ Brand, vol. i. p. 16S, 236, ^zh 3S9» 4°°> 449* 
 
3£ BURYING GROUND. 
 
 well for the immersion of adults ; and another congre- 
 gation of Baptists assemble in the hall of the Barber- 
 Surgeons. 
 
 The Unitarian Chapel is in Hanover 
 Square. In its vestry is a library for the use of the 
 members of this body. Their place of assembly, prior 
 to 1728, was between the Close-Gate and Skinner- 
 burn. Several able men have been ministers to this 
 body.* 
 
 Whitfield's, or lady Huntingdon's follow- 
 ers, have a handsome chapel in Postern-street. 
 
 The Methodists have three houses in this 
 town. The Weshian sect assemble in the Orphan- 
 House, in Northumberland-street, which was founded 
 by the father of their society ; and in a chapel called 
 Ebenezer on the New-Road : the Kilhamites meet 
 at Bethel, a chapel in Manor-chare. 
 
 BURYING GROUND. 
 
 The Ballast Hills, near Ouseburn-bridge, 
 have for a great part of last century been used by the 
 dissenters and poor people of all denominations in 
 Newcastle and its neighbourhood as the place of in- 
 terment for their dead. When this practice origin- 
 ated we have not been able to learn. Grey says it 
 was the u first ballist shoare out of the towne" — 
 €€ where women upon their heads carried ballist" — but 
 neither he nor Bourne mentions any thing about its 
 being used as a place of interment. The ground was 
 enclosed by public subscription, in 1786, in which 
 year there were above four hundred burials here. 
 
 * Brand i. 4x1* 412* 
 
SCHOOLS. 33 
 
 The charge for burial is eight-pence to the corpora- 
 tion, and four-pence (at most ten-pence) to the sexton. 
 
 The burials are all without ceremony, and latterly 
 about six hundred in a year. There is a register for 
 ten years back, but badly kept* 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The Royal Grammar School was found* 
 ed by alderman Thomas Horsley, who was mayor of 
 Newcastle in 1533, and by him endowed with lands 
 in that place, to which the corporation added a stipend 
 of four marks annually. It was conducted in a build- 
 ing on the north-east side of St. Nicholas church-yard. 
 Queen Elizabeth refounded it in 1599? on which oc- 
 casion the establishment was removed into the pre- 
 mises of St. Mary's hospital in Westgate-street ; part 
 of the chapel being converted into a school-room, 
 and the offices into houses for the masters. By the 
 foundation charter it is enacted, that it be called the 
 Free Grammar School of queen Elizabeth ; the mas- 
 ter and scholars to be a body corporate in law, with 
 perpetual succession, to have a common seal, and 
 power to purchase lands to themselves and successors 
 in fee simple, or for term of years, provided they ex- 
 ceed not the yearly value of 401. The mayor, six of 
 the aldermen, and common council are patrons, with 
 power of chusing a master and usher to remain in 
 their places for life, or during the pleasure of the 
 electors. 
 
 The great tythes of the parish of Bolam belong to 
 it. # Its scholars are eligible to lord Crewe's exhibi- 
 
 ^©* 
 
 • Wallis, Northumb. ii. 234. 
 
34 SCHOOLS* 
 
 tions of twenty pounds a year, in Lincoln College, 
 Oxford. Dr. Hartwell left 101. a year out of the 
 Fishburn estate, near Sedgefield, towards the mainte- 
 nance of one of its scholars in either of the universi- 
 ties ; and Dr. Smith bequeathed the interest of 2001. 
 to Emanuel College, Cambridge, to an exhibitioner 
 from this school. 
 
 Several eminent men have presided here ; among 
 whom are the following: George Ritchel, a. native of 
 Bohemia, and author of " Contemplationes Meta- 
 physicae ex Natura Rerum et rectae Rationis Lumine 
 deductae, &c. ; — Dissertatio de Cerernoniis Ecclesiae 
 Anglicanae, qua usus, &c. ; and other learned works. 
 He died in 1683, and was buried in Hexham church. 
 Dr. James Jurin was appointed master, in 1710, and 
 resigned in 1715. He was afterwards president of 
 the College of Physicians, and secretary to the Royal 
 Society. While at Newcastle, he published his edi- 
 tion of Varenius' Geography. It was printed at 
 Cambridge, in 1712, and dedicated to Dr. Ben tley. 
 Dawes was elected in 1738, and resigned in 1750. 
 His conduct was at all times eccentric, and in the 
 latter part of his life tinctured with melancholy, and 
 even with insanity. After his resignation, his chief 
 amusement was rowing a small boat on the Tyne, 
 He was buried in Heworth Chapel-yard, near a stone 
 inscribed — " In memory of Richard Dawes, late head 
 master of the grammar school, at Newcastle, who 
 died the 21st of March, 1766, aged 57 years." Be- 
 sides his Miscellanea Critica, he published, with a 
 specimen, proposals for printing, by subscription, the 
 . first book of Paradise Lost in Greek verse, with anno- 
 
SCHOOLS. 36 
 
 tations. His intimate acquaintance with the Greek 
 language obtained him from Morell, Bowyer, and 
 others, the epithet — EWwmutolto^ 
 
 Bishop Ridley the martyr, the famous Col. Lilburn, 
 and Dr. Akenside were scholars here; and during 
 the patient, the meritorious, and the learned prece- 
 dency of the late reverend Hugh Moises, lord Col- 
 lingwood, lord Eldon, sir William Scott, and several 
 other eminent persons obtained the rudiments of their 
 education in this seminary. 
 
 The Royal Jubilee School, instituted in 
 commemoration of his Majesty's entry into his fiftieth 
 year, is a large and elegant structure, on the New- 
 road. It was built in 1810. This most laudable 
 and excellent institution, appropriated entirely to the 
 education of the poor, is conducted on Mr Lancas- 
 ter's plan. It is maintained by voluntary subscription. 
 The corporation have been liberal supporters of it, 
 and the dissenters have shewn great courage, industry, 
 and benevolence in promoting its welfare. The duke 
 of Northumberland is its patron. 
 
 School of the Trinity House was erect- 
 ed by the fraternity of the Blessed Trinity, in 1712, 
 for the instruction of the children of their brethren in 
 writing, arithmetic, and mathematics. The School- 
 house was rebuilt in 1753. The society pay much 
 attention in choosing a good mathematician to the 
 mastership of this school . # 
 
 The Chakity School of St. Nicholas 
 was founded by Mrs Eleanor Allan, in 1705, for 
 
 • Brand, u\ 333* 334. 
 
36 Schools. 
 
 forty boys, and twenty girls, born in the parishes of 
 St. Nicholas and St. John. The foundress endowed 
 it with an estate at Walls-end, at that time worth 6ll. 
 19s. 5d. a year; and succeeding benefactors have 
 augmented its revenues with bequests amounting to 
 more than 8501. The School-house is in the Manor- 
 chare, and was built by the corporation, in 1786. # 
 
 St. John's Charity School was founded 
 in 1705, for forty boys, by Mr John Ord, and en- 
 dowed with the rent of a close, " without Pilgrim- 
 street-gate, called Great Magdalen Close, held of 
 Magdalen Hospital, under the rent of 41. per annum, 
 and now let for £5l."f The corporation provided 
 the School-house. Its revenues are greatly indebted 
 to annual subscriptions. 
 
 St. Andrew's Charity School, founded for 
 thirty boys, by sir William Blackett, bart. in 1708, 
 had an additional endowment from the son of its 
 founder, for the purpose of clothing the boys. In 
 179^, a new School-house for this institution was 
 erected in Percy-street, by subscription. 
 
 The Charity School of All-Saints', in 
 the Manors, for forty-one boys and seventeen girls, 
 was founded in 1709, by a voluntary contribution, in 
 which manner it has ever since been chiefly supported. 
 
 Other Schools.— Besides the Schools already 
 enumerated, should be mentioned St. Anns Charity 
 School, at the east end of Sandgate ; and the charity- 
 school maintained by the body of Unitarians, who 
 assemble for religious worship at the Meeting-house 
 
 • Brand, i. 375. f Bourne, p. 29. 
 
LITERARY INSTITUTIONS 3J 
 
 in Hanover Square. There are also Sunday Schools 
 belonging to each of the four churches, and St. Ann's 
 Chapel ; as also to almost every chapel and meeting- 
 house of the Dissenters. 
 
 LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 
 St. Nicholas* Library. — There was a small 
 collection of chained books in the library of this 
 church, before the year 1661, when alderman John 
 Cosins bequeathed sixty folios and forty quartos to 
 it. In 1734, sir Walter Blackett built over the ves- 
 try of St. Nicholas, a handsome fabric for the recep- 
 tion of the books of the rev. Dr. Robert Tomlinson, 
 and other benefactors, and endowed the same with a 
 rent charge of 251. a year, to be paid to the library- 
 keeper ; and, in 1745, Dr. Tomiinson, independent of 
 one thousand six hundred books, which he had put in- 
 to this library, bequeathed all the residue of his books 
 to be placed in the said library, and also a rent charge 
 of 51. a year to be a perpetual fund to supply the said 
 library with books. # In the room called the old 
 library, is a M.S. bible, which belonged to the church, 
 of Hexham, and is upwards of six hundred years old. 
 It is beautifully illuminated; but some sacrilegious 
 hand has cut out several of its largest ornaments. The 
 old library, by being seldom opened and never clean- 
 ed, is in a most shameful and wretched state; and Dr. 
 Tomlirison's books have been much injured by the rain 
 beating through the roof, which is falling asunder by 
 neglect. This library is open to the public every 
 morning, holidays excepted, from half-past nine to 
 twelve o'clock. 
 
 D 
 
 ♦ Cocjjcil to Dr, Tomlinson's WiU. 
 
38 LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 
 
 The Literary and Philosophical So- 
 ciety commenced in 1793. Its leading objects at 
 that time seem to have been the discussion of the se- 
 veral branches of polite literature; inquiry into the 
 situation and properties of the mineral produc- 
 tions of this neighbourhood ; and elucidation of the 
 sciences applicable to commerce. Landscape paint- 
 ing, antiquities, local history, biography, literary intel- 
 ligence, nautical inquiries, &c. were also included 
 within the number of its intended pursuits. Its library 
 was commenced in 1794, and in 1798 its meetings 
 and its property were removed from the rooms the 
 society occupied in St. Nicholas church-yard, to the 
 old assembly rooms, in the Groat-market, where it 
 has since that time been established. It is governed 
 by a president, four vice-presidents, two secretaries, 
 and eight committee men, five of whom are competent 
 to act, and the whole of them annually chosen out of 
 the ordinary members, and intrusted with the manage- 
 ment of the funds. Each ordinary member pays one 
 Guinea a year ; and its annual revenues amounted, in 
 1811, to upwards of 5251.. The society likewise 
 consists of honorary members, and also of a class of 
 honorary members with the privileges of ordinary 
 members, but this class is restricted to four. 
 Ladies are admitted as reading members. The ge- 
 neral meetings of the society are held on the evenings 
 of the first Tuesday of every month :— they are open to 
 young persons and strangers, and dedicated to the pro- 
 motion of the general views of the institution. Con- 
 versations on religion and politics are forbidden in the 
 society's rooms. The meetings of the committee for 
 
LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 39 
 
 the choice of new books, and the general direction of 
 the funds, is on the second Tuesday of every month. 
 Its year commences in March. Ordinary members 
 can admit strangers to a month's use of its very large 
 and valuable library, by a ticket signed by three of the 
 committee. There are collections of plants, miner- 
 als, &c. in its rooms, 
 
 In 1802, a kindred branch, called the New In- 
 stitution, was engrafted upon the Literary and 
 Philosophical Society, and a part of its funds appro- 
 priated to the maintenance of that well-intentioned 
 establishment, which consists of a permanent lecture- 
 ship on the several branches of natural and experi- 
 mental philosophy, chemistry, &c, and for which a 
 large and very valuable apparatus has been purchased. 
 Ladies and members of the literary society are ad- 
 mitted to these lectures by the annual payment of a 
 guinea, and other persons by paying two guineas an- 
 nually. 
 
 The Library of the Assembly Rooms 
 was established for the use of the news-room there. 
 It chiefly consists of periodical publications, travels, 
 works on geography, history, and politics; maps, 
 charts, and such like. 
 
 Circulating Libraries. — Thatof Mr Sands, 
 m the Bigg-market, is by far the oldest and largest in 
 Newcastle. It consists of works in every department 
 of science and literature, and is esteemed one of the 
 best collections of the kind out of London. Mr 
 Marshall's collection in the Old Flesh-market is also 
 large and well chosen; and Mr Oviston has lately 
 established one in the Groat Market. 
 d 2 
 
40 
 MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS. 
 
 The Infirmary sprang out of the ashes of a 
 small society, that wished to rear up some memorial 
 of the friendship that had existed amongst them, and 
 to whom, on the suggestion of Mr Richard Lambert, 
 an eminent surgeon, and a member of this little body, 
 nothing appeared so useful as an establishment of this 
 land. A subscription was begun for carrying the plan 
 into effect, Feb. 9, 1751. The statutes were con- 
 firmed on the 21st of April, following, when the phy- 
 sicians, surgeons, &c. were chosen, and a temporary 
 house, in G?.How-gate, capable of holding twenty- 
 three beds, was hired. The first stone of the Infirm- 
 ary was laid en the 5th of September; and on the 8th 
 of October, 1752, the edifice was completed. It 
 cost above 30003. 
 
 Its situation is good — elevated, open, and dry; but 
 the immense clouds of smoke brought from the town, 
 and the glass-houses, by the easterly winds in the 
 spring months, annoy it considerably. Its external 
 architecture is plain, and inclines to elegance ; but its 
 wards were large and crouded, and the whole badly 
 ventilated. These and other inconveniences were re- 
 presented to the public, in 1801, and benefactions, 
 amounting to near 3,000l. were procured to remove 
 them. The necessary additions and improvements 
 were completed, in 1803. The institution is direct- 
 ed by the Bishop of Durham, who is called the Grand 
 Visitor, by six presidents, six vice-presidents, and by 
 governors " who are either annual subscribers of two 
 guineas or upwards/or benefactors of 201. or more, at 
 one time/' Its establishment consists of four physi- 
 
MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS. 41 
 
 cians, four surgeons, a treasurer, chaplain, house-sur- 
 geon, secretary, and matron, besides the servants and 
 nurses. 
 
 " Sudden accidents or diseases, which require the 
 immediate help of a surgeon, are received at all hours 
 of the day or night, without any recommendation ; 
 patients of all other descriptions cannot be admitted, 
 unless they bring a subscriber's recommendatory let- 
 ter, which must be presented between ten and twelve 
 o'clock, on a Thursday morning, at the Infirmary : the 
 laudable design of which will be most extensively 
 promoted, if such sick persons be recommended who 
 are considered as unable to pay for their own cures," 
 — Infirm. Rep. 
 
 Its revenues arise partly from funded property, but 
 principally from annual voluntary contributions. Its 
 payments in 1810, were, 3,4331. 14s. 5^d. " From 
 Ap. 1, 1809, to Mch. 31, 1810, it restored to their 
 friends and the community 1,117 persons, wholly 
 freed from their respective complaints ; and from its- 
 commencement to that time, 40,712 cures huve been 
 performed in it. It is matter of satisfactory reflec- 
 tion, that the cures during each of the years, from 
 1803, inclusive, have been, fortunately, in progressive 
 increase." Infirm. 59 Report. 
 
 In the governors' room is a very fine full length 
 portrait of sir Walter Blackett, bait, by Reynolds; 
 one of Matthew Ridley Esq. by Webb; one of Dr. 
 Butler, bishop of Durham, and one of Dr. Benson, 
 bishop of Gloucester, all of whom were great bene- 
 factors to this charily, 
 
 pa 
 
42 MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS. 
 
 The Dispensary was instituted, Oct. 2, 1777, 
 and for several years kept a little below the Queen's 
 Head Inn, in Pilgrim-street. Its establishment at 
 present occupies the hall, built by the Free-Masons, 
 In Low-Friar-street. 
 
 This charity embraces three important objects, 
 viz : relieving diseases in general, promoting vaccine 
 inoculation, and preserving the lives of persons appa- 
 rently dead from drowning, or other causes. By the 
 annual report, ending Michaelmas, 1810, it appears 
 that 229-1 patients of the first class had been admitted 
 that year, of whom 2165 were cured, 4 relieved, 14 
 irregular, 35 dead, and 73 remained on the books; 
 and that since the commencement of the charity, 
 56,285 had been admitted, and 52,572 cured. Vac~ 
 cination was first introduced herein 180i; and 1359 
 had been inoculated with cow-pox, in 1810, and 
 9711 from ihe commencement of the method. The 
 third "department was established, in 1789; to this 
 the faculty in Newcastle, and the surgeons at Shields, 
 Howdon-Pans, Winlaton, Swalwell, and Newburn, 
 are medical assistants; but only one instance of re- 
 covery is recorded. 
 
 The duke of Northumberland is patron, and the rest 
 of the establishment consists of six presidents, four 
 vice-presidents, a treasurer, secretary, five physicians, 
 a surgeon, visiting surgeon, and apothecary. It is 
 maintained by annual subscriptions. Its receipts in 
 1810, were 5321. 6s. 7 id. 
 
 " The limits fixed for visiting home patients k e. 
 such as are confined to their own houses, are Shields- 
 road-bridge, and the utmost extent of the town to the 
 
MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS. 43 
 
 west, north, and south. Gateshead is included as a 
 visiting district so long as its inhabitants subscribe 
 thirty guineas annually to the charity. — With respect 
 to out patients, i. e. those who are able to attend at 
 the Dispensary, all the poor inhabitants of Newcastle 
 and Gateshead are admitted, without any restrictions 
 as to limits." Report in 1810. 
 
 The House of Recovery for Newcastle and 
 Gateshead. AY hen the infirmary was inlarged, Dr. 
 Clark recommended that a part of it might be fitted 
 up as fever-wards ; but the measure, appearing to 
 the greater number of the subscribers unsafe, was o- 
 ver-ruled; and in 1804 a hospital, for the cure and pre- 
 vention of contagious fevers, was opened in the YVar- 
 den's-close, # on the outside of the town's wall, be- 
 hind the Black-friars. It was built by a voluntary sub- 
 scription, which, though unequal to defray the whole 
 expence of the erection, amounted to 14381. 2s. In 
 finishing and furnishing the building, a debt of about 
 4001. was contracted, which, in 1810, was not wholly 
 liquidated. The receipts of the institution between 
 May 1, 1809 and May 1, 1810, were 1371. 18s. 3|d. 
 
 * " There is a postern between Newgate and Westgate, 
 whieh goeth into a close, called the Warden-close, where the 
 warden of the priour of Tine-mouth had his house, garden and 
 fish-ponds, &c. sr Grey p. a8. The house of the Black friars 
 was dependent upon Tinmouth. The breast-works, which 
 appear about this place were probably formed during the siege 
 in 1644. There 1 ere fish-ponds here, in 1466. which were 
 supplied through a pipe, the bore of which was of the size of 
 a wheaten straw, from the aqueduct of the monastery. Brand 
 i. 420. The Black-friars was formerly called Bennet-Chessie- 
 friars, i. e. Shod Bennets. "The duke of Suffolk kept his court 
 in their house in the beginning of queen Elizabeth's reign, 
 when he had the command of the northern counties against 
 Scotland." MS, authority. See p. 11. 
 
44 MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS 
 
 The affairs of this hospital are managed by a pa- 
 tron, president, treasurer, secretary, a committee of 
 twenty-four, the medical establishment of the dispen- 
 sary, a matron and inspector. All poor persons la- 
 bouring under contagious fevers, and residing within 
 its limits, are considered fit objects of this institution. 
 Persons, not objects of the charity in a pecuniary 
 view 7 , may also be admitted, by finding their own me- 
 dical attendance, and paying 3s. a day to the hospital. 
 The right of admission is in the governors, (subscribers 
 of one guinea or more a year); but chiefly in the phy- 
 sicians and surgeons. 
 
 The Lying-in Hospital in "Rosemary-lane, 
 was set on foot in 1760, and licensed, Jan. 12, 1774. 
 Lady Allgood made a bequest to it, of 1001. The 
 establishment consists of a president, four vice presi- 
 dents, chaplain, treasurer, physician, surgeon, matron 
 and midwife, and twelve mid wives to attend on out-pa- 
 tients. Persons to be admitted must bring a certificate 
 of marriage, and be recommended by a subscriber : in 
 sudden cases to be attended at their own houses. The 
 matron to deliver in ordinary cases : the physicians and 
 surgeons to instruct the midwives in obstetrication, 
 and to deliver in difficult cases. Over the charity-box 
 here, is the well-chosen motto : " Because there was 
 no room for her in the inn" 
 
 The Charity for poor, Lying-in, Married Women, 
 at their own houses, in Newcastle and Gateshead, 
 was instituted ia the winter, a. d. 1760. The midwives 
 of the lying-in hospital attend them in common cases ; 
 and two surgeons and a physician when required. 
 These patients are supplied during the month with 
 
MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS. 45 
 
 proper food and medicines, and also with pecuniary 
 assistance. 
 
 The Lunatic Asylum for the counties of 
 Northumberland and Durham, was built in 1756, 7, 
 by Mr Newton, architect. It is in the Warden's 
 Close, a retired and quiet situation, suitable to per- 
 sons afflicted with this terrible calamity. It is leased 
 under the corporation for ninety-nine years, at the 
 yearly rent of half a- crown. Dr. Wood has the care 
 of it. When its foundation was digging, an old brass 
 
 seal inscribed -** Vis et Deus noster* 
 was found. Brand asks — " Can it 
 have been the first seal of the Black 
 Friars ? It certainly belonged to some 
 religious house in Newcastle. Mr 
 
 Newton gave it to Mr Wardell, then vicar of Cor- 
 bridge." Brand, i. 421. 
 
 St. Luke's Hospital, now called Belgkove, 
 on the edge of the Town-moor, is appropriated to the 
 same melancholy purpose as the Lunatic Asylum. 
 On St. Luke's day, 1767, it became the property of 
 Dr. Hall; and now belongs to, and is under the 
 management of Dr. Steavenson. 
 
 The Public Baths were built by Dr. Hall, an 
 eminent physician in Newcastle. They stand a little 
 beyond the VVest-gate, in a grove or garden, the walks 
 of which are tastefully fringed with curious shrubs. 
 Considerable medical skill has been employed here, 
 in the application of the gaseous fluids ; and we 
 imagine we begin to see the comfort and elegance of 
 the Roman age again revived in Britain, in the use of 
 
46 €HARITA£L£ INSTITimOKS. 
 
 vapour, hot, and tepid baths, the swimming basins, 
 and the cold enclosed baths at this place. At Dr. 
 Hall's death, they were purchased by Dr. Kentish ; 
 and, on his leaving Newcastle, they became the pro- 
 perty of Malin Sorsbie, esquire. 
 
 CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. 
 
 Jesus Hospital, called also the Town's Hos- 
 pital, was founded, erected, and endowed by the cor- 
 poration, in 1681. It is three stories high, sixty yards 
 long, has piazzas to the under story, and a fountain 
 before it. It consists of a master, and forty-one bre- 
 thren or sisters, being freemen or widows of freemen, 
 or unmarried sons or daughters of freemen. Its 
 founders, in 1683, purchased a messuage, quay, and 
 garden, in the Close, for 7001.; and an estate at Ed- 
 derly, in the county of Durham, for 16101.; also, in 
 1675, an estate at Whitle, Northumberland, for 13001. 
 all which estates they settled upon this hospital : but 
 as their rents were found inadequate to their intend- 
 ed purpose, they were sold in 17 16, and the estate of 
 Walker bought in their room. The purchase,, how- 
 ever, having been made contrary to the statute of 
 mortmain, the estate was forfeited to the crown, in 
 which it continued to the year 1724; when, through 
 the influence of Mr Carr, then representative for the 
 town, his majesty's licence and pardon was obtained, 
 and the estate of Walker restored to the corporation, 
 for the purpose of "■ providing a sufficient fund for 
 the maintenance of the poor of the said hospital* 
 for ever." In 1769, the common-council ordered 
 the master's salary to be raised from 61. to 8l. a 
 
CHTITABLE INSTITUTIONS. 47 
 
 year, and that each brother and sister, instead of 41., 
 should be paid 61. a year : — and, by a resolution of the 
 same body, in guild, Jan. 14, 1811, an order was 
 past, that the sixty poor members of the hospitals, in 
 the Manors, should each, in future, receive 121. a 
 year. 
 
 Mrs Davison's Hospital, in the manors, 
 was endowed by Anne, widow of Benjamin Davison, 
 in 1725, for six widows of protestant clergymen, 
 merchants and freemen. The foundation of it was 
 made by her surviving trustee, George Grey, esquire, 
 Mch. 2, 1748; who also purchased of the corpora- 
 tion, with Mrs Davison's legacy of 9401., an annuity 
 of 551. payable out of Walker estate. The first edi- 
 fice was built by the corporation in 1725, but that 
 body being appointed patrons of this charity, as also 
 of the hospitals of sir Walter Blackett and Mr Davi- 
 son, a suite of apartments, proper for the three institu- 
 tions, was erected at their common charge in 1754. 
 
 Blackett Hospital was founded by sir Wal- 
 ter Blackett, bart. in 1754, for six unmarried men, to 
 be poor, decayed burgesses of Newcastle, and by him 
 endowed with 12001. for their maintenance. 
 
 Mr Davison's Hospital. In 1754 Tho- 
 mas Davison of Ferry-hill, in the county of Durham, 
 esquire, and his two sisters, also gave 12001. to be 
 applied to the support of u six unmarrried women, 
 to be daughters and widows of burgesses." 
 
 Keelmen's Hospital. — Keelmen,asabody,are 
 first mentioned in 1539. They had a charitable fund 
 in 1697 ; two years after, each of them paid 4d. a 
 
48 CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. 
 
 tide to it ; and, in 1700, they petitioned the common 
 council for a piece of ground to erect an hospital upon. 
 The lease was taken in the name of the governor, 
 wardens and fraternity of hostmen, for the use and 
 benefit of the keelmen. The building was finished 
 in 1700. It cost above £0001., which was raised by 
 the 4d. a tide. Dr. Moor, bishop of Ely, remarked 
 of this hospital " that he had heard of and seen many 
 hospitals, the works of rich men ; but that it was the 
 first he ever saw or heard of which had been built by 
 the poor." u It is a square building, done in the 
 form of monasteries and colleges, having its low walk 
 around it, in imitation of cloysters. The area in the 
 middle of it, is about eighty-three foot broad, and a- 
 bout ninety-seven and a half foot long."* It has fifty- 
 two chambers in it : one in the south front for general 
 meetings. 
 
 After many ineffectual attempts to lay this institu- 
 tion under wholesome and practicable regulations, an 
 act of parliament was obtained in 1788, by which its 
 funds should in future be managed. By the bye-laws 
 subjoined to this act, the weekly allowances to sick 
 and superannuated members are as follows : To the 
 disabled, by lameness or sickness, 5s. — to the super- 
 annuated 3s. 3d. — to widows without children, Is. 
 6d. — to widows having two children, 2s. — to widows 
 having more than two children, £s. 6d. Members 
 unable to work in the keels, to follow any other em- 
 ployment ; but if they earn 4s. or upwards a week, 
 their allowance to be reduced according to the follow- 
 ing table : 
 
 'S 
 
 • Bourne, p. 153, 
 
"©• 
 
 CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. 49 
 
 If earnings amount to To receive from the fund 
 4s. a week and under 5s. £s. 6d. a week, 
 
 os. a week and under 6s. 2s. Od. a week, 
 
 6s. a week and under 7s. Is. Od. a week. 
 
 7s. a week and under 8s. to receive nothing 
 
 Bs. or more, to pay 6d. a week to the fund. 
 
 The late alderman Simpson, of Bradley Hal!, left 
 1001. to this charity; an act of generosity gratefully 
 acknowledged by an inscription on the south front of 
 the hospital. 
 
 The General Hospital, or Workhouse for 
 the reception of the poor of the several parishes of 
 the town, had, as an inscription on it sets forth, " an 
 addition built to it at the expence of the parish of 
 All-Saints, with the assistance of the corporation, for 
 the larger reception of the poor of the said parish in 
 1785." It formed one of the quadrangles of the 
 Augustine Convent, of which two arches over the 
 door ways in the cellar, and many other very evident 
 traces of the walls, are still to be seen. 
 
 Almshouses. — There was an almshouse near 
 Stockbridge in 1534, but when and for what particu- 
 lar purpose it was founded, are alike unknown.* 
 Christopher Brigham, sheriff of the town in 1495, 
 and mayor in 1504, 5, founded Brigham s Alms* 
 houses, which stood at the angle formed by Pilgrim- 
 street and High-Friar-Chai e. It consisted of several 
 dwellings, and was inhabited, in 1576, by poor reli- 
 gious women. Leland mentions it, and it is marked 
 upon William Matthews's plan of Newcastle, in 
 Speed's map of Northumberland.^ Elizabeth Nyk- 
 
 E 
 • Brand, I 399, f Ibid, u 34** 
 
50 CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. 
 
 son, widow, founded an almshouse about the begin- 
 ning of the sixteenth century, for the use of the 
 poor of the parish of All-Saints. Four women, 
 with-ithe allowance of 20s. a year, were to live in it. 
 It stood opposite to the west stairs of All-Saints 
 church . # In Bourne's time the poor women in it 
 had eight chaldrons of coals and twelve shillings a 
 year, but it was then " going fast to ruins." In 
 Bourne's plan of the town, the Spit tal- Almshouse 
 stands in Westgate-street, on the west-side of the gate 
 leading to the grammar school. " It was pulled 
 down not many years ago, and a handsome house 
 erected on its scite/'f 
 
 "The Society of Clergymen's Sons," 
 as it was called, " in the Town and County of New- 
 castle upon Tyne," commenced, Ap. 7, 1709. Its 
 chief promoters and first stewards were Mr Deodatus 
 Therjkeld, and Mr Nathaniel Clayton. Their first 
 subscription amounted only to 5l. On Sep. 14, of 
 the same year, a similar society was made for the 
 two deaneries of Alnwick and Bamborough; and in 
 ,1725, the two institutions were united. After this, 
 2 gradually included the whole of the diocese of 
 Durham, with Hexhamshire. The yearly subscrip- 
 tion, in 1731, was £13l. 18s. 6d.; and in 1766, 
 £981. 16s. 7d. In 1773, it was agreed that the an- 
 niversary meetings, which are always on the first 
 Thursday in September, should in future be alternate- 
 ly, at Durham and Newcastle, a rule ever since ad- 
 hered to. Margaret Dorgworth, of Old Elvet, Dur- 
 ham, in 1775, bequeathed 10001. to tlis charity.;}: 
 
 * Brand, i, 345. Bourne, p. 108. f Brand, i. 105. 
 f Brand,i. 31,6. 
 
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS, 51 
 
 Its rules were revised in 1808. The bishop of the 
 diocese is president, who, with the vice-presidents and 
 subscribers of one or two guineas a year, form a court 
 for the management of the funds. The ten stewards, 
 (five laymen and five clergymen) regulate the public 
 meetings. The lay steward for Newcastle is treasur- 
 er. The receipts, in 1810, were, 12811. Os. Id. of 
 which 1701. arises from the interest of 34001. vested 
 in the corporation of Newcastle : — the disbursements 
 in the same year, were 10491* 7s. — 4he balance 
 in hand, in 1809, 1061. 14s. lOd. — and, in 1810, 
 2311. J 3s. Id. Annual Report for V8l0, p. 30. 
 
 A New Institution was ingrafted on this society, 
 Sep. 6, 1 S 10. The bishop of Durham founded it with 
 10001. The chief source of its revenues is, however, 
 expected to be found in the opulent clergy, many 
 of whom have agreed to assist it with 12s. per 1001. 
 on their ecclesiastical income. Lay support is also 
 calculated upon. Benefactions of ten years purchase 
 are accepted instead of annual subscriptions. The fund 
 to be invested in government securities in the name 
 of the bishop and the two archdeacons of the diocese, 
 as trustees, and to accumulate until it amount to a 
 sum equal to supply the charges of the society. A 
 committee of nineteen, five of whom are a quorum, 
 have been appointed to manage the revenues. 
 
 Unmarried clergymen, or widowers with children, 
 not having incomes exceeding 2001. a year, are to be 
 assisted out of this fund, with 5s. in the pound of 
 their annual premium, in insuring a sum not more 
 than 5001. upon their lives, provided they continue in 
 the diocese, and do not dispose of their policy, which 
 
52 CHAEITABLB INSTITUTIONS. 
 
 is to be kept in the office of the committee, so long 
 as the person insured continues in the diocese. The 
 insurance to be made in the Equitable Insurance 
 office, New-bridge-street, Black-Fiiars, London, 
 where the assured are mutual assurers one of another. 
 The funds of the Old and New Establishments to be 
 kept thoroughly independent of each other. On Feb. 
 21, 1811, the benefactions amounted to 117^1.; and 
 the annual subscriptions to 3601. 17s. # 
 
 The Fund foe the Widows of Protest- 
 ant Dissenting Ministers of every persua- 
 sion was originally intended to have consisted of forty 
 members, in the counties of Northumberland, Cum- 
 berland, Westmoreland, and the towns of Newcastle 
 upon Tyne, and Berwick upon Tweed. There are 
 three classes of members : in the first, the yearly pay- 
 ment is — for the minister, 21. and his congregation, 21. 
 —in the second, 35. — and in the third, 21. They have 
 about twenty widows : those of the first class receive, 
 by half-yearly payments, 20l. a year; the second, 151.; 
 the third, 121. They lodged 2971. at interest with th$ 
 corporation of Berwick upon Tweed, in 1768; in 
 1783, their stock amounted to 31161. 2s. 5d.;+ and 
 at present is above 50001. Their meetings were 
 formerly held at Newcastle ; at present, at Newcastle, 
 Morpeth, and Alnwick, alternately. They received 
 from the Regium Donum, for many years, 401. an- 
 nually, which of late has been withheld from them, 
 and the want of it has caused material alterations in 
 
 * Advert, in the Newc. Courant, Sep. %%< 1810, and other 
 papers of the committee. 
 
 f Brand, i. p. $z6* 
 
CriAftlTABlifi iNSTITtJTIO^f^ 63 
 
 their statutes. The late Dr. Henry of Berwick, af- 
 terwards of Edinburgh, drew up and digested the 
 statutes, which at present govern this fund. 
 
 The Association of Protestant School- 
 masters residing in the counties of Northumber- 
 land, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Durham, and the 
 towns of Newcastle upon Tyne, and Berwick upon 
 Tweed, was formed inihe year 1774. To answer the 
 convenience of different members, it is divided into 
 four classes of subscribers, namely, those of 3s. 6d. 
 — of 5s. 3d. — of 7s. — and of 10s. 6d. a quarter; 
 the first of which pays ll. — the second, ll. 10s. — 
 the third, 21. — and the third, Si. entrance. The foI«< 
 lowing rates per quarter have been allowed to the se- 
 veral objects of the benefit of this .society, since the 
 year 1801, viz., # to infirm members of the 
 
 ist Class a 5 6 To Widows i i io| To Orphans o n 44 
 
 ad 3 % 3 — — 1 12 of o 17 of 
 
 3d 4 ix o a 3 9 129 
 
 4th 6 16 6 * 3 5 7| 1 I4 r | 
 
 Subscribers must be four years members before they 
 can derive any benefit to themselves or their families. 
 1 he yearly meeting is holden at 1 1 o'clock on Tues- 
 day in Whitsun-week. The institution is under the 
 patronage of the duke of Northumberland; the rev. 
 William Turner, of Newcastle, is president ; the other 
 officers are a vice-president, a treasurer, and a secre- 
 tary. Its fund, in 1810, amounted to 14501., iu 
 which year it was assisted with 69I. 13s. 6d. in an- 
 nual subscriptions; with 61. 13s. 6d. in benefactions^ 
 e 3 
 ♦ Scheme of the Schoolm, Assoc, June 4, x$x x» 
 
54 CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. 
 
 and its whole receipts were, 3291. 17s. 1 J d., and its 
 disbursements, 1821. Is. 3d. The number of mem- 
 bers forty-two. 
 
 In Benefit Societies in Newcastle, sicker 
 disabled members are usually allowed from six to 
 seven shillings a week, for a stated period. When, by 
 age, or a lingering disorder, they become pensioners 
 for life, their allowance is reduced to 2s. or 2s. 6d. a 
 week. Forty or 50s. are allowed for funeral expences, 
 and widows have each a legacy of from 61. to 101. 
 There are upwards of thirty of these societies in this 
 town, which, altogether, comprise not less than five 
 thousand members. 
 
 The Bible Society of Newcastle upon Tyne 
 was instituted in 1809. The bishop of Durham i& 
 its patron, and president. The members of Parlia- 
 ment for the town, and the two archdeacons of the 
 diocese of Durham, its vice-presidents. It u adopts" 
 in a great measure, " the regulations of the British 
 and Foreign Bible Society, in London, of which, to 
 encourage a wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures* 
 is the sole object" Subscribers of ll. Is. a year, are 
 accounted members of this society; and of 51. 5s. a 
 year, governors of it. Its affairs are conducted by 
 twelve laymen, assisted by two secretaries; but gover- 
 nors, and every clergyman and dissenting minister can 
 vote at all meetings of the committee. The annual 
 meetings are Thursday in Easter week. 
 
 The Friendless Poor Society was formed 
 in 1797, and has its meetings at the Baptist Chapel, 
 Tuthill-stairs. It is chiefly patronized by dissenting 
 ministers, and is supported by voluntary subscriptions, 
 
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. 55 
 
 and a quarterly sermon preached at different meeting 
 houses. Its good intentions are chiefly extended to 
 the relief of persons who cannot be bentfited by the 
 poor laws of England, and to promote Christianity 
 among the poor. 
 
 "The Religious Tract Society of this 
 town and its vicinity" was instituted in July, 18 1Q. 
 Subscribers of 4s. and upwards, a year, to be mem- 
 bers. It distributes the tracts of the London Tract 
 Society. Annual meeting in April, at the vestry of 
 *Tuthill-stairs Chapel. 
 
 The Benevolent Society for visiting and 
 relieving the sick and distressed poor, since its institu- 
 tion, in 1807, has distributed about 3801. whereby 
 upwards of seven hundred distressed families and ii> 
 dividuals have been relieved. The funds are under 
 the direction of a committee, who meet weekly to por- 
 tion out the necessary relief. This they commit to 
 other officers denominated visitors ; who carry it to 
 the distressed persons, and converse and pray with- 
 them, The receipts in 1810, were, 1211. 10s. 5|d. 
 
 There have also been established in this town, " A 
 
 * Tut-hilt is of disputed derivation. Toat-dead, in Dutch, 
 means a burial-ground. There is a place of the same name in 
 London: " Into Tuttle-fields they went where they had not 
 changed past half a dussen thursts, &c." Jests, &c. printed ia 
 1607, p. 41. Toot hille, in sir John Maundevile's voyage, 
 seems to mean a hill of observation — " In the myd place of on of 
 his gardyns is a lyttle mountagne where there is a little me- 
 dewe and in that medewe is a lityle toothille with toures and 
 pynacles — and in that littyl foothill wolle he sitten oftentym for 
 to taken the ayr and to disportyn hym," p. 378. — Bourne de- 
 rives tut from tooting or winding with a horn, as if Tuthill had 
 been a place where a horn or trumpet had formerly been 
 sounded at the approach of an snemy. 
 
56 MIDGES. 
 
 Society for the Discouragement and Suppression of 
 Vice;" and, " A Society in aid of the London So- 
 ciety for promoting Christianity among the Jews." 
 
 BRIDGES. 
 
 The Tyne Bridge.— -We have before hinted 
 that Newcastle bridge was first built by Hadrian* 
 Several of the piers of the old bridge were so strong- 
 ly cemented that the use of gunpowder was resorted 
 to in taking them down. The Roman military way 
 leading by Chester-le-Street, from Binchester, to 
 Gateshead, traced by Horsley and Dr. Hunterf- and 
 laid down on the antient map prefixed to the itinerary 
 of Richard of Cirencester, bears testimony to the an- 
 tiquity of this structure. The piers of it, says Pen- 
 nant, " seem originally to have been formed without 
 springs to the arches. This was a manner used by 
 the Romans ; witness the bridge built over the Da- 
 nube by Trajan at Severin."J This mode of build- 
 ing was well calculated for expedition : after projec- 
 tions of stone had been made over the piers, as far 
 as was consistent with strength, the remaining space 
 was traversed with beams of timber and paved upon.$ 
 In one of these piers a piece of parchment was found, 
 with old characters upon it, very fresh ; but, on being 
 exposed to the air, they disappeared and the parch- 
 ment mouldered away. 
 
 A bridge existed here in the time of Henry II. It 
 appears to have been of wood in 1248, as Matthew 
 
 * See p. a. f Brit. Rom. p. 104. 
 
 I Northern Tour, vol. iii. 
 § See coin of Hadrian found in one of these piers, Brand 
 vol, ii. 385. 
 
BRIDGES. 57 
 
 Paris affirms that the greater part of Newcastle upon 
 Tyne, cum ponie, igne quasi furiosa consumpta est* 
 in that year ; and soon after that time we find land held 
 by the payment of one plank annually to Tyne 
 Bridge.*!* It was swept away by a great flood in 
 1339? which occasioned 120 persons to be drowned. 
 In Grey's time, however, it was again covered with 
 houses, and shops, and three towers ; u one tower in 
 the south side, the second in the middle, and the third 
 in Newcastle side, lately built upon an arch of the 
 bridge, used for a magazine for the towne ; and an 
 old chapell. There is a blew stone upon the middle 
 of the bridge, which is the bounds of Newcastle, 
 southward, from Gateshead. 'J In 1770, bishop 
 Trevor repaired with stone one of the south arches, 
 which had antiently been a draw bridge, and was at 
 that time made of large oak-beams covered with, 
 planks and paved upon. The arches of this bridge 
 were some of them Gothic, and others scheme arches; 
 they had no regular decrease from the middle to the 
 ends ;§ and the passage over them was narrow and 
 crouded with houses. 
 
 On Saturday Sept. 17, 177-1, a deluge of rain fell 
 in the western mountains. The Tyne suddenly over- 
 flowed its banks, and marked its progress with terrible 
 devastation. It began to rise at Newcastle about 
 eleven o'clock in the night, and at seven in the morn- 
 ing was at its height. At three o'clock the arches of 
 the bridge were filled up, and about four, three of 
 them, on the Gateshead side, gave way, and seven 
 
 * Watt's oil. p, 753. f Brand i. 40. 
 
 I Grey p. 9, § Hutton's Plan of Newcastle. 
 
58 BRIDGES. 
 
 persons were drowned. Above the bridge the river 
 was seven feet four inches above the usual height of 
 spring-tides; but at Shields, though much damage 
 was done to the shipping there, the sea being kept 
 at a low level by the neap-tides, this flood did not ex- 
 ceed the common height of spring-tides. At this 
 time three ships were stranded on Newcastle Quay; 
 and a vessel took up, at sea, near Tinmouth, " a 
 wooden cradle with a child in it, which was alive and 
 well." 
 
 The new bridge is three hundred feet long, has 
 nine arches, and cost upwards of 30,0001. The ar- 
 chitects consulted in building it were Messrs Smeaton, 
 Wooler, and Mylne, the first of whom built the Ed« 
 dystone light-house, and the last the bridge at Black- 
 friars, London. It was finished in 1781. But as it 
 was unfortunately built too narrow, its width has 
 since that time been extended to twenty-four feet, 
 by an ingenious contrivance of Mr Stephenson, ar- 
 chitect. He constructed his additional width to the 
 arches on each side, upon the buttresses of the piers, 
 and cramped them to the former work by strong bars 
 of iron, reaching from side to side. It is at present 
 a structure of great strength, convenience, and beauty. 
 
 The other Bridges " within the towne" 
 were " the upper and neather Deane bridge ; under 
 the last bridge came boats up from the river, and 
 the Picts waU came over that bridge and so along in- 
 to Pandon." # Nether Dene or Low-bridge had a 
 t( very high and antient arch. I am told the rings 
 are to be seen that boats were fastened to, which 
 * Grey, p. 9« 
 
PCfBLIC BUILDINGS. 59 
 
 brought up the merchants goods ."* Near the place 
 where this bridge stood is Painter-Heugh i. e. the 
 bank where the cables were tied. 
 
 " The Stock Bridge in Pampedon, where is 
 thought to be the antient market for fish ; where boats 
 came up from the river ."j* 
 
 PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 
 
 Exchange. — In Leland's time 
 u a square haul place for the towne"J 
 stood upon Sandhill : it was built by 
 Roger Thorn ton. || The present Ex- 
 change, and the suite of courts and 
 offices attached to it, were finished in 
 1658. Robert Trollop of York, archi- 
 tect, covenanted with the corporation 
 to build it for 20001. The articles of 
 agreement are in the archives of the 
 Bourne, however, was inform- 
 fili|S|JFf ed that it cost above 10,0001., of which 
 alderman Weymouth gave by will 12001, and the cor- 
 poration contributed the rest. " This building, as to 
 its form and model, is of great beauty, and withal 
 very sumptuous :"§ it has undergone many external 
 alterations since its erection, especially in having its 
 north front, in 1794, and its south front, in 1809, 
 new cased with freestone, and its roof covered with 
 blue slate. 
 
 • Bourne, p. 8o, 88. f Grey, p. 9. 
 
 \ ltin. vol. iii. Brand, ii. 29. (| Bourne, p. 125. 
 
 § Ibid. Before the alterations made in the roof of this 
 building, there was a steeple upon it, among the ?pikes of the 
 weathercock of which, a pair of crows, in 1783, and for several 
 years after, built their nest and reared their young. 
 
60 PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 
 
 The lower story of this edifice is occupied by the 
 offices of the town clerk, the Exchange coffee-room 
 and the piazzas of the exchange. At the foot of the 
 staircase is a bronze statue of Charles II. in a Roman 
 habit. # On the second floor are the town court or 
 guild-hall, the mayor's chamber, the merchants' court, 
 the revenue office, and the archives of the town. 
 
 The assizes, quarter-sessions, and other courts of 
 the town and county of Newcastle upon Tyne, are 
 held in the guild-hall, " whose lofty cieling is adorn- 
 ed with various painting, and its floor laid with check- 
 ered marble."f At the west end, over the benches 
 of the magistrates, are full length pictures of Charles 
 
 II. and James II., the latter of which was ordered 
 a to be taken by some able artist" at the town's ex- 
 pence, in 1686. Both these pictures in a riot, in 
 1740, were torn by a mob, but the faces escaping 
 without damage, the drapery was restored in 1753. 
 At the other end of this hall, is a portrait of George 
 
 III. painted by Ramsay, in 1779, and presented to the 
 
 * In the common-council books, under March 16, 1685, is 
 this order : " a figure of his majesty" (James II.) " in a Roman 
 habit, on a capering horse, in copper, as big as his majesty 
 king Charles I. at Charing- Crosse, on a pedestal of black and 
 ^white marble— to be set up for 8ool. sterling." This work 
 was executed by Mr William Larson, and sir Christopher. 
 Wren certified Aug. 8, 1688, that the artist " had sufficiently 
 performed his work in casting the said statue." Brand i. 31. 
 " It stood on the side of the bull-ring, next the court-stairs. 
 The horse stood upon its hind feet, raised upon a pedestal of 
 white marbhy which was surrounded with iron-pales. It cost 
 the town 1700I. and was confessed the most beautiful and cu- 
 rious of its kind in the kingdom." Bourne, p. 126. At the 
 revolution " a few soldiers, drunk with loyalty as with liquor, 
 assisted with the busy hot-headed Genius of Sandgate, pulled it 
 down and threw it into the river." Ibid. See before, at p. %%, 
 
 f Bourne, p. i%$, 
 
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 6l 
 
 town by sir M. W. Ridley, bart. From the guildhall 
 is the entrance into the spacious court-room of the 
 Merchant Adventurers, in which marriage feasts were 
 antiently wont to be held.* Its chimney-piece is 
 very large, and ornamented with curious historical 
 carvings of scripture subjects. 
 
 The common-council is held,, and the daily business 
 of the magistracy transacted in the mayor's-chamber, 
 in which is to be seen " an engine called the branks," 
 which to this day is sometimes applied to scolds, 
 who presume to exercise their talent in examinations 
 before the magistrates.^ 
 
 Prisons. — Before Newcastle was made a county 
 of itself, its prisoners were probably confined in the 
 castle. Newgate, " now 7 a prison for debtors and 
 felons," J " is not only the strongest, but also the 
 
 F 
 
 * See p. si. 
 
 f " John Willis, of Ipswich, upon his oath, said, that he, this 
 deponent, was in Newcastle, six months ago, and that he saw 
 one Anne Biddlestone, drove through the streets by an officer 
 of the corporation, holding a rope in his hand, the other end 
 fastened to an engine, called the branks, which was mubled, 
 over the head and face, with a great gap" (read gag) " or 
 tongue of iron, forced into her mouth, which forced the blood, 
 out, and that this is the punishment which tae magistrates dp 
 inflict upon chiding or scolding women," 
 
 " He, this deponent, further affirms, that he hath seen men 
 drove up and down the streets, with a great tub or barrel, 
 opened in the sides, with a hole in one end, to put through 
 their heads, and so cover their shoulders and bodies, down to 
 the small of their legs, and then close the same, called the new- 
 fashioned cloak, and so make them march to the view of all 
 beholders ; and this is their punishments for drunkards or the 
 like." Gardiner's England's Griev. Discov. p 117. 
 
 \ Grey, p. 8. " This Newgat, so called because k: John 
 
 builded y .. gate, as Newcastle is called fro Win. Conquer- 
 
 ours who built this cattle. Their is an outward gat 
 
 y\ north builded by Ed: 3 or successors as appe by the 
 
 arme* w\ h he atcheived in his conquest the many flow- 
 er de Luices in the frontispiece of the ,„..„.. and the B. of Dur* 
 ham arms and towne armes." MS, 
 
62 PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 
 
 most antient of all the other gates. It is of the same 
 masonry and way of building with that part of the 
 wall which leads to Westgate westward, as far as Ever 
 Tower, which is visibly the oldest part of the wall. 
 The new buildings on each side of it were built, the 
 one, anno 1/02, the other, anno 1706." # u The town 
 and county goal. A clean prison: proper bedding 
 for debtors and felons. I never found any sick prison- 
 ers. Gaol delivery once a year. 1787, Aug. 18, 
 debtors 14, felons, &c. 10."f 
 
 Bridewell. — " About the middle of the bridge 
 is a large old tower, which they call the tower of the 
 bridge, where lend and disorderly persons are kept 
 'till they are examined by the mayor, and brought to 
 due punishment, except the crime be of a very gross 
 nature, and then they are removed to Newgate, and 
 there continue till the assizes.J After the flood, in 
 1771, the Close-gate was the town's Bridewell. The 
 House of Correction was built on a part of the 
 Manors, called the Artillery Ground, used by the 
 townsmen for pike and gun exercise.§ " Proper 
 bedding and firing are allowed. The prisoners were 
 spinning. Aug. 19, 1787, prisoners 6J]\ A peni- 
 tentiary house for the solitary confinement of prison- 
 ers has been added to the House of Correction. 
 
 The Mansion-house in the Close, opposite 
 Tuthilstairs, was rebuilt in 169 1. Besides the furni- 
 ture, it cost 60001. " It is a building grand and stately ; 
 
 * Bourne, p. 15. See before at p. 9. 
 
 f Howard on Lazarettos, p. 198. 
 
 J Bourne, p. 13a. 
 
 § Bourne, p. 136. 
 
 U Howard on Lazarettos, p. 198, 
 
PUBLIC BUILDINGS- 63 
 
 and, considering the place it stands in, is very ornamen- 
 tal."J The walls of its saloon are hung with buckets 
 fire-caps, fire-arms, halberts, and curious fragments 
 of antient armour. The interiour is sumptuously fur- 
 nished. Among other allowances, the mayor has a 
 state coach, a barge, coals for the Mansion-house, 
 and 13001. a year, towards expences in house-keep- 
 ing. He keeps up great hospitality during the whole 
 of his mayoralty. The judges of assize are lodged 
 and entertained here during their sessions, at which, 
 if no criminal be capitally convicted, the mayor pre- 
 sents each of them, with a pair of white gloves. 
 
 Trinity House. — The guild or fraternity of 
 the blessed Tnnity, # purchased the scite of their pre- 
 sent house, in 1492, to be held by the payment of a red 
 
 f 2 
 $ Bourne, p. 127. 
 
 • " This house dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was a chan- 
 tery, and dissolved long before the dissolucions of y e Abbysin 
 Hen: 8 dayes as appeareth by many records, given to the ma- 
 rinours of Newc. by Ed. 3. for setting ships out ag\ the town 
 of Dundee in Scotland, who burnt it and tame home with rich 
 bootys, or for some other service at sea performed agt pirates 
 who infested the seas." MS. The history of this body, both 
 as a religious and naval society, has a very dim light upon it 
 till about the year 153c, when as appears by the following en- 
 tries in their books, they had some privileges granted them t 
 " for my lorde Admyrall seyll 46s. 8d. — for sygnet and prevye 
 seyll 4I. 6s. 8d — to kinges grayce for the great seayll 81. 2s." 
 Thty had charters granted them by Henry VIII.,,queen Eliza- 
 beth, James I., Charles II., and James II. The charter of Hen- 
 ry VIII. represents them as incorporated for the encourage- 
 ment of the art of navigation, and with licence to build and 
 embattle two towers, one at the mouth of the haven of Tyne, 
 the other on the adjoining hill, in which Hghts were to be kept 
 every night, and 4d. to be paid to them by every foreign ship, 
 and 2d. by every English ship that entered the port. The 
 other charters, though they altered the private regulations of 
 the society concerning the choice of a master, the number of 
 wardens, &c, and enlarged their marine jurisdiction, in no de- 
 gree infringed upon the main intentions of the first. 
 
64 PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 
 
 rose annually at midsummer, forever. Before that time, 
 it wo s called Dalton's place. In 1505, they ordered 
 that a hall, chapel, and lodgings for their poor brethren 
 should be erected at their common expence. The 
 present great hall of this house was built in 1721, and 
 cost 669L 7s. 6d. The chapel was fitted up and 
 beautified in 1634, and the bishop of Durham grant- 
 ed a warrant, in 1636, for sermons to be preached in 
 it, by the vicars of Newcastle for the time being, for 
 ever. The widows apartments cost 1 151. 6s. 7|d. in 
 1724, The buildings of this institution have much the 
 same appearance at present, as they had in Bourne's 
 time, who calls it " a very pretty building, consisting of 
 a handsome square, very monastick in its aspect, having 
 its apartments or lodgings for the inhabitants, a very 
 neat chapel, and a magnificent hall/' p. 144. The 
 twelve widows, in 1785, were allowed each 12s. a 
 month, a gown and petticoat every two years, coals, 
 and medical advice. Several of their poor brethren 
 have also allowances from their funds, which, com- 
 numibus annis, amounts to about 8001. a year. # 
 
 Custom House. — In 1281, the ■ Cockettum' 
 
 or Custom-house of this town charged a duty of 6s. 
 
 Sd. upon three hundred wooled skins, the same sum 
 
 upon a sack of wool, and 13s. 4d. upon a last of 
 
 leather.^ Robert Rhodes was appointed to the office 
 
 of (' countroulier des custumes & subsidies le roi en 
 
 le port de Novell Castell ste Tyne," in 1440. J In 
 
 queen Elizabeth's reign " the customer here had a 
 
 fee of 161. 13s. 4d. and a reward of 261. 13s. 4d. a 
 
 * Brand, ii, p< 321— 336. 
 
 f Madox Hist, of the Exch. p, 634. 
 
 $ Bourne, p. % 13. 
 
PUBlIC BUILDINGS. 6S 
 
 year: — the controler ; fee 4l., reward 101.: — waigh- 
 ters four; reward among them 4l." # The old cus^ 
 tom-house was at the west end of the Quayside ; but, 
 on account of its inconvenience, the establishment, in 
 1766, was removed to a spacious suite of apartments, 
 built in the preceding year for its reception near the 
 middle of the Quay. 
 
 The Post- office has been in Mosely-street 
 since 1/89. In 1583 u the packet maie be carried 
 in somer between London and Barwicke in forty- 
 two houres, and in winter in sixty ff and in 1659, 
 it was enacted that u a letter or pacquet post shall 
 come once a week to the town of Penrith, in Cum- 
 berland by the way of Newcastle and Carlisle. "\\ 
 
 The mail-coach arrives from the south about 
 twelve o'clock in the day, and shortly after proceeds 
 north to Berwick and Edinburgh, and west to Hex- 
 ham and Carlisle. From the north, it comes in about 
 nine in the morning, and goes south at ten : and from 
 Carlisle it commonly reaches this place about ten in 
 the night. Letters to be put into the office an hour 
 before the departure of the mail. 
 
 The Assembly Rooms were built from a de- 
 sign of Mr Win. Newton, architect, in 1776, and 
 cost in building, furniture, and other expences, 67001. 
 1 iiis is said to be the most elegant and commodious 
 edifice ot the kind in the kingdom, except the house 
 of Assembly in Bath. The great room is ninety-four 
 feet long, thirty-six feet broad, and thirty feet high. 
 
 f 3 
 
 * Peck's Deisderata Curiosa. vol. 1. lib. ii. p. 4. anno, 1752. 
 f ' k MS. in Cott. Jib. fol. 467. Vespas. c. xiv. p. 113. Pint. 
 4, B." Brand, ii. 447. 
 
 y 1% Charles ii. cap. 35, §. x iv, Keble's Statute*, p. u6j. 
 
66 ANTIENT PRIVATE BUILDINGS* 
 
 The glass chandaliers are very large and brilliant. In 
 the tea-room is a much admired picture of sir John 
 Falstaff, Mrs Ford, &c. by Downman. The room 
 for private assemblies is used as the tea-room at the 
 guild and assize balls. The saloon is spacious and 
 often used at public dinners. In the lower story are 
 two halls, supper-room, coffee-room, # kitchens, &c. 
 There was an act of parliament, 14 Geo. III. to en- 
 able Dr. Fawcet, vicar of Newcastle, to grant a lease 
 of part of his garden for nine hundred and ninety-nine 
 years, and at a rent of £01. a year, for the purpose 
 of erecting this edifice upon.-f- 
 
 The old Play-House was built in 1748, up- 
 on a part of the walls of St. Bartholomew's church. 
 
 The Theatre Royal originated at the time 
 that Mosely and Dene-Streets were built, and was 
 opened, by authority of an act of parliament, 21st 
 Jan. 1788, It was built by Mr David Stephenson, 
 architect. Its interior is considered handsome and 
 commodious. 
 
 ANTIENT PRIVATE BUILDINGS. 
 
 Amidst the broils and insecurity of the feudal ages, 
 many of the Northumbrian barons found it necessary 
 to have houses within the strong walls of Newcas- 
 tle. Few vestiges, however, remain at present to 
 point out either their situation or their grandeur. 
 
 The Eakl of Northumbekland's house 
 was in the Close. Henry, earl of Northumberland, 
 Ap. 2, 1482 ; demised this house to his servant George 
 
 * See before at p. 39. 
 f The old Assembly Rooms are in the Groat*market, and at 
 present occupied by the Literary and Philosophical Society. 
 
ANTIENT PRIVATE BUILDINGS. 6? 
 
 Byrd, under the yearly rent of 13s. 4d., and by the 
 name of the Earl's Inn. # It was that, says Bourne, 
 which has at its entrance a great gate, and a large 
 round ball of stone; and, in the lower part of it, to- 
 wards the river, shews manifest tokens of antiquity. 
 
 Boljbec Hall, or, as it was called after Ralph 
 Nevil w r as created an earl, Westmoreland Piace, is in 
 "Westgate-Street, nearly opposite Colhngwood-Street. 
 It had only one tenement between it and St. Mary's 
 Hospital.f Though the building upon its scite has 
 an antient appearance, nothing of the original structure 
 remains, except a remarkable wall about eight feet 
 broad, which passes the garden, and has been convert- 
 ed into a terrace : under it is a vaulted passage made 
 of very old bricks, and leading to Nevil tower in 
 the town wall. 
 
 Lord Scrope had a house in Pilgrim-street; 
 where was also in antient times the Pilgrim's lnn y 
 where the devotees to the shrine of St. Mary, at Jes- 
 mond, are said to have lodged. " It is on the west 
 side of the street, and exactly one hundred and six- 
 teen yards, one foot, from the southmost corner of 
 Upper-dean-bridge. 5 ' % 
 
 " In the middle of the Side is an antient stone 
 house, an appendix to the Castle, which, in former 
 times belonged to Lord Lumleys, before the Cas- 
 tle was built, or, at least, coetany with the Castle/' 
 The interleaved copy of Grey, has u an appendix to 
 
 * Brand, 1. 54. 
 f Tenementum — quod 9ituatum est inter mansum hospitalis 
 sancte Marie in le Westgate ex parte una et magnum mansum 
 domini Johannis de Nevill ex altera. From a deed, dated io" t °* 
 
 \ Bourne, p. 85. 
 
68 ANTlENt FBIVATE BUILDINGS. 
 
 the Castle" blotted out, and " in y e , head of ye side" 
 inserted at the end of the paragraph. 
 
 The Scotch Inn, in Newgate-street, directly 
 opposite the Turk 5 s head, " has formerly been a piece 
 of stately workmanship/'* Grey says it " is an an- 
 tient house, with a large gate, called the Scotch Inn, 
 where the kings, and nobility, and lards of Scots lodg- 
 ed in time of truce or league with England."*}* 
 
 The Vicarage, near St. John's church in West- 
 gate-street, is " situated/' says Bourne, " in the mid- 
 dle cf fields and gardens. Who it was that built it I 
 have not been able to learn. Dr. Ellison repaired 
 and enlarged it in 1694. There is a hall belonging 
 to this house, built in a very grand and stately manner, 
 according to the hospitality of the times it was built 
 in. In particular, it was the place where the vicars 
 of Newcastle were wont to entertain the infenour 
 officers of the churches, the clarks, sextons, &c. at 
 the season of christmas."J There is a pretty certain 
 account of the Roman wall's being discovered in the 
 vicaridge gardens."|[ This house was plundered by 
 the Scots in l644.§ 
 
 Anderson Place. — This house was built in 
 1580, by Robert Anderson, merchant, out of the 
 offices, and nearly upon the scite of the Franciscan 
 priory. Sir Francis Anderson, knt., in 16/5, con- 
 veyed it to sir W. Blackett, of Matfen, bart., who 
 added the two wings to it ; an increase of size at the 
 expeoce of uniformity. It came into the possession 
 of sir Walter Blackett, bai t. by his marriage with sir 
 
 * Ibid p. 5i» f Choro, p. 19. 
 
 I Eourne, p. %%* jj HorsJey's Brit » Rom. p. 13% §JBrand ? i, i-Oj, 
 
ANTIENT PRIVATE BUILDINGS. 69 
 
 William's grand daughter ; and in 1782 was sold to 
 Mr George Anderson, whose son, major Anderson, by 
 reason of its having been at two distant periods in the 
 possession of two different families of the same name, 
 has styled it * Anderson Place.' Grey calls it " a 
 princely house ;" and " indeed," says Bourne " it is 
 no less than very stately and magnificent; being sup- 
 posed the most so of any house in the whole king- 
 dom, within a walled town. It is surrounded with a 
 vast quantity of ground ; that part of it which faces 
 the street, is thrown into walks and grass plats, beau- 
 tified with images, and beset with trees, which afford 
 a very pleasing shade : The other part of the grouud, 
 on the west side of it, is all a garden, exceedingly 
 neat and curious, adorned with many and the most 
 beautiful statues, and several other curiosities. " # 
 The statues have been removed, but the rest of the 
 description is still in a great measure applicable to the 
 place. In the garden here a subterraneous passage, 
 pointing towards the Manors, was a few years since 
 discovered, and coins of Edward III., and Henry IV. 
 taken out of it. The parents of Durant, the colleague 
 of Cuthbert Sydenham,^ in the lectureship of St, 
 Nicholas, were buried in the garden here, as appears 
 from a marble tomb-stone remaining in the stable 
 yard. 
 
 But this house is the most remarkable for its being 
 the head quarters of general Levin, during the cap- 
 tivity of king Charles in Newcastle. That monarch 
 is said to have entered the town, guarded by three 
 
 • Page 85. 
 f See Wood's Athene, vol. ii. p. 170. 
 
70 ANTIENT PRIVATE BUILDINGS. 
 
 hundred Scottish horsemen, those nearest him bare- 
 headed. He passed through a lane of pikes and 
 muskets from Gateshead to the general's quarters* 
 He was caressed with bone fires, peals of ordnance, 
 and other marks of rejoicing; and, according to his 
 own confession, no where treated with more honour 
 than here. He had liberty to take his train and play 
 at goff, on the outside of the walls, in Shield-field ; 
 till a design for his escape was discovered, which oc- 
 casioned strict orders to be sent down respecting his 
 person.* There is a traditional account, that he at- 
 tempted his escape through a subterraneous passage 
 from a cellar in this house ; but was caught in his at- 
 tempt to force the iron door at its outlet.f " A little 
 after the king's coming to Newcastle, a Scotch mini- 
 ster preached boldly before him, and when the sermon 
 was done, called for the 52d psalm, which begins : 
 
 " Why dost thou, tyrant, boast thyself 
 Thy wicked works to praise ? 
 
 " Whereupon his majesty stood up and called for the 
 56th psalm, which begins 
 
 * Have mercy, Lord, on me I pray, 
 For men would me devour." 
 
 The people waved the minister's psalm, and sung that 
 which the people called for."J " Having an antipa- 
 thy against tobacco, he was much disturbed by their 
 bold and continual smoaking in his presence — a mili- 
 tary presage of the same heathenish barbarity at going 
 to the block at White-hall/'^ When the news reach* 
 
 * Bourne* p. %$$• Brand, vol. ii. p, 471. 
 
 f See Desiderata Curiosa, vol. ii. lib. ix, p. 31. 
 J Whitelock's Memoirs, pi 334. § Bourne, p. $3$* 
 
OHOSSES AND MARKETS. 71 
 
 ed him of the ill success of his arms in Scotland, he 
 took no notice of it, but continued in a game of chess, 
 and was chearful as before.* 
 
 CROSSES AND MARKETS. 
 
 "The White Ceo sse was in times of proces- 
 sion a marke to know the borders of the town from 
 the friery in that parish ."f Near it in the middle 
 of the street were a row of old houses, called by Grey 
 " the Hucksters Booths :"J they were pulled down as 
 nuisances several years since. " There is a. tradition 
 still among the inhabitants of this part of the town, 
 that in old times there were many markets between 
 Newgate and White Cross/'^ The ' horse* market- 
 gate' occurs in 1281, and the ' nolt market' in 1662. || 
 From the early existence of markets here, Grey and 
 Bourne conclude that this is the oldest part of the 
 town. The cross was rebuilt in 1687 ; and again 
 by Mr Stephenson in 1783 ; but has since been re- 
 moved to the north side of the new Butcher-Market. 
 
 The Old Flesh Market. — After king John, 
 in 123 5, granted the merchant adventurers their char- 
 ter, " this town flourished in trade; builded many 
 faire houses in the Flesh-market (then cailed Cloth- 
 market). The merchants had their shops and ware- 
 houses there, in the back part of their houses. In 
 that street the mayors, aldermen, and richest men of 
 the town lived. In after-times the merchants remov- 
 ed lower down towards the river to the street called 
 the Side and the Sandhill.' ^f 
 
 * Burnet's House of Hamilton, p 305. f MS. 
 
 \ P. 6. See them marked also on Bourne's plan of the town. 
 § Bourne, p. 39, 5 Brand, i. 178. % Grey, p. 16. 
 
72 CROSSES AND MARKETS. 
 
 " On the east side of it (Middle-street) is the FlesK- 
 market, I think the greatest market in England for 
 all sorts of flesh and poultry that is sould there every 
 Saterday ; the reason is not the populousnesse of the 
 town that makes it, it is the people of the country, 
 (within ten miles of the town) who makes their pro- 
 vision there, as likewise all that lives by coale trade, 
 for working and conveying coales to the water ; as 
 also the shipping that comes into this river for coales 
 sometimes three hundred sayles of ships." # Towards 
 the south end of this market was a large cross, with a 
 leaden cistern upon it, to hold the new-water : it was 
 pulled down about the year 17^8.^ 
 
 The New Flesh Market is about seventy- 
 two yards by sixty-three ; is divided into four streets, 
 containing one hundred and fifty- three neat and uni- 
 form stalls; and is built of hewn free-stone, and roofed 
 with blue slate. Its approach, on the north, is from 
 the High-bridge, on the east from Pilgrim-street, on 
 the south from Mosely-street, and on the west from 
 the old Flesh-market. At its entrance from Mosely- 
 street is an offal market and a weigh-house. It was 
 built in 1808. 
 
 Corn markets* — The market days for corn, 
 in I649> were Tuesdays and Saturdays, when wheat 
 and rye were sold in Pilgrim-street, and bigg and 
 oats between Middle-street and Nungate ; J in which 
 places a* id at which times they are at present holden. 
 Tuesday's market is small. 
 
 Gale Cross* — In the lower part of the Side 
 standeth a faire crosse with columnes of stone hewn, 
 
 * Grey, p. i8. | Bourne, p. 53. $ Grey, p. 19. 
 
CROSSES AND MARKETS. 73 
 
 covered with lead, where is sold milk, egges, butter, 
 &c."|| " There is at the top of it a cistern which holds 
 the new-water.* In 1319 and 1360 it is called 
 Cale-Cross, and in 1653 Keale Cross, terms obtained 
 from having either broth or kale wort, an antient in- 
 gredient for making broth, sold at its It was rebuilt 
 by Mr Stephenson, at the expence of sir M. W. 
 Ridley, bar t. in 1783; but being considered an in- 
 convenience to the street, it was lately presented by 
 the corporation to its donor, and has been set up in 
 his grounds at Blagdon. 
 
 Sandhill-Market. — In 1393 a proclamation 
 was made commanding all merchandize to be removed 
 from the Sandhill, where the towns people were wont 
 to resort for recreation .+ While the tide continued 
 to flow over this place, up to Low-bridge,;}: the fish- 
 market seems to have been in the old Flesh-market, $ 
 and at the Stock-bridge in Pandon.|| In Grey's time 
 " Sandhill was a market for fish and other commodi- 
 ties." At present this market is daily and very abun- 
 dantly supplied with fish, vegetables, rabbits, and such 
 like. The rabbits are brought from the warrens on 
 the sea-coast, as far as Holy-Island. The gardens of 
 Newburn, Hexham, 8cc. supply a great part of the 
 vegetables. Fish* are brought m the spring months 
 
 G 
 
 [| Ibid. * Bourne, p. .123. 
 
 t Claus. 1 6 Ric. ii. m. 15. Dorso. f Grey, p. 9. 
 
 § Bourne, p. 54. || Grey, p. 13. 
 
 * From the time of Henry I. there is frequent mention of the 
 
 fisheries of the Tyne. Salmon was formerly so plentiful in this 
 
 river, that apprentices covenanted in their indentures not to 
 
 be fed with it more than twice a week. In 1755, it sold at id. 
 
 and ijd. a pound in Newcastle. At Newburn, in 1761, two 
 
 hundred and sixty salmon were caught at a draught; and, in 
 
74 STREETS. 
 
 by the Yorkshire five men boats; but the regular 
 supply is from Newbiggen, Cullercoats, and Whit- 
 burn. 
 
 The Groat Market was in the street which still 
 
 bears its name. Wool was sold in € the large open 5 
 
 towards the lower end of the Groat Market, and Iron 
 
 a little past the end of Denton-Chare, opposite to St. 
 
 Nicholas church. In " All-hallows Banck, or Butch- 
 
 ers Banck, (where most butchers dwell")* there has 
 
 for many years been a large market for Mutton. The 
 
 corporation, not many years since, built the Poultry 
 
 Market at the west end of the High-Bridge, where, 
 
 as well as at Cale-cross, Butter and Eggs are sold 
 
 every Saturday. There is a Milk market at the west 
 
 end of Sandgate. 
 
 STREETS. 
 
 The Quay Side extends from the Maison de 
 Dieuf to Sandgate, in length one hundred and three 
 
 i775,two hundred and sixty-five at a draught, at theLow-Ughts, 
 near the mouth of the river. Brand, ii. 32, 33. Of late years 
 they have been very scarce. Some attribute their decrease to 
 the manufactories and craft upon the river; but the cau*e may 
 be more satisfactorily traced to the lock at Bywell and to the 
 "Winlaton mills, which prevent them passing up the shallow 
 streams in the breeding season. 
 
 In 1559, as alderman (Grey, p. $*J Anderson (Bourne, p. 133, 
 Brand. 2. 47.) was leaning over the bridge, and handling his ring, 
 he dropt it into the river. Some time after, his servant bought 
 a salmon in the market here, in whicn the same ring was found. 
 The ring is *till in the possession of the Anderson family. It 
 has a fish engraven under the signet, the stone of which, Mr 
 Brand supposed to be an antique. 1 his family have also a 
 deed sealed with it, prior to the date of this occurrence. See a 
 similar tale in Uttlebury's Herodotus, vol. 1, p. 2JZ; and in 
 Collier's Dictionary, under Kentigern. 
 * Grey, p. 18. 
 f There was another house of this name near the Manors 
 i* this town, called also Ward's Alms-house, " John Warde a 
 
STREETS. 75 
 
 rods, and in breadth, since the removal of the wall, in 
 l662,f from sixty to seventy feet. In 1616, the 
 water-gates in the wall were all, except one or two, 
 locked up in the nights, and a watch set upon the 
 walls to prevent servants from throwing ashes and 
 rubbish into the river.J At present this is " one of 
 the longest and most commodious wharfs in the 
 kingdom."?^ 
 
 Twenty-one dark, narrow chares lead from the 
 Q lay-side into Pandon, and to the upper parts of 
 Nevv castle. " These have so many times changed 
 their names, and in all probability will so often do it, 
 that it is to little purpose at present to mention 
 them."|| 
 
 The Close, so called from its having been en- 
 closed on every side with strong fortifications, was in old 
 times inhabited by many opulent families. " Sir John 
 Marley, sir William Blacket, sir Mark Milbank's, and 
 the houses of many other gentlemen are remembered 
 by the antient inhabitants. And, indeed, however the 
 
 g 2 
 richemarchant of Newcastelle made a Maisun Dieu for twelve 
 poor men and twelve poor women by the Augustine freres in 
 Newca-itell." Lela.id's Itm. vol. v, p. 114. A deed> dated Dec. 
 1, 1475, 8a y s ** J onn Wardes almous house stonding in Cow- 
 gate nye the Frer Augu tins lately edified and belded by the 
 said John Warde " Brand, i. 358. It is the " chief alms house 
 in the town. Old Mr Brandling pulled off the lead, on pur- 
 pose to expel the poor people, which he did." Bourne, p. 138. 
 f See p. 8. \ Bourne, p. 132. 
 
 § Brand, i 20. Grey describes it thus: '* a long key or 
 wharfe where ships may lye safe from danger of stormes, and 
 may unlode their commodities and wares upon the key. In it 
 is two cranes for heavy commodities, very convenient for car- 
 rying of corn, wine, deales, &c. from the key into th^ water- 
 gates, which is along the key-side, or into any quarter of 
 the town." p. 17. 
 
 U Bourne, p. 133. 
 
?6 STREETS. 
 
 street itself may be, however mean the fronts of the 
 houses are, within they speak magnificence and gran- 
 deur, the rooms being very large and stately, and for 
 the most part adorned with curious carving."* From 
 the north side of this street, three long flights of stairs 
 ascend the castle banks, viz : Tuthil-stairs, opposite 
 the Mansion-house; the Long-stairs, leading into 
 Bailiff-gate ; and the Castle-stairs, leading to the 
 southern postern of the castle, and remarkable as a 
 great market for shoes and old apparel. 
 
 Westgate-street, says Grey, " is broad and 
 private ; for men that lives there hath imployment for 
 town and country /'f " It is chiefly inhabited by 
 .clergy and gentry: and indeed it seems all along to 
 have been inhabited by such more than others. In 
 some writings above 400 years old, we meet with 
 the names of some clergymen who lived in this 
 street, not to mention those who belonged to the 
 monasteries and hospitals.";}; Charlotte-square, near 
 the head of this street, was built by Mr Newton, 
 architect, on the property of Bennet-chessie friars, 
 which extends from the Westgate, on one side of the 
 Priory, to the head of Finchale-street, on the other, 
 and is let for the term of one hundred and four years, 
 at 91. a year. 
 
 Newgate-street. — The antiquity of this part 
 of the town may be inferred from the architecture of 
 the chancel of St. Andrew's church. That Monk- 
 Chester, as Grey and Bourne assert, was here, is mat- 
 ter of very uncertain conjecture. Most of the Saxon 
 
 * Bourne, p. 126. See also before, at p. 
 f Choro. p. 30. I Bourne, p. 3*. 
 
STREETS. ?? 
 
 towns were on the very scites of Roman forts : from 
 analogy we, therefore, suppose, that Monkchester (of 
 which, in 1074, " no vestige could be found/''*) 
 stood upon the grave of its parent, Pons iElii. 
 
 The street which stretches from Newgate to Bar- 
 ras-bridge was antiently called Side-gate, at present, 
 Percy-street. Of late years several excellent 
 houses have been built in it. Albion-street, and 
 Albion Place, at the north-west part of it, are both 
 modern. The Parade, at its junction with Nor- 
 thumberland-street, was made in 1809. The burial- 
 ground for Dissenters, on the north side of it, is called 
 in St. Andrew's register, in 1708, " tlie Quigs buring- 
 place, near the Swirll* in Sidgatt."f 
 
 " The suburbs of Newgate and Pilgrim-street are 
 ruinated in these late wars."{ Gallow-gate (so 
 called because malefactors go that way from the town 
 to execution) in Bourne's time was, " however, be- 
 come again a very tolerable street." § 
 
 Northumberland-street, reaching from 
 Magdalen hospital, to Pilgrim -street, had so far reco- 
 vered from the devastation in the civil wars, as to be 
 called by Bourne " the most pleasant situation of any 
 within or without the town."|| It is spacious and well 
 built; most of the houses ave gardens behind them. 
 On the east side of it is Saville-row, a retired and 
 elegant street, named in honor of the late sir George 
 Saville. 
 
 G 3 
 
 * Sim. Dunel. Hist. col. 206. 
 * i. e. runnel, or as Bourne explains it c Syke.* f Courant* 
 Jan, 14, 1786. ' ' 
 
 i Grey, p. 18. § p. 147. (J p. ij!. 
 
78 STREETS. 
 
 Pilgrim-street, tailed by Grey, the longest 
 and fairest street in the town ; seems to have derived 
 its name from Pilgrims lodging in it, " that came to 
 visit the shrine in Gesmond, or Jesu de Munde.'^f 
 u Near the Pilgrims* Inn, is a place of sanctuary, as 
 \3T had their place of refuge, and their Asylum"** 
 
 " From Upper- Dean-bridge downwards is the 
 
 most beautiful part of" this " street, the houses on 
 each side of it being most of them very pretty, neat, 
 and regular ; such as the houses of Mr Edward Harl, 
 Mr Thomas Biggs, John Rogers, Esq,; Thomas 
 Clennell, Esq. ; Nicholas Fenwick, Esq, ; Nathaniel 
 Clayton, Esq.; Edward Collingwood, Esq.; Mr 
 Perith, Mr John White, John Ogle, Esq.; Mr 
 Thomas Waters, Matthew White, Esq*; &c/ ># At 
 present few of these families retain their residences 
 here, the greater part of the street having of late years 
 been converted into shops and inns. 
 
 The Side, a narrow and inconvenient street, leads 
 from the Sandhill to St. Nicholas church .f Its lower 
 part is generally much incommoded by the carts of 
 carriers, standing in readiness to receive merchants* 
 goods: the upper part of it, steep and strait as it 
 may seem, was the main entrance from the low to the 
 high town, prior to the formation of Dene-street# 
 
 J Choro. p. 19. ** MS. * Bourne p. 85, 
 
 f All the old houses at the head of the Side, and on each 
 side of the Middle street, as far up as the middle of the old 
 Flesh-Market, have been lately purchased by the corporation 
 and pulled down, by which the fine old church of St. Nicholas 
 has been exposed, and a large space of open ground obtained 
 between Collingwood and Mosely streets. The row of houses 
 between the old Fle^h-Market and Middle-street is Hkewise 
 destined to the same fate. 
 
STREETS. 79 
 
 The way from Sandhill to Pilgrim-street was up 
 Butcher-bank, by All Saints church; or along the 
 Quay-side, up Broad-chare and Manor-chare. " The 
 Side is from the one end to the other filled with the 
 shops of merchants, goldsmiths, milliners, upholsterers, 
 &c. J, J Most of these shops, at present, are occupied 
 by flax- dressers and cheese-mongers. 
 
 Dene- street, so called from the dene or hollow 
 through which Lork-burn passes, was commenced a- 
 bout twenty years since. It ranges north and south 
 between Mosely-street and the Side. This street, and 
 Collmgwood and Mosely-streets, are chiefly occupied 
 by tradesmen, and are generally allowed to contain as 
 excellent shops as any out of the metropolis. 
 
 At right angles with Dene-street, Mosely- 
 street extends between the old Flesh-Market and 
 Pilgrim- street. It was built a few years before Dene- 
 street, and named after the late Alderman Mosely. 
 
 Collingwood-street was opened in 1810, 
 and joins the old Flesh-Market and Westgate-street 
 together. The foundation of the Roman wall is said 
 to have been discovered near the east end of it. 
 
 Pan don is in all antient records written Pamp- 
 don or Pampedene, a term of Saxon origin, signify- 
 ing well-hill^ and probably obtained from the an- 
 tient reseivoir at the head of Pandon-Bank. The 
 boundaries of this antient town are very imper- 
 fectly defined, though it would appear from Grey s 
 account that the Trinity House, the Priory on the 
 Wall-Knoll, and the Augustine Priory, were within 
 its circuit* By a charter, dated Dec. £0, 1299, 
 t Ibid, p, izz* 
 
80 STREETS* 
 
 Edward I. granted to the burgesses of Newcastle the 
 lands and tenements, with their premises, in Pampe- 
 don, in the manor of Byker, near Newcastle, to be 
 held like Newcastle, in free burgage, and the two 
 places henceforth to constitute one town and borough . # 
 By the term lands and tenements, in Pampedon, 
 without the mention of either town or village, one 
 might suppose the place was inconsiderable at the 
 time of making the grant. The Carmelites or White 
 Friars had, however, a monastry on Wall-Knoll, on 
 the eastern side of Pandon, in the time of Henry III. 
 and, on account, of the town wall, which had been 
 lately built, passing through a field of theirs, and close 
 by their church, and straitening them very much for 
 room, they obtained a grant, dated May 26, 1307? 
 of the house of the Friars of the Sac.f The Austin 
 Friars was built long before that of St. Michael .{ 
 
 u After the departure of the Romans, the kings of 
 Northumberland kept their residence in this place, 
 and had their house now called Pandon Hall/'§ which 
 was " of considerable bigness" extending in length, 
 on the north, from Stock-bridge^f to Cow-gate, and 
 from Cowgate to Blyth-nook. It is now, says Bourne, 
 in some manner rebuilt, though there are still remain- 
 ing many antient walls and parts of it.|| 
 
 * Brand, H. 46. 
 
 f Ibid i. 6o« i See p,p. 13, 15, 
 
 § Grey p 12 
 
 *[ This bridge, Bourne supposes from its name, was formerly 
 
 made of wood. It was of stone temp. Ed. I. Perhaps it had its 
 
 name from selling stock-fish at the market antiently held at it. 
 
 1! P. 13*. 
 
STREETS. 81 
 
 Dr. Stukeiy, in his Iter Boreale, p. 
 64, mentions a seal-ring, found near 
 Pandon, and at that time in the 
 possession of Mr Wai burton, from 
 the engraving of it on whose map, 
 this is a copy. 
 " This place of Pandon is of such antiquity, that if 
 a man would expresse any ancient thirg, it is a com- 
 mon proverb, As old as Pandon. In it is many an- 
 cient buildings, houses and streets ; some gentlemen 
 of Northumberland had their houses in it." # " The 
 Duke of Northumberland had his house in Pandon, 
 called to this day ye Dukes Place/'f 
 
 " In this part of the town of Pandon, below, is 
 many narrow streets or chaires, and ancient buildings; 
 through the midst of it, the river Tine flows and ebbs, 
 and a bume runs called Pandon burne. This place 
 called the Bume Banck, stands very low ; it is record- 
 ed that in Edward the third's time, an hundred and 
 forty houses was drowned by o\er-fiowing of water; 
 since the houses towards the Key side are heightned 
 with ballist, and a high stone wall, without which wall 
 is a long and broad wharf or key, which hindereth 
 the like inundation.";}; 
 
 Pandon, at present, is chiefly occupied by ware- 
 houses, and the dwellings of labouring people. 
 
 Suburbs of Pandon. — Several houses have 
 of late years been built on the out -side of the town 
 wall, in Pandon Dene, and considerable improve- 
 ments been made in Pandon-Bank. There are also 
 
 * Grey, p. *a. f MS. \ Grey, p. 33. 
 
82 STREETS. 
 
 a few good houses erected at the head of Pandon« 
 Bank ; and the two ranges of modern buildings, call- 
 ed Pleasant Row and Shield-Field, are well 
 built, and have a high and healthy situation.* 
 
 " The Suburbs of Sandgate escaped the 
 fury of these civil warres, except some neer the walls 
 of the towne, which was fired."f In January, 1644, 
 we however find, in Rushworth, that the marquis of 
 Newcastle " for the better guard of the town" 
 against the Scots, " set the Sand-gate, a street with- 
 out the walls, and the other suburbs on fire, which 
 continued burning all Sunday and Monday "J When 
 the town was taken, the walls here were undermined 
 by the Elswick and Benwell colliers, and blown up.|| 
 The street called Sandgate is very narrow, crowded, 
 and populous, as are also the numerous lanes that 
 branch each way from it. It is chiefly inhabited by 
 keelmen, a hardy and laborious race of people em- 
 ployed in conveying coals from the staiths to the ships 
 in Shields harbour. At the west end of this street 
 there is a great weekly market on Saturdays, for all 
 kinds of wearing apparel, and on the Sundays, in har- 
 vest, reapers are hired here and atBarras-bridge. 
 
 St. Ann's is a continuation of Sandgate street, 
 from which it is separated by a runnel called the 
 
 * In January, 1644. "a smart dispute happened here: the 
 town had raised a fort at the entrance into Shield»field, to gain 
 which the Scots &ent out two parties; one to attack the fort 
 on the east side, the other on the west; in which service, divers 
 of them were cut off by cannon, and particularly Patrick 
 English, the earl of Lindsay's captain-lieutenant, slain." Rush« 
 ■worth's Coll. pt. 3. vol. ii. p, 61 3. 
 
 f Grey, p. 38. J Ibid. | Brand, ii, p. 467. 
 
BOUNDARIES. 83 
 
 Squirrel; prior to the jear, 1776, the high way to 
 North Shields led through these streets ; bat in that 
 year 
 
 The New Road, past the Keelman's Hospital, 
 was made behind them, where a street of handsome 
 houses has been gradually forming ever since. The 
 part of this street, called New Egypt, obtained its 
 name from the large wooden granaries built near it, 
 in the late years of scarcity. 
 
 St. Ann's Row is agreeably situated on the east 
 side ot St. Ann's Chapel yard. Here the street 
 branches to North Shields, and to the Glasshouses, St. 
 Peter's, Dent's Hole, &c. and, at a short distance, 
 each branch crosses the Ouse-burn, over a stone 
 bridge. The lower bridge, in Grey's time, was of 
 wood, and Bourne says it was built of stone, in 1669. 
 On the side of Ouse-Burn are some extensive 
 manufactories, and its banks of late years have be- 
 come very populous. 
 
 BOUNDARIES. 
 
 In the 2d and 3d of Edward VI. all that ground 
 from the Svverle in Sand^ate, by the river Tyne, to 
 St. Laurence Quay, and sweeping away on the north 
 side, from thence to Stoney-ford, and through Great 
 and Little St. Ann's Closes, Durham Close, Baxter's 
 Close, and Lumley Close, till it again join the Swexle, 
 running towards Sandgate, was added to the town 
 and county of Newcastle. The boundaries of the 
 town, before this addition of property, are said to be as 
 follows : From the Swerie r on the east side of the 
 town, along the shores of the Tyne into Elswick 
 
84 PUBLIC GROUNDS. 
 
 fields, thence into the fields of Fenham, Kenton, Cox- 
 lodge, Jesmond, along Barras-bridge, down a lane to 
 Sandiver-bridge, and through Shield-field, into a lane 
 leading to the Tyne. 
 
 PUBLIC GROUNDS. 
 
 Forth.— Henry Ill.by charter dated Dec. 1, 1238, 
 " upon the good men of Newcastle's supplication," gave 
 them leave during his pleasure to dig coals and stones in 
 the Castle Field and the Forth, to assist them in pay- 
 ing their fee-farm rent of 100L # Edward III. gave 
 them the Forth for their good services.*}- By order 
 of the common-council a wall was built, and trees, 
 brought out of Holland, planted around it in 1680. J 
 It was an antient custom of the corporation to go in 
 procession to this place at the feast at Easter and 
 Whitsuntide ; and the vast concourse of young people 
 here at these seasons seems to be the remains of this 
 antient custom .§ It contains eleveu acres of ground, 
 is surrounded by a gravel walk, planted on each side 
 with limes, and is one of the chief promenades of the 
 town. 
 
 The Castle Leazes, antiently called the 
 castle field, containing one hundred and forty one 
 acres, eleven perches, according to Grey's account, 
 was granted to the town by king John. Adjoining 
 to this, on the west and north, lies the Town Moor, 
 which contains one thousand and thirty-seven acres, 
 one rood, and two perches, and was formerly a wood 
 very famous for oaks, out of which have been built 
 
 * Gardiner's Eng. Griev. p. 9. f Grey, p. 15, 
 £ Brand, i. 419. § Bourne, p. 146. 
 
PUBLIC GROUNDS. 85 
 
 many hundred ships and all the houses of the old town 
 of Newcastle. Both these tracts of land were re- 
 presented as the immemorial right of the town in 
 1356, when Edward III. in his charter to the town 
 confirmed the right of holding them, and of working 
 coals, stones, &c. in them.* 
 
 The Nun's Moor lies on the west side of the 
 Town's Moor. It belonged to the nuns of St Bartho- 
 lomew, and after the dissolution, was sold by John 
 Branxholme, to Robert Brandling of Newcastle, mer- 
 chant, for 211. The corporation purchased it of Mr 
 Charles Brandling of Gateshead, either in 1650, or 
 
 l651.f 
 
 In consequence of a violent dispute between the 
 magistrates and the body of free burgesses, respecting 
 the leasing of a part of these grounds, an act of par- 
 liament was procured, 14 Geo. III. by which the 
 herbage of the Town Moor, the Castle Leases, and 
 the Nun's Moor, was confirmed to the burgesses, and 
 power for its improvement was provided. A resident 
 freeman and burgess, or his widow, has right of stint- 
 age on them for two milch cows. 
 
 RaceGround . — Newcastle races, formerly, were 
 annually run on Killingworth Moor. In 1695, the 
 common council ordered, that for the future, it should 
 be inserted in the Gazette, that no horse shall run 
 for the plate of this town, that ever run on any course 
 south of the Trent. Cato won the royal purse, of one 
 hundred guineas, on the Town Moor, in 3753; and, 
 three years after ; J the race ground, there, was put 
 
 H 
 
 • Bourne, p. 150. f Brand, i. 440, $ Brand, i, 43J. 
 
86 PUBLIC GROUNDS. 
 
 into good repair. It is two miles around. The 
 Grand Stand adjoining it is an elegant stone edifice, 
 from the galleries of which there is a fine view of nearly 
 the whole of the course. The races are annually in 
 June, and last six days. 
 
 Watek. — The earliest account of aqueducts into 
 this town is dated 3349* " There be" says Leland, 
 " three hedds of condutes for frech water to the town." 
 The top of Pandon-bank is commonly called 6 Conduit 
 Hill/ and a reservoir still remains behind the houses 
 there, which supplies Sandgate pant with water. The 
 water in Ga!low-gate was intended to be brought into 
 the town, in 1656. There was great scarcity of it, in 
 1675. Mr Cuthbert Dykes, in 1680, erected a wa- 
 ter engine, without Sandgate, for supplying the brew- 
 houses, victualling-houses, &c. with water from the 
 Tyne. In 1694, Mr William Soulsby treated with 
 the common-council for bringing water from the 
 Castle Leazes, and, in the 9th and 10th of Will. III. 
 there was a private act for the better sup [lying of the 
 town with water, from three springs, on Great-Us- 
 worth Moor ; about which time, William Yarnold, 
 gent, had a lease from the common-council, for erect- 
 ing cisterns and laying pipes in the town for convey- 
 ing the new-water from the great pond, at Carr-Hill. 
 The reservoirs on the Town Moor were foimed in 
 1770; and, in 1777, about 5001. was expended by the 
 common-council, in preparing aqueducts for convey- 
 inc water from the Spring-gardens into the town. # 
 
 The public fountains in this town are called pants 
 ■ — a vulgar corruption of pond, as in ' midden pant/ 
 • JBrand, i. 442, 446. 
 
PRIVILEGES, CHARTERS, &C. 87 
 
 which means a dung-hill pond. Pont-ea-land signi- 
 fies the water land by the pond, the river Pont evi- 
 dently deriving its name from its stagnant course, espe- 
 cially as it passes through the great pond called Prest- 
 wick-Carr. Wells were at first nothing more than 
 open springs, perhaps stagnant at their heads, and 
 hence the term, pants or ponds. 
 
 Lamps. — There was a proposal made, in 1755, 
 for lighting this town with one hundred and fifty lamps; 
 but it could not boast of this convenience, till an act 
 of parliament, ten years after, was obtained for lighting 
 the streets and other places, and maintaining a regular 
 and nightly watch within the town, and for regulating 
 the hackney- coachmen, cartmen, porters and watermen. 
 
 PRIVILEGES, CHARTERS, &c. 
 
 Newcastle was the property of the crown in the 
 time of the Conqueror, whose son, Rufus, having built 
 " Westminster Hall 
 And the castel of Newcastell with all," 
 out of the revenues of the sees of Canterbury, York, 
 Sarum, and Winchester, and of nine Abbies, 
 
 (i gave them ground andgolde full great to spend 
 
 To buylde it well and walle it all aboute 
 Audjraunchised theim to paye a free rent out."* 
 
 That this monarch converted Newcastle into a free 
 
 borough, and demised it, at a certain yearly fee farm, 
 
 to its own burgesses, is also plain from the charter of 
 
 king John, in 1201, calling the rent paid at that time 
 
 " the old fee-farm." Henry I. granted the inhabit- 
 
 h 2 
 • Hardyng'a Chronicle. 
 
88 PRIVILEGES, CHARTERS, &C. 
 
 ants of this town various immunities,* and Henry II. 
 exempted them from the payment of toll, passage, 
 pontage, hanse duty, and of every other impost for 
 goods, which they could ascertain were their own in 
 any part of the kingdom. f 
 
 King John, Feb. 7, 1200, raised their old fee-farm 
 from 501. to 601. a year; and two days after, being 
 then in Newcastle, confirmed his father's grant. By 
 charter, dated at Stockton, in 1212, he raised the fee- 
 farm to 1001. a year, and exempted the burgesses from 
 being answerable for any of their property to the 
 Sheriff of Northumberland ; but the most important 
 franchises obtained in this reign, are contained in the 
 charter, dated at Durham, Jan. 28 5 1215. By this 
 they were exempted from being distrained, out of the 
 town, for the payment of any debt for which they 
 were not chief debtors or surety — from trial by dual 
 — from being judged of misrecordia money — from the 
 payment of yeresgyne and scotale — from customs un- 
 
 • An antient parchment register, in Northumberland-House, 
 contains an article entitled: " These are the laws and customs 
 which king Henry granted to his burgesses of Newcastle." 
 The following are extracts from it. " Whoever {hall hold land 
 in the borough, a year and a day, justly, and without claim, if 
 the claimant be within the kingdom, he is not bound to answer 
 such claimant. If a burgess has a son at his table in his house, 
 let the son have equal liberty with his father. The forfeiture 
 of a burgess towards the bailiff, ought to go to the common 
 fund. In the borough there ought neither to be given merchet, 
 heriot, blood-wit, or stengedwit. Every burgess may have an 
 oven and a mill. If any one sell any of his bread, or ale, it 
 shall be forfeited to the bailiff, who may act thus: if he incurs 
 the forfeit twice, he must pay it; if thrice, he must be punish- 
 ed by common-council of the burgesses. No foreigner to be 
 allowed to cut fish to sell. A burgess may carry his corn out 
 of the country, whithersoever he pleases, without licence," 
 Brand, vol. ii. in latin, p. 130, in English, p. 366. 
 f Brand, ii. 1&8, 132,. 
 
PRIVILEGES, CHARTERS, &C. 89 
 
 justly levied in times of war ; and obtained the pri- 
 vilege of traversing in the pleas of the crown — of 
 holding justly their lands, tenures, recognizances and 
 debts — that pleas should be held in Newcastle for alt 
 debts or recognizances lent or made there — and that 
 merchants resorting hither with merchandize, should 
 be permitted to stay in the king's peace, and in like 
 manner to depart, after payment of customs become 
 due.* 
 
 Henry III. confirmed these grants, July 2, 1235,— 
 forbade Jews to reside in Newcastle — allowed the 
 burgesses to work coals and stones in the Castle-field, 
 and gave them the coals and stones of the Forthf — 
 ordained, in 1251, that, to the four bailiffs of the town, 
 a mayor should be addedj — and by charter, dated 
 Oct. 18, of the same year (a. r. 36.) granted them 
 the perpetual right of choosing their own coroners.{{ 
 
 This is from an 
 impression of' the 
 Seal of the cor- 
 poration of New* 
 castle, taken on 
 green w ax, in 1265. 
 The inscription : 
 Commune si- 
 gillum Novi 
 Castri Super 
 
 Tynam§ There 
 
 • Brand, ii. 132, i^g 
 
 is the representation of a still 
 h 3 
 
 f Gardiner's Eng. Griev. p. y> 
 t Wallis* Northumb. vol. ii. p. 187. Brown WiIIi3. 
 I Brand, ii. 138, 141. Bourne, p. iB 7- 
 § Bourne, p. 143* 
 
90 PRIVILEGES, CHARTERS, &C. 
 
 older seal, preserved in the Vetusta Monumenta of the 
 Society of Antiquaries of London.* 
 
 Edward I, in 1282, summoned the town to send 
 to his parliament, at Shrewsbury, two of its if more 
 wise and experienced citizens :" this is the first ac- 
 count on record, of boroughs sending members to 
 parliament. f In 1293; he confirmed the charters of 
 the 18th and S6th of Henry III. — and at York, Dec. 
 20, 1298, granted to the burgesses of Newcastle, the 
 lands and tenements in Pampedon, in the manor of 
 Byker, to be united to the town of Newcastle, for its 
 increase, improvement, and security .J 
 
 Edward II. Dec. 18, 1815, addressed a letter of 
 thanks to the mayor, bailiffs, and good men of New- 
 castle, for their valour and loyalty ;§ next year grant- 
 ed that no purveyances should be made in the town; 
 and by charter, dated at York, Nov. 12, 1318, con- 
 firmed the grants of the 17th of king John, and or- 
 dained that the burgesses should be free of toll, murage 
 and pannage, for all their merchandizes, in every part 
 of his dominions — have trials amongst themselves by 
 their fellow burgesses, unless in matters relative to the 
 king or the community of the town — and that per- 
 sons should not be lodged upon any of them against 
 their will, except when the king should be there with 
 his army, or the justices itinerant in their circuit, when 
 the king's or justice's marshal, under the inspection of 
 the mayor and bailiffs, should provide inns for the free 
 quartering of persons intitled to that privilege.^ 
 
 * Brand, ii. 141, 14a, 185. 
 
 f Brand, ii. 198. Hutch. Northumb. vol. ii. p. 406. 
 
 $ Brand, ii. 143, I47« § Rymer's Fced< vol. iii. p. 544* 
 
 % Brand, ii, 149, i$% % 
 
PRIVILEGES, CHARTERS, SCC. 91 
 
 Edward III. made the mayor escheator within the 
 limits of the town;* confirmed several bye-laws agreed 
 upon at a full guild, held at St. Mary's hospital, in 
 VVestgate, relative to the government of the to\vn;f 
 exempted the town from the jurisdiction of the ad- 
 miral, constable, and marshal of England, and from 
 the earl warden of the Marches; J confirmed the for- 
 mer franchises, the right of the herbage and royalty of 
 " the Castle Feld and Castel More; v || granted royal 
 licence for the acquisition of certain lands ;§ issued 
 an ordinance concerning the manner of choosing the 
 mayor and other officers ; and a patent about the 
 measuring of coals. ^[ 
 
 Richard II. confirmed former charters; gave li- 
 cence for a sword of state to be borne before the 
 mayor; and conceded certain pieces of ground for 
 the convenience of making highways and bridges.* 
 
 Henry IV. renewed the franchises of the town; 
 and, in 1400, constituted it a county of itself, and en* 
 trusted the government of it to Roger Thornton, 
 mayor, William Redmarshall, its first sheriff, and in- 
 stead of the four bailiffs, created six aldermen, whom 
 he invested with the power of justices of the peace.*|- 
 
 Henry VI. granted the corporation certain customs 
 
 to be taken of every ship in the port of the town, and 
 
 confirmed all former immunities, especially the grant 
 
 of the 22d Edw. III. of exemption from the admiral, 
 
 constable, and marshal of England, and the wardeu 
 
 of the Marches.^ 
 
 * Brand, ii. 153. f Brand, ii. 155. 
 
 J Wallis' Northumb. ii. 189. J Brand, ii. 164. 
 
 § Wallis* Northumb. ii. 190. f Ibid. 
 
 • Brand, ii. 166, 167. Gardiner's Eng. Griev. p. 13. 
 
 t Bourne, p. 205, f Brand, ii. 17 J. 
 
92 PRIVILEGES, CHARTERS, &C. 
 
 By a decree of the star chamber, dated May £, 
 1516, it was ordered " that on the antient day of 
 election, each of the twelve crafts should present two 
 of their body, which twenty-four, after having been 
 sworn, were to elect four, who had been mayors, al- 
 dermen, or sheriffs of the town, who were to choose 
 eight to themselves, which twelve were to elect other 
 twelve; which twenty- four were to choose a mayor, 
 six aldermen, a recorder, a sheriff, eight chamberlains, 
 two coroners, a sword-bearer, a common clerk, and 
 eight Serjeants at mace." # 
 
 A decree of the privy council, dated June £3, 1557, 
 increased the number of aldermen, from six to ten. 
 Queen Elizabeth also exemplified and confirmed se- 
 veral former grants ; forgave the town a great arrear 
 in the duty of coal, enlarged its municipal rights by let- 
 ters patent, dated May £0, 1588; and on the ££d of 
 March, 1599, granted the great charter, which 
 constitutes the basis of their constitution, and cost 
 them 6341. 10s. 
 
 It was, however, the charter of James I. that final- 
 ly and solidly established to this opulent body, its 
 large immunities; that fully defined the time and 
 manner of electing its mayor, sheriff, chamberlains, 
 &c; the duration and office of electors and alder- 
 men ; and that clearly pointed out the nature and ex- 
 tent of the jurisdiction of its magistrates, the pri- 
 vileges of the freemen, and the liberties of the town. 
 
 The Offices of the Corporation at present 
 are — a mayor, recorder, sheriff, ten aldermen, twenty- 
 
 * Bracdjii. 179. 
 
COURTS. 93 
 
 four common-council, twenty-four electors, two coro- 
 ners, a town-clerk, under-sheriff, sword-bearer, clerk 
 of the chambers, eight chamberlains, eight Serjeants 
 at mace, (whereof the water-bailiff, who bears the 
 great mace, and the sheriffs' serjeant, are of the num- 
 ber) a water-bailiff, quay-master, gaoler, corn-inspec- 
 tor, town-marshall, town-surveyor, and common-cry- 
 er; besides the constables of the twenty-four wards of 
 the town. 
 
 COURTS. 
 
 The Mayor's Court, held in Guildhall every 
 Monday throughout the year, except in the weeks of 
 Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost, " is a court of re- 
 cord, and of great importance. It preserves the rights, 
 laws, franchises, and customs of the corporation. In 
 it are tried all actions for debt, trespasses, accounts, 
 covenants, broken attachments, sequestrations, or 
 other matters arising within the town and liberties, to 
 any value whatsoever."* It is restrained,^ however, 
 from holding pleas on debts under 40s. except for 
 rent reserved upon lease, and some other causes of 
 action, which the court of conscience does not extend 
 to. Attornies, who have served their clerkship to an 
 attorney of the mayor's chamber, are allowed to plead 
 in it, though they be not freemen, t 
 
 The Sheriff's Court and the Mayor's " are of 
 similar jurisdiction and practice, and only differ in this 
 particular, viz : that actions are brought only against 
 free burgesses in the mayor's court, and against 
 
 • WallU' Northumb. ii. 193. f See Common*' JournaIs a 
 vol. x, I Brand, ii. 19c. 
 
94 counts. 
 
 foreigners and non-freemen in the sheriff's, No ac- 
 tion can be removed from one of these courts to the 
 other ," # In cases where " either of the party can- 
 not stay in town till the day of trial, his testimony in 
 writing will be allowed as good evidence."f It is 
 held on Wednesdays and Fridays,' in every week 
 throughout the year, except the weeks of Christmas, 
 Easter, and Pentecost.J w The sheriff, if he pleases, 
 may sit upon all trials along with the recorder, who is 
 also judge here,"|| 
 
 The Court of Conscience, or C^urt of Re- 
 quests, was erected by act of parliament, immediately 
 after the revolution, and confirmed by statute of 27 
 Geo. II. c. 16. § <2. It is directed by the mayor or 
 senior alderman, six other aldermen, and seven com- 
 mon-council-men, annually chosen for the purpose. 
 Three of these commissioners, with the mayor and 
 one alderman, have power to hear and determine all 
 matters of debts or actions, upon the case upon #s- 
 sumpsits not amounting to the full value of 40s. " as 
 they shall find to stand with equity and good con- 
 science" in a summary way, and with or without ad- 
 journments. They can by their beadle levy debts or 
 damages by them awarded, by distress and sale of the 
 creditors goods. It extends to all persons, non-free- 
 men as well as freemen, residing within the liberties of 
 the town ; but not to any debt for rent upon lease of 
 lands, or any real contracts, or debt concerning any 
 testament, matrimony, or ecclesiastical things, though 
 they amount not to 40s. Its charges are limited by 
 
 * Brand, ii. 190. f Wallis' Northumb. 11. 195. 
 
 J Chart, of 4% Elis« g Wallis' Northumb. ii. p. io> 
 
COURTS. 95 
 
 the act to 3d. for a summons, 4d. for a warrant to 
 commit to prison, 4d. for a warrant for seizing and 
 disposing of goods, &c. # 
 
 Court of Admiralty, or River Court. — Ad- 
 miral jurisdiction was granted by king John, and con- 
 firmed by succeeding princes to the mayor and bur- 
 gesses of Newcastle. Lord Howard, of Effingham, 
 was admiral of this port and the river Tyne, from 
 1522 to 1 605, when he resigned it to the mayor and 
 burgesses, with power to hold a court of admiralty, 
 &c.f This court is held before the mayor, at such 
 times as he chooses to direct. His deputy, the water- 
 bailiff, gives notice of all injuries done to the river and 
 the breed of salmon, that offenders may be punished 
 according to law.J In Grey's time it was held 
 " every Monday in the after-noon. This is a court 
 of record for inrolling of deeds and evidences."!] The 
 duke of Northumbeiiand is vice-admiral of Northum- 
 berland, and of Newcastle upon Tyne ; and John 
 Davison, Esq. of Newcastle, is his deputy. 
 
 u There is a Court of Pye-po\vder,§ dun-io* 
 the two faires of Lammas and Saint Luke. A I the 
 privikdges and power that a cjurt-leet can ,ave, is 
 granted 10 tins court "^[ It is tor examining and try- 
 
 • Act. A° i°. Gull et Man*. 
 f Brand, ii. 17, 20, — The oar placed before the mayor fa 
 his admiralty sessions, has the royal arms, and * A°. R. R. ] a# 
 4." on one nde; and, on the other, the arms of the town, and 
 u A Dm. 1606 " 
 
 I Wallis* Northumb. ii. 196, || Choro. p. 17. 
 
 § Pie-powder courts derive their name from pied-poudreux, 
 du.ty foot, because the court is summary in its proceedings, 
 and pas es judgement on offenders before they can wipe the 
 dust offtheir sh- e9. Bracton calb it justitiam pepoudrous,lib, 
 S tract, x. ca. 6. au. 6. See statute, an. 17. Ed, 4. ca. z. 
 f Choro. p. 17. 
 
96 counts. 
 
 ing all suits brought for petty differences and offences 
 committed contrary to the proclamation issued at 
 these fairs. # 
 
 u The Court of Common-council is after 
 the model of the supreme council of the nation. It 
 consists of two houses. One is for the mayor and 
 aldermen. The other is for the commoners. They 
 make all bye-laws for the general benefit of the cor- 
 poration. In this court also, all deeds and evidence 
 are recorded. The mayor can call and adjourn it at 
 pleasure."^ It is held in the mayor's chamber. 
 
 The Court of Guild is held three times in 
 the year. " The principal business is for apprentices, 
 and sons of freemen, to petition for their freedom. 
 These are called by the style of the company that 
 their fathers or masters were of: this is what is term- 
 ed " calling their guilds/' The wardens and stewards 
 of the several companies attend to prevent any person 
 from obtaining his freedom who may not be entitled 
 to it. An apprentice is called at three different guild 
 days ; the son of a freeman only once."J Objections 
 are heard before the common-council : till they be re- 
 moved, the applicant cannot be sworn a freeman; but, 
 if they be unfounded, he may be sworn into his guild 
 by the mayor, or any of the magistrates. 
 
 The Quarter Sessions are held by the ma- 
 gistracy of the town, in Guild-Hall, where also are 
 held the annual assizes, in August. By the great 
 charters of Elizabeth and James, the mayor, recorder, 
 and aldermen, are invested with full power, to hold 
 
 * Wallis' Nor thumb, ii. 196. 
 f Ibid. f Brand, ii, 193. 
 
COMPANIES OF FREEMEN. 97 
 
 gaol deliveries for the town, and to erect a gallows 
 within its liberties, to hang felons, murderers, and 
 other malefactors, according to the laws and customs 
 of England. The coroners and sheriff are entrusted 
 with returning all juries, inquisitions, &c. whenever 
 the magistrates shall think fit to deliver fce gaol ; and 
 with executing the precepts of the magistrates** 
 
 COMPANIES OF FREEMEN. 
 
 Newcastle contains three distinct classes of Free- 
 men. The twelve MYSTEKiEsf by the charter 
 of king James, were each confirmed in their antient 
 right of sending two of its members to the elections 
 
 i 
 
 * King James' charter. 
 
 f This term has no relation to the Greek Mi/ruptw or Latin 
 Mysterium, which are always applied to things sacred, religi- 
 ous, or ceremonious ; but comes from the Romaniek word 
 mestiere, mistera, or misterea, in modern French, metier, a 
 trade. Madox', Firma, Burgi, p 32, The following is a list of 
 the twelve Misteries or trades of this town, in the order they 
 stand in king James' charter, with the year of their oldest or- 
 dinaries annexed r 
 
 1 Drapers or Merchants 
 
 of woollen cloth — . 
 % Mercers - - ■ 
 
 3 Skinners - - 1437 
 
 4 Taylors - - 1536 
 
 5 Merchants of corn or 
 
 Boothmen - - — — 
 
 6 Bakers and Brewers i66t 
 
 7 Tanners - - 15 3Z 
 
 8 Cordwainers - - 1566 
 
 9 Sadiers - . 1459 
 io Butchers • . 1621 
 11 Smiths • . I43 6 
 
 12 Fullers and Dyers 1477 
 The merchants of woollen cloth were one of the twelve 
 mysteries, in 1342. About 1650, this company began to be 
 called ' cappers,* a term of reproach bestowed upon them by 
 the Merchant Adventurers, who then began to claim the sole 
 right of being caiied Merchant Drapers, and to usurp the pri- 
 vilege of sending two members to the election of mayors The 
 old society of Drapers, on this account; has become extinct and 
 the Merchant's Society, at present, consists of the united com. 
 panies of Merchant Adventurers, Mercers, and Boothmen. 
 Brand, ii. 313, 
 
98 
 
 COMPANIES OF FREEMEN* 
 
 of mayors, &c. ; the fifteen bye trades/* by 
 the same authority, had their privilege established of 
 sending " one from every of the said fifteen societies" 
 for the like purpose. But the other coMPANiEsf 
 of the town are without this privilege. All the free- 
 men of the town have, however, right of voting at 
 elections for its members of parliament, of making 
 their sons and apprentices free of their respective 
 trades ; and of stinting on the Town-moor. 
 
 * The fifteen bye trades, in the order of king James* char- 
 ter, with the dates of their oldest ordinaries. 
 
 Masters & Mariners 1429 
 Weavers - - 15 % 7 
 Barber Chirurge- "> 
 onsjwith Chandlers j 44 
 Cutlers, extinct, no *> 
 ordinary. j"" 
 
 Shipwrights - 1638 
 Coopers - 142,6 
 
 House Carpenters 1579 
 Masons - <• 1581 
 Glovers - - 1436 
 
 10 Joiners 
 
 11 Millers 
 
 iz Curriers, with Felt- 
 makers and Ar- 
 mourers 
 
 13 Collier?, Paviours,** 
 
 and Carriage-men 3 
 
 14 Slaters 
 
 15 Glaziers, Plumb- ^ 
 
 ers Pewterers, & > 
 Painters - \ 
 
 15S9 
 
 1656 
 145* 
 
 1563 
 
 -1675 
 
 7 Upholsterers, Tin- " 
 
 plate-workers, & ! 
 Stationers - « 
 
 8 Sailmakers • 1663 
 
 9 Mettors - - 161 1 
 10 Porters - - 1528 
 
 f 1 Hoastmen,a. 24 Eliz. 1581 
 0, Goldsmiths - 17 17 
 
 3 .Musicians, or waits") , 
 
 (extinct) - J l077 
 
 4 Scriviners - 1675 
 
 5 Bricklayers - 1660 
 
 6 Ropers - - 1648 
 
 The Hoastmen*s society is very antient. It existed long be- 
 fore the 24th of Elijz. though their strongest charter was obtain* 
 ed in that year. In it (hey are set forth as a " Guild or Fra- 
 ternity" which had existed in Newcastle " from time whereof 
 the memory of man is not to the contrary, for the loading and 
 the better disposing of sea-coales, and pitt-coales, and grind- 
 stones, rub-stones, and whet-stones." Brand, ii. p 6,59. 
 
 The following are the names of extinct companies, concern- 
 ing which little is known: Cooks, Sword-slippers, Spicers, 
 Furbishers, Bowyers, Fletchers, Spurriers, Girdlers, and Vint- 
 ners. 
 
99 
 FAIRS AND POPULATION. 
 
 Fairs. — King John granted to this town an annu- 
 al Fair to be held on the vigil and day of St. Peter ad 
 vincula, at present called the Lammas fair* Ed- 
 ward II. extended its duration from the 1st to the 
 28th day of August, on provision that such extension 
 was not prejudicial to the neighbouring fairs.f St. 
 Luke's fair Oct 18, was granted by Henry VII. in 
 1490.J *' The tolls, booths, stallage, pickage, and 
 courts of pie -powder, to each of these fairs, were reck- 
 oned worth, communibus annis, 121. in Oliver's time."|[ 
 Each of these fairs, at present, lasts for nine successive 
 days; except the show of cattle, sheep and horses, on 
 the Town Moor, which seldom extends beyond the 
 first day of the fair. At these times there are large 
 exhibitions of Yorkshire woollen cloth, in the Old- 
 Fiesh-Market; and of Staffordshire- ware, toys, and 
 various other goods, on Sandhill. There is also an 
 annual fair called the Town fair, on Nov. 22, for fat 
 cattle, called here Marts, from the time Martinmas. 
 
 Population. — The four parishes of Newcastle, 
 in 1781, had two thousand three hundred and eighty- 
 nine houses, rated to pay window-cess; on Hutton's 
 plan the number is estimated at two thousand four 
 hundred and fifty; the census in 1801, returned three 
 thousand two hundred and seventy-six; and, in 1811, 
 three thousand one hundred and forty-six. The in- 
 habitants in the same district, in 1801, amounted to 
 twenty-eight thousand two hundred and ninety- four; 
 
 J Brand, ii, 138. f Ibi d. *5* J ftid. *77' 
 
 (| Bourne, p. 149. 
 
 LoFC, 
 
100 EIVEH TVNE AND POLICE. 
 
 and, in 1811, to twenty-seven thousand five hundred - 
 and twenty-seven ; in the month of June, of which 
 year, the number of people in St. Nicholas* parish 
 was four thousand one hundred and sixty-six,— in All 
 Saint's parish, fourteen thousand one hundred and 
 seventy-one, — in St. Andrew's parish, four thousand 
 seven hundred and eighty-four, — and, in St. John's 
 parish, four thousand four hundred and sixty^six. 
 
 RIVER TYNE AND POLICE. 
 
 St. Bede is the first author that mentions tliis 
 river by its present name,* The origin and meaning 
 of the name have been much disputed. La Tyne, 
 riviere form&e de deux rivieres. Ty deux ; Tyn, dou- 
 ble. On a 6tendu par abus le nom deTine k chacune 
 des rivieres qui la forment.+ The South Tyne rises 
 behind Crossfell, and in its course receives the Nent* 
 the Tippal, and the Alan. The North Tyne com* 
 niences on the borders of Scotland, and receives the 
 Reed, below Bellingh.am. The two branches join 
 near Nether-warden, and afterwards are augmented, by 
 the Dill, called also Devil's Brook, near Corbridge, 
 by the Derwent (which rises above the Abbey of 
 Blancheland) below Swalwell, and by several smaller 
 streams. 
 
 In the time of William Rufus, it was proved that this 
 river had, ab omni tempore, been the march between 
 Northumberland and the bishopric of Durham ; and 
 that a moiety of it belonged to each county, while the 
 middle of it was common to all ships and boats. 
 
 * Eccl Hist. Smith's Edition, p. 183. 
 f Bullet's Memoiressur la X.angue Celtiquc, vol, i,p«34& 
 
RIVER TYNE AND POLICE. 101 
 
 The conservatorship of the Tyne* appears to have 
 been invested in the Corporation of Newcastle, since 
 the time of Edward II.* though repeated commis- 
 sions have since his time been issued to strengthen his 
 grant. Their jurisdiction extends to high-water mark 
 on both sides of the river, from Spar-Hawk, a rock at 
 the mouth of the haven, to Hedwin-streams, above 
 Newburne, a distance of about nineteen miles, which 
 is annually surveyed on Ascension day, by the mayor, 
 as judge of the Court of Admiralty, and by the river 
 jury, in their barges, attended with a large assembly 
 of their friends and the populace in pleasure boats. 
 
 " The channel betwixt Newcastle and Tynemouth 
 is of very different width and depth, so that the tide is 
 more rapid in some places than others. The entrance 
 at the Low-lights is very narrow, but forming into a 
 fine large bason, nearly the whole length of Shields, 
 renders it a very large and commodious haven, at the 
 west end of which the tide spreads over the extensive 
 flats of J arrow Slake, and then, for a considerable 
 distance, runs in a broad and deep channel, called the 
 Long Reach, from whence it is obstructed by several 
 windings, till it comes within a mile of Newcastle, 
 whence it again runs in an open stream, a mile and a 
 half above, and is again considerably intercepted in its 
 course by an island, consisting of about twenty-one 
 acres of pasture ground, called the King's Meadows ; 
 after flowing round this island, in two narrow channels, 
 aud through several beautiful windings, it ceases to rise 
 
 i 3 
 
 * Brand, ii. 9* 
 
102 CELEBRATED CHARACTERS* 
 
 a little above the village of Newburn, about eight miles 
 from Newcastle." Brand, ii. 13, 14, 
 
 CELEBRATED CHARACTERS. 
 
 Roger Thornton, the celebrated patron of 
 Newcastle, was the son of Hodgkin Thornton, proba- 
 bly of Thornton in the parish of Hartburn, By his 
 wife,Agnes Law, he had issue John, Roger, and Giles. 
 By his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of the baron 
 of Greystock, he had issue two daughters, the first 
 married to an Ogle, and the second to Sir George 
 Lumley. This is Mr Brand's account from a Har- 
 lean MS. But it is evident from Thornton's will, 
 that his eldest son's name was Roger, and as lord 
 Greystock's daughter did not die till the year 1440, 
 and the will directs " my body to be buried beside 
 my wife in All-hallows kyrk of Newcastle," without 
 mentioning any wife then alive, we conclude that R. 
 Thornton, " the elder" was only once married, and 
 that it was the daughter of his son Roger, by lady 
 Elizabeth Greystock, to whom sir. G. Lumley was 
 married.* 
 
 Tradition represents this celebrated character as 
 coming from the country, west of Newcastle, and as 
 poor and badly clothed at his outset in life. He, 
 however, arose to such eminence as to be nine times 
 mayor of this town, and one of its representatives in the 
 parliaments held in the years 1399, 1410, and 1416. 
 He accumulated a large estate ; built the castle of 
 Witton-by-the-waters, now called Nether-witton, and 
 
 • Sec Bourne, pp. 95 > aiz. Dugdale's Baronage under Lum* 
 ley, Wallis' Northumb. vol. l. p. 5**« 
 
CELEBRATED CHARACTERS. ]QS 
 
 the Westgate of Newcastle ; founded in his life time 
 the Maisoti de Dieu on Sandhill, and a chantry in All 
 Saint's church ; and by his will, dated " the Thurs- 
 day next before yole-day (Christmas day) in the year 
 of our Lord, 1429/' bequeathed considerable sums 
 to the repairs of several churches, to ecclesiastics, and 
 to his servants,* and died on the 3d of January fol- 
 low ing.+ From a twelve years lease executed be- 
 tween him and bishop Skirlaw, in 1401, it appears 
 that he was greatly engaged in lead mines, for this 
 document secures to him, lead mines at Blakden, 
 Aldwode-clough, and Harderake, with a convenient 
 shield in the forest of Weardale, for the feeding of 
 his horses, for the consideration of every ninth load 
 of lead ore.J See before at pp. 9, 28. 
 
 Robert Rhodes, or Rodes^ was also a great 
 benefactor of the town of Newcastle, and one of its re- 
 presentatives in parliament, m the years 1427, 1428, 
 1432, 1434, and 1441.§ He and his wife Agnes 
 refounded the chantry of St. John the Baptist, and 
 St. John the Apostle, in St. Nicholas church, in 
 1428. Henry VI. in 1400, appointed him comptrol- 
 ler of the customs of this port. By an old index of 
 relics in the church of Durham, given in the appen- 
 dix to Smith's edition of Bede, p. 745, we find that 
 Robert ....odes, of Newcastle upon Tyne, a great 
 lawyer, and seneschal of the priory of D irham, who 
 was also a constant and faithful friend of St. Cuthbert, 
 
 • See his will at length in Bourne, pp. aio, an. 
 f His name occurs in Brand, vol. i, pp. a4, 43, 44, 76, 246, 
 *58>3 6 4, 377, 38*1 3 8 3> 405; and in vol. ii. pp. 101, ioa, actf, 
 419, 42a, 4*3- 
 
 J Bourne, p, 305. § Prynne's, 4th part, &c. 
 
104 CELEBRATED CHARACTERS, 
 
 an assiduous advocate of the rights, maintainer of the 
 liberties, and a fellow of the spiritual chapter of Dur- 
 ham, on the 10th of January, ] 446, gave to the shrine 
 of St. Cuthbert a cross of gold, set with precious 
 stones, and adorned with curious relics. He is called 
 esquire, in 1447; and his name occurs in the years 
 1451, 1452, and 1461. In 1486, he was one of the 
 bishop of Durham's Justices, at which time his wife 
 also was alive. They were both dead in 1500, when 
 the corporation of Newcastle assigned a tenement for 
 a priest to live in, who should pray for their souls in 
 the chantry they had founded. His arms may be seen 
 under the belfries of the church of St. Nicholas, and 
 St. John. They were also under the belfry of the old 
 church of All Saints, and removed by Col. Villars, 
 from within the gate at Tynemouth Castle, to Dr, 
 Ellison's house in Newcastle. We copied the an- 
 -| nexed representation of his arms from 
 a stone, curiously carved in the Gothic 
 style, and at the vicarage in Corbridge. 
 On the stone is a fillet with an incrip- 
 tion in old English, of which the words 
 Roberti Rodis* are plain enough; the mutilated part 
 was probably Orate pro arrima. Grey is mistaken 
 in calling Robert Rhodes, prior of Tynemouth.f 
 John Rhodes, who was mayor of Newcastle, in 1428, 
 was probably brother to this Robert. 
 
 Stephen Brown, son of John Brown, grocer, 
 of this town, was knighted and chosen lord Mayor of 
 
 * See Brand, vol. i. pp. 106,184, a49> *6i, 465,' *6;, 367* 
 377; and voi.ii. pp. 39> I0I » l82f > ao6 » 7»4« 
 *■' tBra»d,ii.4*3* 
 
CELEBRATED CHARACTERS. 105 
 
 London, in 1438, for the uncommon zeal and dis- 
 enterested charity he employed in mitigating the ter- 
 rors of a great famine and pestilence, which raged that 
 year in England and France. The poor people were 
 forced to make themselves bread of fern roots. Sir 
 Stepl-en, at his own charge, sent several ships to 
 Dantzick, to purchase rye, with which they so speedily 
 returned as to depress the markets, and check the 
 ravages of famine. He was one of the first, who 
 shewed the way to the Baltic markets in times of 
 scarcity.* 
 
 Sir Jo hn Marley, asgovernor of the town against 
 the Scots, in 1644, obtaiued great credit. He was 
 sheriff, in 1634, and mayor, in 1637, 1642, 1643, 
 1644, oo the 14th of .August, in which year, the siege 
 commenced closely. The Scots in all had 30,000 
 men: the townsmen did not amount to more than 
 1500.f The earl of Calendar, with 10,000 men, 
 was stationed in Gateshead, and had a bridge of boats 
 at the Glass-houses. General Levin had his head 
 quarters at Elswick. He summoned 3,000 country- 
 men to come with .spades and mattocks.;}; The go- 
 vernour of the town repaired the half-moon-battery, 
 and the castle, at this time ; and, though often sum- 
 moned to surrender, still proudly refused. On the 
 19th of October, the mines were fired, and furious 
 assault commenced at the breaches, which were de- 
 fended by " scattered shot" from the castle— but, 
 overpowered by numbers, resistance became vain, and 
 
 • Fuller's Worthies— Northumb. 
 
 f Bourne, p. 233. 
 
 \ Whitclock.— Thurloe's State Papers, vol, i. p. 4*. 
 
106 CELEBRATED CHARACTERS. 
 
 the soldiers of the garrison forsook the walls.* Upon 
 the first entrance of the enemy, the Governour, with 
 Lodowick Lindesey, Earl Crawford, the Lord Max- 
 well, Dr. Wishart and others, that had been most re- 
 solute for holding the town, betook themselves to the 
 castle :f But, on the £2d of the same month, they 
 threw open its gates, and surrendered themselves pri- 
 soners of war. Sir John Marley was treated with 
 great insult and cruelty by the mob, and afterwards 
 persecuted with much asperity by the parliament. 
 He, however, escaped into banishment, where he re- 
 mained till 1658, when he came home, and, as it 
 seems, acted as a spy for the king* J At the restora- 
 tion he immediately came again into favour, and was 
 chosen mayor, in l66l 
 
 J ohm March, B. D. was born in this town. 
 He was an admirable scholar, a man of strict piety, 
 and a most powerful preacher. Twelve of his ser- 
 mons were published and recommended to the world, 
 in 1693, by Dr. John Scot, author of the Christian 
 Life. He also wrote a work on the Revolution, ad- 
 dressed, in five letters, to Dr. Welwood, which went 
 through different editions.^ 
 
 "Mark Akenside, born the 9 November, 
 1721 ; baptized yl 30 of the same month, by the Rev. 
 Mr Benj? Bennet,"|| minister of the meeting-house, 
 
 * In taking down the walls, at the entrance into Carliol- 
 croft, in July, 18 11, three twenty two pound shot were found 
 in them. 
 
 f Brand, ii. 466. 
 
 I Thur. State Pap. vol. vii. pp. 149* 3*3* 5*6, 549> 34& 
 
 § Bourne, p. 75. 
 
 I Register of his baptism. See Sra&d, ii. £14* 
 
DUKES AND EARLS OF NEWCASTLE, 107 
 
 in Hanover-square, was the son of a butcher in this 
 town. Though he carried to the grave a limp in his 
 gait, occasioned by the falling of a cleaver on his foot, 
 when a boy; yet he continued all his life foolishly 
 ashamed of the lowness of his origin. At Edinburgh, 
 he turned from the study of divinity, to physic. He 
 took his degree of M. D. at Leyden, and, in the same 
 year, published his " Pleasures of Imagination." He 
 found a valuable friend and patron in Mr Dyson, who 
 allowed him 3001. a year till he could fix himself in 
 practice. He resided at Northampton first, then at 
 Hampstead. After obtaining a doctor's degree at 
 Cambridge, he was elected fellow of the College of 
 Physicians, and a physician to St. Thomas's Hospital, 
 and to the queen. He printed a discourse in elegant 
 latin, on the dysentery, in 1764; but died, in 1770, 
 and was buried in St. James' church, Westminster.* 
 
 DUKES AND EARLS OF NEWCASTLE. 
 
 Lodowick Stewart, son of E-me Stewart, duke 
 of Lenox, in Scotland, baron of Sitringham, in York- 
 shire, was created May 17, 1622, earl of Newcastle 
 upon Tyne, and duke of Richmond ; but, dying with- 
 out issue, the title became extinct.^ 
 
 William Cavendish, knight of the Bath, 
 baron Ogle, and lord Mansfield, March 7, 1627, was 
 raised to the dignity of b^ron Cavenaish of Bolsover 
 and Bertram, and earl of Newcastle upon Tyne. In 
 gratitude for this and other instances of his sovereign's 
 love, he manned and fortified this town, and the castle 
 of Tynemouth, and gave such other proofs of his 
 
 * Biog. Brit. f Dugdale's Baronage, vol. iii» p. 416. 
 
108 DUKES AND EARLS OF NEWCASTLE, 
 
 steady loyalty, that in 1644, he was created marquis 
 of Newcastle. After Charles was beheaded, he re- 
 mained in banishment till the restoration, after which 
 he was made earl of Ogle, and duke of Newcastle, 
 March 16, 1664. His grace wrote several poems 
 and plays, but his treatise on horsemanship is the best 
 known of his works. He died, in 1676. 
 
 He was succeeded in his estates and honors by his 
 son Henry, who had issue by the eldest daughter of 
 Wm, Pierpont, of Thoresby, Esq, one son, named 
 Henry, and four daughters, Elizabeth, Frances, Mar- 
 garet, and Catharine. Henry died, unmarried, before 
 his father, at whose decease, in 1691, this honor was 
 extinct in the male line; but, 
 
 John Hollis, who had married Margaret Ca- 
 vendish above mentioned, in consequence of his zeal 
 in promoting the revolution, was promoted to the dig- 
 nity of marquis of Clare, and duke of Newcastle. 
 He died, in 17 H, immensely rich, at his seat, at 
 Walbeck, in Nottinghamshire, of a bruise he received 
 by a fall from his horse, and left a great part of hi§ 
 estate to his nephew, 
 
 Thomas Hollis Pelham, who, in 1715, was 
 created marquis and duke of JS ewcastle,* titles which 
 became extinct at his death, in 1768. He was also 
 duke of Newcastle under Lyiie, which title descend- 
 ed to Henry Clinton, earl of Lincoln.^ 
 
 * Magna Brit, vol. iii. p. 6il. 
 f Camd, Brit. Gou^h'b £d. vol, ii. p. aio. vol. 
 
 iii. 253. 
 
109 
 
 SEATS IN THE PARISHES OF 
 NEWCASTLE. 
 
 Jesmond, an antient village, once in high celebrity 
 for its holy well, and the shrine of St. Mary in the 
 chapel there,* is in the parish of St. Andrews. It 
 appertained to the barony of Ga.ugy in the time of 
 Henry Ill.f It was the residence of Adam de Athol 
 in 1383 J A third of this manor, and of the advow- 
 son of the church, belonged to John Strindlyn, in 
 3 390§ Sir Robert Stotte came to live here, in 
 1765; and his mansion-house, called Stotie's Hall, 
 stands on the east side of the village. Sir Francis 
 Anderson, knight, and others, sold possessions here, in 
 1669, to William Coulson, whose descendants had a 
 residence upon them, till 1808, when they were pur- 
 chased by John Anderson, Esq. of Newcastle, by 
 whom Jesmond House is now inhabited. 
 
 Heaton Hall, in All Saint's parish, is pleasant- 
 ly situated upon the steep and woody banks of Ouse- 
 burn, and is the seat of M. W. Ridley, Esq. whose 
 father, sir M. W. Ridley, bart. from designs by New- 
 ton, faced it with stone, and added the towers at each 
 end. It was originally built of brick, in 17 13, and 
 intended for convenience rather than pleasure, being 
 at that time in the centre of several large collieries 
 that belonged to the family j| 
 
 There is a traditional account that king John made 
 Heaton one of the places of his retreat. Robert de 
 Gaugy was greatly in the confidence of that monarch, 
 
 K 
 
 * See p. 19. f Testa de Nevill, p 382. J See p. z6« 
 
 § Escheats, 14, Ric, ii, 5 yniv, Magaa, vol xxxi. p. Si. 
 
110 SEATS IN THE PARISHES &C, 
 
 and this ville was held of his barony. Ruins here of 
 an old building, fortified on the north, still carry the 
 name of king John's palace/f- 
 
 Near Heaton, on an elevated situation, is the a.n- 
 tient village of Byker, which, with its park, was 
 held of the king, by Nicholas de Byker, in grand ser- 
 jeancy in 1234.J Robert de Byker died, seized of 
 two parts of Byker and Pampedon, 15th Edw. I. 
 The Percys had it in Henry the Sixth's time; and 
 Edward IV. granted it to his brother Clarence. Sir 
 John Lawson held it in I067, in whose family it has 
 ever since continued. 
 
 Fenham, in St. John's parish, belonged to the 
 knights Templars, and, with the rest of their property, 
 was granted by parliament, in 1324, to the knights 
 Hospitallars of St. John of Jerusalem. It was annex- 
 ed to the crown at the dissolution ; but, afterwards 
 came to the Riddels of Swinburn Castle, Thomas 
 Riddel obtained an act of parliament to sell it to John 
 Ord, attorney-at-law, in Newcastle : the mines in this 
 sale were reserved ; but, in 1770, sold to the Ords, in 
 whose family the estate still continues. From the east 
 front of Fenham-Hall, is a fine open prospect of the 
 river Tyne, to the haven of Shields, and the ruins of 
 Tynemouth priory. 
 
 Elswick, in St. John's parish, was one of the pos- 
 sessions of Tynemouth priory. There were collieries 
 
 f Bourne, p. 114. The manor of Heaton belonged to the 
 Babbingtons, of Harnham, for many years. Sir Henry Bab- 
 bington resided on it, in 1638 ; and a descendant of this family, 
 in a low situation, recovered a share of Heaton colliery j ia 
 1706. 
 
 { Testa de Nevil, p, 388, &ci 
 
GATESHEAD. Ill 
 
 " at Heygrove, Westfeld and Gallow-flat," near Els- 
 wick, in 1334. # Soon after the reformation, it was 
 purchased by Wm, Jennison, Esq. whose family held 
 it to the beginning of last century, when it was sold to 
 the grandfather of its present possessor, John Hodg- 
 son, Esq. who has lately rebuilt the house on an ele- 
 gant and commodious plan. Its scite is high and 
 bold, and the prospect from it over the busy scenes 
 of the Tyne, and the line vale of Ravensworth, ren- 
 ders it a very interesting situation. 
 
 Richard de Benwell, held one part of the ville of 
 Ben well, and Robert de Whitchester, and Henry 
 de la Val the other, by service of each, a fourth part 
 of a knight's fee of the barony of Bolbeck, in 3272.1* 
 The Delavals had possessions here for some centuries. 
 The Shaftoes of this place were a branch of the Ba- 
 vington family : their mansion was joined to the old 
 tower,! but has for several years been untenanted, and 
 is now in ruins. 
 
 GATESHEAD. 
 
 Dr. Stukely supposes|| that Gateshead was a forti- 
 fied place of the Romans, and says, he saw stones 
 about it, the recipient parts of their hand-mills. When 
 the New-street was made, an urn, containing a vast 
 quantity of Roman copper coins, was discovered near 
 the church gates. Camden, and other antiquaries, 
 supposed that Gabro centum of the Notitia was 
 here, an opinion sufficiently exploded by Horsley; 
 
 K 2 
 
 • Tinmouth Chartulary, fol. 163. Brand. 
 
 f Testa de Nevill, p, 383. Wallis' Northumb. ii. p. 174, 
 
 I See p. %%. | iter B.oreale, p. 69. 
 
112 GATESHEAD. 
 
 though Dr. Stukely, after finding the place called 
 Ad Capm Caput, by Bede, and seeing a goat's head 
 used at it as a sign, found that Gabrocent«m, in 
 British, signified goafs head, and therefore continued 
 in Camden's opinion. 
 
 It is, however, matter of some doubt where the 
 Ad Caprje Caput of Bede was situated: His 
 words are, u Adda autem erat frater Uttan, presby 
 teri inlustris, et Abbatis monasterii quod vocatur Ad 
 Caprae Caput ;" which Alfrid translates " Was se 
 AddaUttan brother tbaes mseran msesse preostes and ab- 
 budes thaer mynstres the is nemed JEt Ilregeheafde."* 
 Simeon of Durham, speaking of the murder of bishop 
 Walcher, says it happened at a place called Ad Caput 
 Caprae,^ and in another place, calls it Gotesheved.J 
 In Brompton it is Cattesse hevede.§ As gate signi- 
 fies a street in antient and in the present vulgar lan- 
 guage, some think that Gateshead means the head or 
 end of the road, because a branch of Watliug-street 
 ended here.[| 
 
 Trinity Chapel was in existence between the 
 years 11 QQ, and 1207, as appears by the following 
 grant copied from the original in the vestry of 
 Gateshead : 
 
 " Hosmundus Jilt hamonis de Gatesheude om'ib; 
 
 indentib; fy audientib; has lit fas tarn p'sentib; q'm 
 
 faturis mVf. Sciatis me dedisse # co'cessisse fy hoc 
 
 mea carta coyirmasse deo fy capelle s Ve fnitatis de 
 
 • Smith's Bede, pp. I25>55*« 
 
 f Historic Ang- col. 48. \ Ibid. col. arc 
 
 § Historiae Ang. col. 997. 
 
 || Brand, u 461. Hutch. Durh, ii, 453* 
 
GATESHEAD. 113 
 
 Gatesheud i* pura' fy p 9 petucH elemosina?n.p 9 salute 
 a'i'e mee et parent u meor et heredu meor. nil. or 
 acras terre culte i 9 harleia ad australem parte 9 
 p'piores nemori de bejichehelm de cultura scilicet 
 qm accept i excdbium a d'no meo philippo d'i 
 gra dunelmemi epo p hidkektan: liberas. solutas. 
 qetas. ab orrii seruitio et comuetudine fy exac 
 
 endas de me et heredib; meis 
 
 libere fy q 9 ete fy honorifice. sicuti aliq 9 eccVia itl 
 
 capella arfolc liberi 9 . q 9 eti 9 fy hono? jficenti' 
 
 elemosinam tenet. Testib; d"n 9 o pet\ de Gatesh'. 
 Thoma capelVo. RanuJfo cap 9 Wo. Ric p 9 sana de 
 hortu. Ric 9 hoisun. lamb 9 to flam. Girardo filio 
 Geue. Riginaldo de len. Edmundo tail. 39 Seal 
 remaining, indorsed u Land in Harlaw given to the 
 Chantry of St. Trinity." 
 
 In 1226, Baldwin gave to God and the Hospital 
 of St. Trinity, in the borough of Gateshead, and to 
 Gerard, the son of Geve its procurator, and to the 
 rest of the brethren there, a farm, at Kyoe, near Lan- 
 chester. This and two other contemporary grants 
 are given by Mr Brand from the originals. Nicholas 
 Farnham, bishop of Durham, in 1248, because its 
 brethren, by reason of their poverty, neither led a se- 
 cular nor a religious life, united this house with trie 
 hospital of St. Edmund ; and, amongst the numerous 
 charters in Gateshead vestry, respecting this institu- 
 tion, one, dated Ap. 28, 1485, calls it " the chantry 
 of the Holy Trinity in the hospital of St. EdmunS 
 the Confessor." 
 
 The Hospital of St. Edmund the Con- 
 fessor and St. Cuthbert was founded in, 
 k 3 
 
114 GATESHEAD. 
 
 1248, by bishop Farnham, and by him endowed with 
 the whole village of Ulkistan ; the old lordship of 
 Gateshead ; the wood of Benchelm, containing forty- 
 three acres, and lying between the arable land of St. 
 Trinity, and the road leading to Farnacres; and with 
 twenty-nine acres of escheated land in Ahires-acyres. 
 By the confirmation charter, it was to consist of four 
 chaplains or priests \ one of them to be master, and 
 cat at the same table, and sleep in the same chamber 
 with his three brethren, and pay each of them £0s. a 
 year. It had a clear revenue of 181. a year, in 1292. 
 In bishop Skirlaw's time it is called " the hospital of 
 St. Edmund the king," # and is said to have consisted 
 of " brethren, sisters, and paupers ;"-f and, in 1448, 
 bishop Neville appropriated it, with its revenues, to 
 the convent of St. Bartholomew, in Newcastle, by 
 the name of " the hospital of St, Ednuuid. the 
 bishop :" This grant was made on account of a fire 
 that had happened in the nunnery, and misfortunes 
 which Lad reduced them to great distress, and in con- 
 sideration of their finding two priests to officiate in the 
 chapel here. In 1544, it had a clear yearly revenue of 
 " ?!• 7s. 9d. which doctor Beilasses now master of 
 the same hath towards hys lyvying, and giveth out of 
 the same four marks by the year to a prieste to say 
 masse there twyse in the weke for the commoditie 
 and easement of the parishioners that do dwelle farr 
 from the parish churche. ,? J After the dissolution, it 
 remained in the hands of the crown ; but masters 
 were regularly appointed to it. Robert Claxton suc- 
 
 • Hutch. Durh. vol, I. p. 457« f Brand, i. 471. 
 J Brand, i, 475. 
 
GATESHEAD* H5 
 
 ceeded Dr. Bellasses, and from him the principal farm 
 of the hospital derives its present appellation. 
 
 " The Hospitalle of St. Edmund/' says an au- 
 thority in the Augmentation Office, " standeth about 
 halfe a myle distant from the parishe churche of 
 Gatishedde;" it is opposite to the Hexham road end. 
 How long St. Trinity Chapel existed before the grant 
 to it, in the episcopacy of Philip of Pictavia, we have 
 no account. Bishop Farnham, in the charter that 
 united these institutions, says : " We confirm to St. 
 Edmund and the four chaplains, in the chspel we 
 have built at Gateshead, &c." words which suffici- 
 ently prove, that each of the hospitals had, at that 
 time, its own chapel ; but the expressions, " I give 
 to the House of St. Trinity, and St. Edmund, in 
 Gateshead, half, &c. ,?# and " Thomas Denom, chap- 
 lain and guardian of the chantry of St. Trinity, in the 
 hospital of St. Edmund the Confessor, inGateshead,"f 
 strongly indicate that the original chapel of St. Trinity 
 had fallen into disuse after the union of the hospitals. 
 The ruined chapel that remains is of that kind of ar- 
 chitecture which began to prevail in Henry the third's 
 reign. " The west end of it is handsomely ornament- 
 ed with a number of pointed arches and niches, though 
 the inside seems remarkably plain. Some steps, at 
 the east end, leading to the altar, are still remainiao* ; 
 near them is a grave-stone, on which is cut a cross, 
 similar to that in the jamb" (architrave) " of the 
 church door at Jarrow : it has also the marks of an 
 inlaid border about it, but the brass is gone. Th« 
 
 * Deed, dated 1316. Brand, i. 470. 
 f Grig, deed, in Gatesh. vest, dated 14X5* 
 
116 GATESHEAD. 
 
 arches of the windows (except those at the east and 
 west ends which are entirely pointed (are round with- 
 in and pointed without."* It consists of one aisle 
 about twenty-five yards long, and six and-a-half yards 
 broad. Dr. Smith, in his edition of Bede, printed 
 in 1722, says, no vestige remains of the monastery of 
 Uttan. Of a more recent one, we see a very beauti- 
 ful chapel, scarcely as yet fallen into ruins. Its lead- 
 en roof was taken off about fifty years ago. 
 
 The low, square, stone gate-way, ornamented with 
 fluted pilasters, which stands before this chapel, was 
 the entrance to Mr Riddle's mansion-house, which, 
 with a chapel within it, on account of the family be- 
 ing Rbman Catholics, was wantonly set on fire, Jan. 
 28, 1746, by the populace in Gateshead, as the late 
 duke of Cumberland passed through this town to 
 meet the rebel army. This house appears to have been 
 built out of the offices of the monastery (as it is of a 
 style , of architecture which did not prevail till after 
 the dissolution. At present, it is quite in ruins. The 
 ancestors of the Riddles of Swinburne-Castle and 
 Cheeseburne-Grange were many years seated at it, and 
 in their time it was called GATESHEAD-HousEe 
 William Riddle in 1569 was lessee under the crown 
 of coal-mines " cum les water-pyttes in campis de 
 Gateshed/'J The whole of these premises, however, 
 passed out of this family to the Claverings of Callaley, 
 about the middle of last century, and of them were 
 purchased by the late Mr Barras, of Gateshead, who 
 sold them to the Ellisons of Hebbum-Hall. 
 
 * Grose* Durham. 
 f Jones' Index to Records* &c. vol. iu suh GafaM 
 
GATESHEAIK 117 
 
 The charters of the " Hospital or free chappel of 
 St. Edmund* king and martyr" being lost, and per- 
 sons being endeavouring to convert its property to 
 their own use, James I. Jan. 4, 1610, refounded it, 
 by the name of " King James Hospital, in 
 Gateshead " By this charter, it should consist of a 
 master, the rector of Gateshead for the time being, 
 and three poor, unmarried men of advanced age, who 
 should form a body politic in law, have a common 
 seal, power to plead, and sue and be sued, and to let 
 leases of ten years. The bishop of Durham to have 
 power to revise the antient statutes, to make new 
 ones, provide for the due celebration of divine wor- 
 ship in its chapel, and to appoint the masters. The 
 three brethren to be appointed by the master, and to 
 have each Si. 6s. 8d. for their support during the life 
 of the first master; and, after his death, the suceed- 
 ing masters to have a full third of its annual profits, 
 and the two other to go to the maintenance of the 
 brethren. In the 51 Geo. III. an act passed to en- 
 able the master and brethren to grant leases of their 
 property, in parcels not comprizing more than an acre, 
 and for terms not exceeding ninety-nine years, and to 
 enable the bishop of Durham to make statutes and 
 ordinances for its government, and augment the num- 
 ber of its brethren, so that the revenues of the present 
 master and brethren may not be abridged. By the 
 schedule annexed to this act, ks present amioal rents 
 from lands and mines amount to 455L; the lands pay 
 tythes to Gateshead church, but are let tythe free. 
 
 The scite of this institution is on the east side of the 
 high-way, about a mile south of the bridge. " In the 
 
118 GATESHEAD. 
 
 year 1731, " says Brand, "in the Chapel-garth was. a 
 chapel, wherein duty was performed by the master, with 
 a dove-cote, stables and other conveniences, and three 
 houses for the bedemen, wherein they lived at that time. 
 They have now an allowance to procure themselves lodg- 
 ings, for grass at present covers the sites of the houses of 
 the master and brethren." Between the years 1733 
 and 1769, # a custom obtained of preaching a sermon 
 at the parish church, in lieu of performing divine ser- 
 vice here, and since that time the old chapel has been 
 disused. The New Chapel of St. Edmund's was 
 consecrated Aug. 7 } 1810; and its burial ground, 
 Aug. 7, 1811. 
 
 St* Mary's Church. — According to tradition, 
 the * ecclesiola' in which bishop Walcher was mur- 
 dered, stood in the field on the north-east side of 
 the rectory, once called Lawless-Close, and afterwards 
 the Miller's-Field.^ The present edifice, dedicated 
 to St. Mary, is of uncertain origin: its founda- 
 tion and endowment are in the Cotton library, but 
 rendered illegible by the fire which mutilated and de- 
 stroyed so many valuable records in that collection. 
 In 1291, it is mentioned as being at that time, worth 
 13l. 6s. 8d. a year. The shape and hewing of its 
 stones prove that it has been built out of the ruins of 
 some Roman edifice. In 17 19> an old brass seal was 
 
 * In this year, Rector Wood " obliged bis predecessors 
 widow and adminstratrix to pay him 300L for the delapida- 
 tions of this hospital, on which he executed to her a general 
 release." Brand, i. 47°« 
 
 f Brand, u 484. Bourne, 168, 
 
GATESHEAD. 119 
 
 dug up, under a third pavement, 
 in Carlisle, with this inscription: 
 " S/ Beate Marie deGathesevid;" 
 and in the Augmentation-Office, 
 there is a will dated at Gateshead, 
 in 1427> with a beautiful fragment 
 of a seal of this church, and of 
 which the annexed is a copy .J 
 
 The Steeple of it was rebuilt, in 
 1740: It had eight bells in it in 
 Bourne's time : The four spires at 
 
 each corner were taken down in 1764, and the roof 
 altered. Its pezvs and furniture are neat. Though 
 the registers have a few gaps in them, they are in 
 fine preservation from their commencement in 1559. 
 The vestry-books have also been minutely kept, and 
 well preserved : In one of them is a copy of a letter 
 dated Whitehall, Tuesday 22d June, 1658, by which 
 the twenty-four of Gateshead, because they were 
 thought unfit to. hold any public trust, and to have 
 power of quelling profaneness and other crimes, was 
 dissolved, and a new one appointed in its stead, by 
 his Highness and council. 
 
 There were four chantries in this church. Se- 
 veral deeds remain in the vestry, which mention the 
 chantry of St. Mary in the north porch of Gateshead 
 church. By one of these it appears that this institu- 
 tion existed some years before the foundation charter-)- 
 was granted in 1330, by Alan, son of Roger Prestre, 
 and " Allan, called Prestre of Gateshead j M for one 
 
 i Brand, vol. ii. plate of seals, No. 2, p. 184. 
 t Sec it in Bourne, p. 306. 
 
120 GATESHEAD* 
 
 of these Alan Prestres was chaplain and guardian of 
 its altar in 1523, and in 131 1, he is called " Alauuus 
 dictus Prestre capellanus de Gatesheued." The com- 
 munity of Gateshead were patrons. At the suppres- 
 sion, it was worth 75s. 4d. a year. 
 
 " The chauntrie of the Trinitie in Gatished was 
 founded by one Alan Prestore by reporte, but no 
 dedeof foundacion is shewed — yerelie value 4l.4s. 2d " 
 By a deed in the vestry, dated in 1330, Alan Prestre, 
 f capellanus de Gatesheued* granted to Isabella 
 Striuolyne a tenement in Gateshead, to be held by 
 the annual payment of two shillings to the altar of 
 St. Mary, in the north porch of St. Mary's in Gates- 
 head, and of eighteen- pence to the altar of St. Trinity 
 in the body of the said church. 
 
 St. Johns chantry appears to have been founded 
 by John Dolphamby of Gateshead, about the year 
 1421, in which year he granted fourteen tenements 
 in Gateshead to it. Conan Barton, of Sadbury, 
 Esquire, was its patron in 1496* There was no deed 
 of foundation to be shewed in 1545, when its yearly 
 value was 61. 12s. 8d. 
 
 St. Loys chantry was also founded by John Dol- 
 phamby, about 1442, and had Conan Barton, of Sad- 
 bury, Esquire, for its patron. Both these persons' 
 names occur in grants in the vestry, but neither the 
 chantry of St. John, nor of St. Loy, are mentioned, 
 Richard Jackson, appears to have been its last incum- 
 bent, and to have had, in 1553, a pension of Si. a 
 year. It is not mentioned in the Augmentation-office 
 certificate of colleges and chantries for this county 
 and Northumberland, in 1545 e 
 
GATESHEAD. 121 
 
 Meeting Houses. — George Fox, the apostle 
 of the Quakers, in his journal says: " we could not 
 have a publick meeting" among the people of New- 
 castle, but " we got a little meeting among friends 
 and friendly people at the Gateside; where a meeting 
 is continued to this day, in the name of Jesus/' The 
 place, here alluded to, was in Pipewell-gate, in the 
 house which has for many years been a tavern, with 
 the sign of the Fountain. The Presbyterian meeting- 
 house in the Half-moon-lane, was opened Jan. 1, 
 1786, and is in communion with the church of Scot- 
 land. After Gateshead-house was burnt by the mob, 
 in the last rebellion, the Roman Catholics removed from 
 the chapel there, to one in the Close, in Newcastle. 
 
 Dr. Theophilus Pickering, Jan. 9; 1701, founded 
 a free school for all the children of the parish of 
 Gateshead, in the A N c h o r a g e* adjoining the church, 
 and endowed it with three hundred pounds, appoint- 
 ing the rector of Gateshead, patron, and enjoining the 
 master to teach Greek and Latin, writing, arithmetic 
 and navigation : — also to read every morning a chap- 
 ter of the bible, and a prescribed form of prayer in 
 the school, and to end in the evening with a chapter, 
 a prayer, and with singing a psalm ; and to attend 
 morning and evening prayers with all his pupils, every 
 school-day, at Gateshead church, Hauxley Stephen- 
 son, and his brother Thomas, each left 40s, a year 
 to this institution. 
 
 New School. — The idea of commencing a 
 school in this town, on the improved system of edu- 
 
 L 
 
 • Dues for Anchorage in the Tyuc vere paid here, till the 
 claim vai lost in a mx at law. 
 
122 GATESHEAD. 
 
 cation, was first started in the beginning of the year 
 1808, and was proposed in a letter to Dr. Prosser, 
 then rector of the parish; but, as the Doctor was 
 soon after removed to the archdeaconry of Durham, 
 some delay occurred in executing the plan. Mr 
 Ellison, of Hebburn, offered the parish the beautiful 
 ruin of St. Edmund's Chapel, on a lease of ninety- 
 nine years, at half-a-crown a year, and his w r orkmen 
 calculated the expence of repairing and fitting it up, 
 at 4001.; but, as the dwelling-houses and chapel of 
 King James' Hospital had so long reposed in neglect 
 and ruins, it was proposed that a new edifice should be 
 built to answer the double purpose of a chapel for 
 that institution, and a school for the education of the 
 poor. This proposal was, with difficulty, agreed to. 
 While the new edifice was building, the subscribers to 
 the institution hired a room, in which upwards of 
 two hundred and fifty scholars were educating, partly 
 on the Madras, and partly on the Lancastrian method. 
 The edifice cost 13311. 12s. of which 6991. 18s. was 
 raised by donations;— 631. 8s. by a charity sermon 
 preached at Gateshead church, by Dr. Bell, the 
 father of the system ; — 3001. by loans, to be repaid 
 with interest in ten years; — and 3691. Is. 8d. remains 
 yet to be paid. The annual subscription for support- 
 ing the system, in 1800, was 1271. 6s. 6d.; and, in 
 1809, 1051. 14s. 6d. Six hundred and three boys 
 had been admitted into the school from its com- 
 mencement, Sept. 5, 1808, to Jan. 19, 1811. The 
 new building was finished and in use, Aug. 7, 1808. 
 
 The Alms House is on the east-side of the main 
 street, and has this inscription cut in stone in its front; 
 
GATESHEAD. 123 
 
 " Tliis Alms House, built at the charge of Thomas 
 Powell, late of Newcastle, who by his last will and 
 testament, did leave and bequeath all his estate, real 
 and personal, towards the purchasing and building 
 the said house, and appointed Charles Jurdon, George 
 Surtets, William Stephenson, trustees, 1731." At 
 present it is occupied as the Poor House for the 
 parish. 
 
 Privileges. — Philip of Pictavia, bishop of Dur- 
 ham, coufirmed to the burgesses of this town, liberty 
 offorestage in Gateshead Park; the same burgage 
 liberty that the burgesses of Newcastle enjoyed, and 
 all the usual customs they had till then possessed in 
 the € Saltewellmedowe', as was contained in the 
 charter of his predecessor Hugh of happy memory . # 
 In 1553, this town was by act of parliament annexed 
 to Newcastle; in the next year the act was revoked; 
 and in 1555, bishop Skirlaw granted the Saltwell- 
 meadows to the corporation of Newcastle, on a lease 
 of four hundred, and fifty years, and at £l. 4s. a year, 
 as also all the tolls of Gateshead, at 4l. 6s, a year. 
 Bishop Barnes gave a seventy-nine year's lease of the 
 manors of Gateshead and Whickham, to queen Eliza- 
 beth, who, in the next year, consigned it to the cor- 
 poration of Newcastle; and, after many changes, on 
 its reversion to the see of Durham, in 1716, the Park 
 and manor of Gateshead were granted on a twenty- 
 one year's lease, renewable every year, at the yearly 
 rent of 2351. lis. 4d. to William Coatsworth, Esq. 
 from whom they descended to Cuthbert Ellison, Esq. 
 the present lessee. 
 
 • Charter in the Vestry. 
 
124 GATESHEAD. 
 
 Freehold Borough lands*— There is no 
 clear evidence concerning the manner this borough 
 became possessed of its Freehold property. In 
 1.351, we find it holding of its own right the 
 " Wyndemylnehiil, Lang-flat and Stone-flat;" and, 
 in 1563, it contended with Matthew White, gentle- 
 man, and " Margaret Sutton, the mother," concern- 
 ing certain common- rights in his estates of Redheugh 
 and Haerlaw. Cows were stinted in these pastures, 
 May 18, 1607, at fourteen-pence a head. Of late 
 years they have been enclosed with strong thorn fences, 
 and much improved, Each resident borough-holder 
 has right of pasture upon them for one milch cow. 
 
 Gateshead Fell^ contains about six hundred 
 acres. The bishop of Durham, as lord of the ma- 
 nor, is seized of the soil and royalties, and the borough- 
 holders and certain other freeholders in the parish of 
 Gateshead, 'by antient usage, have right of common 
 upon it. The cottages here were held by the pay- 
 
 * Apud Brauncepith p'mo die Maij, A°. Elizabeth Reginse 
 Jertio 
 
 In the matter in contraversye between the Bailife, Burgesses 
 and other thinhabitants of Gatesyde for the usage of com- 
 mon of pasture within the fields of the same : It is ordered by 
 the hon'able Henry, Earle of Westm'land, the L. Eury and 
 Mr Skynner, Deane of Duresme, that the said common of pas- 
 ture shalbe used and occupied according to one decree, made 
 by the L. president and counsel of the north part, bearing date 
 the xxvth of August, in the thirty and one yerc of the reigne of 
 our late sov'ayne Lord King Henry the Eighth, untill such 
 tyme as the same shalbe otherwise ordered by the L. Presi- 
 dent and councell that now is. H. Westmerland, 
 William Eure, R. Skynner. 
 
 f William the Conqueror gained a decisive victory over the 
 army of Edgar Etheling, Malcolm king of Scotland, and cer- 
 tain Danish pirates, on Gateshead Fell, in 1068, and after that 
 recovered Newcastle, and laid it in ashe«. 
 
GATESHEAD. 125 
 
 ment of small annual rents, in equal moieties, to each 
 of these parties: but, as many of them were ill-built, 
 and afforded asylums for gangs of beggars and vaga- 
 bonds, to the annoyance of the neighbourhood, unci 
 the increase of the poor rates of this parish, an act of 
 Parliament was procured, in 1808, empowering com- 
 missioners to divide the common, to pull down the 
 cottages prejudicial to the divison, and to sell all the 
 rest, their respective tenants having liberty to dispose 
 of their materials, and to have the option of purchas- 
 ing at the commissioners valuation. 
 
 An act also passed in the same sessions for making 
 this district a distinct and separate rectory and parish 
 of itself ; and for building a church upon it, for which, 
 and the expences of the act, a sum not exceeding 
 10001. should be raised by rates upon the occupiers 
 of lands, houses, mines and quarries, within the dis- 
 trict, at the expiration of seven years from the passing 
 of the act. 
 
 Foresters appear to have been appointed by 
 the bishop in regular succession. Roger de Tickhill, 
 who held that office in 1348, had an allowance of 
 three halfpence a day, and the same wages were con- 
 tinued from that time, to 1438, when the " Park- 
 keeper" had a halfpenny a day added to his salary for 
 the " custody of the tower" of Gateshead, with other 
 profits, and a robe, or 8s. in lieu of it, every Christmas 
 day, 
 
 This town was governed by a Bailiff, a patentee 
 officer under the bishops of Durham. The names of 
 several persons who filled this office, occur as witness- 
 es to charters in the vestry, from 1316 to 1020, whet* 
 h c 3 
 
126 GATESKEAfr. 
 
 it was held by sir Thomas Riddel, knight. The 
 borough petitioned the bishop to appoint them a 
 new one, in 1772, setting forth that since the death of 
 Robert Delaval, whose patent was dated in 1681, 
 that officer had been discontinued, and that they had 
 still in their possession a seal in- 
 scribed, as in the annexed copy* 
 The bishop referred the matter to 
 his Attorney General; but as yet 
 no bailiff has been appointed. 
 The Steward of this borough 
 sat in its courts, with the bailiff, in 1&14. By the 
 parish books and other records it appears the church- 
 wardens managed the stinting of the Benchehelm 
 grounds, and Gateshead Fell, in the seventeenth cen- 
 tury, but that these, and the other concerns of the 
 borough have, since the beginning of the last century, 
 been managed by two Stewards and four Grassmen. 
 
 Courts. — We find the Bailiff of Gateshead hold- 
 ing a court in this town, in 1415; and, in 1614, a 
 head-court of the corporation of Newcastle, was held 
 here before Thomas Riddell, Esq. bailiff, and George 
 Nicholson, steward. Lord Crewe's lease to Mr 
 Coats worth, comprises the right of holding a Halmote- 
 court, &c. in the manor of Gateshead, which of late 
 years has been annually kept, by Mr Ellison's direc- 
 tion, under the presidency of Mr Clayton, town-clerk 
 of Newcastle. The neighbouring magistrates also 
 hold a petty sessions every Saturday in thek room, in 
 the Goat-Inn. 
 
 Corporation. — Tobias Matthew, bishop of 
 Duiham, granted a charter for the incorporation of 
 
GATESHEAD. ]£7 
 
 several trades in this town, in 1594 ; and, in 1446, the 
 inhabitants seem to have exerted their endeavour to 
 convert their borough into a corporation. Bishop 
 Cousins, in 1661, incorporated, at their own request, 
 the drapers, taylors, mercers, hardwaremen, coopers, 
 and chandlers, of Gateshead; and, in 1726, the 
 churchwardens of Gateshead, granted a lease of twen- 
 ty-one years, of a house on the west side of the 
 church-yard, as a meeting-house for the companies of 
 dyers, fullers, blacksmiths, locksmiths, cutlers, joiners, 
 and carpenters. All these companies at present are 
 extinct. 
 
 This town at present is badly supplied with water. 
 In 1615, Robert Ellison, of Newcastle, merchant, 
 let certain springs on Gateshead Fell, which had for- 
 merly run to the Heworth Mills, in trust for the peo- 
 ple of Gateshead, for forty-one years, at 6s. 8d. a 
 year ; # but since these springs were, by act of parlia- 
 ment, granted to the town of Newcastle, no reserva 
 tion being made for public fountains in Gateshead, 
 the community have suffered great inconvenience. 
 Pipe-well-gate and Pipe-entry, have their names from 
 conduits, which lead into them from springs in the 
 field adjoining Mrs Barras' house. A conduit also 
 formerly came from the head of the Half-moon-lane, 
 to the main-street. There was, also, a well, under a 
 large oak, at the head of Oakwellgate, in which 
 street, three strata of pavement have been discovered,*}* 
 The Toll-booth stood in the main-street, a lit- 
 tle below the west end of Oakwellgate- chare. In 
 1700, it was used as a school-room, but afterwards 
 
 ♦ Original lease# « f Brand, i, 48a, 
 
128 GATESHEAD. 
 
 converted into a Bridewell, and taken down when the 
 Lock-upJiouse was built at the head of the church- 
 stairs. 
 
 In a suit at York, in 1577, between Richard 
 Natrass and the town of Newcastle, respecting a free 
 Market and Fair in Gateshead, witnesses depos- 
 ed that they had seen a market or fair held twice a 
 week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, when wheat, bigg, 
 and cattle, used to be exposed to sale, about a cross, 
 between the toll-booth and the pant or conduit; and 
 beans, peas, oatmeal, and other goods, and merchan- 
 dise sold at the " Brige-yate." 
 
 The Post-Office was established in 1772, and 
 at first intended to be only temporary during the re- 
 building of Tyne-bridge ; but as it was found a great 
 convenience to the town and neighbourhood, it has 
 since been made permanent, 
 
 The Population between the years 16Q0 and 
 1700, was computed at seven thousand persons. 
 In 1801, it amounted to eight thousand five hundred 
 and ninety-seven, and, in 1811, to eight thousand 
 seven hundred and eighty-two. 
 
 Prior to the year 1745, the great post-road came 
 down St. Mark's lane, and entered Gateshead at the 
 Half-mcon-lane. In that year, six feet of earth was 
 taken off the old Bottle-bank, the rock opened above 
 the west end of Oakwellgate-chare, and the pm- 
 fold, which stood in the middle of the street, opposite 
 to the Five-wand-mill, removed to the WindmillhilK 
 The New-Street was made in 1790. St. Ellin s street 
 is mentioned in 1324, and the Palace-Place, sup- 
 posed to have been a residence of the bishop of Pur- 
 
GATESHEAD. 129 
 
 ham, in 1614. There is a house called king Johns 
 Palace, at the head of Oakwellgate. The loyal sir 
 John Cole had his gardens and residence between the 
 main-street and Oakwellgate. His mansion was 
 afterwards tenanted by Henry Jenkins, Esq of Barnes, 
 in the county of Durham, In 1762, it was convert- 
 ed into a manufactory of broad-cloths; and of late 
 years has been occupied by Messrs Macleod, as a 
 porter brewery, It had been splendidly furnished, 
 as appeared by a chimney-piece in an upper room, 
 which was finely ornamented with scripture histories, 
 &c. carved in oak. 
 
 About the year 1278, it was customary for the king 
 of Scotland, the Archbishop of York, the prior of 
 T)nemouth, the bishop of Durham, and Gilbert de 
 ■Umfranville, by their bailiffs, to meet the justices 
 coming to Newcastle, to hold pleas, and to ask their 
 liberties of them, at the head of Gateshead, at a cer- 
 tain well there, called the Chille-welL A large con- 
 course of gentlemen with the sheriff of Northumber- 
 land, to this day, annually meet the judges of the 
 northern circuit, at a place on Gateshead Fell, called 
 the Sheriff's-hill. 
 
 Redheugh, about the year 1440, was held, in 
 capite, of the bishop of Durham, by a family of its 
 own name, with whom it continued till their name 
 was extinct in coheiresses. In 1563, it was the pos- 
 session of " Matthew White, gentleman, and his 
 mother, Margaret Sutton/' and before that had be- 
 longed to his brother Anthony, and his father Wil- 
 liam. It was purchased by Dr. Askew of Newcastle, 
 and a,t present is the summer residence of his grand- 
 
130 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 son, Adam Askew, Esq. patentee high sheriff for the 
 county of Durham. 
 
 " Saltwellside-Gbange" belonged to John 
 Hedworih, Esq in 1595. It was purchased of the 
 Liddles, of Moor house, near Carlisle, by Joseph 
 Dunn, Esq. who resides at it, and has much improv- 
 ed its appearance, 
 
 Gateshead Park. — In 1350, John Gategang 
 died, seized of a tenement of thirty-three acres, in the 
 parish of Gateshead, called the Old Park; and, in 
 1365, Sibilla, widow of Gilbert Gategang, held the 
 Park of Gateshead, by paying a pound cf pepper. 
 The mansion-house was built by Mr Coaisworth, and 
 at present is the property of Cuthbert Ellison, Esq. 
 of Hebburn-Hail, and the residence of his sisters the 
 Misses Ellison. 
 
 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 Felling-Hall was the seat of Thomas Surtees, 
 Esq. in 1331, who had free warren in his manor. In 
 1605, it belonged to Robert Brandling, Esq. who 
 held it of the dean and chapter of Durham, by military 
 service:* this family resided here, till Gosforth-house 
 was built, and since that time this seat has been occu- 
 pied by the agents of their colliery here. 
 
 Heworth is the name of a chapelry under Jar- 
 row, and contained in 1801, two thousand eight hun- 
 dred and eighty-seven inhabitants, and in 1811, two 
 thousand nine hundred and five. The lands of Upper 
 and Nether Heworth were given to the monastery of 
 Jarrow, prior to the conquest.^ The prior of Dur- 
 
 » Hutch, Durh. vol. ii. p. 480. f Ibid, p. 481. 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 131 
 
 ham had a park and free warren here, in 1248; and 
 at present the lands are all lease-hold, under the dean 
 and chapter of Durham. 
 
 Wardley stands about two hundred yards north 
 of the Roman way, called Raking-dike, which runs 
 between Lanchester and South-Shields. At present 
 it consists of a farm-house, surrounded with a deep, 
 broad ditch, forming an oblong square, and enclosing 
 about four acres. 
 
 He b burn-Hall. — In the time of Henry I. 
 " Heberine" had three fisheries belonging to it, call- 
 ed "Peth-yare, Sywyne~yare,Uthward-yare." # North 
 and South Htbburn belonged to the monastery of 
 Jarrow, till the dissolution. The old mansion-house 
 was built in the manner of the border towers, and 
 was the residence of Robert Hodslion, Esq. who died 
 Sept. 15th, 1624, aged 68, and afterwards of his son 
 sir Robert. In 1656, " Mr Clavering, and Adam 
 Shephardson, was to contrive a way from the Colepitts 
 about two miles from the castle, under ground, into 
 the castle of Tinmouth, for to relieve the enemy with 
 provisions, if need required : And for that purpose, 
 there was great store of provision laid in, and to be 
 laid in Hebburn-House : And that there was eighty 
 firelocks, and a great number of stilettoes laid into 
 Fellon-House."*j- Soon after this time it was purchas- 
 ed by the family of its presen^possessor, Cuthbert 
 Ellison, Esq. The mansion-house was much en- 
 larged about twenty years since, and great improve- 
 ments have been lately made by planting belts and 
 
 • Brand's Newc. vol. i. p. 6. 
 t Thurloe's State Papers, vol, v. p. 57*, 
 
132 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 clumps of wood in the grounds, and throwing the high- 
 road between Newcastle and South-Shields, on the 
 north side of the house* 
 
 That Jabrow was either a fortress or village dur- 
 ing some part of the time that the Romans inhabited 
 Britain, is evident from the discovery of two inscrip- 
 tions here, during the rebuilding of the church, in 
 DIFFVSIS 1783. The first of them is on 
 PROVINC a tablet such as were usually 
 
 BRITANNA-AD put up in the fronts of temples 
 
 VTRVMQVE and other public buildings, and 
 
 EXERCiTVS is read by Brand, in this man- 
 ner : " Diffusis provinciis in Britannia ad utrumque 
 ostium exercitus posuit : i* e. The army erected this 
 on the extension of the Roman dominion in Britain, 
 from the western to the eastern sea." The other is 
 OMNiVM FIL on the fragment of an altar, 
 
 HADR much mutilated. Ithaspro- 
 
 ANI GI SS FIAT bably been erected pro salute 
 
 VATIS of all the adopted sons of 
 
 SIT.... Hadrian. But besides these, 
 
 two square pavements of Roman brick were discover- 
 ed, when the course of the road was altered near the 
 east end of Jarrow Row, and foundations of build- 
 ings, bearing all the marks of Roman masonry, have 
 frequently been found in the fields, on the north side 
 of the church. 
 
 Taking advantage here, as they usually did in other 
 places, of a Roman ruin, the Saxons began to build a 
 church, which, according to an inscription still preserv- 
 ed in it, was dedicated to St. Paul, April £3, 685. 
 It was consolidated with the monastery of Monkwere- 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 133 
 
 mouth, the foundations of which were laid in 674, 
 and the joint institution, called the monastery of St. 
 Perer and St. Paul. 
 
 This place, by Bede, and succeeding writers, is 
 called Gvrwy or Gyrvy, which is the Saxon name for 
 a marsh. The isle of Ely was called South-Girwa, 
 and the Saxon root, Gyr, modernized into Car, is, to 
 this day, applied to the fens of Durham and Northum- 
 berland.- King Egfrid granted the ground to build the 
 edifices of this institution upon, and endowed it with 
 fony hides of land. 5 * It was founded by St. Benedict, 
 and is first Abbot was Ceolfrid, who obtained for it, 
 from King Altnd, ei^ht hides of land, near the river 
 Fresca, which were afterwards exchanged for twenty 
 hides, w hich laid more contiguous to trie monastery in 
 the village of Sambuee.-f' Under the auspices of 
 Ceolfrid and Benedict there were near six hundred 
 monks in these two houses. St. Bede, who is said to 
 have been born at Monckton,J a village a mile west 
 of this place, received the rudiments of his education 
 here, and at Hxham; and, takiug the tonsure, spent 
 the remainder of his life in great piety and unwearied 
 application to letters in this house. He was the best 
 divine and historian of his time. His works were 
 numerous, and those of them that are extant were 
 published in one volume folio, at Cambri Ige, in 1722, 
 with notes and a large appendix, by Ih John Smith, 
 prebendary of Durham. He died May 26, 735, and 
 was u buried here," says Tuigot, " in a porch built 
 to his Louoi on the north side u£ the church; where 
 
 M 
 • Bsedat Hi&t. Abb, UUirem. & Gyr p. 395. 
 f lb. 3^g. \ Hailing. Chrou. v. 1. p. 154, 
 
134 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 to this day is shewn a little stone mansion in which he 
 was wont to sit, and meditate, and read, and write/* 
 About the year 1020, Elfred, a priest of Durham, 
 and a famous collector of the remains of saints, stole 
 the body of St. Bede, and carried it to Durham, 
 where it was honourably deposited in the same coffin 
 with St. Cuthbert. Concerning this celebrated cha- 
 racter, almost all that is known is given in Smith's 
 appendix to his works. There is a holy vcell > near 
 Monckton, which still bears the name of this saint, 
 and in which persons, yet alive, remember to have 
 seen great numbers of infirm and diseased children 
 dipped in expectation of their being restored to health: 
 A large concourse of people also used to resort to it 
 on Midsummer eve, with bone-fires, music, dancing, 
 and other rural sports, but these customs have been 
 many years discontinued. 
 
 The monastery of Jarrow was frequently plundered 
 and burnt by the Danes. It had, however, the hon- 
 our of affording the first asylum to the restorers of the 
 monastic life in the Northumbrian provinces ; # and 
 was presented with the monastery of Tynemouth, and 
 the body of St Oswin, by Earl Waltheof : but, in 
 1083, Karilepho, bishop of Durham, made it and its 
 sister at Wearmouth, cells of the convent of Durham, 
 in which stale it continued till the dissolution, wl.en, 
 according to Speed, it was worth 40i. a year, a sum 
 at which it had been valued, in 1291. 
 
 • Sec before at page 3. 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 135 
 
 BASILICA HUJUS The church was re- 
 
 VETUST1SSIM.E built, in 1783, when 
 
 PARS OCCIDENT A LIS this inscription was 
 
 RESTAURATA EST placed in the west 
 ANNO, 1783. end of its porch. 
 
 The chancel and tower remain in the same state as 
 they were in at the dissolution. One of the bells is 
 inscribed SANCTE PAULE ORAPRO NOBIS, 
 and concerning it, Brand observes u it is doubtless 
 the one that was placed at the first in the church of 
 the monastery. It has two fleurs de lis on it, which 
 sufficiently intimate in what country they were cast." # 
 Speaking of Wearmouth, Bede says, that Benedict 
 brought vessels for the altar, and the robes out of 
 foreign countries, and his masons and glassmakers from 
 France .f That the fleurs de lis were in the arms of 
 that country, before this time, is evident from the ac- 
 count of the fabulous banner sent from heaven to 
 Clovis, the first christian monarch of France.^ In the 
 vestry here, is still remaining the celebrated chair of 
 St. Bede. || It is of rak, and of the rudest species of 
 workmanship. The legs and seat appear very antient ; 
 but the boards on the back are modern. Numerous 
 virtues are attributed to it, particularly that of assist- 
 ing fecundity, on which account brides are often 
 insiahed in it immediately after marriage : many a 
 fair pilgrim, too, has borne away pieces of this won- 
 M 2 
 
 • Hist, of Newc. v. ii. p. 49. 
 
 f Smith's £d p 295 
 
 I See Edmondson's Cornp. Bod of Heraldry, v. 1, p. 3. 
 
 |J See a drawing of it in the Anticj. Rep, vol. ii. p. 163. 
 
136 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 der-working relic* to place them under her pillow, 
 confident that the man she dreams of, under so power- 
 ful a charm, is destined to be her husband. 
 
 The remains of the monastery are few at present, 
 having suffered much, within the last century, from 
 the hands of rapacity and civilized barbarians. Short 
 Saxon columns and Saxon tombs are scattered a- 
 ?RERC3vTI'» T^. k° ut on * ts sc ^ te * At the recto- 
 fE'SVERE *• %1S r ^ c ^ -^) ton * s x ^ s fragment of an 
 J&C RVCE^'tif j ||jl inscription, taken hence by Brand ; 
 E lilt and which evidently relates to 
 u Huaeberctus," who was abbot here, and contem- 
 porary with Bede. But this inscription, which is 
 
 placed over the arch 
 
 of the tower, be* 
 tween the nave and 
 
 1DEDICO10BASILIEKE 
 SCI PAVLi VMKLMAI 
 
 SCLFKfblABBEIVSEtlaHhe most valuable 
 .Q'KLeS DOAVCTORtSUtemry curiositv re- 
 ( C0Nt)lTORISrANMOIH]lmaining here." h 
 
 was in the north wall of the old church. Leland 
 quotes an uncertain author at Whitby Abbey, who 
 speaks of it in this manner: " Inscriptio ibidem re- 
 perta in quadiato saxo majusculis Uteris Komanis 
 sculpta :- — i Dedicatio Basilic se S. Pauli viiii calendis 
 Maij, anno xv° Ecfridi regis. Oolfridi abbatis ejus- 
 dem. q. m ecclesiae de«> autore conditoris anno iiii.' " # 
 " I translate it" says Brand u as follows, taking in 
 the two QQ'S. — The dedication of the church of St, 
 Paul on the 9th of the kalends of May, in the J 5th 
 
 * X^el, Coi. vol. iv. p. 4$. 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 137 
 
 year of king Egfrid, and the fourth of Ceolfird, abbot, 
 and, under God, the founder of the said church/' 
 
 Lord Eure of Witton Castle, Durham, obtained a 
 royal grant of the possessions of this house, which 
 was dated Jan. 6, 1535: At present, the Impropria- 
 tion is in different lay hands: great part of the old 
 endowments, in 1083, went to the church of Dur- 
 ham, which still holds them. The population of this 
 parish, exclusive of the two chapelries, was, in 1811, 
 three thousand one hundred and ninety three; and 
 inclusive of them, twenty-one thousand four hundred 
 and sixty- eight. 
 
 That South Shields was a fort or station of 
 the Romans, is evident from the antiquities found at 
 it, on a hill, at the entrance into the harbour, called 
 the Lawe, which is a Saxon term applied to fortified 
 places, as well as to tombs, and conical hills. No 
 light has been thrown upon its Roman name: the Ad 
 Tinam of Richard is at Fordun in Scotland. " Va- 
 rious Roman coins, broken inscriptions, and the re- 
 mams of a Hypocaust or Sudatory were dug up here, 
 hi 1798 : a slight drawing of the latter is in the pos- 
 session of Nicholas Fairies, Esq. of this town, as well 
 as some fragments of the building, and several Roman 
 coins, particulaily a small gold one, in very high pre- 
 servation, of M. Aurelius Antoninus."* There is alsor 
 an altar, in the Durham library, found here, in the 
 beginning of last century ; and another engraved in 
 the Philosophical Transactions,*)- and Bourne's New- 
 m 3 
 
 ? Beaut, of Eng. and Wales, vol, v. p. 158* 
 t No. 146, 
 
138 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 castle, # and read thus by Horsley : " Dm matribus 
 pro salute imperatoris Marci Aurelii Antonini Au- 
 
 gusli pit f etuis. .♦... lubens merito ob redituJ'f 
 
 The original is carved on the sides and back with sa- 
 crificing instruments. It has probably been erected 
 on account of the safe arrival here of one of the em- 
 perors, from some coasting voyage. It was sent to 
 Norwich, and is supposed to be lost. Some other 
 altars were built up in a quay. Mr Gougb thought 
 that the two inscriptions found at Tynemouth had 
 been taken from this place; a conjecture entirely 
 groundless. 
 
 A road branched from Watling-street, and coming 
 through Braneepeth-park, over Durham-mc or, and 
 Harbmss-moor, and passing Lumley Castle, a mile 
 east of Chester-le- street, without any appearance of 
 communication with it ; went in a direct line to South- 
 Shields. There was an elevated Roman pavement at 
 the high end of this town, a^d another on the n rth- 
 side of the river, near the Waifs-end. Raking or 
 Meken-dyke was a high cast of earth, in few places 
 visible at present, that came from Lanchester to a fort 
 at Stanley, thence past Causey Hall, over Blackburn 
 Fell, to Kibbles worth, Laratsiy, Ay ton-banks, and 
 down Leam-tane to this place. Its name is probably 
 Saxon, meaniiig the road in a straight line* Ralph 
 Higdtn, m his Poiychromcon, says that a Reken-dyke 
 passed from the w T est ol England to Tynemouth. 
 
 South Shields, like its sister on the north side of 
 the Tyne, has rapidly increased in opulence and size 
 since the teeth of the charter laws began to be broken, 
 
 * P. 17& t Brit, Rom. p. *8/, 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 139 
 
 Its population, with that of Westoe, Harton, and the 
 out farms, as far as J arrow bridge, in 1801, amount- 
 ed to twelve thousand nine hundred and nine: In 
 1811, the same district contained fifteen thousand 
 three hundred and seventy. The church is dedicated 
 to St. Hilda. In 1402, Hemmingburg, prior of 
 Durham, committed to the care of its chaplain the 
 inhabitants of Les Sheels, Harton, and Wiveston, with 
 a moiety of fees and oblations, certain fish called St. 
 Hilde-fish, and a mark a year from the master oi Jar- 
 row. The edifice having grown with the in* rease of 
 population here, no trace of the old chapel has, for 
 many years, been observable. In 1810 and 181 1 it 
 was altogether rebuilt, except the steeple, the south 
 and west walls, and part ui the east wall: a single 
 roof was thrown over the whole structure, the pillars 
 taken away, and the pews of the galleries, and the 
 ground rLor all new fitted u;>: the expence of this 
 amounted to upwards of 4,0001. Here are seven 
 Dissenting Meeting Houses; the most important of 
 which is that of the Methodists, which was opened 
 Feb 26, 1809, cost 3,800h, and is capable of hold- 
 ing one thousand seven hundred persons. Bishcp 
 Trevor, in 1770, granted a Market to be weekly held 
 here on Wednesdays; ana, two years after, annual 
 Fairs, on June 24th, aud S< p. 1st; but none of these 
 have flourished much. The Matket-place is a spa- 
 cious square, in the centre of which stands the Town* 
 Hall, where the neighbouring magistrates hold Feity 
 Sessions on the first Wednesday alter the Quarter 
 Sessions at Durham, and regularly after that on the 
 same day, once a fortnight, throughout the year : in 
 
140 COTTVTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 this also should be held, twice a year, under the au- 
 thority of the Dean and Chapter of Durham, who 
 are lords of the manor, Court Leet, and Court Baron, 
 the former for making presentments, &c. and the lat- 
 ter for recovery of small debts. In this town are not 
 less than thirty Benefit Societies for affording relief to 
 sick members, orphans, families of impressed seamen, 
 persons in captivitv, and annuities to widows* There 
 are several Public Schools, in one of which Joseph 
 Bulmer, Esq. of Laygate, gives education to thirty 
 boys, and clothes them, once a year, at his own ex- 
 pence. Measures have been taken for approaching 
 parliament, in the next sessions, with a bill for estab- 
 lishing a watch or police here, and lighting and other- 
 wise improving the town. On the Law Bank facing, the 
 sea, is a guard home, and a battery of four guns, con- 
 cerning which Whitelock, in his memorials, says : the 
 Scotch under general Lesley, in 1644, u took a great 
 fort over against Tinmouth, which commands all ships 
 coming in or going out of Newcastle, and five pieces 
 of ordnance, arms, powder, and some prisoners, and lost 
 but nine men." Heie are large manufactories for all 
 sorts of glass* The Salt trade, that in the beginning of 
 the last century, was carried on by several of the most 
 opulent families in the neighbourhood, and employed 
 about two hundred large iron pans, is at present confin- 
 ed to four or five pans: but this loss is well repaid by 
 the rapid increase of other trades. Eighty years ago 
 South Shields had only four ships belonging to it : 
 now it is said to have five hundred ; besides twelve 
 dry docks, several of them double, and a great many 
 
COUKTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 141 
 
 building yards.* Concerning the Mill Dam, Mr 
 Smeaton observes : " it is a place that, if the trade 
 requires it, may be properly converted into a wet 
 dock, that would hold a great number of ships: the 
 corporation of Newcastle leas^ it as a ballast shore, 
 and are industriously employed in filling it up. 
 
 * The Life Boat owed its origin to a society of gentlemen, be-* 
 longing this town, who held their meetings at the Law House. 
 Inconsequence of the melancholy loss of the Adventure, of 
 Newcastle, in 1789, tv they called a met ting of the inhabitants 
 of South Shields, at which a committee was- appointed, and pre- 
 miums were offered for plans of a Boat, which should be the 
 best calculated to brave the dangers of the sea, particularly of 
 broken water. Many proposals were presented; but the pre- 
 ference was unanimously given to ]VIr Greathead's. who was 
 immediately directed to build a boat at the expence of the com- 
 mittee." The utility of the new vessel was first experienced 
 Jan. 30, 1790, when it put to sea for the ' glorious purpose of 
 rescuing some unfortunate mariners, who were the sport of the 
 tempest in the effing; a number of cork jacket* being provided 
 for the crew, in cave their boat disappointed the expectations 
 of the inventor, and failed in it- object: but the precaution was 
 urn ece^sary; floating like a feather upon the water, it rode 
 triumphantly over every raging surge, ar.d smiled at the hor- 
 rors of the storm. 'I he wreck wa> approached in spite of the 
 elements; a. id the wretched crew, equv.'iy affected with 
 astonMiment and extacy. beheld the Life huat (never wa> name 
 more happily imagined or more appropriately bestowed) alo .g- 
 sic e of their shattered vessel, and offering retuge fn m ihe tre- 
 mendous aby-s, that was opening to swallow them up for ever. 
 Restored to life and hojve, they were removed and conveyed 
 to land, to the unspeakable joy of the benevolent proprietors 
 of the plan; who had thus the douh'e gratification of ^eei.)g 
 that the Vessel wa- calculated 10 answer its intention 10 the com- 
 pletes! manner, and of re cuing, at the same time, seveiai lei- 
 low creauin* from inevitable de truction "* As this u etui 
 invei tion is now known in almost all the maritime parts of the 
 globe, a description 01 its principles would be needless here. 
 Mr Great head has been rewarded with 1200I voted to him by 
 the hou-e of Commons; and been honoured with a meoaiiion 
 from the Humane ociety; with a diamond ring from the Em- 
 press of Russia; and with other marks of distinction for the 
 share he hau. in its invention 
 
 • See Letter to R, JBurdou, Esq. from the Rev, W. Turner. 
 
142 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 Westoe is a handsome and respectable village, a 
 mile south of South Shields. Bishop Walcher when 
 he re founded the monastery of Jarrow endowed it 
 with " the village of Gyrvv and its appendants, name- 
 ly : Preostun, Munnecatun, Heath wrthe, Heabyrun, 
 Wivestun and Heortedun.* 
 
 Mars don, i. e. Sea-hill, lies three miles south of 
 South Shields, and is remarkable for its bold shores, 
 and the fanciful forms into which its rocks have been 
 washed by the sea. The parts detached fr *m the 
 main land are still covered with their antient verdure, 
 and are rude resemblances of towers, pillars, and 
 arches. One of them, greater than the rest, is sup- 
 ported by numerous columns, and its southern limb 
 forms a high and wide arch, through which the waves, 
 in high seas, are tremendously grand. They are 
 composed of different strata of limestone : that which 
 is of a chalky nature, is, in many places, formed into 
 regular ranges of Saxon pilasters, with capitals of va- 
 rious forms and sizes. The lock upon the tops of 
 the hills is composed of stellated, semi-crystalized 
 limestone, exceedingly curious. 
 
 Bold EN is the name of a parish, in which are the 
 villages of East and fVeat Bolden ; in the latter of which 
 stands the parish church, a neat edifice 'of old founda- 
 tion, and architecture, but much '» modernized. The 
 Bolden Buke had its name from its frequent mention 
 of services in this manor, in which were thirty-two 
 villains, each of whom held two novates of land, con- 
 taining thirty acres, under the severe tenure oi labuur- 
 
 * Sim. Dun. col. 24* 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 143 
 
 ing three days in each week, excepting the weeks of 
 Easter and Pentecost, and thirteen days at Christmas ; 
 besides making various payments. 
 
 Whitburn parish lies on the sea shore, between 
 the parishes of Monkwearmouth and Jarrow. The 
 church is an old Gothic eoitice, at present under re- 
 pair. The village is neat and much frequented in the 
 bathing season. Here is the residence of lady Wil- 
 liamson, relict of the late sir Hedworth Williamson* 
 Several Roman copper coins were discovered at this 
 place, most of them Constaiitines, one of Maxentius, 
 two of Licinius, and several of Maximianus. 
 
 St. Bega founded a monasterv at Monkwear- 
 mouth. After her, Benedict Biscop, the father of 
 the benedictines, in 674, under the patronage of king 
 Egfrid, founded and built, at this place, the monastery 
 of St. Peter; afterwards consolidated with Jarrow. 
 He had his masons out ot France, whence also he 
 brought glassmakers, artificers till then unknown in 
 Brit in, to glaze the windows of the church and mo- 
 nastery Before that time windows in England were 
 latticed, or made of linen cloth, stretched over wooden 
 frames. After its devastation by the Danes, it was 
 again laid in ruius by the Scots in 1070. Its history 
 is joined with that of Jarrow till the dissolution, when 
 its annual value was 261. 9s. 9d. The town of Monk- 
 wearmouth contained, in 1801, 5342 inhabitants; and 
 Moukwearmouth-shore 4239- Shi} -building, and its 
 dependant branches afford the chief employment of 
 the place. On Fulwell hills in this pariah, in 1?59> 
 two Roman coins, an urn of unbaked clay, and the 
 skeleton ot a man, nine ieet and a hair long, were 
 
144 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 discovered in a sloping ridge of limestone rubbish, 
 twenty five yards long, a yard and a half high, and six 
 yards broad at its top. The tibia of the skeleton 
 were twenty seven inches long, the head lay to the 
 west, defended by four large flat stones, and the coins 
 were near the right hand. 
 
 Hylton Castle is a building of considerable 
 grandeur, and was the seat of the Hylton family from 
 the time of king Ahelstan to 1746, when John the 
 last male heir died, leaving his estate to sir Richard 
 Musgrave of Hay ton Castle, Cumberland. In 1758 
 it was purchased by Mrs Bowes of Gib^ide, and at 
 present belongs to the earl of Strathmore After be- 
 ing shut up and neglected for a long time, it was let 
 to Mr Temple of J arrow, who repaired it, and the 
 domestic chapel, and resided in it a few years. In 
 14o0 a it consisted of a hall, four chambers, a chapel, 
 two bams, a kitchen, and a house called the Gate- 
 house/' which exactly answers to the center of the 
 present building. Its battlements are finished with 
 human statues, and its corners with circular tur- 
 rets. The large additions were made in the seven- 
 teenth century, and much of the estate alienated for 
 the purpose. The whole edifice is scattered over 
 with the arms of the Hyltons, and the families they 
 have allied with. At Hayton Castle there is a manu- 
 script account of the antient possessors or this seat, 
 in which it is observed that many of them were re- 
 markable for their iearnin and piety ; but those that 
 have figured in arms are almost innumerable : " Since 
 the time of the Conqueror, one of them was slain at 
 Feversham, in Kent; one in Normandy; one at 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 145 
 
 Menlz, in France ; three in the Holy Wars, under 
 Richard the first ; one in the same, under Edward 
 the first ; three at the battle of Bourdeaux, under the 
 Black Prince ; one at Agincourt ; two at Berwick 
 upon Tweed, against the Scots; five at Market 
 Bosworth ; and four at Flodden Field.'** 
 
 Sunderland. — Bede says he was born in the 
 territory of the monastery of Uiuraemuda and Ingyr- 
 vium, which the Saxon translation renders : J fas io 
 accened on mndorlande thces ylcan mynstres % where 
 some manuscripts read rumorland i. e. privileged dis- 
 trict. This town is noted as a borough in the Bolden 
 Buke ; and bishop Pudsey's charter, 1 154, is addressed 
 u Burgensibus nostris de Weremue" and has in it these 
 words, De Burgo de Werernue, alias JVeremouth, modo 
 Sunderland juxta mare, which passages indicate it 
 was a borough or privileged place before that time. 
 Neither Leland nor Camden mention it, because its 
 name was involved in Weremouth. Bishop Morton, 
 in 1634, incorporated the burgesses and inhabitants, 
 by the title of mayor, twelve aldermen, and common- 
 alty of the borough of Sunderland, and granted a 
 market and annual fairs ; but, in the distraction of 
 succeeding times, the charter was suffered to expire. 
 This town, however, was of inconsiderable importance 
 till the last age, in which it has increased much in size, 
 commerce and wealth. In 1 80 1 , it contained 1 2,4 1 2, 
 inhabitants. Its chief trade is in coal : but it also ex- 
 ports lime, glass, and grindstones. Upwards of 
 300,000 Newcastle chaldrons of coals are annually 
 shipped here, and about 500 keels employed in con* 
 
 N 
 
 • Hutch. Durham, y, ii. p. 150. 
 
146 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 veying them down the river. The mouth of the har- 
 bour has been greatly improved of late years by pro- 
 tecting it with piers. The parish was separated from 
 Bishopwearmouth, in 17 1 9- The church is spacious and 
 underwent large repairs, in 1 7 35. An elegant Chapel 
 of Ease was built, about 1770, under the patronage 
 of John Thornhill, Esq. The principal Methodist 
 Meeting was opened in 1753. Here is a Jews Syna- 
 gogue, and Meeting-houses for Presbyterians, Baptists, 
 Quakers, Independents, &c. A Charity School for 
 girls was founded in 1770, and since that a blue coat 
 school for boys. The Humane Society commenced, 
 in 1790; the Dispensary, in 1794; and the Sub" 
 scription Library y in 1795, though the edifice for it 
 was not erected till IbOl. Here also are a large 
 Assembly Room and a Theatre, two Banks, and Bar* 
 Tacks sufficiently large for eighteen hundred men, in* 
 dependent of officers. But the chief glory of this 
 town is the Iro n Bridge begun in ] 793, and finish- 
 ed in 1796- It owed its origin to Rowland Burdon, 
 esq. who with the assistance of Mr Thomas Wilson, 
 engineer, invented, and obtained a patent for the 
 plan on which it was constructed. It cost 27,0001, 
 The arch is the segment of a circle, about 444 feet ia 
 diameter, and is £36 feet eight inches in its chord, or 
 span ; it is formed by six ribs, each consisting of 105 
 blocks which butt on each other in the same manner 
 as the voussoirs of a stone arch. The spring of the 
 arch is only 34 feet; and the spandrils filled up 
 by iron circles, placed upon ribs, and gradually di- 
 minishing from the abutments to the centre : these 
 support the platform which is of wood, covered with 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 147 
 
 gravel in the middle and free-stone foot-paths on the 
 sides. In this structure was employed 46 tons of 
 malleable, and 214 of cast iron. The centre of the 
 arch is nearly 100 feet high at low water. 
 
 Bishopwearmouth, in 1801, contained 6126 
 inhabitants. It was called in king Athelstan's time 
 " the delightful villa of South Weremouth." The 
 church was rebuilt a few years since : Hutchinson sup- 
 posed it almost as old as Athelstan's time. " The rec- 
 tor of this parish, for the time being, is Lord of the 
 Manor, and holds his courts, the customs and copy- 
 holds of which are of the same nature as those of 
 the bishops of Durham/'* Near the church is an 
 Almshouse for twelve poor men or women, founded 
 in 1727 ; and a similar house on Wearmouth Green 
 was built and endowed, in 1725, for other twelve 
 poor men or women. 
 
 Houghton-le-Spring is a pleasant village, re- 
 markable for the hospitality and exemplary life of its 
 primitive rector., Bernard Gilpin, called the Apostle 
 of the uorih, from his unwearied labour in spreading 
 the gospel amongst the barbarous people of the Scotch 
 and English borders. His memory is still preserved 
 here by a good tree-school and hospital of his founda- 
 tion. In the church is his monument inscribed : 
 BERNERD OBIT QUA • 
 
 GILPIN RE RTO DIEM 
 
 CTOR HV ARTII AN 
 
 JVS ECCLLE DOM. 1585. 
 
 The church is neat, is in the form of a cross, and 
 has its tower rising from its centre. The rectory is 
 
 N 2 
 Hutch, v.ii, p. 514. 
 
148 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES* 
 
 very opulent ; and the village remarkably neat and 
 healthy. 
 
 Penshaw i. e, woody-hill, is a village situated 
 near a hill of its own name, and has a chapel, under 
 Hough ton-le-Spring, built in 1754. 
 
 That Chester-le-street was a station of the 
 Romans is implied in its name, and evident from the 
 coins and antiquities that have been found in its 
 church-yard, and neighbourhood. The Saxons call- 
 ed it Cunceastre and Cuneagester, under which name 
 it was the see of a bishop forty-three years. Bishop 
 Beck made its church collegiate, with an establish- 
 ment of a Dean, seven prebendaries, five chaplains, 
 three deacons, &c. in which state it continued till the 
 dissolution, when its revenues, estimated in the reign 
 of Edward I. at 1461. 13s. 4d. were only valued at 
 77l. 12s. 8d. The church is a handsome stone edi- 
 fice, with an octagonal spire, one hundred and fifty-six 
 feet high, and one of the finest in the north of Eng- 
 land. In its north side are a series of monuments, 
 with effigies of the deceased ancestry of the noble 
 family of Lutnley. The village, being on the great 
 post road, and contiguous to several extensive col- 
 lieries, has increased in size of late years. In 1801, 
 it contained one thousand six hundred and sixty-two 
 inhabitants. This is one of the bishop's copyhold 
 manors, and is of extensive jurisdiction. It gives 
 name to the ward, and has a coroner : there was also, 
 antiently, a forester here. 
 
 Lumley Castle, one of the seats of the earl 
 of Scarborough, stands proudly on elevated ground, 
 tufted with forest trees, and gradually sloping, on the 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 149 
 
 south and west, to the river Wear. It forms a quad- 
 rangle, with an area at its centre : at each corner are 
 projecting, octangular turrets, with machicolations 
 overhanging their base. The south front, though 
 modern, is partly in the castellated style; but, on the 
 east, the projecting gateway, guarded by turrets, and 
 a machicolated gallery, and bearing six shields deeply 
 engraven in stone and charged with the arms of sir 
 Ralph Lumley, a contemporary of Richard II.— this 
 with the three stones of mullioned windows, grated 
 with iron, and the narrow terrace, guarded by a cur- 
 tain, that runs along the brink of a precipice, affords a 
 grand model * of the taste of antient times, and, in 
 truth, has a most august appearance. As both royal 
 and episcopal licences were obtained by sir Ralph, in 
 1339, to repair and embattle this house, it is sup- 
 posed that the first structure was raised by his prede- 
 cessor, Robert, in the reign of Edward I. The great 
 hall is ninety feet long, and has a gallery for min- 
 strelsy : in it is a picture of a knight in full armour; 
 also portraits of seventeen of the most distinguished 
 members of the family, beginning with Liulphus, a 
 nobleman of the court of Edward the Confessor, and 
 ending with George Lumley, who was put to death 
 for treason, in 1537. Most of the furniture, except 
 the family pictures, was sold, in 1785; and some of 
 these at the death of the late Earl. The first resi- 
 dence of the Lumleys was at the village of Lumley, a 
 mile south of the castle where are remains of a very 
 old house : and also an hospital founded by sir John 
 Duck, bart. for twelve poor w^meu and a chaplain.* 
 n 3 
 * Pennant, 319, 3*6, Hutch, ii, 41 &• 
 
150 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 Lambton Hall was formerly called Harraton 
 Hall, and was the seat and estate of the D'Arcys, 
 who conveyed it to the Hedworths, the last male of 
 whose line died, in 1688, leaving two daughters, co- 
 heiresses, the elder of whom married Ralph Lambton, 
 Esq. of Lambton Hall y on the opposite bank of the 
 Wear. The moiety of the younger, who married sir 
 William Williamson, baronet, was purchased by the 
 X-ambtons, in 1714. The Hall is a modern building, 
 by Bononi. The approach to it is by a large flat 
 bottomed boat, from the south side of the river, 
 which is delightfully clothed with hanging woods. 
 There is a current tradition that an enormous worm 
 or serpent, which infested the river near this spot, 
 was killed by one of the Lambtons, by means of a 
 coat of razors; and a broken statue is pointed out by 
 the vulgar, as proof of this tale. A conical eminence 
 in the ground here is said to have been its den ; but 
 there &re no records of any event, on which this fable 
 could be founded. 
 
 Ravensworth-Castle — In the oldest records 
 concerning them, the village here is written Raffen* 
 swarth and the castle Raffemhelm, the first signifying 
 the estate, the second the fortress of RafFen, who was 
 probably some Danish possessor of them. Bishop 
 "Flambard granted this, and other manors, to his 
 nephew Richard, to be held by homage and knight's 
 service. In bishop Hatfield's time, from 1345 to 
 1382, mention occurs of " the lady of Ravenswarth" 
 and " Elianora, countess of Ravenshelm," about 
 which period this property belonged to a branch of 
 the Lumley family, with whom it continued till their 
 
Country seats and villages. i5t 
 
 heiress married sir Henry Boynton, whose only daugh- 
 ter married sir Henry Gascoyn, of whose descendant, 
 sir William Gascoyn, the manors of Ravensworth, 
 Lamesly, and Eighton, were purchased, in 1607, by 
 Thomas Liddell, Esq. ancestor of sir Thomas Henry 
 Liddell, bai t. their present possessor. The old castle 
 was pulled down in 1808, and is now rebuilding on a 
 beautiful gothic plan, by Nash. Near Ravensworth 
 Castle is a Stone Column, concerning which there is a 
 tradition, that it was one of the Crosses erected to hold 
 markets at, during the great plague at Newcastle, in 
 1635. The produce of the country, at that time, was 
 not allowed to be exposed to sale, at a less distance 
 than three miles from the town. The pedestal of 
 one of these crosses remains on the Sunderlaud road 
 edge, a little east of the third mile-stone, and the 
 cross in Long-Benton is said to be of the same date, 
 Lanchester was supposed by Camden to be the 
 Longovicum of the Notitia Imperii, and by Horsley 
 to be the Glanoventa of the tenth iter of Antonine; 
 but the conjecture of the latter being destitute of all 
 good criticism, we shall rest in the opinion of the 
 father of English antiquaries, till either the Epiacum of 
 Ptolomy or the Lineojugla of the Anonymous writer 
 of Ravenna be proved to have been here. Within the 
 last century, and in the memory of persons yet alive, 
 the whole scite of the Roman station here was over- 
 grown with thorns, brambles, and hazels; and though 
 its irregular ruins have for several years been levelled, 
 and its area and suhurbs laid under agriculture, yet it 
 still exhibits one of the most conspicuous remains of 
 a Roman fortress remaining at present in south 
 
152 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 Britain. Its form is a parallelogram ; the length of 
 the vallum or wall, from east to west, being one hun- 
 dred and eighty-three yards, and its breadth, from 
 north to south, one hundred and forty-three yards. 
 The three following altars appear to have beea 
 Saade either in the reign of Severus or Caracalla* 
 
 PIO 
 TFLTITIANIS- 
 
 V-S-LL * M 
 
 Brit. 
 
 ¥vt{ crurv^ws Titos ^>^ccag Tmcwos Xi/UKgjgog. 
 Kom. p. <293. 
 
 JEsculapio Titus Flavins Titianus tribunis votum 
 solvit libentissime merito. Ibid. 
 
 The stone bearing these inscriptions was discovered 
 by Horsley. Contrary to the general mode, it is in- 
 scribed both on the back and front A Roman au- 
 thor, speaking of Britain, says it 
 K was clara Gnecis et nostris monu- 
 ^^ mentis: but this and " the famous 
 £%> altars at Corbridge," dedicated to 
 Hercules and Astarte,are "the on- 
 ly instances of the Greek character 
 used in such inscriptions iir Britain." 
 Ibid. 
 
 Jovi optimo maximo vexillatio 
 cohortis Varduloram civium JBo- 
 manorim eyuitum mill, v. s, L 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 15$ 
 
 NVM.AVG KT. 
 GEN. COH. II. 
 VARDVLLORVM. 
 C.R.EQ. * bVB.AN. 
 TISTIO. ADVEN 
 
 Numeni Augusti it 
 genio cokortis secunda 
 Vaidullorum civium Ro- 
 manorum equitum mill, 
 sub AntUtio Advento, 
 TO.LEG.AVG.PRPR. Legato Augusti propm- 
 F.TITIANVS. TRIB. tore, F. Titianm tribunus 
 # # # R dat dedicatque rite. 
 
 All these altars appear to be oi the same date, from 
 the mention of either the tribune Titianus or the Var- 
 dulians. This Titianus might possibly be the same 
 as one, that was Procurator of Alexandria, and whom 
 Caracalla put to death with one of his favorites called 
 Theocritus. 
 
 The Varduli were a people of Spain, and are men- 
 tioned by Mela, 1. hi. c. 1. and Pliny, 1. v. c. £9. 
 Their names are also found in three inscriptions, be- 
 longing to Rochester in Northumberland, one of 
 which is dedicated to M. AVRELIVS SEVERVS 
 ANTONINVS; and another to the God of the 
 Sun for the health and the safety of the emperor M. 
 AVRELIVS ANTONINVS. They appear to 
 have been a part of the twentieth legion, which, from 
 the following inscription, as well as from those be- 
 longing to Gordiai/s time, was either wholly or in 
 part occasionally quartered here. 
 
154 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES, 
 
 The principal buildings, within the walls, were the 
 armamentaria and principia, the rebuilding of which is 
 recorded on a stone, bearing the following inscription, 
 and now in the Dean and Chapter's library in Dur- 
 ham. 
 
 IMP. CJESAR. M. ANTONIVS 
 
 GORDIANVS. P. F. AVG. 
 
 PRINCIPIA. ET. ARM AMEN 
 
 TARIA. CONLAPSA. RESTITV 
 
 IT. PER. MECILIVM. FVSCVM. LEG. 
 
 AVG PRPR. CVRANTE. M. AVR. 
 
 QVIRINO. PR. COH. i. L. GOR. 
 When Gordian was emperor, and M. Fuscus 
 lieutenant governor of Britain, these barracks and 
 magazines, which had fallen into decay 7 were re* 
 paired by A. Quirinus, prefect of the first cohort 
 of the Gordian legion. 
 
 The infantry, which composed a Roman legion 
 Were of four kinds, called velites, bastali, principes and 
 triarii. The principia included the repository of the 
 eagles, and the quarters of the principes. The ar* 
 mamentaria were military depots, or magazines for 
 arms. 
 
 Dr. Hunter and Mr Gale first published their re- 
 marks on this, and the following inscription, in the 
 philosophical transactions for a. d. 1717. 
 
 IMP. C2ES. M. ANT. GORDIA 
 
 NUS. P. F. AUG. BALNEUM. CUM. 
 
 BASILICA. E. SOLO. INSTRUXIT. 
 
 PER EGN. LUCILIANUM. LEG. AUG. 
 PRPR, CURANTE. M. AUR. 
 QUIRINO. PR. COH, I L. GOR. 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES* 155 
 
 The emperor Gordian, by his legate Egnatius 
 Lucilianus, and under the inspection of A. Quiri- 
 nus y prefect of the first cohort of the Gordian le* 
 gion, built this bath and basilic. 
 
 The only room of the bath 
 whose dimensions could he as- 
 certained, was about four yards 
 J square. Its walls were plaster- 
 ed with a substance similar to 
 its flooring, and this altar was 
 found at its east end. 
 
 Fortunes Augmti sacrum 
 Publius Mlius Atticus prafectus 
 ~=r~^ votu>n solvit libentissime merio 
 
 Hutch. Durh. vol it. pg. 360. 
 This and the three preceding 
 monuments are in the Dean and 
 Chapters library, in Durham. 
 
 C. N. 
 IMP. M. ANT. Ccesari nostro imperatori 
 GORDIANO Marco Antonio Gordiano, pio, 
 PIO FELICI. feliciy augusto. 
 AVG. 
 
 GENIO. PRAETORL Genio Pratori Clau* 
 CL. EPAPHRODITVS. dius EpaphroditusClau- 
 CLA V DI AN VS. dianm tribunus cohortis 
 
 TRIBVNVS. COH. secunda Lingonum ro- 
 ll, LING, V.Lt P.M. turn libensposuitmerito. 
 
156 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 DEO Deo Silvano Marcus Di- 
 
 SILVANO dius provinciate beneficiarim 
 
 MARCVS DIDIVS corisulis. v. s 11. m. 
 
 PROVINCIALIS Similiar dedications to the 
 
 BF. COS. silvan god have frequently 
 
 VS. LL. M. been met with ii i this country. 
 
 Vide Reinesii Syntag.pgg. 138, 141, 148. Gough's 
 
 Camd. vol. iii. pgg. 117, 159. 
 
 ^ & 11 V ill # # Cohortis octavce centu* 
 
 ^OFPIFROCVIt ria QPF Proculi. 
 
 This was found last year, as were also two altars 
 of little note, and two rude sculptures, all at FoRDj 
 the seat of W. T. Greenwell, Esq. 
 
 Bishop Beck, in 1283, made Lanchester Church 
 collegiate for a Dean with two assistant vicars ; ar*d 
 for seven prebendaries, the three first each to find a 
 vicar chaplain, at his own charge, and the other four 
 a vicar in holy orders : the dean also to provide pro- 
 per ministers for the several Chapels of Ease in the 
 parish. 
 
 Bertram Monboucher, in 1S89, held the manors of 
 Tar>field, Beamish, and Cawsey. Tan field has a 
 chapel at it, once dependant on Chester ; it is a neat 
 new edifice : the mansion house was once the seat of 
 the Dawson family, afterwards of the Davisons. 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 157 
 
 Cawsey Hall has its name from the Raking Dike: 
 it belongs to the Claverings. Beamish continued 
 in the Monboucher family for several generations. 
 After them it seems to have belonged to a Harbotell, 
 and to have passed from the Hylton family by marriage 
 of a coheiress to Morton Davison, esq. of Beamish. 
 His family also failing in male issue, their large 
 possessions went by the female line to sir John Eden, 
 baronet. Beamish-hall stands in a warm sheltered 
 vale, by the margin of the Team ; the grouuds around 
 it have a bold, irregular feature, and the sides of the 
 hills are clothed with young plantations of great ex- 
 tent. Here is a park well stocked with deer. 
 
 Over the deep and romantic dell of Cawsey-burne, 
 near Tanfield, is a remarkable structure, called Tan- 
 field Arch, built by the Grand Allies, in 1729, 
 to obtain a level for the passage of coal waggons. 
 The span of the arch is 103 feet: it springs from a- 
 butments about nine feet high, and, being semicircular, 
 the entire elevation is about sixty feet. It cost 
 12,0001. Its architect was Ralph Wood, a common 
 mason, who having built a former arch of wood, that 
 fell for want of weight, committed suicide, from a 
 dread of this beautiful structure experiencing a similar 
 fate. It is at present neglected and falling to ruins. 
 
 Whickham, in the time of the Bolden Bake, had 
 thirty-rive villain tenants belonging to its manor, each 
 of whom held fifteen acres of land at l6d. rent, ex- 
 elusive of services, which were severe. The church 
 is antient, but no way remarkable. The village con- 
 tains several very excellent houses, and commands an 
 
 o 
 
158 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES* 
 
 extensive and interesting prospect. East of it, about 
 a quarter of a mile, is Dunstan Hill the delight- 
 ful villa of John Carr, esq. It stands among ir- 
 regular groves of forest trees, and overlooks a long 
 reach of the Tyne, finely terminated by Newcastle 
 Bridge. 
 
 Gibs ide, a seat of the earl of Strathmore, was a 
 possession of the Merleys, in the year 1385 ; in the 
 reign of Henry VIII. Roger Blackiston, esq. and his 
 wife Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Richard 
 Merley, had livery of it ; and, at the conclusion of the 
 seventeenth century, sir William Bowes acquired it 
 by marriage with the heiress of sir William Blackiston. 
 The mansion has a sequestered scite on the southern 
 bank of the Derwent. Among the pictures here, is 
 one of Rubens' wife, whilst pregnant, in a fruit shop. 
 The approach is through a wood of venerable oaks. 
 In the grounds are ; a Banqueting House ; an Ionic 
 Column, one hundred and twenty feet high, and sur- 
 mounted by a colossal statue of Liberty ; and, at the 
 end of a beautiful terrace, a Chapel of modern archi- 
 tecture, having a fine dome and portico. The land- 
 scape scenery in this neighbourhood is # xtremely rich. 
 
 Mr Ambrose Crawley, about the year 1690, re- 
 moved his iron works, which were then in infancy, 
 from Sunderland to Winlaton, a place, at that time, 
 consisting only of " a few deserted cottages/' Winla- 
 ton corn mill, in the next year, was converted to his 
 use, and the concern soon spread itself to Swalwell 
 and other places in that neighbourhood. In J 705, a 
 chapel, capable of holding three hundred persons, was 
 built at Winlaton, for the use of the workmen. 
 
COUNT*Y SEATS AND VILLAGES, 159 
 
 Schools too were established, and a code of laws drawn 
 up, which, in a great measure, have superseded the 
 general law of the land, and become locally establish- 
 ed. " To put these laws in execution, a court of 
 arbitrators was constituted at Winlaton, to be holden 
 every ten weeks, for hearing and determining case3 a- 
 mong the workmen, to which all have an appeal. 
 The fees are fixed beyond innovation, at a moderate 
 rate. This institution has the most happy and ex- 
 tensive use, as it quiets the differences of the people, 
 protects their claims to justice in an easy and expedi- 
 tious manner, preserves them from the expences and 
 distress of the common law, and the noisome miseries 
 of a prison.' # Winlaton, and Winlaton mill, in 180 1, 
 contained three thousand and twenty-one inhabitants. 
 The chief branches carried on here are the making 
 and grinding edge-too!s, manufacturing files, and slit- 
 ting bars of iron into nail rods. The works at Swal- 
 well are on a greater scale : Anchors of the largest 
 size, mooring chains, pumps and cylinders for steam 
 engines, all kinds of cast metal utensils, and, in short, 
 almost every form of which iron or steel is susceptible 
 is produced in these works. Their principal con- 
 sumption, besides Newcastle and the adjoining coun- 
 try, is in London. The company have warehouses at 
 Greenwich and in Thames Street, London, and con- 
 stantly employ two vessels of three hundred tons bur- 
 then each, in carrying their goods thither. 
 
 Axw ell Park is the principal seat of sir Thomas 
 Oavering, bart. whose ancestor, Serlo de Burgh, 
 o 2 
 
 • Hutch. Dur, ii. p. 443. 
 
360 COUNTKY SEATS AND VILLAGES, 
 
 came into England with the conqueror. Edward I. 
 gave them the surname of Clavering, from their barony 
 in Essex. Tiiis mansion is an elegant building of 
 Payne's architecture : it is surrounded by undulating 
 ground, embellished with irregular groves of forest 
 trees. Swalwell Bridge is a good object from its east 
 front, which has also parts of the Tyne, Newcastle, 
 and Gateshead in sight: from the south, the fine wood- 
 lands of Gibside are very beautiful. The Claverings 
 were first seated here in Queen Elizabeth's reign; 
 and their mansion, called White-house, stood half a 
 mile west of their present residence. 
 
 Stella formerly belonged to St. Bartholomews, 
 in Newcastle. The Hall, which is a large, venera- 
 We structure, was built by the Tempests, of whom 
 the Widdringtocs obtained it by marriage. At pre- 
 sent it is a seat and occasional residence of John 
 Townley, esq. 
 
 Ryton is a village, delightfully seated on the 
 southern banks of the Tyne, and contains several 
 handsome buildings, inhabited by opulent families* 
 The tower of the church is terminated by an octangular 
 spire of frame-work covered with lead, rising to the 
 height of one hundred and eight feet : it forms a 
 good object from the river and many parts of the 
 vale. On the north side of the church yard is a large 
 barrow, twenty feet high, and covered with trees ; it 
 has never been opened : but a similar one near Brad- 
 ley Hall in this parish was, some twenty years since, 
 found to contain a kistvaen, in which a human body 
 had been interred. As the army of William Wallace 
 marched down the north side of the Tyne, in 1297* 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. lGl 
 
 the inhabitants of Ryton, thinking themselves securely 
 defended by the depth of the river, provoked the Scots 
 With such opprobrious language, that a party of them 
 came over and plundered and burnt the tillage.* 
 
 Bradley Hall was the seat of sir Francis 
 Anderson, in 1685. It was purchased by the late J. 
 Simpson, esq. ; was a few years since occupied by 
 sir T. H. Liddell, bart. and at present by Thomas 
 Wilkinson, esq. 
 
 Prudhoe Castle was the capital seat of the 
 barony of the Humfranvilles, into which they were 
 enfeoffed by William the Conqueror. The Scots, in 
 1174, and 1244, besieged it in vain. The Tailboys 
 family obtained it, after 1381, by marriage; but for- 
 feited it at the battle of Hexham. The crown then 
 granted it to the duke of Bedford ; and soon after 
 to the Percys, its present possessors. It was tenant- 
 ed in 1557 ;f but, in 1596, is called " an old ruinous 
 castle." It stands, as its name implies, on a proud 
 height; and, as the landscape around it is peculiarly 
 excellent, its large extent, broken walls, and crumbling 
 towers, at every point of view, make a fine appearance. 
 
 Minster Acres, the seat of George Silvertop, 
 esq. is surrounded with young plantations. The 
 country around it, both in appearance and profit, owe 
 much to the improvements made here by this family. 
 
 Cor bridge was a borough of the Clavering 
 family, and antiently sent members to Parliament. 
 Tradition represents it as once having five churches j 
 o 3 
 
 * Knighton inter x. Script, col. 2491. 
 t Lodge's Must, of Brit, Hist, vol. i. p. »5* 
 
162 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 but at present, as in Henry I. time, it has only one r 
 which has been built out of a Roman ruin. Near 
 this town, in 1735, was found a silver table, finely 
 embossed with heathen gods, and weighing one hun- 
 dred and forty-eight ounces; and, in 1736, a silver cup, 
 twenty ounces in weight, on which is the christian 
 monogram. In the church yard here were found the 
 two celebrated Greek altars: the first inscribed to 
 Hercules, the second to Astarte, in the following 
 hexameter verses: 
 
 Ar^fTflS Ewjuoy pzo-woccs TlovXxzp /jc-'avcflwcs?* 
 
 In the church yard also is a curious old tower. 
 The town in Leland's time was much diminished; 
 and in 1801, contained two hundred houses, and one 
 thousand and seventy-two inhabitants. West of it, a 
 short distance, may still be seen the traces of Corstopi* 
 turn, a Roman city, at present called Corchester , the 
 ruins of which king John turned o*er, in hopes of 
 finding hidden treasure, but was disappointed. Op- 
 posite to it, on each side of the Tyne, are vestiges of 
 a Roman bridge. 
 
 Aydon Castle is a large ruin, interestingly seat- 
 ed on the brink of a precipice. Here is a large stable 
 with an arched roof and stone mangers. The whole 
 edifice has been girt with a strong outward wail. It 
 belonged, in 1272, to a family of its own name; af- 
 terwards to the Raymes of Bolam, and at present to 
 sir W. Blackett, bart. Near it is Ay don House, 
 the seat of B. W. Wastell, esq. 
 
 Bywell was the capital seat of the barony of 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. l6S 
 
 Hugh Baliol, and held by the service of five knight's 
 fees to the crown, and of thirty to the ward of Newcastle, 
 The earl of Westmoreland forfeited it, in 157 1 ; after 
 which, it was purchased by the Fenwicks, the widow 
 of the last of whom lately married the Rev. Septimus 
 Hodgson, whose seat was built by Wm. Fenwick, 
 esq,, about thirty years since, from designs by Payne, 
 The town was once considerable, and had a great trade 
 in iron work for the use of the border cavalry. It con- 
 sisted of two parishes, the churches of which still re- 
 main in use* At present it contains few inhabitants j 
 but is in truth a charming place. The old castle of 
 the Nevils; the piers of an antient bridge; the water 
 fall over the Salmon-weir; a mill; two churches f 
 Mr Hodgson's house; a few picturesque cottages;, 
 and the finely wooded banks of the Tyne, all group 
 together within a narrow compass. 
 
 Ov ingham had a house for black Canons, found- 
 ed by one of the Humfranvilles ot Prudhoe; its pos- 
 sessions, after the dissolution, came to the Addison 
 family ; and by marriage to the Bigges of Benton and 
 Lindon House. This town has annual fairs, April 
 26, and Oct. £6 ; also a royal grant for a market. 
 Its church is in the cathedral form, 
 
 WylaMj in king John's time, was a manor of the 
 priory of Tynemouth, and, in 1567, of the crown. 
 John Blackett, esq. resided at Wylam Hall, in 
 1692; and at present it is the seat of Christopher 
 Blackett, esq. 
 
 Stamfordham, with Heugh, is a manor of 
 Ralph Riddell, esq. The town is neatly built. In 
 
104 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES* 
 
 the church is a cross-legged figure. The market cross 
 was built by tir J, Swinburne, bart. in 1736; and the 
 free school, founded and endowed with valuable landa 
 at Heugh, by sir Thos. Widdungton, kiit. in 1663. 
 In the lawn of the vicarage is a large and beautiful 
 larch. The fain> here are on the second Thursday in 
 April; and August 15, if a Thursday, if not, the 
 Thursday after. 
 
 Cheeseburne Grange was a possession of 
 the church of Hexharn: In 1567, it belonged to 
 Gawin Swinburne ; afterwards, to the renowned fa- 
 mily of Widdriugton, from whom it passed by mar- 
 riage to the grandfather of its present possessor, Ralph 
 Riddell, esq. 
 
 Close House was formerly a chapel and chan- 
 try, founded by one of the Ratcliffes, and endowed 
 with half the manor of Houghton. The family of 
 its founder sold it to Reed, in 1560; and, in 1620, 
 Reed sold it to Robert Bewicke, esq. an alderman 
 of Newcastle, and ancestor of Calverley Bewicke, 
 esq. the present proprietor of this delightful residence. 
 
 Heddon-on-The-wall was a manor of the 
 barony of the Bolbecks, who gave its church to the 
 Abbey of Blancheland : part of the chancel here is in 
 the Saxon style. In 1752, a wooden box, full of 
 Roman coins and fresh medals, was found in the 
 Roman wall at this place. 
 
 Each wick Hall is the seat of Ralph Spear- 
 man, esq. This manor w as given to Hexham pri- 
 ory by the Delavals of Seaton, about the year 1130. 
 After the dissolution, the Hall was the seat of Roger 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 165 
 
 Fenwick, esq. from whose family it went by an heir- 
 ess to Ralph Scourfield, esq* ; and from him to John 
 Bell, esq. whose eldest daughter, in 1748, married 
 George Spearman, esq. father of the present owner. 
 New burn e, properly Newborough, was given 
 by king John to the Claverings of Waikworth, and in 
 his reign was a place of importance, and enjoyed 
 many exemptions and privileges. It was given to the 
 Percys by Edward III. In the church are tombs of 
 the Delavals. This place is remarkable for the mur- 
 der of Copsi, earl of Northumberland ; and for the 
 defeat of the king's forces, under lord Conway, by 
 the Scots, under general Lesley, August 25, 1640. 
 At present it is a populous village, chiefly of note on 
 account of its early gardens. 
 
 Denton was a manor of Tynemouth priory, and 
 aftewards belonged to the Errington family. By the 
 death of John Rogers, about the year 1758. Denton 
 Hall descended to Edward Montague, esq. grandson 
 of the first earl of Sanwicfa, who left his large property 
 to his v» idow, the able and elegant defender of Shake- 
 speare against Voltaire. She died in 1800, leaving 
 her property to her nephew, Matthew Robinson, now 
 Matthew Montague, esq. There seems to have 
 formerly been a chapel and a burial ground here. 
 
 North and South Dissington were estates 
 of the Delavals soon after the conquest. The latter 
 still continues in the family ; but the former was sold 
 by admiral Delaval to the Collingw oods, from whom 
 it descended to Walter Spencer Stanhope, esq. of 
 Cannon Hall, Yorkshire, its present possessor. The 
 Hall is tenanted, at present, by general Ker. 
 
166 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 Wolsington, part of the possessions of Tyne-' 
 mouth priory, became the residence of the Jennisons 
 in Elizabeth's reign, if not sooner; the last of them 
 sold it to James Dagnia, esq. of Cleadon Hall, in 
 the county of Durham, a famous amateur painter ; 
 who also sold it to Matthew Bell, a merchant in 
 Newcastle, and ancestor of Matthew Bell, esq. 
 its present proprietor. 
 
 Ponteland means the water land of the PonL 
 It was a member of the barony of Mitford ; and ap- 
 pears to have had a castle at the time of the battle of 
 Otterbourne. A peace between England and Scot- 
 land was negociated here, in 1£44. The church is 
 an antient structure, and was formerly collegiate. 
 Here is a charity school, founded and well endowed 
 by Mr Richard Coates, who died in 1719« 
 
 North Milburne was a manor of the Mitford 
 barony, and given by Simon de Divelston, to Hexham 
 priory. After the dissolution, Milburne Grange be- 
 came the seat of Bertram Anderson, and was by him 
 conveyed to the Horsleys, its present owners. South 
 Milburne was also a part of the Mitford barony. 
 It belonged to Thomas Bates, of Halliwell, in 1567; 
 whose descendant, Ralph Bates, esq. has lately erect- 
 ed a curious and elegant mansion here, called Mil* 
 bume House. 
 
 Kirkley was also a manor of the Mitford barony ; 
 and, for several generations, a seat of the Eures of 
 Witton Castle, in the county of Durham. In latter 
 times it has belonged to a branch of the Ogles, and at 
 present is the residence of Nathaniel Ogie, esq. 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES, 167 
 
 "Prestwick Carr is near a hamlet of the same 
 name by Pont- Eland. In summer it covers about 
 ten acres, but much more in winter. In a very dry 
 summer it had so little water, that many roots of trees 
 were visible, and in some the marks of the axe were 
 easy to be distinguished."* It abounds with pike, 
 and is resorted to by great abundance of water fowl. 
 
 South Gosforth, in the barony of Whalton, 
 came to the Lisles, by maniage of the daughter of 
 Richard Canvilie, m Henry the second's lime, and 
 continued in their family in 15fi7, io which year, 
 North Gos forth (that in Henry the third's time 
 was the barony of " Richard Curtayse,"*}*) belonged 
 to sir Robert Brandling, knight banneret. Soon ?f- 
 ter the reformation this family resided at Alnwick 
 Abbey, and for several descents were seated at Felling 
 Hail, till the late Charles Brandling, esq. Irom de- 
 signs of Payne, built Gosforth House, which at pre- 
 sent is the principal seat of his son, C. W. Brandling, 
 esq. one of the members in parliament for Newcastle 
 upon Tyne. 
 
 'Pigg's Folly. At the Three Mile Bridge, by 
 the side of the Morpeth road, is a curious Stone Pil- 
 lar covered with texts of scripture, and erected by one 
 Pigg. This man, says Bourne,* " in the time c f the 
 Rebellion, took down a stately cross firm and com- 
 plete, that stood at the end of Barras Bridge, before 
 the chapel. He called it idolatry, and thought to make 
 
 * Wallis' Northumb. i. 14. 
 f Teste de Neviil, p 392 Villa Rad'i &up' Tayse. Rac 1 ' sup' 
 Tay*>e tenet in capite de d'uo Rcge Goseford del Sura* p' 
 dimid* feodu' de vet'i feoff' " Esch. i. Ed. i* 
 
 * P. 1,53. See also Pennant's, North. Tour. 
 
168 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 his own use of it ; but it was broke by some who 
 hated it should be prophaned. He was a rebel and 
 a very great enthusiast, a monument of his whimsical 
 head, is this pillar, which very deservedly to this day 
 bears the name of Piggs Folly" 
 
 Blagdon is the seat of sir Matthew White Rid- 
 ley, baronet, one of the representatives in parliament 
 for Newcastle upon Tyrie. It was purchased of the 
 Fenwicks, by Matthew White, esq. of Newcastle, 
 who built the mansion here, which his son Matthew, 
 who was created a baronet in 1756, enlarged and 
 beautified : at his decease this estate devolved upon 
 his brother in law, Matthew Ridley, esq. of Heaton, 
 the father of the present baronet. 
 
 Cramlington was in the barony of Gaugy, and 
 gave name to an antient family, long resident here. 
 The Lawsons obtained it by marriage, and entailed it 
 upon Mr Cardonnell, of Chirton, who has lately re- 
 paired the family residence. In the chapel is a mar- 
 ble slab, inscribed : " Orati pro anima Thomse Law- 
 son, generosi qui obiit £do* die mensis Julii a. d. 1489* 
 Cujus animus propitietur Deus." 
 
 KiLLiNGWORTH was a manor of the Morpeth 
 barony. The village stands on elevated ground. Here 
 is the elegant mansion of H. U. Reay, esq. — also the 
 seat of the late admiral Roddam, at present the resi- 
 dence of the rev, R. H. Williamson. 
 
 Backworth was one of the manors of Tynemouth 
 priory. Since the dissolution, it has for many years 
 been the residence of the ancestors of R. W. Grey, 
 esq. its present owner. This seat was built from de- 
 signs of Newton, 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 16§ 
 
 Long Benton descended from the barons of 
 Morpeth to the present earl of Carlisle, who, in 1800, 
 sold it to the Brandlings and Browns, the latter 
 of which families has its seat at this place. The 
 parish church stands at a short distance from the vil- 
 lage: it belongs to Baliol College, Oxford; and had 
 a chantry in it, dedicated to St, Mary. 
 
 Little Benton, in Henry the Thirds time, 
 was held under the baronies of Heron and Heppel. 
 In 1282 it was the Lordship of the Scropes, of Mash- 
 am, Yorkshire ; and since that time has had various 
 possessors. Thomas Bigge, esq. obtained it by mar- 
 riage with a coheiress of John Hindraarsh, esq about 
 the year 1/30 ; and the two mansions here were built 
 by his descendants. Benton House, which is of brick, 
 has been lately sold to Mr Brown of Long Benton, 
 and is at present occupied by his son-in-law, William 
 Clarke, esq. Little Benton is the residence of 
 Thomas Hanway Bigge, esq. 
 
 Walls end is called by Camden pagula infre- 
 quent; but at this time contains several excellent 
 houses. Its Old Church stood very inconveniently 
 upon the brow of a hill, and was approached by a 
 very long flight of stairs. The New Church, by the 
 side of the North Shields road, was built under au- 
 thority of an act of parliament, and opened in 1809. 
 In this paiish, opposite Jarrow, is How* don Pans, 
 a populous village, having a dry dock, a ship-building 
 yard, and a ropery. 
 
 The village of Chirton is rendered remarkable 
 for being the residence of " Ralph Gardiner, gent." 
 author of that swtie and querulous stricture on the 
 
170 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 corporation of Newcastle, called " Englands Griev- 
 ance Discovered, in Relation to the Coal Trade." 
 Here also is the seat of John Collingwood, esq. 
 which devolved upon him on the death of his brother, 
 lord Colling wood. Also the seat of Adam Mansfield 
 Lawson de Cardonnel, esq., author of " Picturesque 
 Antiquities of Scotland :" it had for many generations 
 been the residence of the Lawsons of Cramlington : 
 and, on the death of the last of them, devolved, by 
 will, on Mr Cardonnell, 
 
 North Shields. The Prior of Tynemouth, 
 in 1£92> had built a quay and twenty six houses here, 
 which were tenanted by fishers, brew T ers and victuallers, 
 rich enough to supply loading and provisions for one or 
 two hundred ships ; but, at the suit of the corporation 
 of Newcastle, all these erections were removed. Be- 
 fore that time, the place consisted only of a few Shiels, 
 a provincial name for hovels, inhabited by fishermen. 
 This place, however, in the time of the common- 
 wealth, was of importance enough to complain to His 
 Highness and Council of the want of a market; and 
 Cromwell had certainly complied with its request, 
 had not the breaking up of parliament prevented him. 
 The plague raged violently here, in 1635. The 
 Church was consecrated, in 1668, and since that time 
 has been much enlarged, and ornamented with a 
 steeple, in which are six musical bells, which were 
 presented to the parish by James Storey, esq. in 
 1788. The oldest part of the town is a long, narrow 
 street on the brink of the river, and, in bustle and con- 
 fusion, bears a strong resemblance to Wapping. The 
 upper, or new town, is a creation of the latter part of 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 171 
 
 last century ; and the improvements and enlargements 
 in it have of late years been carried on in an extensive 
 scale. Dockwray Square, a place of considerable 
 neatness, is the most fashionable part of the town. 
 The Theatre is of brick, small, but neat, and built 
 about the year 1799. The Methodists of the Old 
 and New Connection have each a Meeting Home 
 here; as also have the Presbyterians, Independents, 
 Quakers, Burghers, and the Roman Catholicks. A- 
 mong the late improvements may be enumerated a 
 Subscription Library; a Dispensary; Schools for the 
 education of boys and girls, on the Lancastrian plan ; 
 an elegant new r Inn, built by the duke of Northum- 
 berland ; and a Market Place, also of his Grace's 
 formation, one hundred and ten yards by seventy. 
 This nobleman, in 1S04, gave licence for a weekly 
 market to be held at North Shields, within his manor 
 of Tynemouth, en Fridays ; and for annual fairs on 
 the last Friday in Apul, and the first Friday in Novem- 
 ber. In this town are also a spacious dry Dock, se- 
 veral Ship-building yards, extensive Roperies, Salt- 
 pans, &c. At the foot of it are two light-houses 
 for the use of ships entering the harbour, main- 
 tained by the Trinity House, in Newcastle: and near 
 them Clifford's Fort, built in 1672 ; taken by the 
 Scots, in 1G44; and which effectually commands all 
 vessels entering the river. But the glory of North and 
 South Shields is their harbour, about a mile and 
 half in length; and in which two thousand ships 
 may commodiously ride at anchor : in spring tides it 
 has water sufficient for vessels of five hundred tons 
 burthen. The shipping of this port, at present, are 
 
272 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 calculated at a thousand, whereof North Shields Is 
 supposed to have three-sixths, South Shields two- 
 sixths, and Newcastle the rest. 
 
 Tynemoutpi is supposed to have been the scite 
 of a Roman fortress, as two inscriptions, belonging to 
 that people, were found at it in 1783 : one of them 
 an altar, dedicated to Jupiter, by JElius Rufus, pre- 
 fect of the fourth cohort of the Lingones ; the other 
 is upon a tablet, such as were placed in the fronts of 
 buildings, and is usually read : " Gyrum, cumbas, et 
 templum fecit Caius Julius Maximiuus Leglonis 
 sextse victricis ex voto." 
 
 Edwine, king of Northumberland, about the year 
 625 y built a small chapel of wood here, in which his 
 daughter, Rosella, took the veil. # His successor, St. 
 Oswald, rebuilt it of stone. St. Mary's oratory was 
 about this time a place of great celebrity for inter- 
 ment. St. Oswin, king Edred, and Henry, hermit 
 of Coquet Island, were buried here; as also, in suc- 
 ceeding times, were Malcolm, king of Scotland, and 
 his son, prince Edward. After the terrors of Danish 
 invasion were over, Tosti, earl of Northumberland, 
 rebuilt the monastery and church from the foundation. 
 The new chapel of St. Mary occurs under the year 
 1336, about which time lord Henry Percy gave 100 
 marks, and above one thousand trees, towards the re- 
 paration of the houses of the prior and convent. Parts 
 of the walls and arches of Tostis edifice may be 
 traced about the transept and nave of the church ; the 
 architecture of which agrees with the time of Henry 
 III. It was dissolved January 12, 1539; at which 
 * Lei* col. vol, iv, torn, £££• p. 4*. 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 173 
 
 time it was in possession of twenty-seven villas in 
 Northumberland, estimated at 7061. 10s. 8 £d. a year. 
 The church continued parochial till 1659, when its 
 roof began to fall in ; and, as the parishioners were 
 often debarred the liberty of a free resort to it in the 
 civil wars, a new one at North Shields was commeno 
 ed, in 1659, and consecrated by bishop Cousins, in 
 1668. Since that time this beautiful and magnificent 
 structure has suffered greatly from the attacks of time 
 and military barbarity, though enough of it still re- 
 mains to shew its antient extent and grandeur. The 
 little oratory of the Virgin, at the east end of the 
 chancel, which, till of late years, was preserved in 
 great perfection, has been converted into a magazine 
 foi military stores, and has had its windows walled 
 up. The cemetery continues to be used. 
 
 Tynemouth Castle was two months besieged by 
 William Rufus, during the defection of earl Mow- 
 bray ;* and, in 1379> it is called " a certain fortified 
 and walled place, to resist the malice of the enemies 
 of the kingdom." In queen Elizabeth's time, its gar- 
 rison consisted of a master and six inferior gunners ; 
 and at that time, says Camden, it " gloried in a no- 
 ble and strong castle, which, in the language of an old 
 writer, ' is made inaccessible on the east and north side, 
 by a rock over the ocean ; but, on the other sides, on ac- 
 count of its lofty situation, is easily defended." It was 
 garrisoned by the king's forces in 1642; but surren- 
 dered in 1644, when thirty-eight pieces of ordnance 
 and much provision and ammunition were found in 
 it. Colonel Iilburne, its deputy governor, revolted in 
 
 p 3 
 
 * See before, at p. 4, 
 
174 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 favour of the king, in 1648 ; but the place was storm- 
 ed, its garrison put to the sword, and Lilbum's dead 
 body decollated, and his head fixed upon a pole ! Af- 
 ter long neglect, the batteries were repaired ; and the 
 castle made a depot for arms and military stores in 
 1783. At present, there are few remains of the an- 
 tient fortress, except the gateway, which has been 
 much deformed by alterations. The salary of the 
 governor of Tinmouth Castle is £841. per annum, 
 that of the lieutenant governor 1731. On the north- 
 east side of the castle is a light-house, for the direction 
 of ships on the coast. It is a lofty building, has an 
 oil light, and is considered one of the best light-houses 
 on the coast. Close by the light-house is a battery of 
 heavy ordnance, with mortars for shells for the de- 
 fence of the shipping. 
 
 The Village of Tynemouth is well built, and 
 iducIi resorted to in the bathing season. Warm and 
 cold baths have been lately constructed here, in the 
 Prior's Haven. West of the village are Tynemouth 
 Barracks, calculated to hold six hundred men, ex- 
 clusive of officers. 
 
 CtJLLEKCOATS is a small village, inhabited chief- 
 ly by fishermen, but, like Tynemouth, resorted to as a 
 bathing-place, and having warm and cold baths. Be- 
 hind it is a neglected Quaker burial ground. Coals 
 were formerly shipped here ; but the pier of the haven 
 lias been long thrown down. 
 
 The Monk's Stone, near the village of Monk- 
 seaton, is the pedestal of an antient cross. The place 
 in which it stands was called, in 1320, Rodestane 
 
COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES. 175 
 
 More; and, in 1757, Cross Close Pasture. It has 
 this inscription upon it in modern letters : " O Horor 
 to Kill a man For a Piges head," a motto, which 
 Grose, with much hesitation, attributes to one of the 
 Delaval family belabouring a monk with his hunting 
 gad, so as to occasion his death, for stealing a pig 's* 
 head from the spit, at Seaton Delava!. 
 
 The prior of Tynemouth had a tower at Whitley, 
 at which the people of the village, by the tenure of 
 their lands, were required to give to the convent of 
 Tynemouth, a large annual feast, called i le conveyes 5 
 on Innocent's Day. At present this is a pleasant 
 and genteel village. 
 
 The Delaval family came Into England with the 
 conqueror, to whom they were related: they were 
 seated at Seaton Delaval in 1121, if not sooner. 
 Their antient castle was removed when the present 
 mansion was built ; but the domestic chapel, a neat 
 Saxon edifice, remains. Sir John Vanburgh was the 
 architect of this princely structure. Its porticos, hall, 
 and saloon are very noble; and the kitchen and stable 
 admirably constructed. A fine Obelisk, about half a 
 mile from the house, has been happily placed in the 
 dead flat towards Tynemouth. The Mausoleum was 
 built by the late lord Delaval, in memory of his son, 
 w 7 ho died about his twentieth year. At present, this 
 is a seat of Edward Hussy Delaval, esq. of Dodding- 
 ton, in Lincolnshire. 
 
 The harbour of Seaton Sluice was formed by 
 sir Ralph Delaval, bart. " Charles the Second, who 
 had a great taste for matters of this kind, made him 
 collector and surveyor of his own port. 38 It is called 
 
176 COUNTRY SEATS AND VILLAGES, 
 
 Seaton Sluice, from the sluice and, floodgates which 
 sir Ralph invented, to scour the harbour. The new 
 entrance into it is cut through a fine freestone rock, 
 and is nine hundred feet long, thirty feet broad, and 
 fifty-two feet deep. The harbour holds about four- 
 teen vessels, each of two or three hundred tons bur- 
 den. The salt trade here has given way to that of 
 coals, copperas, and glass* 
 
 Opposite to the village of Hartley is Bate's 
 Island, on which was formerly a chapel of the Vir- 
 gin, and a hermitage, both desolated. Lord Delaval 
 formed a small harbour here, for refuge to the fisher* 
 men in storms. 
 
ROMAN WALL. 
 
 Hinc atque hinc extat vetus urbs, olim inclyta bello, 
 
 Et muri disjecti et propugnacula lapsa. 
 
 jfrlons Catbarina* 
 
 It is allowed, on good grounds of criticism, that 
 the Roman general, Julius Agricola, about the 
 eighty-second year of the Christian aera, built a chain 
 of forts parallel with the Tyne and the Irthing, from 
 the German to the Irish ocean. The emperor Ha- 
 drian came into Britain in a. d. 120, and, accord- 
 ing to Spartian, built a wail eighty miles in length, to 
 divide the Romans and the barbarians: and, forty 
 years after, Lolius Urbicus, in the reign of Antoninus 
 Pius, conquered the Britains, and made another wall 
 of turf across the island. # Dion Cassius and Hero- 
 dian speak of Severus passing the rampires, which 
 were the boundaries of the empire in his march against 
 the Caledonians. They both flourished about his 
 time, and both wrote copiously on his achievements; 
 but neither of them have a word about any wall or 
 barrier that he built. Herodiau, indeed, says that 
 this emperor was cautious in building bridges through 
 the marshes, that the legions might march and fight 
 on firm ground ; and Ziphiline, in his abridgement of 
 Dion, speaking of Britain, has this passage, " We 
 possess only about half the island. In attempting to 
 reduce the Caledonians, Severus had nothing but 
 fatigue to endure : he cut down woods, levelled hills, 
 drained bogs, and built bridges: the enemy never ap- 
 
 * The wall of Urbicus extended from the Forth to the 
 Clyde; and abundance of infcriptions have been dug out of 
 its ruins, which minutely elucidate its history. 
 
178 ROMAN WALL. 
 
 peared in numbers ; he fought no pitched battle ; but* 
 in hardships and skirmishes, fifty thousand of his men 
 were cut off." Many years after his death, Spartian, 
 an historian not of the best credit, asserts that he 
 drew a wall from sea to sea ; that this was the chief 
 glory of his reign ; and that this procured him the sur- 
 name of Britannicus. Succeeding authors, on this 
 subject, are very contradictory, some affirming that 
 he really built a wall of stone; others, a vallum of 
 earth ; but others, greater in number and credit, that 
 he only repaired the vail of Hadrian. From the 
 number of the last we select the testimony of Richard 
 of Cirencester : " The lieutenant, Virius Lupus, did 
 not perform many splendid actions ; for the glory of 
 his reign was intercepted by the unconquerable Seve- 
 rus, who, having put the enemy to flight, repaired the 
 wall of Hadrian, now become ruinous, and restored 
 it to its greatest perfection. Had he lived, he intend- 
 ed to extirpate the very name of the barbarians, but 
 he died by the visitation cf God, among the Brigan- 
 tes, in the city of York." 
 
 In 416 a legion, the last that was sent, came from 
 Rome to the protection of the Britains, and assisted 
 them in building a solid wall of stone, from sea to sea, 
 between those cities, which the turbulence of former 
 times had rendered necessary, and where Severus had 
 formerly made a vallum of *urf. This is Bede's ac« 
 count, derived from Paul Orosius and Gildas, authors, 
 whose testimony is perhaps not of the most indubit- 
 able kind ; but it is the best the times they lived in 
 have afforded. Bede was borne in Wearshire, a. pro- 
 vince between the rivers Tyne and Wear, near their 
 
ROMAN WALL. 179 
 
 source. u This wall," continues he, u hitherto so 
 famous and still so conspicuous, the Romans, with 
 such assistance as the Britons could afford, built at 
 public and private cost: it is eight feet broad, and 
 twelve feet high, as is evident to beholders even to this 
 day." This account is also not a little strengthened 
 by a passage in Ammianus, where he recommends in 
 his " Art of War," addressed to the emperor Theo- 
 dosius and his sons, " castles to be built on the fron- 
 tier of the empire, a mile asunder, and joined with a 
 firm wall and strong towers; and that these fortresses 
 should be garrisoned by the adjoining landholders" 
 Hadrian's Vallum, near Portgate, consists of 
 a mound cf earth, nineteen feet broad at the base, and 
 near ten feet high ; sixteen feet north of this is a second 
 mound, ten feet broad at the base, and having on its 
 north side, a ditch twelve feet deep and twenty-one 
 feet wide; and, twenty-eight feet north of the ditch, a 
 third mound of earth, thirty-three feet broad at its 
 base.* These four works keep ail the way a constant, 
 regular parallelism one with another. The best spe- 
 cimens of them are on Tipper-moor, where the great 
 ditch is hewn out of a stratum of whinstone. It 
 commences at Newcastle, and ends at Drumbrugh. 
 
 The wall, vulgarly attributed to Severus, has a 
 ditch on its north side, twenty-one feet wide at the top, 
 and generally about fifteen feet deep. It is faced on 
 each side with ashlar work, in many places formed on 
 piles, the inner filling stones pretty large, broad, and 
 thin, set on edge obliquely in mortar above the earth, 
 and in clay beneath it. Its thickness is from seven to 
 
 • Warburton's Survey, prefixed to his Vail. Rom, 
 
180 &OMAN WALL. 
 
 eight feet. At both ends it extends beyond Hadriaris 
 wall ; with which work it keeps no regular parallel- 
 ism. A paved military way has every where attended 
 it on the south, It had eighteen stations upon it, with 
 seventeen intervals between them; at the distance 
 generally of a Roman mile, were castella, eighty three 
 in number, each sixty-six feet square, and having the 
 Wall itself for their north side; and between each of 
 these were four watch towers, each four feet square. 
 So far it was, perhaps, necessary to premise concern- 
 ing the wall in general ; we shall now proceed to par- 
 ticularize the remains of this stupendous work ; and, 
 in doing so, shall, in the briefest manner possible, de- 
 scribe its eighteen stations, in the order they stand 
 in the Notitia Imperii." 
 
 Segedunum was garrisoned by the first cohort 
 of the Lergi, and at present is called Walls-end, on 
 account of the great Stone Barrier terminating here. 
 By the people in its neighbourhood, the scite of the 
 station is sometimes called the Well-laws : it has been 
 about one hundred and forty yards square. In Hors- 
 ley's time, there were hillocks of stones and rubbish ; 
 distinct traces of the ramparts of the fort ; and evident 
 remains of two turrets at the western and eastern cor- 
 ners of the station, and auother at the south-west 
 corner. A wall and other works have extended to 
 the margin of the river, as appears by grass-grown 
 heaps of masonry. The engines of Walls-end colliery 
 stand nearly upon its scite; and its foundations and 
 outworks have been frequently exposed in sinking 
 shafts and making waggon- ways. Besides immense 
 quantities of horns and bones of various animals, frag- 
 
BOMAN WALL. 181 
 
 xnehts of pottery, Roman tegula, coins, rings, and 
 such like, are continually turning up here ; this place 
 has produced four centurial stones a id an altar dedi- 
 cated to Jupiter, all given in Horsley. 
 
 This forged inscription was published in the New- 
 
 HADR castle Journal, Aug. 6, 1775, 
 
 MVR.COND.... and is given by Pennant as au- 
 
 HOC MAR... thentic. There are many visible 
 POS.COSS.D... remains of the wall and ditch, be- 
 tween this place and Newcastle; and Walker and 
 Byker have their names from castella upon it. 
 
 Pons JElii, now Newcastle, was garrisoned by 
 the Cohors Cornoviorum. We have before noticed 
 that Hadrian's vallum ended here, and that this sta- 
 tion had its name from that emperor, who was of the 
 iElian family. The Stone Barrier passed on the 
 north side of St. Nicholas' church, and Mr Horsley 
 was of opinion, that the east wall of this station ran 
 at right angles from it through St. George's Porch ; 
 that each side measured six chains ; and that the val- 
 lum of Hadrian formed its southern rampire. The 
 lower part of the wall, which formed the east side of 
 the late Moot Hall, and is still standing, is beyond all 
 dispute a part of the walls of Pons iElii: it has the, 
 same breadth, bearing, and mechanical feature of the 
 foundations of a wall discovered under the New 
 Courts ; and a low Roman door-way walled up, and 
 its tesselated ashlar work, are convincing proofs of its 
 origin. " I am of opinion," says Brand, * that the 
 inscriptions belonging to the station Pons iElii are 
 all built up in the old keep of the castle, and that a 
 rich treasure of this kind will some time or other be 
 
 9 
 
182 ROMAN WALL. 
 
 discovered lurking in its almost impregnable walls by 
 future antiquaries." 
 
 Condercum was the station of the Ala Prima 
 Asturnm. Its scite is near Benwell, two miles from 
 Newcastle. The Carlisle road crosses it ; and a wag- 
 gon way was made through it, in 1810. There are 
 plans of it, and of the bath discovered near it, in 
 Brand's History of Newcastle, drawn in 1751, by the 
 late Robert Shafto, esq. to whom the greater part of 
 it belonged at that time. The altars and inscriptions 
 found here are at the Rectory of Rjton. One of 
 them was found in 1669, and is supposed, by Baxter, 
 to belong to the consulship of Palma and Senicio; 
 but Horsley refers it to the time of the emperors 
 Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. The original is 
 somewhat defaced. The altar, dedicated to Jupiter 
 Dolichenus, a god of mines, is mutilated at the top, 
 but its inscription is remarkably perfect.^ Reinesius 
 has an altar dedicated to the same god in this manner 
 " J. O. M. Dolycheno ubi ferrum nascitur;" and 
 Horsley observes : " it may not be improper to re- 
 mark, that there is a coalry near Benwell, a part of 
 which is judged by persons best skilled in such affairs 
 to have been wrought by the Romans." The follow- 
 ing inscription is given by Mr Brand : 
 
 • Jovi optimo maximo Dolicheno et numinibus Augusti pro 
 salute imperatoris Caesaris Titi iElii Hadriani Antonini 
 Augusti Pii patris patriae et legionis secundae Augustas Marcus 
 Liburnius Fronto centurio iegionis ejusdem votum solvit 
 lib ens merito, Horsley. 
 
ROMAN WALL. 183 
 
 MATRIBVS CAMPEST 
 
 ET.GENIO.AL^E PRI.HISPRNo 
 
 RVMASTVRVM 
 
 GORDIANJE.T. 
 
 AGRpPA PRJE.TEMPLVM A So.... 
 
 .... TITV1T 
 
 Matribus Campestribus et Genio alec prima 
 Hispanorum Asturum ob virtuiem appellate Gor- 
 diana Titus Agrippa templum a Solo restituit* 
 The chasms are caused by erasures designedly made. 
 Camden has an inscription, found at Old Carlisle, which 
 mentions the Ala Augusta Gordiana ob vertutem 
 appellata, and the Vardulians, who, like the Astures, 
 weie a people of Spain, and are mentioned on stones 
 at Lanchester, and Riechester, under the reign of 
 Gordian the Third. This emperor was murdered 
 a. d. 244; supposing, therefore, this temple to have 
 been first erected by the soldiers of Agricola, about 
 the year 80, it was only about one hundred and 
 twenty-eight years old at the time it was rebuilt. A 
 remarkable altar inscribed LAMIIS TRIBUS was 
 also found here: these goddesses are supposed to be 
 the same as the three harpies, Aello, Ocypite, and 
 Ctlasno. 
 
 In trenching the ground on the north side of the 
 station here, many coins, large conduits, several small 
 altars, and fragments of inscriptions were discovered ; # 
 and, when the iron rail-way was made, the founda- 
 tions of several buildings appeared. 
 
 Opposite the second milestone from Newcastle, 
 the foundations of an exploratory tower were found, 
 
 o2 
 * Brand,!. 606. 
 
184 ROMAN WALL. 
 
 At Denton-burn there is a piece of the stone wall, 
 nine feet broad, and having an apple tree growing out 
 of it ; and, a little east of Heddon-on-the-Wall, another 
 piece with the facing stones on the north side. 
 
 Vindobala was garrisoned by the Cohors Prima 
 Frixagorum ; and at present is called Rutchester, in 
 books; but, by the people who live at it, Rood- 
 Chester? a name probably derived from some Cross 
 which has formerly stood here. Hadrian's vallum 
 runs about a chain south of this fortress, and the 
 Stone Barrier passes from the middle of its east and 
 west ramparts, which, on the enemies side, have been 
 strongly guarded with towers* The suburbs have been 
 very large ; and, as usual, on the south side. On the 
 western brow of the hill is a large cistern, hewn out of 
 the rock ; when found, it was divided into two com- 
 partments, by a stone partition, and had a three foot- 
 ed iron candlestick, a small instrument like a tooth 
 pick, and a great quantity of large bones in it ; for 
 what purpose it was designed is extremely uncertain. 
 Some centurial stones ; a broken statue of Hercules, 
 removed to London by Mr Duane, # in 1761 ; silver 
 fibulae; coins of the lower empire; and bricks in- 
 scribed LEG VLV. have been found here. Also, 
 in the castle stead, east of the station, in 1766, two 
 poor labourers found an urn full of gold and silver 
 coins, many of which they disposed of, but Mr Arch- 
 deacon " recovered, as treasure-trove, near five hun- 
 dred silver and sixteen gold ones; almost a complete 
 series of those of the higher empire ; among them se- 
 
 * Stuku Ca\aus. I* 187* 
 
ROMAN WALL. 185 
 
 veral Othos, most of them in fine preservation."* 
 The altar in the Rector's garden in Gateshead was 
 brought from hence : its inscription is singular, and, 
 in our opinion, should be read thus : Regi Christo 
 Hominum. Valentisimi Regi, Arbitro Iiominum. 
 Jehovah Regi. This has probably been a dedication 
 of some christian soldier in the Roman army. 
 
 Part of the tower of the Rutchester family still re- 
 mains here ; and their domestic chapel, being made 
 use of as a cow-house, was pulled down about forty- 
 four years since, by its owner, to prevent the possi- 
 bility of its future desecration. The estate belongs 
 to Walter Fawks, esq, of Farnby in Yorkshire, and 
 was purchased by his uncle, Ascough Fawks, esq. of 
 Mr Archdeacon, who inherited it from John Rogers, 
 esq. of Denton. 
 
 At the village of Harlow-Hill, a piece of the Stone 
 Wall remains; and, west of it, opposite Welton, in 
 the ruins of a castellum, was found a stone inscribed 
 LEG.II.AVG.F. and now in the stable yard at 
 Welton Hall. This Welton shews the vestigia of a 
 considerable town, and, in our opinion, is the Ad 
 Murum of Bede, the royal villa of king Osweo, and 
 where bishop Finian, in 653, baptized Peada, king of 
 the Middle Angles, and Sigberct, king of the East 
 Saxons.f W 7 est of this village, the two barriers are, 
 in many places, very fresh ; and the facing stones of 
 the foundation of the Stone Wall appear in long paral- 
 lel lines, uniformly 10 feet broad, along the middle of 
 the high-way. 
 
 83 
 
 5 Wallib' Northumb, ii. 168. f Smith's Bede, p. 12s, 1*6, 
 
386 
 
 ROMAN WALL. 
 
 Hunnum, or Halion Chesters, is the fifth sta- 
 tion in the series of the Notitia, and was garrisoned 
 by the Ala Saviniana. It lies on both sides of the 
 high-way; but especially on the south, where the 
 walls, ditches, and different offices of the interior of 
 the station appear in large and confused heaps of 
 ruins. The south-east corner seems to have been 
 round, and a heap of ruins there, larger than at other 
 places, plainly indicates the remains of a fallen tower. 
 The column mentioned by Brand still lies here. A- 
 mong the inscriptions belonging to this place, the 
 most curious is one that mentions the Ma Sabiniana, 
 which corroborates the testimony of the Notitia, that 
 that wing was in garrison here. The Second Legion 
 has left its name within a civic garland. Abundance of 
 stags horns, heaps of mussel shells, and several copper 
 coins have been turned up among these ruins. This 
 
 ring was found in harrow- 
 ing the adjoining ground, 
 April 5, 1803. It is of 
 pure gold ; we^hs eight 
 pennyweights, fifteen 
 grains ; is set with a small 
 
 blue stone, slightly injured ; and is at present worn by 
 Lady Blackett, of Matfen. 
 
 Portgate was a border tower. Opposite the 
 seventeenth milestone both the rampires appear mag- 
 nificently, especially the ditch of the wall, which is 
 broad, deep and sharp. In descending the hill, to- 
 wards Chollerford Bridge, several yards of the wall 
 remain: it has thorns growing upon it; three courses 
 
ROMAN WALL. 187 
 
 of aslilars remain at ihe bottom ; towards the top, it 
 consists of filling stones, placed in rows featherwise 
 over each other; and, from the strength of the cement 
 that binds them, has a hard and craggy appearance. 
 A stone was also found here, inscribed by the Second 
 Legion. 
 
 H Where Watling-street passes the Wall 
 there is a visible track of a square gate, and the ditch 
 belonging to the Wall manifestly goes about the other 
 half of it, the inner half being so visible. This gate 
 seems to be of much the same size with the castles, 
 sixty feet square, only these are wholly within the 
 Wall, but the gate within and without."* 
 
 A little way below Chollerford Mill, in a line with 
 the wall, the Tyne has been crossed by a stone bridge 
 evident remains of which may easily be traced in dry 
 seasons. It has not stood at right angles against the 
 stream, but slanted from the west to the east. Its 
 foundations appear like a fine pavement in the bed of 
 the river. All the facing stones have been joined to- 
 gether with horizontal dove-tail cramps, soldered into 
 their matrices with lead. It is remarkable, in the re- 
 mains of this structure, that the largest stones are 
 pierced with lewis-holes, a circumstance which suf- 
 ficiently proves that that invention was used in antient 
 architecture. 
 
 Cilurnum, or Walwick Ckesters, was the quar- 
 ters of the Ala Secunda Asturum. It stands on 
 sloping ground on the western bank of the North 
 Tyne, and, according to Warbui ton, its walls measur- 
 ed five hundred and seventy feet from east to west, 
 
 # Gough't Camd. iii, 21 6* 
 
188 SOMAN WALL. 
 
 and four hundred from north to south. "There ard 
 large ruins within the fort, the shape and whole di- 
 mensions of which are yet visible* The ruins of thel 
 out-buildings shew themselves betweea the fort and! 
 the river ." # At present these remains are grass- 1 
 grown, but the lines of the station are still percepti- 1 
 ble: within its area is a large vault lately discovered. 
 In a grove behind Chesters, the seat of Nathaniel 
 Clayton, esq, there is a good specimen of the Stone 
 Wall and its ditch ; and, near it, in a summer- 
 house, several antiquities, the produce of this sta- 
 tion. One of these is a broken statue of Europa in 
 freestone. The drapery of the goddess is well design- 
 ed, and neatly executed ; but the bull is much too 
 small : its feet rest upon a sinuous, scaley fish, symbo- 
 lical of the sea, and the pediment of the statue has a 
 neat border in bas relief. The head, legs, and tail of 
 the bull, and the head and arms of Europa, are broken 
 off. It is remarkable that this daughter of Agenor is 
 here executed standing on the back of her metamor- 
 phosed lover, whereas Ovid says, 
 
 * * * Aufa eft quoque regia Virgo, 
 Nefcia quern premeret, tergo considcre tauro. 
 
 * * dextra cornu tenet; altera dorfo 
 Impofita eft: tremulse finuantur flamine veftes* 
 
 The most interesting inscription here is on a free- 
 stone table, neatly moulded around, but broken into 
 four pieces. The letters, though remarkably legible, 
 are much complicated ; many of them have been pur- 
 posely erased \, and all the lines are imperfect on the 
 right, by a part of the stone being lost, 
 
 * Horsley's Brit. Rom, 
 
ROMAN WALL, 189 
 
 IMP CAES AVREL- 
 
 AVG . 
 
 P iB-P- ....OS.. .PP DiVLm. 
 
 DIVrSEVER.NEP- , 
 
 CAESAR IMPER ^ 
 
 ALiEIIASIVR V .... VSTAT... 
 
 ERVNTPERMARIVM- VALER ... 
 
 INSTANTE SEPT1MIO NILO P . ^E...... 
 
 DEDICATVM.IILKAL.NOVEM GR..EO 
 
 ET SEL. 
 
 From the remains of this remarkable tablet may 
 easily be gathered, that it was erected by the second 
 wing of the Astures, in the first or second consulship 
 of Alexander Severus/f- to commemorate the rebuild* 
 ing of some edifice ruined by age, and which was de- 
 dicated on the third of the kalends of November. 
 The Astures were a people of Spain, and are men- 
 tioned on inscriptions at Benwell, and Great Chesters : 
 Horsley contended they were the Asti, a colony in 
 Liguria** Lampridius, one of the authors in the 
 Augustine History, says of Alexander Severus: " in 
 Britannia (ut alii volunt in Gallia) in vico cui Sicila 
 nomen est eum occiderunt ;" and Hovedeu and others 
 say, that Alfwald, king of Northumberland, was slain 
 at a place called " Scile-Chester, juxta murum" 
 We do not pretend positively to assert that Cilurnum, 
 Sicila, and Scile-Chester are names of the same 
 place ; but they bear a strong similarity, and, by the 
 fluctuating orthography of antient times, there are 
 numerous examples of names farther distorted than 
 these from their original form. 
 
 f See Gruter, p. cxc. No. 8, 13, p. mlxxviii. No. 7, 2. 
 • Brit. Rom. p. xoj. 
 
190 ROMAN WALL. 
 
 Horsley has a few sepulchral and centurial inscrip- 
 tions, and certain figures in relief, found in Cilurnum, 
 but none of them any otherwise important than as 
 objects of curiosity. The sepulchral stones, now at 
 Walwick grange, were found by the side of the Roman 
 road, between that place and Chesters. 
 
 At this station, a military way has left the wall, and 
 proceeded in a curve, by Newburgh and Little Ches- 
 ters, to Caervoran, where it has again joined it. Mr 
 Warburton, contrary to the opinion of Horsley and 
 Gordon, thought that the Maiden-way from Kirkby- 
 thore in Westmorland, down South Tindale, to Caer- 
 voran, came this way to the bridge of Cilurnum, and, 
 after crossing Watling-street, proceeded on the line of 
 the Devil's Causeway 7 into Scotland, near Berwick- 
 upon-Tweed. 
 
 Between Cilurnum and Magna, the remains of the 
 two barriers are more perfect than in any other part 
 of their whole course. Hadrian's work generally 
 sweeps around the feet of the hills, while the Stone 
 Barrier as generally leaves it, and traverses the brows 
 of precipices, and the tops of the highest hills. 
 
 Procolitia, according to the Notitia and an in- 
 scription found at it, was garrisoned by the Cohors 
 Prima Batavorum. It stands in a high bleak situa- 
 tion. The ground about is rich, and its scite irregu- 
 lar with heaps of ruins. The military way which ac- 
 companies the Stone Barrier has entered its east and 
 gone out at its west gate. There have been suburbs 
 on its west side, where also is a fine spring, about 
 seven feet square within, cased with hewn stone, and 
 having a pillar lying beside it, and heaps of ruins, as if 
 
ROMAN WALL. 191 
 
 it had once been covered with a house. At present 
 it is called Carrawbrugh. In old writing it is spell- 
 ed Carrozve and Carhongh, which evidently mean 
 the city of the height. Burgh and Caer are nearly 
 synonyma. Two beautiful altars were discovered 
 here, and removed by Mr Warburton to the library 
 at Durham, where they are at present. The first of 
 
 1. FORTVNiE them confirms the Notitia 
 COH. I. B ATAVOR in placing the first Batavian 
 
 CVIPRAEEST Cohort here; and the se- 
 
 MELACCIN1VS condis a dedication « to 
 
 MARCEL LVSPBZE. the welfare of the Roman 
 
 2. FORTVNiE People by Caius Julius 
 P R Raeticus, a centurion in 
 
 CIVL.RAETICSC.LEG.VI.VIC. the sixth 
 
 Legion." 
 
 " About half a mile south west from Carraw, upon 
 a high ground, is a square fort, now called Broom- 
 d)kes; it is as large as the fort of Carrawbrugh, and 
 probably has been for exploration, or for the sestiva 
 of this fort."* 
 
 Sewing Shields castle was mistaken by Cam- 
 den for the Station of Hunnum : " but, says Horsley 
 " I saw nothing that was Roman in it. The castle 
 itself, now in ruins, and the motes beside it, are un- 
 doubtedly of much later date. And I observed seve- 
 ral trenches thereabouts, particularly a large and long 
 one, which reaches from Busy-gap cross the passes 
 between the mountains. But these are all on the 
 north side of the wall, and must certainly have been 
 made in later times for securing the neighbouring 
 
 • Horsley, 
 
192 ROMAN WALL. 
 
 passes. Probably they are no older than the times 
 of our famous Mosstroopers, who might conveniently 
 shelter themselves among these hideous mountains and 
 mosses." Much of the wall was last summer taken 
 up, in this neighbourhood; to build certain farm offices 
 at Sewing-Shields: seven courses of stone were found, 
 in many places, beneath the earth : a few centurial 
 stones were also discovered. Here is the Cave of the 
 Enchanted Warriors, and a high, rude stone, called 
 King Ethel's Chair. Busy-Gap is about a mile west 
 of Sewing-Shields, and by tradition reported to have 
 had its name from the many hot contests that have 
 been at it between the Romans and Caledonians. 
 
 Borcovicus, or House-Steads, was the station 
 of the Cohors Prima Tungorum, as appears from the 
 Notitia, and several inscriptions. It stands on the 
 brink of a rocky eminence, and has the Stone Wall 
 for its northern rampart. The ground before it slopes 
 towards the south ; and, on the west, where it is most 
 fertile, it has been formed into flights of broad ter- 
 races, a favourite method among the antients, of cul- 
 tivating the sides of hills. The fort is about seven 
 chains in length and five in breadth. Its area, on the 
 north side, is nearly plain; but its southern part is 
 covered with confused heaps of ruins, broken columns, 
 pilasters, mouldings, figures of gods, and warriors. 
 Dr Stukely, with much propriety, calls this, the Tad- 
 mor of Britain, and Horsley tells us that "the vast 
 ruins of the station and town are truly wonderful." 
 The suburbs, divided into streets and squares, extend 
 over several acres ; and traces of buildings are dis- 
 cernible on the south and west, to the distance of 
 
KOMAN WALL. 195 
 
 twenty furlongs, On the margin of the brook, a little 
 east of the station, are the remains of a bath. " There 
 may be two or three other stations in Britain (as Bard- 
 Oswald, Elenborough and Lancbester) that exceed 
 this in Btunber and variety of inscriptions, but none 
 equals it in extent of ruins of the town, or number, 
 variety, and curiosity of its sculptures/'* On ChapeU 
 hilly a short distance south of the station, are ruins 
 of a temple " of the Doric order ; a large fragment 
 of a Doric capital lying prostrate by it some years 
 ago, consisting of two torus's plain ; also many broken 
 columns."^ Gordon saw five or six altars within the 
 ruins of this temple \ and two of them, dedicated to 
 Jupiter by the first cohort of the Tungrians, are given 
 in Horsley ; in whose work are, also, another altar to 
 Jupiter, one to Mars, one to Hercules, and one to the 
 Deae Matres, all by the same cohort. To this place 
 also belong several sepulchral stones, and curious 
 figures carved in relief, especially three stones, on each 
 of which are cut three female figures, supposed to re- 
 present the Deae Matres, the Parcae, or some such 
 deities. 
 
 A mile west of B orcovicus, near Milking-gap, was 
 discovered, in the foundations of a castellum, a lar^e 
 stone with this inscription. Wallis says, the stone is 
 
 IMP. CAES. TRAIAN at Ridley Hall; and, 
 
 HADR1ANI AVG. if his information 
 
 LEG. IL AVG. was correct, as to its 
 
 A PLATORIO NEPOTE being found in the 
 
 LEG.PR.PR, wall usually attribute 
 
 R 
 
 • Horrtey,i48. 
 f Wallis Northuuib. ii 38. 
 
194* ROMAN WALL. 
 
 ed to Severus, it involves the accounts of the authors 
 of the two barriers in deeper mystery than ever. It 
 confounds all former criticism ; and induces the be- 
 lief that some of the castella of the Wall are as old as 
 the time of Hadrian; anr* that this, in particular, had 
 been built as an out-post, or exploratory tower, to the 
 barrier of that emperor. 
 
 Vindolana, according to the Notitia, was gar- 
 risoned by the Cohors Quarta Gallorum. It is some- 
 times called the Bowers, but generally Little Chesters. 
 It stands a few chains south of the military way from 
 Walwick Chesters to Caervcran, and a mile and three 
 quarters south of both the walls. A narrow paved 
 way has led from it to Hadrian's work. Its ramparts 
 are seven chains in length and four in breadth ; and 
 visible quite round: their corners have been guarded 
 with circular towers. Within their area, the ground, 
 though grass grown, is very irregular. On the south- 
 east, the ground slopes rapidly into Bardon Burn ; and 
 on the west and south-west are the remains of a town. 
 The ruins of a bath were discovered on the west side, 
 fifty yards from the ramparts. Here is a hill called 
 Chapel Steads, and, near it, a bog in which great 
 quantities of urns have been found. Within the hedge, 
 on the north side of the via vicinalis, where it crosses 
 Bardon Burn, is a mile pillar and a large barrow; 
 and, a mile farther west, in the Causeway hamlet, a 
 similar pillar, broken in two. In a corner of the 
 Well-house is an inscription to Mars ; in a field, a 
 little north of it, one to the Dii Manes ; and farther 
 north, an altar with a deer standing under a tree, and 
 below it two fawns, in the eating posture, in circular 
 
ROMAN WALL. 19^ 
 
 niches. A stone found here, and metamorphosed in- 
 to a tombstone, now in Beltitigham chapel yard, 
 seemed to corroborate the testimony of the Notitia, 
 that a troop of Gauls had been quartered here. 
 Camden found an altar at Mekrig, a village on South 
 Tyne, Hedicated to tne Syrian goddess b\ Calpurnius 
 Agricola, who was propreior in Britain under Mar- 
 cus Aurelius, and thought it had been removed from 
 this place. The bricks here are inscribed LEG. VI. 
 V. VV arhurton found a rude figure of Mercury, and 
 some Roman sandals here, and gave them to the 
 Royal Society. 
 
 Where the military way branches off to Great 
 Chesters, there are four tumuli, or barrows, called the 
 Four Lawes. The Romans erected tumuli of turf 
 over the graves of their soldiers, especially over those 
 who fell in any miserable manner in battles, or by 
 treachery, or in a massacre: as in the case of the 
 soldiers of Varus : primum extruendo tumuio cespi- 
 tem Caesar posuit, gratissimo munere in defunctos, et 
 praesentibus- doloris socms.* In this neighbourhood, 
 on a hill, is also a monument called the Mare and 
 Foals: it consists of three rude pillars of stone, two 
 of them broken in the midst; 4 )' 
 
 At JEsiCA, or Great Chesters, the Notitia places 
 the Cohors Prima Astorum. This station is a little 
 larger than Little Chesters. Its ramparts are better 
 preserved than those of any other station of the wall, 
 and the lines of the pmt or ium, qit(estoriu/n, and other 
 remarkable buildings, are still very fresh : two of its 
 
 * Taciti Ann Lib i. 
 f Hutch. Northumb. v. i. p. 49. 
 
196 feOMAN WALL, 
 
 ditches also remain, and large vestiges of a town on 
 the south and east. " Some pieces of an iron gate 
 and hinges have been found in the ruins not long 
 ago." # Camden has an altar found here, which had 
 been erected to the welfare of Desidienus JElianus 
 (a pratfect) and his family, in the consulship of Tuscus 
 and Bassus, a. d. 258. Here also are some curious 
 sculptures, one in particular, representing two victo- 
 ries, each on the wings of an eagle, and holding a 
 vexiUum; and below them two wild boars rushing 
 furiously past a tree towards each other; this has 
 doubtless been set up as a type of victory over the 
 Caledonians. Some Roman tomb-stones remain in 
 the neighbourhood. In digging up the foundations 
 of a large building in the upper part of the station, 
 in 1767; was found a very large stone, nearly square, 
 with a handsome moulding, and the following in- 
 scription : — Wallis calls it " imperfect, by two frac- 
 tures, at each corner, at the bottom, whereby half of 
 four lines are wanting, besides some letters." We* 
 copied the part in Roman letters from Mr Brand'* 
 ^rawing; that in Italic, is from Wallis. 
 
 "imp- c^es. m. avr. seve 
 rvs alexander- pf e 
 avg horrevm vetv 
 * state con laps vm m 
 coh ii astvrvm s-a 
 a solo restitverynt 
 provincia recent 
 maximo leg. wg. prp..,. 
 sal marti med leg a 
 tvs co. ii. et dext* 
 
 • Horsley. 
 
ROMAN WALL. 197 
 
 From which it appears that the second cohort of 
 the Jstures were in garrison here, and not, as the 
 Notitia lias it, the Jirst cohort of the A&ti. Brand 
 has copied the inscription to the margin of the frac- 
 tures on each side, which shews that either the stone 
 was larger when Wallis saw it, or that the letters in 
 Italic are not to be depended upon. The part 
 CO. II. ET DEXT. may perhaps relate to L. Tur- 
 pilianus Dexter, who was consul with M. Melius 
 Rufus, in a. d. 225, and the fourth year of the reign 
 of Alexander Severus ; but, if the seventh ard eighth 
 lines were provincia regente Maximo legato augwtali 
 propratore, as we suppose them to have been, then 
 LEGATUS CO. II. would well enough apply to 
 Maximus, who was second time consul in the twelfth 
 year of that emperor, though it appears that Ovinus 
 Paternus was at that period his colleague in the con- 
 sulship. The ninth line has probably referred to the 
 kalends of March. From the place where this stone 
 was discovered, we may infer that it was usual with 
 the Romans to have their granaries within the area of 
 their stations. 
 
 Among the cliffs, near Walliown y is a Well, near 
 which Horsley s.w a Roman stone. It has been in- 
 closed. Wallis supposes that Paulinus baptized king 
 Egfrid here; but Hutchinson inclines to think it was 
 Edwin, king of Northumberland, who supplied the 
 wells by the way sides with iron dishes, for the con- 
 venience of travellers. 
 
 Magna, in the Notitia, is the eleventh station of 
 the Wall, :«nd was garrisoned by the Cokor$ Prima 
 Dal/uatorum, Its modern name is Caervoran p 
 B3 
 
398 ROTMAN WALL. 
 
 which probably means the tozm and castle. Mr 
 Brand saw a stone at Glenwhelt, a village near this 
 station, inscribed CIVITAS DUMNI, or " The 
 City of the Hill," and hence concludes that this 
 place was antiently called Dtimnum. It stands about 
 twelve or thirteen chains south of both the Walls; 
 and, within its ramparts, contains about four acres 
 and a half. The ramparts and ditch are still dis- 
 cernible. The suburbs have been on the south and 
 west, on the descent towards the Tippal. " The 
 military way, called the Maiden Way, passes through 
 this station, and, as is said, goes to Beaucastle, which 
 is about six miles from it."* The altar inscribed — 
 " Deabus Nymphis Vetia mansueta, et Claudia Tur- 
 fainilla iilia votum solverunt libentes," was formerly 
 at Blenkinsop Castle, but at present is in a garden- 
 wall at Glenwhelt. The inscriptions found here, 
 though numerous, are mostly mutilated, and little 
 worthy of observation, except one, in the end of Mr 
 Carriers bam, inscribed— COHORS I. BATA- ' 
 VORUM F. i. e. the first cohort of the Batavians 
 made this : — and another, which Mr Brand translates 
 thus- — " To the god Mars and the deities. . . .Julius, 
 the actarius of the cohort, and Aotius, the centurion, 
 and Servius Valerius Gracchus, erected this from the 
 ground, performing a vow." Tacitus informs us that 
 Agricola, in his famous battle with Galgacus, at the 
 Grampian mountain, fought the enemy awhile with 
 missile weapons*, until he cheered the three Batavian 
 and the two Tungrian cohorts to charge the enemy : — 
 " donee Agricola tres Batavorum cohortes, ac Tun- 
 * Horsier. 
 
SOMAN WALL. 199 
 
 grorum duas cohortatus est, ut rem ad mucrones ac 
 inanus adducereiit."* 
 
 " Abundance of antiquities, of various sorts," says 
 Horsiey, " have been dug up in this station and town. 
 When I was last here, I purchased a Roman ring, 
 with a victory on a Cornelian, but coarse." A human 
 skeleton was found at the east end, when the road 
 was made into Cumberland; also, some years after, 
 a brass lar, and an aitar, inscribed " Deo Veterino;" 
 both in the possession of the Rev. H. Waste!! of 
 Newbrough. A statue of a Roman soldier, having 
 above his left shoulder a lion recumbent, struggling 
 with a deer under his paws, beautifully executed, was 
 found in 1760, and given to Mr Wallis, who speaks 
 of abundance of stags horns, and cinders of coals being 
 turned up here. " I saw here," says Brand, " Oct, 
 7th, 1783, five square bases of columns, and some 
 curious gutter stones. On opening a tumulus on the 
 east of the station, there was discovered a remarkable 
 hollow sepulchral stone, which contained a small quan- 
 tity of black liquid, and two gold rings." There are 
 also, on the garden- wall here, two or three fragments 
 of inscriptions, a millstone, a broken statue, and se- 
 veral other Roman antiquities. 
 
 Thirlzcall Castle is the remains of a strong old 
 border tower, and was the residence of a family of its 
 own name for many generations. As a building, it 
 has no relation to the Roman Wall, though it is said 
 to have derived its rame from the Scots piercing the 
 wall here ; for, says Fordun, Thir/wall, ill Latin, is 
 Murus Perforatus. There is to the south, in sight 
 
 • Julii Agricolas Vita. 
 
200 ROMAN WALL. 
 
 of it, a camp with a single vallum and foss, called 
 Slack Dykes ; and, west of it, a quarter of a mile, 
 another camp. 
 
 " On the west side of the rivulet called Poltross, 
 and near Mumps Hall, Severus's ditch appears large 
 and distinct, being detached about eight yards from 
 the wall. I measured it about thirty feet wide at the 
 top, and fifteen at the bottom, and its depth about 
 ten. I saw no remains of a bridge either at Poltross 
 or Irthing."* 
 
 Amboglanna, or Burdoswald, was the station 
 of the Cohors Prima Mlia Dacorum. It stands up- 
 on a large plain, at the head of a steep descent to- 
 wards the river Irthing, having the out-buildings chief- 
 ly on the south-east. The castrum forms a parallel- 
 ogram of one hundred and twenty yards north and 
 south, by eighty yards east and west. Horsley found 
 the foundation?- of the houses within this fort very 
 visible : he measured the thickness of their walls, and 
 found them to be about twenty-eight inches, and the 
 distance, or breadth of the passage between the rows 
 of houses or barracks, to be no more than thirty-two 
 inches. In the northern part of the station there 
 seemed to be the remains of a temple. The turrets 
 in the south rampart, on each side of the gate, were 
 also, in his time, very visible ; and over against the 
 entry were the ruins of the Praetonum, with a house 
 or two upon them. Camden found six altars here 
 dedicated to Jupiter Optimus Maximus, by different 
 tribunes and preteUs of the Cohors Prima JElia Da« 
 corum j an inscription to be read, Pro salute domini 
 
 ♦ Horaley. 
 
HOMAN WALL. 201 
 
 ftostri maximi ac fortissimi Imperatoris Cassaris Marci 
 
 Aurelii Maximiani sedificavit ; and LEG. VI 
 
 VIC. PF. F. i. e. " The sixth Legion, victorious, 
 pious, and happy, made this." Horsley published 
 other two altars to Jupiter Optimus Maximus, found 
 here ; and, one hundred yards eastward, in a kind of 
 ruin, were dug up two more altars, dedicated to the 
 same deity, by the Cohors Prima iEiia Dacorum 
 Postumiana, by two different tribunes.^ Here also 
 were found dedications to Mars, and the god Cocis; 
 a stone, which had been placed in some edifice by the 
 First Cohort of the Second Legion ; and several infe- 
 rior inscriptions. Mr Brand found a sepulchral stone 
 in the milk- house, which he translates thus, u To 
 the Dii Manes of Aurelius Concdidus — he lived one 
 year and ten da^s — the son of Aurelianus Julianus the 
 Tribune ;" the original of this is at the Rectory at 
 Ryton ; most of the originals of the others were once 
 at Naworth Castle, from whence they were stolen by 
 sir Thomas Robinson, and Dr. Graham, of Nether- 
 by* 
 
 A little west of the brook, Banks-burn, at a house 
 called Hare Hill, in Horsley 's time, was the highest 
 part of the Wall then to be met with, but the 
 facing stones were removed : " We measured/' 
 sa\s he, " three yards and a half from the ground; 
 and no doubt half a yard more is covered, at the bot- 
 tom, with rubbish :" at present, this part is ten feet 
 high and five yards long. 
 
 Petri an a was garrisoned by the Ala Petriana, 
 
 t Gent. Magaz. 1746, 53%. 
 • Brands Newc. vol 1, p 614. 
 
20£ ROMAN WALL. 
 
 and is at present called Cam beck Fort, or Castle- 
 steads. It lies almost opposite to Brampton, between 
 Cammock beck, or Cambeck, and the Irthing, having 
 the former lunning past its north-east wall, under a 
 steep bank and declining ground, scattered with 
 foundations, sloping from its south-east front to the 
 Irthing. Its longest side is about four Gunter's chains, 
 and the shortest, two and a half. Some houses have 
 heen built out of its ruins, which, from the black- 
 ness of the stones, appear to have suffered by fire* 
 Great numbers of nails, and brass and iron run to- 
 gether into lumps, have been found ; also tiles, about 
 an inch thick, ten inches by nine, having a ledge to 
 bang them on roofs, and made of a close yellowish 
 earth. Mr Goodman of Carlisle mentioned much 
 earthen ware of various shapes and colours, a small 
 carnelian seal, and sent copies of several inscriptions 
 to Mr Gale.f Horsley found this fort covered with 
 wood, in which state it remained, in 1783; but Hut- 
 ton says, its foundations have been razed and a gen- 
 tleman's house built upon its scite. It is detached 
 from the wall to the south about twelve chains. 
 
 Lord William Howard of Naworth gave to Cam- 
 den drawings of an altar to Jupiter Optimus Maximus, 
 and of an inscription on a square stone, both of which 
 mention the first cohort of the Tungrians : They were 
 both of them much mutilated; the latter of them 
 found in an antient hypocaust, but neither of them 
 extant to gratify Horsley 's " earnest wish to see 
 them " This hypocaust is described in the Gentle- 
 man's Magazine, for ] 74 1 . In Holland's edition of 
 
 f Rcli<j. Gal. p. 144* 
 
ROMAN WALL. £03 
 
 Camden, a long inscription is given as lately found 
 here, on a fair altar " erected to the goddess Nymphe 
 of the Brigantes for the health of the empress Piau- 
 tilla, wife to M. Aurelius Antoninus Severus,and of the 
 whole imperial family, by Cocceius Nigrinus, a trea- 
 surer to the emperor, when Laetus was second time 
 consul ." It is not in the additions to the edition of 
 1722, nor could Mr Horsley rind it; but he was of 
 opinion it should be referred to some part near Cam- 
 beck or Brampton.* The Britannia Romana men- 
 tions, under this place, a stone on which the Cass- 
 ivelauni, a people of antient Britain, appear to be 
 mentioned ; one commemorating some work done by 
 the Sixth; Legion ; an altar found near the east entry 
 into the station, and recording the rebuilding of an 
 old temple " ohm vetuste conlabsum," and dedicat- 
 ed to the victors of all nations, probablv in the time 
 of Dicclesian and Maximian ; an altar to Jupiter 
 Optimus Maximus, dedicated by a cavalry prefect 
 of the Fourth cohort of Gauls ; two altars to the 
 local deity Belatucadro; one, t% Deo Sanc'o Marti 
 &c." — another, " Deo Soli Mithras;" a ninth, in- 
 scribed, " Victoria Augusti;" a tenth, " Conors 
 
 nona posuit;" and one, " Soli invicti, Sec/' 
 
 Bu*. the most curious relic of antiquity found here 
 was dug up about sixty years before, and buried again 
 in Lord Caiiisle's Wear, with two or three more in- 
 scribed stones, as some old men related : on repair- 
 ing the Wear, in 1741, it vvas sought for, and carried, 
 by Mrs Appleby's order, to the court of her house 
 
 * Cough's Camd, iii, 303. 
 
£04 ROMAN WALL. 
 
 there. # Concerning it, Mr Brand says : " I saw, 
 Oct. 5tb, 1783, in the garden of the adjoining man- 
 sion of House-steads, or Castle-steads, a very large 
 altar with a mutilated inscription, and some very ob- 
 servable ornaments ; and found also, built up over the 
 door of a necessary house, a Roman funeral monu- 
 ment, with an inscription." He has given a drawing 
 of the altar, in which he has evinced his usual un- 
 skilful ness in matters of this kind, having omitted some 
 letters in the body of the inscription, the whole of the 
 last line (which is upon the moulding of the base) 
 and neglected the form and position of the points. 
 There is a strong similarity between this and the in- 
 scription communicated to Camden by Lord William 
 Howard. We read it thus: Jovi optimo Maximo et 
 numini domini nostri cohortis secunda Tungrorum 
 
 Gordiana equites quinquaginta cui praeest 
 
 Claudianus pmjectus instante Aelio Martino Prin- 
 cipe decimo kalendarum Junii imperatore domino 
 nostro Gordiano Augusto tertio Pompeiano consulibus. 
 Gordian the Third was consul with Pompeianus 
 in £42. 
 
 About half a mile above Gelt-bridge, there is an 
 inscription cut on the face of a rock, called the Old 
 Quarry. It is about half way up a steep hill that 
 overhangs the river Gelt. As time has made it 
 somewhat faint, it has been differently copied by dif- 
 ferent antiquaries. Camden saw it, but we most ap- 
 prove of Horsley's transcript, which he reads thus : 
 Vexiilatio legionis secunda Augusta ob virtutem 
 appelate sub Agrkola optione: Apro et Maximo 
 • Gent. Magaz. X741, 6jo, I74*j 30. 
 
IlOMAN WALL. 205 
 
 cdmuHbus ex officina Mercatii Mercatiusfdius Fmnii. 
 The line in which the consuls are mentioned is left 
 dotted by Camden : they held their office in a. d, 
 207, under Severus. The optio was a deputy under 
 a centurion or other officer : Reinesius mentions se- 
 veral sorts and degrees of them. 
 
 This inscription has usually been advanced among 
 the little stock of evidence that supports the opinion 
 that Severus was author of the Stone Barrier. But 
 this evidence is considerably weakened by a disagree- 
 ment of dates. Cassiodorus says, he came into 
 Britain, in 208 ; and Dio, that he died at York, in 
 a. d. 211, and in the third year after he came over. 
 Besides this, it is a received opinion that Severus was 
 two years and upwards in erecting his wail, Under 
 the presumption, therefore, that it is more agree- 
 able to the usual dispositions of men to record the 
 end than the beginning of any great undertaking, we 
 conclude that this quarry has not been used since the 
 year 207, and that this inscription has no reference to 
 the building of the Stone Barrier. Camden saw 
 a on the same rock these words in a latter character z" 
 OFICIVM ROMANORVM, which were probably 
 opifkium Romanorum, and written by some Monk, 
 They were defaced in Horsley's time. 
 
 Aballaba, now called Watch Cross, was garri- 
 soned by the Humerus Mausorum. It stands above 
 a mile south of both the Barriers, and on the side of 
 the military way which runs in a straight line from 
 Cambeck Fort to Stanwicks. Its ramparts are still 
 visible, and measure about four chains and a half 
 square. It is the smallest station on the Wall, a cir- 
 
 s 
 
206 ROMAN WALL. 
 
 cumstance which accounts for its being garrisoned by 
 so small a detachment of soldiers ; and for the few an- 
 tiquities it has produced, Mr Horsley only having 
 assigned two inscriptions to it, both of them cen- 
 tiirial stones, one of them mentioning the Second 
 Legion, and the other of doubtful reading. Half a 
 mile west of this place, at Bleatarn, " the Wall runs 
 through mossy ground, and the foundation here has 
 been made with piles of wood. Hadrian's vallum 
 goes round this bad ground, and runs at ten chains dis- 
 tance from the Wall. r# 
 
 Congavata was the station of the Cohors Se- 
 cunda Lergorurn, and at present is called Starmicks, 
 a name probably signifying Stone Town, or, as some 
 would have it, derived from stane wegges, that is the 
 place upon the stones, or stoney way. The traces 
 of the station here are extremely dubious, which per- 
 haps may be accounted for by its contiguity to Carlisle, 
 and its remains having long since been used in the 
 bridge, walls, and other buildings in that town: 
 this conjecture obtains strength from the consideration, 
 that there are no good stone quarries in the immedi- 
 ate neighbourhood of Carlisle. Horsley, however, 
 speaks of " abundance of stones having been lately 
 dug up here, and that he was told of some, which, by 
 the description given of them, resembled the stones 
 of an aqueduct/' He supposes, from evidences re- 
 maining in his time, that the Stone Wall had formed 
 the northern rampart of the station, which had been 
 on a plain area, having a gentle descent to the river 
 for the out buildings ; " and by all accounts, and by 
 
 * Horsley. 
 
ROMAN WALL. 207 
 
 the usual evidences, it is upon this descent, that the 
 Roman buildings have stood." The parish church 
 stands upon the station ; and has been built with ma* 
 te rials out of it. The inscriptions found here are not 
 numerous. The most curious of them is a centurial 
 stone belonging to the Fourth praetorian Cohort. 
 COH IIII PR P03 Julius Vitalis, brings to mind 
 J^IVL VITALIS the famous inscription at Bath. 
 The stone " to the Dii Manes of Marcus Trojanus 
 Augustinus, erected by his wife, iElia Ammilla Lusima," 
 is still at Drawdykes : it is handsomely carved and 
 ornamented with two lions in a much better style than 
 Horsley 's drawing of it. The altar to Jupiter Opti- 
 mus Maximus, mentioned in the additions to Cam- 
 dfen as being at Drawdikes, belongs to Drumbrugh. 
 Mr Goodman of Carlisle gave an altar dug up here, 
 and dedicated " Matnbus domesticis" by the stand- 
 ard bearer Messorius, to Mr Gilpin of Scaleby Cas- 
 tle. The last inscription that the Britannia Roman a 
 notices under this place is mentioned by Camden, 
 LEG . VI and properly read in this manner by 
 VIC. PF Horsley: " Legio Sexta victrix pia 
 GP. RF- Jidelis Genio poputi Romani fecit? 
 Horsley saw it in the garden of Brigadier Stan wicks, in 
 Carlisle. Dr. Smith, in his Appendix to the works of 
 Bede, speaking of these Pratentura? has this sentence: 
 Dicitur lapidem non procul a Luguvallo juxta murum 
 nuper repertum esse, qui his verbis inscribitur: SEPT. 
 SEVERO IMP. QVT MVRVM HV.NC CON- 
 DIDIT; but this is manifestly a forgery. 
 
 Vestiges of the Barriers are still discernible on the 
 precipice over the river. " On Hissopholpi feu*/ 
 s2 
 
£08 ROMAN WALL. 
 
 observes Mr Pennant, " are vestiges of some dykes, 
 describing a small square, die scite of the fort to de- 
 fend the pass; for the wall reached to the edge of the 
 water, and continued to the opposite side. Possibly 
 this was a station of cavalry ; for near Hissop bank is 
 a stupendous number of horses' bones exposed by the 
 falling of a cliff." "The Wall," says Camden/ 
 u passed the river over against the castle, where in 
 the very channel the remains of it (namely the great 
 stones) appear to this day." It seems almost unne- 
 cessary to observe that the foundations in the bed of 
 the river here, are, like those over the North Tyne at 
 Cilurnum, the remains of a Roman bridge. 
 
 AxELODUNUM,now JBrogA upon-Sands, was, ac- 
 cording to the Notitia, the station of the Cohon 
 Prima Hispanorum; which Horsley supposes lay m 
 garrison at Elenborough before its removal to this 
 place. The station was about two hundred yards east 
 of the church ; its scite is called the Old Castle, and 
 the lines of its ramparts are still visible, and measure 
 about one hundred and thirty six yards square. The 
 Stone Wall seems to have formed its north rampart, 
 and Horsley was assured " that stones were often 
 plowed up within it, and lime with the stones* Urns 
 have also frequently been found here. I saw, besides, 
 an imperfect inscription, two Roman altars lying at a 
 door in the town, but neither sculptures nor inscrip- 
 tions are now visible upon them." The stone coffin 
 he mentions was removed to Boulness: it has belongs 
 ed to Christian times. Dr. Lyttleton, bishop of Car- 
 lisle, found upon an altar, dug up in the vicar's gar- 
 den, this inscription, DEO BELATVCA, rudely 
 
ROMAN WALL. 209 
 
 eut, but very legible; and, in 1792, another was 
 found in a drain at Haw stones, inscribed to the same 
 deity. Belatucadro was a local deity, the same as 
 Mars, and has had many altars inscribed to him in 
 these parts : the best of them found at Old Penrith, 
 and, at present, in Hutton's museum, Keswick: its 
 inscription is as follows, Deo Marti Belatu- 
 cadro ET NUMINIB. AUGG. JULIUS AuGUS- 
 
 talis Actor Jul Lupi Pref. 
 
 Between Brugh-upon-Sands and Stanwix, in the 
 parish of Kirkandrews, in April, 1803, an altar, fifty- 
 two inches high, two feet broad, and fourteen inches 
 thick, and bearing this remarkable inscription was 
 discovered. We read it thus: Lucius Junius Vic- 
 L.IVNIVS. VIC torinus et Cains JEUa- 
 
 TORINVS" ET mis Legati augustales 
 
 C. AELIANVS'LEG Legionu sexta victricis 
 A\ G LEG, VI VIC pii felicis ob res trans 
 P.F. OB RES TRANS vallum prospere gestas. 
 VALLVM PRO L. Junius Victorious 
 
 SPERE GESTAS. and C. JElianus, lieu- 
 tenants of the Sixth Legion, erected this on account 
 of certain matters successfully performed beyond the 
 Wall. 
 
 Gabrosentum, where the Notitia places the 
 Cohors Secunda Thracum, is at present called Brum* 
 brugh. The fort is about one hundred and ten yards 
 square, its ramparts high, and its ditch very deep. 
 Abundance of stones have been obtained from its 
 area, which is now converted into a garden and or- 
 chard to Drumburgh-Castie, an old mansion of the 
 Dacres, not in the castellated stile, but built out of the 
 S3 
 
210 ROMAN WALL. 
 
 f 
 
 materials of the Station and the Wall. " As for the 
 altars and inscriptions that are here, it is generally 
 said that they were all brought from another place, 
 and it is certain, from Camden, that the two curious 
 inscriptions, which yet remain at this place, and are 
 legible, did not originally belong to it. Whether any 
 other altars which are here, and whose inscriptions are 
 effaced, may have at first been found here, I cannot 
 determine/'* As the castle now belongs to the Low- 
 ther family, some of these inscriptions have been re- 
 moved to their seat at Lowther Hall. A draw-well, 
 cased with fine ashlar work, was discovered here a- 
 bout the year 1780, and a similar one at some little 
 distance. Mr Brand procured a stone out of the 
 wall of a house here, inscribed COH VIII; and 
 gives a drawing of one found, at Glassen, a mile west 
 of this place, on which is LEG.II. AVG. COH. 
 VIII. 
 
 Hadrian's works ended a short distance west of 
 Drumburgh. Great quantities of the stones of the 
 Wall have been dug up at Easton; where it has made 
 a circuit by the rising ground, to avoid the marsh. 
 A mile east of Bolness stands something like a very 
 large tumulus, on the top of which remains a fluted 
 fragment of a column : it is called " Fishers Cross." 
 Here the wall appears again: it is in many places 
 fringed with ivy, and a fence grows upon its top. In 
 two places it is six feet high ; but the facing stone* 
 have been removed. 
 
 Tunnocelum, the last of the stations of the Wall, 
 was garrisoned by the Cohors Prima JElia Classica. 
 * Horsley. 
 
ROMAN WALL, 211 
 
 Its remains are still visible near the village of BouU 
 nesSy on a rocky promontory, on the verge of Solway 
 Firth, where its ramparts and foss may be traced. 
 €t It is not to be doubted but the church, and what 
 other stone buildings are in the village, have been 
 raised out of its ruins. Camden supposes that the 
 Wall began a mile beyond Boldness, from the founda- 
 tions which appear at low water; but, upon inquiry 
 into this matter, I could not find any thing about it, 
 which could be relied on, and therefore am of opinion, 
 that it has been the foundation of one of the small 
 forts, which were placed along the shore of the Firth, 
 that led him into this mistake. When the tide is out, 
 the river is fordable here: I rode it the evening I was 
 there, but was told it could not be forded below; so 
 that it is probable the Wall has terminated at this 
 station " # 
 
 Bishop Gibson says there have frequently been 
 found here Roman coins and inscriptions, and that 
 there was lately dug up a small bronze figure of Mer- 
 cury or Victory. There was at Appleby an inscrip- 
 tion, supposed to have been copied from one found 
 here; but its history is altogether dubious. The 
 principal antiquities of this place, besides several coins, 
 are the above named figure of Mercury or Victory, and 
 an altar found in a fierd on the south-east side of the 
 station, and at present built up in the walls of a barn, 
 
 • Horsley, 
 
212 
 
 IOM 
 
 PRo SALVTE 
 
 DD NN GALLI 
 
 Et VOLVSIANI 
 
 AVGG.SVLPICIVS 
 
 SECVNDIAN 
 
 VS TRIE COh 
 
 POSVIT. 
 
 ROMAN WAIL. 
 
 It is about fifteen inches 
 high and has this inscrip- 
 tion in rude, but very legi- 
 ble letters. It may be 
 translated thus, " To Jupi- 
 ter, best and greatest, for 
 the safety (or health) of our 
 august emperors Gall us and 
 
 Volusianus, Sulpicius Secundianus, tribune of the 
 
 cohort, erected this." # 
 
 £0 4 
 
 "*s .2 
 .8 J 
 
 o So 
 
 I 
 O 
 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 I 
 
 
 
 o 
 I 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 I 
 
 ^ <3 
 ■g .Si 
 
 3 
 I 
 6 
 9 
 5 
 3 
 5 
 a 
 4 
 3 
 3 
 7 
 3 
 a 
 o 
 o 
 i 
 
 ■ 
 
 On 
 
 M 
 
 CO £ 
 
 A SYNOPSIS 
 
 OF THE STATIONS OF 
 THE WALL, 
 
 With the number of Castel- 
 la and the distances be- 
 tween each of them. 
 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 o 
 
 I 
 
 2 
 O 
 I 
 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 
 
 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 z 
 3 
 5 
 5 
 % 
 
 4 
 
 a 
 8 
 
 9 
 6 
 
 4 
 5 
 % 
 5 
 3 
 3 
 7 
 4 
 5 
 5 
 5 
 4 
 
 FROM TO 
 
 Segedunum Ponsaeiii 
 Ponsaslii Condercum 
 Condercum Vindobala 
 Vindobala Hunnum 
 Hunnum Cilurnum 
 Cilurnum Procolitia 
 Procolitia Borcovicus 
 Borcovicus Vindolana 
 Vindolana iEsica 
 iEsica Magna 
 Magna Amboglana 
 Amboglanna Petriana 
 Petriana Aballaba 
 Aballaba Congavata 
 Congavata Axelodunum 
 Axelodunum Gabrosentum 
 Gabrosentum Tuanocelum 
 
 3 
 
 % 
 6 
 
 7 
 5 
 3 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 2 
 % 
 6 
 
 % 
 5 
 3 
 4 
 3 
 
 6S 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 
 1 
 1 
 5 
 3 
 6 
 1 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 4 
 3 
 
 9 
 5 
 
 3f 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 3f 
 8 
 
 4 
 
 6| 
 
 6 
 6 
 
 9 
 4 
 9 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 51 
 
 20 
 
 8i 
 
 For 83, at p. 1 80, read 8 1, 
 
 * Brand, 
 
ROMAN WALL. 213 
 
 Concluding Remarks. — "Constantiue the 
 Great, is charged with having first neglected this 
 frontier. For thus Zosimus :f (f B. % ) " The Ro- 
 man empire being by the caie of Dioclesian well 
 fortified in all its frontiers with cities, castles, and 
 towns, and all the forces quartered in them, it was 
 impossible for the barbarians to pass them, soldiers 
 being ready to oppose them every where. These 
 garrisons, Constantine suppressed, and placed the 
 greatest part of the troops, which he removed from 
 the frontier, in towns that wanted no garrisons ; leav- 
 ing the frontiers, to be harrassed by the barbarians, 
 without defence, burdening, with the plague of sol- 
 diers, towns that were quiet and orderly, by which 
 many are depopulated, and the soldiery themselves 
 enervated by theatrical amusements and pleasure. 
 In short, to say the whole in one word, he laid the 
 foundation ana seeds of the present decay of the state/' 
 
 " It is worthy observation, that as the Roman pru- 
 dence raised this wall in such a manner, that it had 
 within it like a second defence, two large rivers, the 
 Tyne and the Irthing, which are but a very little 
 way asunder, so the cunning of the barbarians first 
 opened their principal inlet between these two rivers, 
 where they had free entrance into this province, with- 
 out the obstruction of auy rivers. w# On this sub- 
 ject we subjoin the concluding remarks of sir John 
 Clerk, writing to R. Gale, esq. " After all, I can- 
 not but take notice of two things with regard to this 
 Wall, that have given me great matter of speculation. 
 The first is, why it was made at ail, for it could 
 never be a proper defence, and perhaps, at Bolness 
 • Camctent 
 
214 ROMAN WALL. 
 
 less than at any other place, since our barbarian fore- 
 fathers, on the north side, could pass over at low- 
 water, or, if the sea was then higher or deeper than 
 it is now, could make their attacks from the north- 
 east side by land. The second is, why the Scots 
 historians, vain enough by nature, have not taken 
 more pains to describe this wall, a performance which 
 did their ancestors more honour than all the trifling 
 stories put together, which they have transmitted to 
 us. Tis true the Romans walled out humanity from 
 them; but 'tis as certain they thought the Caledo- 
 nians a very formidable people, when they, at so 
 much labour and cost, built this wall, as beiore they 
 had made a vallum between Forth and Clyde," 
 
 Of the four legions brought over into Bri'ain id 
 the reign of Claudius, one continued late, and two 
 till the iast. The Ninth Legion was surprized and 
 destroyed by queen Buadicea; and the Fourteenth 
 and the vexillarii of the Twentieth were in the battle, 
 which decided the fate of that brave but unfortunate 
 heroine. The Twentieth, called also Valens Victrix, 
 though it continued very long, seems to have been re- 
 called before the Romans entirely abandoned the island, 
 for it is not mentioned in the Notitia. The Legio 
 Secunda Augusta is mentioned in that record, therefore 
 seems to have continued here till the last, and to have 
 been the only one that was kept daring the whole time. 
 For though the Legio Sexta Victrix did also con^ 
 tinue till the last; yet this came not over till the reign 
 of the emperor Hadrian.* 
 
 u If we divide the Wall into four equal parts, the 
 
 * Warb. Val. Rom. Horsley, Brit, Ron*. 
 
ROMAN WALL* 215 
 
 one and three quarters from the east end seem to have 
 been built by the LEG. II. AUG. and the two and 
 last by the LEG. VI. VICTRIX."* 
 
 " The inhabitants say a brass pipe, artificially set 
 in the wall, run all along between each tower and 
 castle (of which they have occasionally found pieces) 
 that whatever was spoken through it at one tower 
 was conveyed immediately to the next, to the third, 
 and so on to all without interruption, to give notice 
 where the enemy's attack was to be apprehended. 
 Such a wonderful story Xiphilin tells from Dio, in 
 the life of Severus, about the towers of Byzantium / ? J 
 But the short distance between these turrets makes 
 this alarm-pipe as unnecessary, as it is fanciful and 
 fictitious. 
 
 " A fixed tradition remains in the neighbours, that 
 the Roman garrisons, on the borders, planted here, 
 up and down for their own use, many plants good for 
 curing wounds. Hence some pretenders to surgery 
 in Scotland resort here every summer to collect 
 plants, whose virtues they have learned by some prac- 
 tice'; and extol them as of sovereign efficacy ."f 
 
 * Gough from Horsley. 
 J Camden. t Camdeir, 
 
COAL TRADE. 
 
 * THIS GREAT TRADE HATH MADE THIS TOWNE TO 
 FLOURISH IN ALL TRADES." 
 
 Grey / Cborograpbia, p. 7,6* 
 
 Antient History of Coal. — This cheer- 
 ful contributor to the comforts of human life, which 
 lias now for several generations rocked the cradle of 
 one of the most fruitful and hardy nurseries of British 
 seamen, appears to have been but very imperfectly 
 known to the antients. The Bri tains called it Glo, 
 and probably used some species of it instead of jet, 
 in making their druidical rings, amulets, and neck or- 
 naments : one of their celts was found in a coal vein 
 exposed to the day, in Craig y Pare, in Monmouth- 
 shire.* The Greeks seem to have called it Lithan- 
 thrax or stone coal, in opposition to charcoal, which 
 they called Anthrax; and a naturalist of that nation, 
 in describing them, says : " Those fossile substances 
 that are called coals, and are broken for use, are 
 earthy; they kindle, however, and burn like wood 
 coals. These are found in Liguria, where there is al- 
 so amber, and in Ellis, in the way to Olympias, over 
 the mountains : they are used by smiths."* Pliny, 
 with Sotacus, ranks the Anthracites lapis among the 
 schistus genus, and elsewhere says, " it is found in 
 Thresportia, and is a fossil like charcoal;" but the 
 latter parts of his description, u that they are of a 
 flame colour, and have the peculiar quality of con- 
 suming slowly by fire, but of burning fiercely when 
 
 * Pennant's Wales, p 17. 
 * Hill's Theophrastus, p. 62, 
 
COAL TRADE. 217 
 
 thrown into water," answers better to pyrites than 
 to coals.f That the Romans, however, in Britain 
 were acquainted with the use of coals as a fuel, there 
 is very satisfactory evidence*. The calcareous flooring 
 used in their baths at Lanchester, and at several of 
 their stations on the line of the Roman Wall, is often 
 intimately mixed with them, both in their natural state 
 and in cinders. Mr Wallis, in his History of Northum- 
 berland, mentions very large coal-cinders being turned 
 up within the walls of Magna or Caervoran, in 1762. 
 We have also been credibly informed that hearths and 
 slaking-troughs of smitheries were discovered amongst 
 cinders and ashes of coals, in the ruins of the station 
 at Lanchester ; and, about thirty years since, abun- 
 dance of copper nails, an iron hammer, and other 
 implements of a smith's shop, were found buried in 
 small ashes of coal, within the foundations of a small 
 circular building, on the side of Watling-street, near 
 Low Wood-side, about three miles south of Ebches- 
 ter. " In the west riding of Yorkshire, and in the 
 neighbourhood of North Brierly, are many beds of 
 cinders, heaped up in the fields, in one of which a 
 
 T 
 
 f Camden, speaking of Northumberland, says, "It produces 
 LithancraccS) a species of *> tone, called by us sea-coals." Some 
 authors think that Pliny's description of AmpeJitis answers to 
 this substance : — " it is very like bitumen : its test is — if it be 
 reduced to wax when subjected to oil, and if it remains black 
 after exposure to fire. It is chiefly used in beautifying the eye- 
 lashes and -in dying the hair." George Agricola seems to 
 think that coal is the same as the Thracian stone of Pliny, 
 which that author says, kindles like quicklime, by water, but 
 not by oil. The antients, however, are frequently so incorrect 
 in their classification both of genera and species, as to render 
 their descriptions in natural history extremely confused and 
 equivocal. 
 
£18 COAL TRADE. 
 
 number of Roman coins was found some years ago.' 7# 
 Add to all this, that Siculus Flaccus enumerates them 
 among the articles buried in the earth, over which 
 boundary tumuli were raised, for which custom, St. 
 Augustine assigns this pertinent reason : u Is it not a 
 wonderful thing, that though coals are so brittle, that 
 with the least blow they break, with the least pressure 
 they are crushed in pieces ; yet no time can destroy 
 them ; insomuch that they who pitch landmarks are 
 wont to throw them underneath, to convince any liti- 
 gious person, who shall affirm, though ever so long 
 after, that no landmark was there." 
 
 Our Saxon ancestors called it Graefan, a name re- 
 corded in a grant to the abbey of Peterborough, 
 which secures to that house " twcrtffothur gr&fan ;"f 
 and, also, apparently left at Pittencrief in Fife-shire, 
 where a coal mine, the first of which any mention oc- 
 curs in Scotland, was granted to the abbey of Dum- 
 fermline, in 1291* During the Danish usurpation, 
 no mention of it occurs. 
 
 Rise and Progress of Newcastle Coal 
 Trade.— King Henry the Third, says Gardiner, in 
 1239, granted to the good men of Newcastle, " licence 
 to dig coals, and stones, in the common soil of that 
 town, without the walls thereof, in the place called 
 the Castle-field, and the Forth ; and from thence to 
 draw and convert them to their own profit, in aid of 
 their fee-farm rent of 1001. per annum." This king 
 was also, afterwards, graciously pleased to give them 
 all the stone and coals in the Forth, adjoining to the 
 former. An inquisition preserved in the Additions 
 
 • Whitaker's Manch» f Saxon Chron. 
 
COAL TRADE. 219 
 
 to the History of Matthew Paris, dated in 1245, not 
 only mentions sea-coal (carbo maris) but even speaks 
 of the wages of the persons employed in making pits 
 to dig them from ; and a like document, made in 
 1280, says, that the revenues of this town had increas- 
 ed so much by the sale of coals, that at that time it 
 was worth 2001. a year. 
 
 So great was their use in London, in 1306, that 
 parliament complained to the king of their infecting 
 the air with noxious vapours; in consequence of which 
 two proclamations were issued, prohibiting their far- 
 ther use, and containing strict orders to inflict fines 
 upon delinquents, and to destroy all furnaces and 
 kilns in which they were used. But necessity and 
 exnerience soon triumphed over ignorance and pre- 
 judice; a debt of 10s. was incurred for this article at 
 the coronation of Edward the Third. Mention oc- 
 curs of a vessel trading to Newcastle, from France, 
 with corn, in 1325, and of returning freighted with coals. 
 The Priory of Tynemouth, in 1330, let a colliery, 
 called Heygrove, at ' Ehtemjke,' for 5l. a-year ; an- 
 other in the East-field there, at six marks a year; be- 
 sides which, they had one in the West-field, aud an- 
 other near Gallow-flat, on the same estate, in the 
 years 1331 and 1334. These mines, in 1530, were 
 let for 20l. a-year, on condition that more than 
 twenty chaldron, of six bolls each, should not be 
 drawn in a day ; in 1538, two pits were let here by 
 the same house, for the yearly rent of 501. ; and, in 
 1554, queen Mary granted a lease of twenty-one 
 years, of all the mines within the fields and bounds af 
 Elstwick,' at the annual rent of 631. 
 t2 
 
220 COAL TRADE. 
 
 The manor of Collierly, in the parish of Lunches- 
 ter, is mentioned in bishop Hatfield's survey, between 
 the year 1333 and 1345 ; and that prelate's successor, 
 in 1384, appointed a supervisor of his mines of coal 
 snd iron, within his royalty, and in the districts of 
 ^Norhamsbire and Islandshire. 
 
 Edward the Third granted licences to Newcastle, 
 to work coal in the Castle-field and Castle-moor; is- 
 sued orders concerning coal measures ; suffered coals 
 won in the fields of Gateshead to be taken across the 
 Tyne in boats to Newcastle, on condition of their 
 paying the usual customs of that port ; and after that 
 to be sent to any part of the kingdom, either by land 
 or water, but to no place out of it, except to Calais. 
 
 Pope Pius the Second, in his commentaries, pub- 
 lished under the name of John Gebellin, relates that 
 when he visited Scotland, he was witness to poor 
 people receiving, at the churches as alms, stones im- 
 pregnated with inflammable substances, which they 
 burn in the place of wood, of which their country is 
 destitute. That the coal used in 1512 was of an 
 inferior kind, may be inferred from the Northumber- 
 land Household Book, which asserts that " coyles 
 will not byrne withowte wodd." " Their greatest 
 trade," says Harrison, in his Description of England,* 
 " beginneth now to growe from the forge to the 
 kitchen and hall, as may appeare alreadie in most 
 cities and townes that lye about the coast, where they 
 have little other fewell, excepte it be turffe or hassocke. 
 I marvell not a little that there is no trade of these 
 into Sussex and Southampton-shire, for want where- 
 
 * Prefixed to Hoi. Hist. vol. i, p. 397, Ed. 180;. 
 
COAL TRADE. 221 
 
 of the Smiths doo work their iron with chareoale." 
 And Stowe observes, " within thirty yeares last, the 
 nice dams of London would not come into any house 
 or roome where sea-coales were burned : nor wil- 
 lingly eat of the meat that was either sod or roasted 
 with sea-coal tire." 
 
 In 1582, queen Elizabeth obtained a ninety-nine 
 years lease of the manors and royalties of Gateshead 
 and Whickham, at the yearly rent of ninety pounds'* 
 This was called the Grand lease, and caused an im- 
 mediate advance in coals. The queen, however, 
 soon after transferred it to the earl of Leicester, who 
 afterwards assigned it to his secretary, Thomas Sutton, 
 the founder of the Charter House. Sutton again, in 
 consideration of 12,0001. transferred it to sir William 
 Riddell, and others, for the use of the mayor and bur- 
 gessess of Newcastle. 
 
 This lease was much complained of on the score of 
 monopoly. By the records of Whitby Abbey, it ap- 
 pears that coals brought from Newcastle and Sun- 
 derland, sold at Whitby, in 1396, at 3s. 4d. a chal- 
 dron. In the time of Henry the Eighth, the Trinity 
 House, in Newcastle, paid Is, a chaldron for coals; 
 in London, they cost about 4s. ; and, " in France, 
 they were sold for thirteen nobles per chaldron;* 
 Tne grand lease put the trade into a fever. While 
 Suiton held it, the price in London was 6s. a chal- 
 dron ; but, on its assignment to the corporation of 
 Newcastle, they rose to 7s. and soon after to 8s. la 
 1590, the current price in London, was advanced to 
 9s.; upon which, the lord mayor complained to the 
 lord treasurer Burleigh, against the town of New* 
 t 3 
 
222 COAL TRADE, 
 
 castle ; setting forth that the society of Free Hosts 
 consisted of about sixty persons, who had consigned 
 their right of the grand lease to about eighteen or 
 twenty, who engrossed the collieries at Stella, Ra- 
 vensworth, Newborn, &c, and, therefore, requested 
 that the whole of them might be opened, and the 
 price fixed, at a maximum of 7s. a chaldron. 
 
 An interesting account of the coal trade at New- 
 castle upon Tyne, dated February 28th, 1602, is 
 preserved in the books of the fraternity of Host men.* 
 At that period there were twenty eight acting fitters 
 or hostmen, who were to vend by the year, nine thou- 
 sand and eighty tens of coals, and find eighty live 
 keels for that purpose. In 16 15, the trade appears 
 to have employed four hundred sail of ships, one half 
 of which supplied London, the rest the other parts 
 of England with coal. At this period, the French are 
 also represented as trading to Newcastle for coal, in 
 fleets of fifty sail at once, serving the ports of Picardy, 
 Normandy, Bretagne, 2cc. as far as R chel and Bour- 
 deaux, while the ships of Bremen, Embden, Holland, 
 and Zealand, were supplying the inhabitants of Flan- 
 ders with the same article. In 1616, by the Host- 
 men's books it appears that thirteen thousand six hun- 
 dred and seventy -five tons of coals were shipped from 
 this port: in 1622, the vend was fourteen thousand 
 four hundred and twenty tons. But, when the town 
 fell into the hands of the covenanters in 1640, 
 
 * Camden derives their name from the latinized word 
 Oustmanni) that is, the east men, who came from Germany and 
 other parts, and settled in different ports of Engiai d and Ire- 
 land for trading purposes. " Oaste," at Newcastle, always 
 meant a stranger who came to buy coals. 
 
COAL TRADE. £23 
 
 the coal trade, which before that event is said to have 
 employed ten thousand people, sustained an immense 
 loss: every one fled, thinking the Scots would give no 
 quarter, and more than one hundred vessels, that arriv- 
 ed off Tynemouth-Bar the day after the fight, hear- 
 ing the Scots were in possession of the town, re- 
 turned empty. The evil ended not here; for in Jan- 
 uary, 1642, an ordinance of parliament prohibited 
 ships from bringing coals or salt from Newcastle, 
 Sunderland, or Biyth; and succeeding restrictions 
 made every species of fuel so scarce in London, that 
 coals at that period sold for 41. a chaldron. General 
 Lesly, in 1643 prevented the mines being fired, by- 
 order of the marquis of Newcastle. Aftei the town, in 
 1 6 14, fell into the hands of the army of the parliament, 
 the House of Commons began both to govern it and 
 to manage the coal trade themselves. In January, 
 1645. they also ordered five hundred tens of the coals 
 of delinquents to be granted to the corporation of 
 Newcastle, for the use of the poor and infected of 
 that place, and, among other purposes, towards re- 
 pairing its walls. Calamities, however, were felt un- 
 der the reign of the patriots. In the winter of 1648, 
 fuel was so excessively scarce, that many of the poor 
 in London, were literally starved to death ; a circum- 
 stance at that time attributed to sir Arthur Hasilrigge, 
 governor of Newcastle, for his severe imposition oi 4s 8 
 a chaldron on coals in that port; but this oppression 
 was soon after removed. 
 
 " Many thousand pe )ple," says Grey, in his Cho- 
 rographia, printed in 1649, u are employed in this 
 trade of coals; many live by working tiieni in the 
 
224 COAL TRADE. 
 
 pits ; many live by conveying them in waggons and 
 wains to the river Tine; many men are employed in 
 conveying the coals in keels, from the staiths, a-board 
 the ships : one coal merchant employeth five hundred, 
 or a thousand, in his works of coal, yet, for all his 
 labour, care, and cost, can scarce live of his trade ; 
 nay, many of them have consumed and spent great 
 estates, and died beggars. I can remember one of 
 many, that raised his estate by the coal trade ; many 
 I remember that have wasted great estates. I shall 
 illustrate this by a story of two Spaniards, brothers, 
 who travelled into the West Indies, with that estate 
 and means they had acquired: One of the brothers 
 was a miner, to employ many slaves in silver mines; 
 the other brother was to be an husbandman, to pro- 
 vide corn, sheep, and other provisons for the miner 
 and his men ; much silver was got out of the ground 
 by these miners ; the husbandman got monies out of 
 his stock for his commodities. After many years 
 delving and labouring in these silver-mines, at last the 
 mines were exhausted and decayed, and all the money, 
 which he had got for many years labour and cost, was 
 run into his brother's the husbandman's hands, and all 
 his stock upstanding ; he living all that time of the 
 profit that his ground yielded." 
 
 " So it is with our coal-miners; they labour and 
 are at great charge to maintain men to work their 
 collieries; they waste their own bodies with care, and 
 their collieries with working ; the kernel being eatea 
 out of the nut, there remaineth nothing but the shell ; 
 their collieries are wasted and their monies consumed. 
 This is the uncertainty of mines ; a great charge, the 
 profit uncertain." 
 
COAL TRADE. 225 
 
 li Some South gentlemen, upon hope of benefit, 
 come into this country to hazard their monies in coal- 
 mines. Mr Beaumont, a gentleman of great ingenuity 
 and rare parts, adventured into our mines, with his 
 30,000: , who brought with : .im many rare engines, 
 not known thea in these parts; as the art to bore with 
 iron rods, to try the deepness and thickness of the 
 coal; rare engines to draw water out of the pits; 
 waggons with one horse to carry down coals from 
 the pits to the staiths, to the river, &c. within a few 
 years, he consumed all his money, and rode home up- 
 on his light horse." 
 
 " Some Londoners, of late, have disbursed their 
 monies for the reversion of a lease of colliery, about 
 thirty years to come of the lease : When they come 
 to crack their nuts, they find nothing but shells; nuts 
 will not keep thirty years; there is a swarm of worms 
 under ground that will eat up all before their time ; 
 they may find some meteors, Ignis fatuus y instead of 
 a mine." 
 
 " Now this trade of coal began not past four 
 score years since. Coals, in former times, were only 
 used by smiths, and for burning of lime. Woods in 
 the South part of England decaying, and the city of 
 London and other cities and towns growing populous, 
 made the trade for coal increase yearly, and many 
 great ships of burthen built, so that there were more 
 coa T s vended in one year, than were in seven years, 
 forty years by-past. This great trade hath made this 
 town to flourish in all trades." # 
 
 In 1655, about three hundred and twenty coal 
 
 * See Harleian Miscel, xi, 263, 364. 
 
226 COAL TRAD2. 
 
 keels appear to have been employed on the Tyne, 
 each of which, in that year, carried eight hundred 
 Newcastle chaldrons. On the twentieth of August, 
 1662, a petition, praying for redress of grievances 
 inflicted by the coal-owners and overmen, was signed 
 by two thousand colliers, in order to be presented to 
 his majesty, but was never sent. 
 
 A political speculator, in a work called * The 
 Grand Concern of England/ printed in London, in 
 1673, among various other proposals for bettering the 
 state of the nation, advises that this trade in future, be 
 managed by commissioners empowered to supply all 
 parts of his majesty's dominions with coals. " I need 
 not," says he, " declare how the subjects are abused 
 in the price of coals; how many poor have been 
 starved for want of fewel by reason of the horrid 
 prices put upon them, especially in tkne of war, either 
 by the merchant, or the woodmonger, or between 
 them both. The price at that time, he computes at 
 about 7s. a Newcastle chaldron ; the freight at 6s. 
 the city duty at 3s.; and lighterage, wharfage, and 
 cartage, at 4s. u If, then, three Newcastle chal- 
 drons, computed at 3l. make five London chaldrons, 
 and they be sold at 51. 10s. there is very nigh half in 
 half gotten thereby : considering then, how many hun- 
 dred thousand chaldron of coals are spent every year, 
 by a moderate computation, it will appear that near 
 200,0001. per annum advantage may arise hereby to 
 the public, and the subject also receive a great bene- 
 fit by the same." 
 
 Sir William Petty, in his Political Arithmetic, es- 
 timates the coal shipping of Newcastle, in 1676, at 
 
COAL TRADE. 227 
 
 about eighty thousand tons, of which a considerable 
 part was probably foreign built; for, in 1685, we 
 find an act of Parliament laying a duty of 5s. a ton 
 on all such shipping, under the plea of the serious de- 
 cay of ship building in the ports of Newcastle, Hull, 
 Yarmouth, Ipswich, and other ports on the eastern 
 coasts of England, occasioned by the great encourage- 
 ment to foreign ships. 
 
 In 1699, says Mr Brand, fourteen thousand ships 
 are reported to have been employed in this trade, 
 carrying three hundred thousand Newcastle chaldrons 
 annually to London, of which two-thirds went from 
 Newcastle : the oversea trade employed nine hundred 
 thousand tons of shipping. The masters of the Trin- 
 ity-House, in answer to a proposition of the House 
 of Commons, in 1703, asserted that six hundred ships 
 one with another, each of eighty Newcastle chaldrons, 
 with four thousand five hundred men, were requisite 
 for carrying on this great branch of commerce. u A 
 number both of ships and men, that had been engag- 
 ed therein for three years last past." From 1704 to 
 1710, the average annual export from Newcastle, was 
 one hundred and seventy-eight thousand one hundred 
 and forty-three ; from Sunderland, sixty-five thousand 
 seven hundred and sixty chaldrons. In 1764, the 
 trade from the Tyne encreased coastways twenty 
 thousand chaldrons, London measure, and forty thou- 
 sand, like measure, into foreign parts ; and in this 
 year, three thousand seven hundred and twenty-seven 
 vessels cleared from that river for the coast, and three 
 hundiea and sixty-five for foreign parts, all coal laden# 
 On an average for six years, ending at Christmas, 
 
£28 COAL TRADE. 
 
 1776, there were annually cleared at the Custoni- 
 House of Newcastle, two hundred and sixty thousand 
 chaldrons to London ; ninety thousand to other British 
 ports; two thousand to British colonies ; and twenty- 
 seven thousand to other foreign parts — in all three 
 hundred and eighty thousand Newcastle chaldrons. 
 
 The following Synopsis of this trade, from New- 
 castle, is drawn from an authentic source : 
 
 Year. 
 
 Coastwise. 
 
 Oversea. 
 
 Plantations. 
 
 Total Chaldsm 
 
 1802 
 
 494,488 ' 
 
 41,157 
 
 2,844 
 
 538,489 
 
 1803 
 
 505,137 
 
 42,808 
 
 1,516 
 
 549,461 
 
 3804 
 
 579,929 
 
 48,737 
 
 3,852 
 
 632,518 
 
 1805 
 
 552,827 
 
 47,213 
 
 2,360 
 
 602,400 
 
 1806 
 
 587,719 
 
 44,858 
 
 1,249 
 
 633,826 
 
 1807 
 
 534,371 
 
 25,494 
 
 1,848 
 
 561,713 
 
 1808 
 
 6i3,786 
 
 14,635 
 
 1,026 
 
 629,447 
 
 1809 
 
 550,221 
 
 12 640 
 
 1,992 
 
 564,853 
 
 1810 
 
 622,573 
 
 16,9">1 
 
 2,310 
 
 641,834 
 
 1811 
 
 634,371 
 
 15,818 
 
 2,136 
 
 652,325 
 
 Blythb, being considered as a member of the 
 port of Newcastle, in 1610, had a duty of Is a 
 chaldron laid on all coals exported from it ; but a 
 petition, representing them as places of distinct inter- 
 est, being presented to the House of Commons, the 
 duty was ordered " to be laid down and no more 
 taken up." # In 1638, however, we find Newcastle, 
 Blythe, and Berwick, paying to the king, " Is. per 
 chaldron, costome, and to sell them again, to the 
 city of London, not exceeding 17s. the chaldron, in 
 the summer, and 19s. the chaldron, all the winter."f 
 An ordinance of the Lords and Commons, in 1642, 
 
 • Brand, ii, 276. 
 f Gard, Epg. Griev, p. j6« 
 
COAL TRADE. 2Q.Q 
 
 prohibited coai9 and salt from being exported from 
 Blyth; but the trade in these articles was very 
 flourishing here, while Newcastle continued to hold 
 out against the army of the Parliament in 1644. Af- 
 ter mentioning, with no little asperity, the civil and 
 natural disadvantages that Northumberland laboured 
 under in his time, Mr Gardiner says, " but it would 
 be otherwise if gentlemen might be reimbursed for 
 such sums of money, as they would expend, to vend 
 coals out of Hartley, Blvthe and Bedlington rivers, 
 which be convenient places to vend them at." # The 
 coal trade at Color Coats excited the jealousy of 
 the Newcastle hostmen, 1683. The average vend at 
 Blythe and Hartley for seven years immediately be- 
 fore the year 1797, was about 35,000 chaldrons; and 
 during the last three years their exports were— in 
 1809, 48,052,— in 1810, 47,330 ; — in 1811, 53,958 
 Newcastle chaldrons of coals. 
 
 Sunderland is mentioned with Blythe, in- 16 10, 
 in the imposition of, and exemption from, Is. a chal- 
 dron on coals exported. Bishop Morton, in 1634, 
 granted a charter to this port, in which the specified 
 articles of exportation are — sea-coals, grindstones, 
 rubstones and whetstones :f it began to be of import- 
 ance about the year 1654. The hostmen of New- 
 castle, jealous of its increasing consequence, in 1661, 
 endeavoured to shackle its coal trade with a duty of 
 Is. a chaldron. From 1704 to 17 10, its average an- 
 nual export was 65,760 chaldrons. We subjoin a 
 table of the present extent of the vend of coal at this 
 
 u 
 • p. !*?• t Hutch t Durht vol, ii, p. 3**» 
 
230 COAL TRADE. 
 
 place, premising that the account of the staithmen is 
 supposed to be extremely accurate. 
 
 CUSTOM-HOUSE ACCOUNT. Totals-worn to by 
 
 Tear. Coastwise * Foreign* Total, the Staithmen* 
 
 1806 £91,317 2,622 309,174 283,821 
 
 1807 291,317 4,274 295,591 297,531 
 
 1808 348,938 2,058 350,996 330,230 
 
 1809 324,455 973 325,428 311,837 
 
 1810 371,120 1,889 373,009 356,905 J 
 
 1811 317,740 1,729 333,034 317,740 
 
 " Ordinances of Parliament, 12th May, 1643. 
 Ordained that there be a free and open trade in the 
 ports of Sunderland, in the county of Durham, and 
 Blithe in the county of Northumberland, to relieve 
 the poor inhabitants thereabouts, by reason of the 
 rapines and spoyis, those enemies of Newcastle have 
 brought upon them, in those two counties, they all be- 
 ing in great want and extremity.' 5 — Gardiner s Eng. 
 Griev.p. 194. 
 
 Number of men employed in this 
 trade.— In 1792, Dr Macnab estimated* the num- 
 ber of persons receiving employment from this trade, 
 on the rivers Tyne and Wear, at 64,724, of whom 
 26,250 belonged to the Wear : and 6,704 were pit- 
 men and boys belonging to collieries on the Tyne : 
 the rest on the Tyne as follow : 
 
 Fitters and runners — - - - 103 
 
 Keelmen, boys, boatmen, &c. 1547 
 
 Trimmers, ballast heavers, &c. - - - - 1000 
 
 Pilots and Foymen 500 
 
 Seamen and boys 8000 
 
 In building and repairing ships and keels 946 
 * In kh Letter on the Coal Trade, addressed to Mr Pitt, 
 
COAL TRADE. 231 
 
 Purveyors for ships and keels — - - - 1 100 
 
 Coal factors, clerks, heavers, ,&c. 2000 
 
 And if \ of these have families, and 7 ^g 425 
 three in a family unemployed 3 
 
 Total on theTyne supported by this Trade, 38,325 
 Mr Bailey in his " General View of the Agricul- 
 ture of the County of Durham," printed in 1810, 
 enumerates thirty-four watersale collieries in that 
 county, which at that time annually vended 1,333,000 
 chaldrons of thirty-six bushels, and employed 7*011 
 men: in the same district he was also informed there 
 were thirty-five landsale collieries, vending 147*080 
 chaldrons of thirty-six bushels, and employing 382 
 men. The keelmen on the Wear amounted to 750; 
 casters, trimmers and fitters, to 507* " and as the 
 coals carried to the Tyne are nearlv in the ratio of 
 8 to 5, of those carried to the Wear, the men em- 
 ployed on the Tyne" in the Durham Coal Trade 
 " will be about 2000, making the total on both rivers, 
 3,257. "9 So that from this calculation it appears 
 the total number of men, employed in the above ca- 
 pacities, in the county of Durham, is in the propor- 
 tion of 10,650, to 1,480,080 thirty-six bushel chal- 
 drons of coals. Besides these, however, this trade 
 " gives employment to a great number of workmen 
 of various descriptions, as carpenters, masons, smiths, 
 founders, ropers, ship-builders, &c* Sec. Out of these 
 no account could be obtained." f 
 
 From Mr Bailey's tables it also appears, that the 
 Avatersaie collieries of Durham annually send to the 
 Tyne about 701,000 thirty-six bushel chaldrons of 
 
 u2 
 
232 COAL TRADE. 
 
 coals, and employ 3,265 men in mining them : and, 
 as this is nearly half the annual average export of 
 this river, we conjecture that the Newcastle coal trade 
 employs about 6,530 pitmen ; and, from the preced- 
 ing data, that the total number of pitmen employed 
 in the seasale collieries of Blythe, Hartley, Newcas- 
 tle, and Sunderland, in 1810, amounted to 9>724. 
 
 Coal Measure, — One Newcastle chaldron 
 contains sixty-eight Winchester bushels, and weighs 
 fifty-three hundred weight: eight of these chaldrons 
 make one keel, and twenty-two of them one ten. A 
 London chaldron is equal to thirty-six Winchester 
 bushels. 
 
 Probable Duration. — One chaldron of thirty- 
 six bushels, says Mr Bailey, weighs twenty-eight cwt. 
 and a cubic yard of coal one ton, consequently, with 
 an annual vend of 1,333,000 thirty six- bushel chal- 
 drons from the water-sale collieries, there are 1,866,200 
 cubic yards of coal every year wrought in the county 
 of Durham. Taking, therefore, the average thick- 
 ness of all the workable seams, added together, at 
 five yards, and the extent of the coal field, in that 
 county, at 40,000 acres, 365 years will elapse before 
 the whole of it be raised. " This estimate is made 
 on the supposition that the district is all whole coal ; 
 but, as a considerable portion of it has been already 
 wrought out, it is probable that there is not more 
 coal left than will serve the consumption much more 
 than 200 years." 
 
 Dr. Mac Nab estimated the extent of the coal 
 field of Northumberland and Durham, at twenty 
 miles by fifteen, and supposed that one square mile 
 
COAL TRADE. 233 
 
 was sufficient for the consumption of one year and a 
 quarter : a calculation that would extend the life of 
 the coal trade to 375 years; but, to use the quaint 
 language of Grey, as c the nuts have been cracked 
 and the kernels eaten' in a large portion of this dis- 
 trict, the period of its exit may be fixed at a much 
 shorter date. 
 
 Duty on Coal.— Edward the Third, in 1379, 
 imposed a duty of 6d. a ton, every quarter of a year, 
 upon ships trading from Newcastle with coals. How 
 long this continued is uncertain. In 1421, there w r as 
 " a custom payable to the king of £d a chaldron on 
 all coals sold to persons not franchised in the port of 
 Newcastle;" and, about the year 1599, queen Eliza- 
 beth demanded such great arrears of this duty, that 
 the town, finding itself unable to pay them, agreed to 
 charge themselves and successors for ever to pay Is. 
 per chaldron. On this affair Gardiner observes,* 
 that u the queen conceived that twelve pence upon 
 every chalder would be better for the future, and, 
 well paid, would rise to a greater revenue then the 
 two-pence in arrear could endamage." At this time 
 the duty on coals exported beyond the seas was 5s. a 
 chaldron. 
 
 James the First revived the two-penny duty, and 
 liis successor, besides the duty of twelve-pence, 
 fettered the trade with several arbitrary impositions. 
 Even the patriotic House of Commons on the 15th 
 of July, 1664, loaded this trade with 4s. a chaldron 
 duty on all coal shipped coastwise, a grievance which 
 continued with few interruptions till the 11th of Sep- 
 tember, 1648, when it was entirely taken off, 
 u 3 
 * P. i* 
 
fi34 COAL TRADE. 
 
 By an act of Parliament made in 1667, after the 
 great fire in London, a duty of twelve-pence a chal- 
 dron was granted to the lord mayor and others/ of 
 that city, to enable them to rebuild it : this duty was 
 only to continue till 1677, but not being found suffi- 
 cient it was increased to 3s. a chaldron, to continue 
 till 1687. 
 
 Parliament also imposed a duty of 2s. per chaldron, 
 or ton, on sea-coal imported into London, from 
 May 1, 1670, to June 24, 1677, and 3s. per chaldron 
 from the last date, to September 29, — three-fourths 
 of the money raised by the former act, and one-half 
 of it raised by the latter, to be employed in rebuild- 
 ing fifty-two parish-churches, and one-fourth of this 
 one-half to be applied exclusively to rebuilding St. 
 Paul's. And, in 1685, another act laid on Is. 6d. a 
 chaldron, to continue from September 29, 1687, to 
 September 29, 1700, two-thirds whereof was ex- 
 pended upon St. Pauls. 
 
 On the 18th of September, 1677, king Charles II. 
 granted to his natural son, Charles, duke of Rich" 
 mond and Lenox, and failing him and his heirs, to 
 Louise, duchess of Portsmouth, and the heirs of her 
 body, the reversion of the twelve- pence, subject to an 
 annuity of 5001. to sir Thomas Clarges, his heirs and 
 assigns, at a yearly reserved rent of 11. 6s. 8d. This 
 impost continued in the Richmond family till the year 
 1800, when they sold it to government for the yearly 
 payment of 1 90001. a sum much inferior to its present 
 value. 
 
 In 1795, Parliament ordered 5s, a chaldron, of 
 thirty-six bushels, Winchester measure, to be laid on 
 
COAL TRADE. 235 
 
 tliis article ; if exported from Scotland 5s. per ton, 
 over and above all duties then existing. From this 
 period the amount of duty has been too fluctuating, 
 and the regulations imposed by Parliament too nu- 
 muerous to particularize. We shall, therefore, close 
 this head with enumerating the present duties paid in 
 Newcastle, — coast duty Is. 4d. and town's dues 2d. 
 a chaldron each. Paid in London, — King's duty, 
 Qs. 4d.; war-taxes, 3s. 2d; metage, 8d,; orphans' 
 duty, 6d.; and Id. market dues, per London chal- 
 dron: also, \ d. lord mayor's dues, and Id. Trinity 
 dues, per Newcastle chaldron. 
 
 Corporation Dues. — Mr Brand informs us 
 that the Corporation of Newcastle annually received 
 10,0001. in the latter end of the reign of queen Eliza- 
 beth, frcm a duty of 4d. a chaldron on coals shipped 
 from their port. In 1609, a decree of chancery con- 
 firmed the payment of 2d. a chaldron on all coals 
 shipped to Lynn Regis, in Norfolk, to the mayor and 
 burgesses of Newcastle, " towards their charge in 
 repairing wharfs, &c." From the letter quoted be- 
 low, they seem to have demanded Is. a chaldron on 
 coals exported to foreign countries ; # but on what 
 plea does not appear. 
 
 * " Mr Maior, I have receaved this very day lettres from 
 the Rt. Honourable the Lord Treafurer and Lord Cottington 
 requiring me to iett you understand that the 12 pence by the 
 marchants, owners and masters of ships payd unto you, or to 
 the factors or clerks of the office upon the forraine vent of 
 sea-cole, must be restored unto the foresaid marchants and the 
 rest which hath made payment thereof; and that there may 
 be no delay herein, I shall deseire you that you will looke up- 
 on their lettres of attorney for the receipt thereof,andto satis- 
 fy them accordingly: and thus, &c." Indorsed " A copie of 
 my Lord of Durham's lettre to Mr Maior to repaie the i2d a 
 chaldron upon coles upon the forine vent of lea-coles."— 
 trinity House fiwfo, 
 
236 COAL TRADE. 
 
 In 1643, the hostmen agreed to pay 3d per chal- 
 dron, independent of the former 3d. for three years, 
 to be applied to the defence of the town, and a year 
 after extended this payment to four years; in 1645, 
 however, we find this body petitioning the Commis- 
 sioners of England and Scotland to take off the 3d. a 
 chaldron, by which we should probably understand 
 u the former 3d." The Common-Council, in 1650, 
 ordered this impost to be paid in the town's chamber; 
 and the same year the Trinity-House resolved to 
 maintain their immemorial claim to 3d. a chaldron, 
 of the hostmen, for their free parts of ships, which 
 claim the mayor and common-council were surrep- 
 titiously endeavouring to add to the revenue of the 
 corporation. Twelve years after, the hostmen find- 
 ing that endeavours were using to confirm this de- 
 mand by an act of Parliament, they made an order 
 to oppose the measure. 
 
 In 1706, the hostmen made a fruitless attempt to 
 rid themselves of the duty of Is. per chaldron, which 
 their charter, made in the twenty-fourth year of queen 
 Elizabeth, secured to that queen and her successors, 
 kings and queens of England, for ever. 
 
 Non-freemen of Newcastle, were regularly charged 
 4d. a chaldron in the town's chamber, for all the coal 
 they exported, till the year 1793, when sir William 
 Leigh ton commenced a suit against the mayor and 
 corporation, in which it was proved that half the 
 charge was groundless : the claim to it has > conse- 
 quently, been relinquished, and the town's dues are 
 now fixed at 2d, per chaldron, to every description of 
 persons. 
 
COAL TfcADE. 237 
 
 Price of Coal. — Under this head it may be 
 necessary to premise that the weight and quantity of 
 gold and silver coin in circulation will always be re- 
 gulated by the quantity of bullion in the market, and 
 by the demand of it for private uses; that the price 
 of human labour will be proportionate to the average 
 supply of corn ; and that the average price of other 
 necessary articles will be influenced by the price of 
 human labour. This doctrine, however, is only gene- 
 rally applicable to the coal trade ; for, as the consump- 
 tion of coal depends much upon the state of the sea- 
 sons and of our manufactures, and the supply of it is 
 equally affected by the first of these causes, and by 
 peace and war, the trade in it w ill, at times, be raised 
 to dilirium, or sunk into lethargy, and its prices, ac- 
 cording to the demand for it, be low, moderate, or 
 exorbitant. The following table is collected from 
 Mr Brand's History of Newcastle, from the Gentle- 
 man's Magazine, and other authorized sources. 
 
 Ytar. 
 
 Prici 
 
 j per 
 
 Chaldron, 
 
 Where told. 
 
 1395 
 
 £o 
 
 3s. 
 
 , 4d. 
 
 Whitby Ab 
 
 15 i 2 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 the best kind Alnwick G 
 
 ib. 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 2 inferior 
 
 ib. 
 
 1536 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 Newcastle, 
 
 ib. 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 London, 
 
 1550 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 per load 
 
 ib. 
 
 1582* 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 ib. 
 
 1585* 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 ib. 
 
 1590* 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 ib. 
 
 1626 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 6 
 
 Newcastle, 
 
 1653 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 ib. 
 
 1635 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 ib. 
 
 * The advance in price, in these years, was attributed tQ 
 the Grand lease. 
 
238 COAL TRADE. 
 
 Tear, Price per Chaldron, Where sold. 
 
 1637 # £0 17s. Od. summer London. 
 
 ib. 19 winter ib. 
 
 1644 4 siege of Newc. &c. London. 
 
 1653 10 Newcastle. 
 
 1655$ 10 London. 
 
 ib. )£ Newcastle. 
 
 1667§ 1 10 London. 
 
 1701 18 3 ib. 
 
 ib. 10 6 Newcastle. 
 
 1703 11 ib. 
 
 Staiths. — Stathe, stade, and steed, are Anglo- 
 Saxon terms formerly applied to single fixed dwell- 
 ings, or to places on the banks of rivers, where mer- 
 chandise was stored up, and, at which, vessels could 
 lie to receive it. In 13S8, the prior of Tynemouth 
 let, for two years, at 40s. a year, a plot of ground; in 
 Newcastle, upon which sea-coal had been usually laid 
 up, and which was at the west head of a house, upon 
 the Stat hes,* which in modern language is, as if one 
 said, upon the wharf \ or upon the quay. In a lease 
 of a colliery at Elswick, executed in 1538, provision 
 was made for " sufficient Way leve and Stathe leve." 
 The u Black Steath" stood near Hebburn Colliery, 
 and is the only one marked on the map of the river 
 
 * This year the king appointed a company of coal monopo- 
 lizers, who were to purchase all the coals that could be export- 
 ed from Sunderland, Newcastle, Blythe and Berwick, and pay 
 to him a duty of is per chaldron; but not to sell them at more 
 than the above prices in London. 
 
 \ In this year it was agreed that 136 Newcastle chaldrons 
 should equal 217 London chaldrons. 
 
 § This maximum fixed by order of Parliament, 
 
 * Quamdam placeam terre in villa predicta super quam 
 earbones marini reponi consueverunt et que est ad austrafe 
 caput domus quam predictus prior et suus conventus de Tyne- 
 muth habent in predicta villa Novi Castri super le Stathes, &e. 
 —-Brandy i'u l$$. 
 
COAL TRADE. QoQ 
 
 Tyne, prefixed to Gardiner's England's Grievance, 
 which was first published in 1655, These places 
 were also formerly, and are, even yet, by the keelmen, 
 called dikes, probably on account of their being 
 diked or defended from the river, for dike, in the 
 north of England, has always a mixed meaning be- 
 tween defence and limit: in the present instance, 
 however, it seems to have been peculiarly applied to 
 those repositories for coal, which were uncovered: 
 the stathes of the present day are provided with roofs/ 
 under which coals are deposited in dead seasons of 
 the trade; and with stages and spouts, from which 
 they are poured into keels, or vessels, when the de- 
 mand for them is immediate. 
 
 Keels. — Ceol, as well as Scipurn 9 wsLS a general 
 term for ships among the Anglo-Saxons ; though it 
 seems we should fetch the origin of the word keel 
 from keles of the Greeks, and the celox of the Ro- 
 mans—a small swift sailing vessel. By statute of the 
 9th of Henry the V. cap. 10. commissioners were ap- 
 pointed to measure the portage of keels on the river 
 Tyne. Before that time they had been usually made 
 to contain twenty chaldrons a-piece ; but, as person* 
 not franchised of Newcastle, paid a duty of 2d. per 
 chaldron to the king, in order to evade a part of it, 
 they encreased the portage of their keels, unknown to 
 the officers of the royal revenue : this statute, there- 
 fore, went to order the true portage to be marked 
 upon all these vessels, on pain of forfeiting them. 
 At present they are made to contain eight chaldrons 
 each. They are a strong, oval, clumsy-looking vessel, 
 sometimes navigated by a square sail ; but generally 
 
240 COAL TRADE. 
 
 by two long oars — one on the side plied by two men 
 and a boy, and one at the stern by one man, who not 
 only assists the others' motion, but at the same time 
 steers the keel and corrects the bias given by the side 
 oar, # The stern oar is called the swape, probably 
 from its great power, as the old, upright churns, which 
 were wrought by a lever, and a half revolving axle, 
 were called swape-churns. Chaucer says, — 
 And swappe the fryer wyth bircan rodde. 
 
 Suipan, in the Icelandic tongue, means a quick 
 motion ; and to swap the door, in common language, 
 is as much as to say, shut it violently. 
 
 When, by contrary violent winds, neither sails nor 
 oars can be used, the keels are pushed forward through 
 the shallow parts of the river, by a long pole fixed a- 
 gainst the bed of the river, and the keelmen's shoulder, 
 while they walk on each gunnel from head to stern, in 
 a strong, stooping position. This pole is called a 
 pooey, a word seemingly akin to appuy, the name of 
 the balancing pole of the French rope dancers. 
 Formerly the holds of the keels were much below the 
 gunnels, a circumstance which occasioned great labour 
 in casting the lading : at present they are only about 
 twenty inches from them, but, have a contrivance 
 called a stage, to enlarge them on three sides with 
 boards, which can be raised, lowered, or intirely taken 
 away, according to the bulk of the lading. 
 
 The Sunderland keels, on account of the shallow- 
 ness of the Wear, are broader and more flat-bottomed 
 than those of the Tyne, and are generally managed 
 by one man, or by an old man and a boy. 
 
 * Sec Stukt Itin. and Pennant's North, four. 
 
COAL TRADE* £41 
 
 Keelmen. — The bargemen of Tynemouth priory, 
 In 1378, were called Kelers. The person who man- 
 ages the swape is the captain of the keel, and, as in 
 Dutch sloops, is called the skipper, which in modem 
 language signifies the ship's man. We read of riots 
 and combinations for increase of wages and redress 
 of grievances among this body of men in 1654, 
 1710, 1750, 1776, 1794, and 1809. A combina- 
 tion for such purposes is, both by the colliers and 
 keelmen, called a ' Steek/ that is a sticking or re- 
 fraining from their master's work, and an obstinate ad- 
 herence to their own demands. They formerly call- 
 ed themselves keel bullies, or keel brethren, but the 
 term has now almost lost its better signification, and 
 is used by way of reproach. The women who swept 
 out the keels, at Newcastle quay, as they passed from 
 the ships, were styled keeldeeters: to deet, means to 
 cleanse, and, applied to corn, has the same force as to 
 zcinnow: this practice is now discontinued. At the 
 forty eighth page of this volume, we enlarged upon 
 the origin and revenues of the Hospital belonging to 
 this body; at present, we have only to add, that they 
 have an annual procession through the streets of New- 
 castle, on Saint John's day, the anniversary of the 
 estabhsment of their society. 
 
 Waggon-Ways were, till of late years, construct- 
 ed entirely of square w r ooden rails laid in two right 
 parallel lines, on wooden sleepers ; but all the new 
 ones are of cast iron rails, which rest upon sleepers 
 of stone. Their origin is doubtful. In the year 
 1600, among other regulations made " at a Court*'* 
 of the hostmen's company, wains were ordered to be 
 
 x 
 
COAL TRADE. 
 
 all measured and marked, for it appeared, " that from 
 tyme out of mynd yt hath been accustomed that all 
 cole waynes did usuallie cary and bring eighte bouiSs 
 of coles to all the staythes upon the ry ver of Tyne," 
 but of late several had brought only or scarce seven 
 boils. The same record mentions " two small maunds 
 or pannyers holdinge two or three pecks a-piece." 
 From which passages it plainly appears that coals at 
 this time were not only led in carts along the ordinary 
 roads, but that a practice then prevailed of conveying 
 them on horse-back. 
 
 Among the rest of the " rare engines" introduced 
 by master Beaumont into the coal trade, one was 
 " Waggons with one horse, to carry down coales from 
 the pits to the staiths to the river."* Lord Keeper 
 Guilford, in 167 6, thus describes them : " The man- 
 ner of the carriage is by laying rails of timber from 
 the colliery down to the river, exactly straight and 
 parallel; and bulky carts are made with four rowlers, 
 fitting these rails, whereby the carriage is so easy, that 
 one horse will dr^w down four or five chaldron of 
 coals, and is an immense benefit to the coal mer- 
 chants." 
 
 " Mr Hutchinson,* in his History of Du» ham, says, 
 that waggon-ways were first made and used in this 
 county, by Colonel Liddell, of Ravensworth; but, 
 upon examining the books at Ravensworth castle, 
 
 * See quotation, at p. %%$ 
 • This author, in his View of Northumberland, vol. ii. p. 
 416, asserts that " waggon ways were first used in this neigh- 
 bourhood, soon after the Revolution, by Mr Allan, of Flatts, 
 in the county of Durham; and on the Tyne, bv Charles Mon- 
 tague, Esq ; at Stella; but he advances no authority for the 
 assertion. 
 
COAL TRADE. 243 
 
 Mr Robson (the present agent) informs me, that the 
 first sraiHi bills are in 1671, in the time of sir Thomas 
 Liddell Colonel Iiddeli's grandfather, and seven years 
 b fore the colonel was born. Joshua French was 
 then staithman, and from his bills, beginning with 
 that year, it appears that coals were then led by wag- 
 gons to Team staith "f 
 
 In declivities, where the convoy has not power to 
 regulate the full waggon downwards, and one horse is 
 insufficient to draw it upwards when empty, recourse 
 has been had to the simple but effectual contrivance 
 of fixing a large coiling wheel at the head of an In- 
 clined Plane, and after uniting the waggons 
 with the rope of the coihng-wheel, drawing the light 
 waggon up by the weight of the laden one. This 
 invention originated with the late ingenious Mr 
 Barnes, and was first put in practice at the colliery at 
 Benwell. It is described in the third volume of the 
 Agricultural Magazine. In situations where the laden 
 waggons have to. ascend declivities, the counterbalanc- 
 ing power is obtained from a steam engine at the head 
 of an inclined plane, as at Ayton-banks, on the Urpeth 
 waggon-Way: the White House inclined plane, on this 
 way, is sixteen hundred yards in length : six laden 
 waggons, sometimes nine, bring up as many empty 
 ones here: the rope which it is now using, June 
 the eighth, 1812, was first employed, May the six- 
 teenth, 1810. Through the other parts of this way, 
 one horse draws three waggons chained together, both 
 to the colliery and to the staith. 
 
 f Bailey'e Surv. of Durh. p. 3^, 
 
244 COAL TRADE* 
 
 These waggons at first were emptied by shovels: 
 at present they have a trap-door in their bottom for 
 this purpose. The convoij, otherwise called the tiller, 
 used to retard the motion of the waggon in descents, 
 where no horse is required, till of late was only ap- 
 plied to one wheel, but by a modern contrivance has 
 been extended to both. " The size of a waggon, to 
 carry fifty hundred weight of coals, is as follows : 
 Length at the top, seven feet nine inches, breadth at 
 the top, five feet; length at the bottom, five feet, 
 breadth at the bottom, two feet six inches; perpen- 
 dicular height, four feet three inches. "* 
 
 Origin of coal. — Whether the different strata 
 of coal, like those of clay and lime which accompany 
 them, are to be ranked among the substances coeval 
 with the creation of the globe, or they are to be classed 
 among those secondary productions of nature, formed 
 by inundations of the sea, depositions in water, or vol- 
 canic convulsions of the world, is a matter of enquiry 
 still at issue among philosophers. Certain it is, how- 
 ever, that in all the strata which accompany this sub- 
 stance, abundant remains of animals and vegetables are 
 daily discovered, and that coal itself is often mixed with 
 the forms of organized bodies. The coal in the parish 
 of Bovey, near Exeter, is found in large masses, re- 
 sembling the trunks and branches of trees rudely 
 crushed together. Similar phenomena have also been 
 observed in Iceland, near Luxemburgh, at Brull, 
 near Cologn and Bonn, and at the bottom of that 
 chain of mountains which runs from Lyons to Stras- 
 burgh. 
 
 • Edin. Encyc, in vcrbo, Coahry* 
 
COAL TRADE. 245 
 
 u All the strata incumbent on coal contain a great 
 variety of vegetables, or the impressions of them; and 
 particularly the bamboo of India, striated and jointed 
 at different distances; the Euphorbia of the East In- 
 dies, the American ferns, corn, grass, and many other 
 species of the vegetable kingdom, not known to exist 
 in any other part of the world in a living state They 
 are inclosed in the solid substance of 5 tone and clay."* 
 The roofs of some of the coal mines near Dipton are 
 variegated with impressions of jointed canes, ferns, 
 vetches, &c. The schistus beds in the Holling-Hill 
 pit, near Felling, afforded beautiful specimens of pine 
 cones, ears of barley, and roots of turnips, the last of 
 which were converted into iron-stone. In the schistus 
 beds in the colliery at South Shields are also fre»- 
 quently discovered the shells of cockles and of other 
 marine animals. Sometimes large trees are found, 
 extending out of the strata of indurated clay, into 
 those of sand-stone, as at Kenton, where are seats of 
 stone, hewn out of one of these remarkable fossils, that 
 shew the yearly rings of the tree and the roughness of 
 the bark: As far as the rock was cut through, this 
 tree could be traced even to its smallest branches ; 
 and the stratum in which its roots were fixed seemed 
 one uninterrupted continuation of vegetable impres- 
 sions, a circumstance which strongly favours the con- 
 jecture, that in some convulsion, or deluge of the 
 earth, the outer surface was covered with soft clay, 
 which thus received and preserved the impressions of 
 the plants which it buried, 
 x 3 
 * Whitehurst's Orig. and Form. p. aoj, 
 
246 COAL TRADE* 
 
 il It is matter worthy of notice, that the superior 
 strata contain iron-stone, coal, and vegetable impres- 
 sions, but no marine productions whatever. And that 
 the inferior strata, which are limestone, contain the 
 exuviae of marine animals, but no vegetable forms." 
 
 We conclude the preceding observations in the 
 words of the judicious Whitehurst : " As all strata 
 accompanying coal, universally abound with vegetable 
 forms, it seems to indicate that all coal were origin* 
 ally derived from the vegetables thus enveloped in 
 the stone or clay. And we may say as much of the 
 origin of iron ; for the same strata also produce iron- 
 stone; for wherever vegetables are observed to de- 
 cay in stagnant ditches, the waters thereof appear 
 ©chrey." # 
 
 Different species of coal. — Coal, as a 
 genus, is described by naturalists as a solid, inflam- 
 mable, and bituminous substance, which, alter its oil 
 and other volatile principles are expelled, can sustain 
 a red heat without further decomposition. Accord- 
 ing to Williams, there are six different species of it. 
 
 1. Newcastle, or Caking Coal, which from its fat, 
 bituminous nature, burns to a cinder, and emits a 
 thick smoke : the best varieties of it produce very lit- 
 tle ashes. Kirwan says it is composed of charcoal 
 and bitumen, mixed with a small quantity of argil; it 
 is also commonly debased with pyrites and other foul 
 admixtures. Its specific gravity is from 1,25, to 
 1,37* It abounds in the counties of Northumberland 
 and Durham, and forms the great staple of the trade 
 
 • p. ao4, 
 
COAL TRADE. 247 
 
 of the ports of Newcastle and Sunderland. In Scot- 
 land, it is called cherry coal, and is found in consider- 
 able abundance, at Balmule, near Dumfermline, in 
 Fifeshire. 
 
 2. Rock coal commonly burns to a cinder, and 
 produces a few ashes, but does not, like caking-coal, 
 melt and run together in the lire. There are many 
 varieties of it, some of which are excellently adapted 
 to culinary purposes, but most of them more produc- 
 tive of ashes than the caking-coal. It is found in 
 great plenty " in the counties of Edinburgh, Linlith- 
 gow, Fife, Stirling, Lanark, and other parts of Scot- 
 land; and likewise in Shropshire, and several other 
 parts of England." 
 
 3 Splent coal burns freely, is stratified with re- 
 markable regularity, and breaks with difficulty across 
 the bed of the strata, but at the natural transverse 
 cutters it ea ily splints into thin broad flags like boards, 
 which kindle almost as readily and burn as freely as 
 the bituminous pines. A variety of it, which is of a 
 bright, lustrous black, and " is amongst the best coal 
 in the world for culinary and all domestic uses, is 
 called run splent by the Scotch colliers." This spe- 
 cies is very common in all the coal districts in Scot- 
 land, and in some parts of England. 
 
 4. Cannel- coal, also called parrot-coal, has its 
 name from its burning with a clear, bright flame, like 
 a candle, which, in the dialects of Scotland ana some 
 of the northern counties of England, is pronounced 
 cannel. As it is of a good black colour, has a smooth, 
 solid, and uniform texture, and takes a good polish on 
 the lathe, it is often turned into different sorts of ves- 
 
248 COAL TRADE. 
 
 sels, and made to answer many of the purposes of 
 jets'. It is found in great abundance in different parts 
 of Scotland; but the finest of it is obtained atHaigh, 
 near Wiggan, in Lancashire, where it rises in large 
 blocks. The beds are about three feet in thickness, 
 dip one yard in twenty, and are found at great 
 depths, with a Mark bass above and below. A sum- 
 mer-house at Haigh Hall is entirely built of cannel- 
 coal.* 
 
 5. Culm } or blind coal, has the singular property of 
 emitting neither flame nor smoke; but burns with a 
 clear, strong, glowing heat like charcoal. iS It is re- 
 markable," says Williams, " that when a quantity of 
 culm has been all on fire in a grate or furnace, and 
 after every particle of it has been burning with a clear, 
 glowing heat,/ when the fire is either extinguished or 
 suffered to go out of itself, what little culm remains 
 in the grate or furnace, has no marks of fire upon it. 
 Even the surfaces of the small bits, which remain un- 
 consumed, retain the same glossy black colour, the 
 same texture and bright appearance as before, and 
 partly of some other species of flaming coals." 
 
 6. " Jet has a near resemblance of the finer varie- 
 ties of cannel-coal, excepting that the cannel-coal has 
 an uniform texture, without any visible grain, and 
 bieaks in any direction with equal ease; whereas jet 
 has the apparent grain of wood, not readily breaking 
 across, but it cleaves easily length-ways, like the splent- 
 coals. It is found in England, and in other parts of 
 the world, in detached masses of various sizes lodged 
 in other strata," or in clay pits. Mr Williams ii* 
 
 * Aikia's Manchester, p. 395. 
 
COAL TRADE. * "249 
 
 dulges the supposition that there are strata of it with- 
 in the solid supeificies of the globe, as well as of the 
 other fossil coals, specimens of all which are found 
 in like situations anrt circumstances as jet. 
 
 Stratification — Over the surface of the 
 whole globe it will b- found, on attentive observation, 
 thafcAthere are two distinct systems of stratification, 
 evidently formed at different periods of the world : 
 one of these, philosophers call Primeval, the other 
 Secondary. 
 
 The frimeval stratification consists of beds or 
 parallel masses of porphyre, granite, schistus, lime- 
 stone, and different other species of stone, always 
 lying in a direction perpendicular, or diagonal, to the 
 horizon, as if they radiated from the centre of the 
 earth, or were the keystones to the mighty arch of 
 the abyss or Tartarus of the ancients No shells, 
 vegetables, nor other species of organized bodies are 
 ever found amongst them ; no stratum of granulated 
 sandstone ; no rounded stones; nor any thing to form 
 the least shadow of proof that the world had been 
 girt with a zone of waters, or tenanted with any species 
 of living creature prior to their creation. This sort 
 of stratification runs through the western parts of 
 Scotland, Cumberland, Westmorland, and Wales. 
 
 The secondary kind of stratification consists of 
 layers of granulated sand-stone, lime-stone, indurated 
 clay, iron- stone, and coal. It always lies in a sloping, 
 horizontal direction, and is intimately mixed with the 
 remains of various organized bodies. Shells, and the 
 exuviae of marine animals, are most abundant in the 
 
250 COAL TRADE. 
 
 different species of lime-stone; the beds of schistic 
 or indurated clay are impressed with multitudes of 
 vegetable forms; and the strata of sand-stone, in 
 which the fewest petrefactions of plants or animals 
 are found, have retained the forms of forest trees, al- 
 ligators, and other strong bodies. It is also remark- 
 able that many of the schistus beds not only yield a 
 large quantity of alum, and are strongly impregnated 
 with marine salt ; but that they are mixed with nodu- 
 les of iron, in the centre of which, shells of cockles, 
 mussells, and especially in the neighbourhood of 
 "Whitby, the C rnua Ammonis — the beautiful shell 
 of the Nautilus, still retaining many of its spangling 
 hues, are found converted into rich ore of iron. 
 
 Between the primeval and secondary systems there 
 is also generally found a chain of hills, consisting of 
 various kinds of rounded stones, pebbles, sand, and 
 breccias, mingled with micaceous spangles, and firm- 
 ly agglutinated together with a black coloured mud, 
 as if they had originated in the chaos of waters which 
 immediately preceded the morning when 
 
 i( on the watry calm 
 His brooding wings the spirit of God outspread 
 And vital virtue infused, and vital varmth 
 Throughout the fluid mass, but downward purged 
 The black, tartareous, cold, infernal dregs 
 Adverse to life/' 
 
 These hills, too, are always of a conical or of some 
 other sweetly rounded figure, a coincidence which fa- 
 vours the conjecture, that they were formed by the 
 vertiginous fury of the 
 
 " vast immeasureable abyss, 
 
COAL TRADE. 251 
 
 Outrageous as a sea, dark, wasteful, wild, 
 
 Up from the bottom turned by furious winds and 
 
 Surging waves." 
 
 The system of stratification, to which the coal fields 
 of Northumberland and Durham belong, commences 
 on the primary rocks, in Westmorland, Cumberland, 
 and the Cheviot-hills. Its lowest stratum, in some 
 places, is a red, gritty schistus, imbedded with large 
 balls of iron-stone, as in the channel of the Lowther, 
 below the Abbey of Shap ; and near Rosegill Hall, in 
 Westmorland ; at other places it consists of thin al- 
 ternate layers of lime-stone, sand stone and schistus, 
 as may be seen near Linbrid^e, in Coquet-dale, and 
 in Cottonshope,in Redesdale. The lower and middle 
 courses of strata, such as commence in the mountain 
 of Crossfel 1 , and about Harnham, in Northumber- 
 land, are very various in their thickness, and consist 
 of schistus, lime-stone, and sand-stone, of unequal 
 specific gravity ; but, generally, very solid and com- 
 pact : while the lime-stone continues, the coal is in 
 thin seams, and of a soft and sulphureous quality: but 
 as soon as the highest courses appear, which almost 
 exclusively consist of alternate beds of schistus, sand- 
 stone, and coal, the veins of coal are more numerous, 
 thicker, and of a very superior quality. The follow- 
 ing section will serve to illustrate this paragraph. 
 
 Bampton Fells* Knife Scar* CrossfclL Newcastle* 
 
£52 COAL TRADE. 
 
 Each stratum, though of a compound quality, is 
 with respect to those above and below it perfectly 
 homogenous ; that is, a stratum of schistus may lie be- 
 tween two layers of sandstone ; and though it be mix- 
 ed with iron and petrified vegetables, yet the sand- 
 stone uniformly keeps a regular parallelism with the 
 upper and lower surface of the schistus stratum, with- 
 out ever mixing with it ; and so with respect to the 
 rest. But exceptions from this, as from other gene- 
 ral rules, may be found, In both the high and low 
 main, in the coal mines at Felling, a bed of schistus, 
 called the Heworth band, commences nearly under 
 the high-way from Newcastle to Sunderland, and 
 gradually increases towards the south, in the form of 
 a wedge, dividing that, which at the river Tyne was 
 one seam of coal, into two distinct seams, which at 
 the river Wear are many fathoms asunder. Many of 
 the strata, indeed, are somewhat in the form of a 
 double wedge, imperceptible both in their origin and 
 conclusion. The wedge, called the Heworth band, 
 consists of different strata of sand-stone and schistus, 
 in the Sunderland coal district. This, we believe, is 
 the principal kind of horizontal irregularity in the se- 
 condary strata. A variety of perpendicular and di- 
 agonal fractures, denominated troubles; and by the 
 miners in the neighbourhood of Newcastle particular- 
 ized into backs, hitches, dikes, and troubles, rend the 
 whole strata asunder from the top to the bottom, and 
 divide the great coal field into thousands of lesser in- 
 closures^ 
 
COAL TRADE. ®5S 
 
 The perpendicular black lines in this section repre- 
 sent dikes: the oblique lines bb are slip dikes, and cc 
 are hitches as far as they extend through the secondary 
 strata : in the primeval strata they represent the partings 
 or backs between the beds of porphyre, granite, &c. 
 The lines aaa represent coal veins : the perpendicu- 
 lar white lines are shafts of a coal pit ; and the white 
 sloping lines, the excavations made in working away 
 the coal veins. The section is made on the supposi- 
 tion that the horizontal strata commenced on an un- 
 even foundation, and were formed by depositions 
 of organized bodies, lime, sand, mud, and clay, in al- 
 ternate desertions and returns of the ocean. 
 
 Backs are perpendicular chinks, having no other 
 effect than to divide the seam between the roof and 
 the floor by a narrow crevice, sometimes beautifully 
 polished, and at others filled with dusty feruginous 
 particles, filtered downwards from beds of iron-stone 
 for these chinks extend through the whole thickness 
 of the strata. When the seam is thrown from its re- 
 gular inclination, by parallel segments ot a circle, the 
 place is called a skew. 
 
 Y 
 
 
254 COAL TRADE. 
 
 Hitches raise or depress portions of strata in a 
 small degree; but never remove one parting, either 
 upwards or downwards, out of sight of the other. 
 
 Dikes are perpendicular rendings-asunder of the 
 solid strata, sometimes two or three feet broad, some- 
 times several fathoms. They seldom break the uni- 
 form inclination of the strata, though they almost al- 
 ways shatter and debase its quality to a considerable 
 distance on each side of them. They have their spe- 
 cific names from the substances with which they are 
 filled. 
 
 The Whin-dikes are filled with basalt, a substance 
 that has apparently issued hot from the interior parts 
 of the earth, as the coal veins on each side of it are 
 reduced to a cinder, and the other strata severely 
 scorched. Of this kind, a remarkable one extends 
 from Ayton in Cleveland, by Bolam, in a right line, 
 to jCockfield Fell, in the county of Durham, where 
 it is a down-cast to the north of three fathoms ; u the 
 breadth is seventeen yards of whin-stone, which seems 
 to have been in a state of fusion when it filled up 
 the fracture ; as the seam of coal, for some feet dis- 
 tance on each side, is turned to a sooty substance, 
 which becomes a cinder as the distance from the 
 whinstone increases, and by degrees assumes the na- 
 tural appearance of coal, with all its properties: this 
 takes place about fifty yards from the whinstone. On 
 the under surface of the stratum, incumbent on that 
 part of the seam which is converted into cinder, there 
 is much ore of sulphur, in angular forms, of a beauti- 
 ful bri°ht yellow. The cinder burns clear, without I 
 any smoke, and keeps a durable heat." # Whin-dikes | 
 * Bailey's Surv f of Durban*, p. 33. 
 
COAL TRADE. 255 
 
 are also found at Butterby, near Durham, and in the 
 colliery at Walker, near Newcastle. 
 
 The Stone-dikes are filled with softer and more 
 imperfect materials than those of whin, though some 
 of them are both hard and dry. In general, however, 
 they are full of horizontal and longitudinal fissures, 
 and let down considerable quantities of water. 
 
 Clay dikes are the most numerous. They are 
 generally dry, and have the property of turning " wa- 
 ter so effectually, as to force it to rise to the surface, 
 and burst out in wells or springs, which are often in- 
 dications of dikes, by a series of them being found in 
 a right line." 
 
 Rubbish-dikes are filled with sand, clay, and 
 rounded stones, apparently swept from the surface in- 
 to the chasm, by the agency of water. They always 
 produce much water, and are a great inconvenience 
 to coal mines; except when they happen to cross a 
 glen, towards a low river, and leave the coal-field dry* 
 
 Slip- dikes, among the strata of lime-stone, are 
 the great receptacles of metals and beautiful spars. 
 In the coal-fields they are usually filled with hard 
 masses of the substances of the adjoining strata, con- 
 fusedly mingled together. They have their name 
 fronv the idea that they were caused by large fields of 
 strata slipping, or sinking, from their original situation. 
 They do not alter the general dip ; but merely separ- 
 ate the corresponding strata, either upwards or down- 
 wards, in an oblique direction. When the miner 
 approaches one of these, and finds the vein, corres- 
 ponding to that which he has been working, thrown 
 Y 2 
 
£55 
 
 COAL TRADE. 
 
 below his feet, he calls it a down-cast-dyke : but, if 
 it be thrown upwards, it is then an up-cast-dyke» 
 
 Troubles may be called dikes of the least de- 
 gree: they are not real separations, but crazy and 
 shattered irregularities of the strata. They cause 
 sudden, but short alterations of the dip, and, in these 
 cases, debase the coal and its concomitant strata, and 
 throw the backs, partings, and cutters into confusion. 
 We have before noticed that the secondary strata lie 
 in a sloping, horizontal direction. This, amongst 
 colliers, is called the Rise and Dip, which, with 
 partial exceptions, are from south-west to north-east, 
 Eacli stratum, with respect to those above and be- 
 low it, always keeps the same parallelism and incli- 
 
 I nation ; as in some mea- 
 | sure may be seen in the an- 
 I nexed figure, in which the 
 stratum a has slipped from 
 | its corresponding stratum at 
 aa. When this inclination 
 is towards the east, it is 
 called an east dip, and a 
 west rise; and thus it re- 
 ceives its name in every 
 other instance from the 
 
 point of the horizon to "which it inclines. In some 
 places, it is nearly level: in the hills about Sewing- 
 sheels and Haltwhistle, the dip towards the south is 
 rapid ; and, on the sea shore, a little south of Ber- 
 wick-upon-Tweed, it is nearly perpendicular, and 
 gives to the face of the strata, within water-mark, the 
 appearance of a fine variegated pavement. 
 
 These sud^ 
 
COAL TRADE. £57 
 
 den interruptions are, however, in general caused by 
 dikes, bitches, and troubles; for in each separate field 
 of stratification, the inclination is generally the same 
 through all its parts; and the first bias appears to 
 have been given to it from the kind of foundation on 
 which it commenced* 
 
 As some strata are found to increase, and others to 
 diminish in thickness, while those .above and below 
 them remain the same, the inclination and parallelism, 
 in such cases, receive a like gradual alteration. 
 
 Some have falsely supposed that valLys are the lines 
 of dikes, and that the mountains lifted up their heads, 
 when the earth, in some mighty distraction, through 
 one fissure ejected lava and fire, and at another w as 
 fed with stones and sand by the troubled sea ; but, ex- 
 perience refutes this notion. The strata are as little 
 broken in the beds of rivers as on the highest moun- 
 tains, and keep their parallelism, inclination, and 
 strength, from hills to valleys, with undeviatiug regu- 
 larity. 
 
 The irregularities occasioned in the solid strata, by 
 dikes, are commonly covered over and made even by 
 those beds of gravel, clay, sand, or soil, which form 
 the outward surface of the earth. 
 
 Wherever the softer matters have been carried off, 
 or removed by accident, as on the tops of hills and 
 the sides of valleys, the dip, rise, and sections of strata 
 may be easily examined; but no certain conclusion 
 can be drawn merely from the unevenness and ine- 
 qualities of the outward surface. 
 
 Strata connected with Coal. — The strata 
 are not found disposed in the earth according to their 
 y 3 
 
£58 COAL TRADE. 
 
 specific gravities; iron-stone and the closest marbles 
 are often found near the surface, and fifty or one hun- 
 dred fathoms below them beds of schistus and of coal, 
 substances much inferior in specific gravity. In short 
 no accurate judgement can be formed of the true dis- 
 position of the strata, from their specific gravities : a 
 comparison, however, between the following list and 
 example of strata, will illustrate this subject. 
 
 1. Whinstone is the hardest and most irregular 
 of all the secondary strata. It is generally found in 
 dikes ; and often forces itself from these fissures to 
 a great distance, in the form of a wedge, in the same 
 manner as the toad-stone of Derbyshire. The an- 
 gular pieces of it will cut glass; it is of a very coarse 
 texture, and, when broken across the grain, exhibits 
 the appearance of large grains of sand, half vitrified ; 
 it can scarcely be wrought, or broken in pieces, by 
 common tools, without the assistance of gunpowder. 
 Each stratum is commonly homogeneous in substance 
 and colour, and cracked in the rock to a great depth. 
 The true species of it has always the appearance of 
 having undergone the process of fire, though many 
 varieties of sand-stone are vulgarly mistaken for it. 
 The most common colour of these strata are black, 
 or dark blue, yet there are others, ash coloured and 
 light brown. Their thickness in all the coal countries 
 are but inconsiderable, from five or six feet to a few 
 inches. In the air it decays a little, leaving a brown 
 powder, and in the fire it cracks, and turns to a reddish 
 brown. 
 
 Li M e-st o N E, and what is called bastard lime-stone, 
 is sometimes, though rarely, met with in collieries. 
 
COAL TRADE. 25ft 
 
 It is well known; but, from its resemblance in hard- 
 ness and colour, is often mistaken for a kind of whin. 
 Sometimes, particularly in hilly countries, the solid 
 matter next the surface is found to be a kind of rotten 
 whin; but, it may be noted, that this is only a mass of 
 heterogeneous matter disposed upon the regular strata; 
 and that beneath this, all the strata are found in as re- 
 gular an order as where this heterogeneous matter does 
 not occur. 
 
 2. Post-Stone is a free-stone of the hardest 
 kind, and next to the lime- stone, with respect to hard- 
 ness and solidity. It is of a very fine texture, and, 
 when broken, appears as if composed of the finest 
 sand. It is commonly found in a homogeneous mass, 
 though variegated in colour ; and, from its hardness, is 
 not liable to injury from being exposed to the weather. 
 
 Of this kind of stone there are four varieties, which 
 may be distinguished by the colour : the most com- 
 mon is white post, which, in appearance, is like Port- 
 land stone, but considerably harder; it is sometimes 
 variegated with spots of brown, red, or black. 
 
 Grey post is also very common; it appears like a 
 mixture of fine black and white sand : it is often va- 
 riegated with brown and black streaks. The last men- 
 tioned appear like small clouds, composed of particles 
 of coal. 
 
 Brown or yellow post is often met with of different 
 degrees of colour; most commonly of the colour of 
 light ochre, or yellow sand. It is as hard as the rest, 
 and sometimes variegated with white and black streaks. 
 
 Red post is generally of a dull ; red colour. This is 
 
£80 COAL TRADE. 
 
 but rarely met with in Northumberland and Durham ; 
 it is often streaked with white or black. 
 
 All these lie in strata of different thicknesses, but 
 commonly thicker than any other stratum whatever. 
 They are separated from each other, and from other 
 kinds of strata, by partings of coal, sand, or soft mat- 
 ter, of different colours, which are very distinguish- 
 able. 
 
 3. Sand-stone. — This is a free-stone of a coars- 
 er texture than post, and not so hard ; is so lax as to 
 be easily pervious to water; when broken, is ap- 
 parently of a coarse, sandy substance; is friable, and 
 moulders to sand when exposed to the wind and rain ; 
 has frequently white shining spangles in it, and peb- 
 bles, or other small stones, enclosed in its mass. Of 
 this, there are two kinds commonly met with, distin- 
 guished by their colours, grey and brown, which are 
 of different shades, lighter or darker, in proportion to 
 the mixture of white in them. It is most generally 
 found in strata of considerable thickness, without 
 many secondary partings; and sometimes, though 
 rarely, it is sub-divided into layers as thin as the com- 
 mon grey slate. It has, generally, sandy or soft 
 partings. 
 
 4. Metal-stone, — This is a tolerably hard 
 stratum, being, in point of hardness, next to sand- 
 stone ; generally solid, compact, of considerable 
 weight, and of an argillaceous substance, containing 
 many nodules or balls of iron stone, and Yellow or white 
 pyrites ; its partings, on the surface of its strata, are 
 hard, polished, and smooth as glass. When. broken, 
 
COAL TRADE. 26l 
 
 it has a dull, dusky appearance, like hard, dried clay, 
 mixed with particles of coal. 
 
 Though hard in the mine or quarry, when exposed 
 to the fresh air, it falls into very small pieces. The 
 most usual colour of this stone is black ; but there 
 are several other lighter colours, down to a light brown 
 or grey. It is easily distinguished from free-stone, by 
 its texture and colour, as well as by its other charac- 
 teristics. It lies in strata of various thicknesses, 
 though seldom so thick as the two last mentioned 
 kinds of stone. 
 
 5. Schistus, or Shiver, is more frequently met 
 with in collieries than any other stratum. There are 
 many varieties of it, both in hardness and colour ; but 
 they all agree in one general characteristic. Tne 
 black colour is most common ; it it called by the 
 miners black shiver, black metal, or bleas. It is soft- 
 er than metal-stone, and in the mine is rather a tough 
 than a hard substance ; it is not of a solid or compact 
 matter, being easily separable, by the multitude of its 
 partings, and readily absorbing water. The substance 
 of this stratum is an indurated bole, commonly divid- 
 ed into thin lamina of unequal thicknesses, which 
 break into long, small pieces when struck with force, 
 and, on examination, they appear to be small irregu- 
 lar rhomboids: each of these small pieces has a 
 polished glassy surface; and, when broken across the 
 grain, appears of a dry, leafy texture, like exceedingly 
 fine clay. It is very friable, feels to the touch like 
 an unctuous substance, and dissolves in air or water 
 to a fine pinguid black clay. There are almost con* 
 
£62 COAL TRADE. 
 
 stantly found enclosed in its strata, lumps or nodules 
 of iron stone, and often real beds of it. 
 
 6. Coal. — In all places where coal is found there 
 are generally several strata of it. Perhaps all the dif- 
 ferent kinds before enumerated will be found in some, 
 and only one oi the kinds in others ; yet this one kind 
 may be divided into many different seams or strata, by 
 beds of shiver, or other kinds of matter interposing, 
 so as to give it the appearance of so many separate 
 strata. 
 
 All these strata, with their several varieties, do not 
 lie or bear upon each other in the order in w r hich they 
 are described, nor in any certain or invariable order. 
 
 Though they be thus found very different in one 
 colliery or district, from what they are in another, 
 witlv respect to their thicknesses, and the order in 
 which they lie upon each other, yet we never meet 
 with a stratum of any kind of matter, but what be- 
 longs to some of those above described. 
 
 To illustrate how the various strata lie in some 
 places, and how often the same stratum may occur 
 betwixt the surface and the coal, we shall give the 
 following example. 
 
 The numbers on the left hand column refer to the 
 classes of strata before described ; the second column 
 contains the names of the strata, and the four numer- 
 al columns to the right hand express the thickness of 
 each stratum in fathoms, yards, feet, and inches. 
 
 No. Fs. Tds. Ft. In. 
 
 Soil and gravel 1 1 
 
 Clay mixed with loose stones - — 1 10 
 3 Coarse brown sandstone with soft 
 
 partings «--- . 3 02 6 
 
COAL TJRADE. 2SS 
 
 Wo. Fs. Yds. Ft. In. 
 
 2 White post with shivery partings > 1 10 5 
 
 5 Black shiver with iron stone balls - 2 2 
 
 6 Coarse splinty coal «. - - 2 6 
 
 5 Soft g*ey shiver 1 7 
 
 2 Brown and grey post, streaked with 
 
 black 1 2 
 
 5 Black shiver with beds and balls of 
 
 iron stone ~ - - I 2 6 
 
 4 Grey and black metal-stone — - 1 1 9 
 
 2 White and brown post 1 1 
 
 5 Black and grey shiver, streaked witli 
 
 white 1 6 
 
 3 Soft grey sand -stone with shivery 
 
 partings I 1 
 
 2 Yellow and white post with sandy 
 
 partings 1 2 
 
 5 Black and dun shiver with iron stone 
 
 bail ,-- 1 2 6 
 
 2 White post streaked with black, and 
 
 black partings - - — - — - 1 o 6 
 
 5 Grey shiver with iron stone balls - 1 9 
 
 4 Brown and black metal-stone 1 12 6 
 
 5 Hard, slaty, black shiver 1 1 o 
 
 6 Coal, hard and fine splint 3 6 
 
 £ Soft black shiver 3 
 
 6 Coal, fine and clear ----- — o 3 3 
 5 Hard black shiver - - 1 
 
 Total Fathoms 25 
 
 Before we commence our notices on the methods 
 
 of discovering coal, it may be necessary to 
 
264 COAL TRADE. 
 
 premise, that this substance belongs exclusively to the 
 secondary system of stratification. Williams, indeed, 
 tells us that he has seen coal in the cavities of mineral 
 veins at Castle Leod, in the Highlands of Scotland : 
 it was exceedingly fat, and melted in the fire like the 
 best Newcastle coal ; but, says he, I look upon this 
 phenomenon in the natural history of the mineral 
 kingdom as a great curiosity. I call it a phenomenon, 
 because it is an extraordinary appearance quite out of 
 common occurrence. There are several mineral 
 veins at Castle Leod, running parallel to one another, 
 upon the north side of a pretty high and rocky moun- 
 tain ; and there are some lesser strings branching out 
 from the principal veins. There is coal found in three 
 or four of these veins, part of which had been wrought ; 
 and as I had no operation for drawing the water out 
 of the old works, I was obliged to open new ground 
 farther forward, upon the bearing of one of the veins, 
 out of which coal had been wrought. It was only 
 about one foot thick, and so continued for a few yards 
 in length, till it began to dwindle away by degrees, 
 and was soon squeezed out intirely at both ends of this 
 little belly. Some of the veins that had been wrought 
 I perceived were three or four feet wide, and had long- 
 er concavities or bellies, between which the veins were 
 so twitched or compressed that the coal was often only 
 about one inch thick, circumsfances common to all 
 mineral veins.* 
 
 In countries where collieries abound, the most ob- 
 vious method of ascertaining the presence of coal is 
 to compare the strata at the surface with those in the 
 
 • Mineral Kingdom, v, i, p. 2$$, &c, 
 
COAL TRADE. £65 
 
 shaft of some neighbouring colliery on the dip side of 
 the ground lo be explored. If the thickness and 
 component parts of stratum super-stratum are 
 found alike in places a mile asunder, and the inclina- 
 tion between them agrees with the usual dip of the 
 district, it may with great confidence be concluded 
 that this intermediate space affords the same strata as 
 are found on the rise side of the shaft, and that no 
 dike occurs in it to break its uniformity. Where 
 rivers, ravines, and valleys expose high sections of 
 strata, the method of discovery is still more obvious; 
 but, where neither of these advantages is to be found, 
 the first attention is to be paid to the species of stra- 
 ta in the district to be explored. High mountains* 
 composed of alternate layers of hard, solid lime-stone, 
 and sand- stone, are rarely found to produce coal in a- 
 bundance, and never in excellence. But in grounds 
 of an undulating form, well advanced into systems of 
 secondary stratification, and composed of sand-stone 
 and schistus, coal.seams are commonly found ; and, as 
 they always have, in common with their concomitant 
 strata, their commencement at the surface of the earth, 
 their crop or out-burst is often seen in the faces of 
 quarries, in the ditches of fences, and id the beds of 
 brooks, and frequently in thin soils is turned up by 
 the plough: in these situations the coal is always of a 
 soft, sooty substance, and of a brownish black colour; 
 and from its being found in the crow or crop of the 
 earth it has obtained the name of crow-coal. Strata 
 of coal also, from their porous nature, frequently be- 
 come the feeders of springs which cast up small 
 pieces of coal, and are tinged widi a dark ochery sub- 
 
 z 
 
£66 COAL TRADK. 
 
 stance proceeding from the decomposition of coal or 
 pyrites, by the united action of water and atmospheric 
 air; for pyrites if not mixed with the coal are com- 
 monly found in the schistus beds, composing the roof 
 or floor of coal seams. Sometimes a long line of 
 springs is found in the direction of the out-burst of 
 seams on the dip side of hills. These, when they are 
 covered with a blue, oiiy-looking scum, and afford an 
 astringent water, and, like the other, eject particles of 
 coal, whether they merely swamp the ground, or yield 
 a brisk current, are reckoned good indications of a 
 stratum of coal. 
 
 " In working free-stone quarries in a coal country, 
 there are often seen blackish beds of a coal-like sub- 
 stance between the strata or beds of stone, and there 
 frequently appear small quantities of real coal in the 
 heart of the stone, when broken. These symptoms 
 are not found between the beds nor upon breaking the 
 free-stone in countries where there is no coal ; and, 
 therefore, where these symptoms are found they are 
 so many signs of a coal neighbourhood ; but it is im- 
 possible from these to know how near or far off you 
 are from the stratum of coal." # We have seen 
 rounded pieces of coal in the lime-stone and marie 
 strata at Marsdon Rocks : also in great plenty in the 
 alluvial sand hills about Durham. 
 
 Boring is the last, but most effectual method of 
 discovering coal. At what period this art was in- 
 vented we have seen no account. Grey, in his Cho- 
 rographia, enumerates among the many rare engines 
 brought by Mr Beaumont,f and " not known before 
 
 * Will Miir King, v. x. p. 3io. f See before at p. %%$. 
 
COAL TRADE. 267 
 
 in these parts, the art to bore with iron rods, to try 
 the deepness and thickness of the coal." Mr Mad- 
 dison of Birtley is in possession of valuable accounts 
 of borings made in the counties of Durham, Northum- 
 berland, Yorkshire, Westmorland, and Cumberland, 
 by himself and his ancestors, for upwards of a century. 
 
 The purposes for which boring is used are numer- 
 ous, and some of them of the utmost importance in 
 collieries. The occurrence of dykes and occasion- 
 al alterations in the dip, render the boring of three 
 or more holes necessary, to determine exactly to what 
 point of the horizon the strata incline before any ca- 
 pital operation for the winning of a mine can be un- 
 dertaken ; because a very small error in this may ha- 
 zard the obtaining a great part of the coal, or at least 
 incur a double expence in recovering it. Boring not 
 only shews the depth at which the coal lies, but its 
 exact thickness, its hardness, its quality; whether 
 close burning or open burning; and whether any foul 
 admixture is in it or not; also the thickness, hardness, 
 and other circumstances of all the strata bored tl. ough ; 
 and, from the quantity of water met with in the pro- 
 cess, some judgment may be formed of the power 
 required to raise it, or whether an engine be required 
 or not. 
 
 When holes are to be bored for these purposes, 
 they may be fixed in such a situation from each other, 
 as to suit the places where pits are afterwards to be 
 sunk, by which means most of the expence may be 
 saved ; as these pits would otherwise require to be 
 bored, when sinking, to discharge their water into the 
 mine below. 
 
 z 2 
 
£68 COAL TRADE, 
 
 The operation is generally entrusted to persons of 
 integrity. Their accounts of the thickness, and nature 
 of the strata, are the most accurate imaginable, and 
 are trusted to with great confidence; for as very few 
 choose to take a lease of a new colliery which has not 
 been sufficiently explored by boring, it is necessary the 
 account should be faithful, it being the only rule to 
 guide the land owner in letting his coal, and the ten- 
 ant in taking it. These notes are called by Brand 
 " the Grand Arcana of the Coal Trade." 
 
 The tools, used in this art, are very simple. The 
 boring rods are made of iron, from three to four feet 
 long, and about one and a half inch square, w ith a 
 screw at one end, and a matrix at the other, in order 
 to increase the length of the rods, as the hole increases 
 in depth. The chisel is about eighteen inches long, 
 and two and a half broad at the end, which, being 
 screwed on at the lower end of the rods, and a piece 
 of timber put through an eye at the upper end, they 
 are prepared for work. Handles can be added for 
 two, three, or four workmen, as they find necessary. 
 When the hole grows deep, the rods are wrought 
 with a brake. The operation is performed, by lift- 
 ing them up a little, and letting them fall again, at the 
 same time turning them gradually round, by a con- 
 tinuance of which motions, a hole is fretted and worn 
 through the hardest strata. When the chisel is blunt- 
 ed, it is taken out, and a scooped instrument, called a 
 wimble, put on in its stead ; by which, the dust, or 
 pulverized matter, which was worn off the stratum, in 
 the last operation, is brought up. By these substances 
 the borers know exactly the nature of the stratum they 
 
COAL TRADE. 26Q 
 
 are boring in ; and by an alteration in the working of 
 the rods, which they are sensible of in the handling 
 them, they perceive the least variation of the strata. 
 The principal part of the art depends upon keeping 
 the hole clean, and observing every variation of the 
 strata with attention. 
 
 Winning the Coal. — The coal often lies in 
 such elevated situations that it can be drained by a Le- 
 vel brought up from lower grounds ; but the prudence 
 of this method depends upon circumstances. If the 
 level should be of great length, or pass through very 
 hard strata, and the quantity of coal it would drain, or 
 the profits expected to be produced by that coal, 
 should be inadequate to the expence ; in such case, 
 some other method of winning might be more pro- 
 per. 
 
 A level may be begun in the manner of an open 
 ditch, about three feet wide, and carried forward un- 
 til it be about six or seven feet deep from the surface, 
 after which it .may be continued in the manner of a 
 mine, about three feet wide, and three and a half high, 
 through the solid strata, taking care to secure the bot- 
 tom and side by timber, or brick work, where the 
 strata are not strong enough to support the incumbent 
 weight. If the drift or mine has to go a long way 
 before it reach the coal, it may be necessary to sink 
 over it, at intervals, small pits, for the convenience 
 of taking up the excavated substances, as well as to 
 supply fresh air to the workmen. 
 
 If a level is found impracticable, or for particular 
 reasons uuadvisable, then a steam engine, or some 
 other machine, will be necessary, which should be fix- 
 Z3 
 
£70 COAL TRADE. 
 
 ed upon the deepest part of the coal, or at least so far 
 towards the dip as will drain such an extent of coal 
 as is intended to be wrought; and whether a steam 
 engine, or other machine is used, it will be of great 
 advantage to have a partial level brought up to the 
 engine shaft, if the situation of the ground will admit 
 it at a small charge, in order to convey away the wa- 
 ter without drawing it so high as the surface ; for if 
 the pit w ? as thirty fathoms deep to the coal, and if 
 there was a partial level to receive the water, five 
 fathoms only below the surface, the engine by this 
 means would be enabled to draw one-sixth part more 
 water than without it ; and if there were any feeders 
 of water in the pit above this level, they might be con- 
 veyed into it, where they would be discharged without 
 being drawn by the engine. 
 
 The engine pit may be from seven to nine feet wide, 
 and whether it be circular, oval, or of any other form, 
 is riot very material, provided it be sufficiently strong, 
 though a circular form is most generally approved. 
 
 Every method should be used to keep it as dry a$ 
 possible; and, whenever an accident happens, it 
 should be repaired before any other operation is pro- 
 ceeded in, lest an additional one follows. 
 
 The situation of the working shaft should be a little 
 to the rise of the engine pit, that the water which col- 
 lects there may not obstruct the working of the coals 
 every time the engine stops; it should not exceed the 
 distance of thirty or forty yards, because when the 
 drift between is to be driven a long way, it becomes 
 both difficult and expensive. 
 
COAL TRADE. 
 
 271 
 
 The Shafts A and B, the perpendicular entrances 
 into the mine, are generally about eight feet and a half 
 in diameter. A is the working shaft by which the 
 workmen descend, and the coals are brought up : it is 
 also called the down-cast shaft, because the air, re- 
 presented by the dotted lines, descends down it, and, 
 after traversing the whole mine, ascends through the 
 up-casi shaft B, which, on account of its having upon 
 it a furnace, with a lofty chimney to accelerate the 
 motion of the air, is sometimes termed the air-furnace 
 shaft* 
 
 Winning Head-ways are narrow drifts about 
 two yards wide, in a north and south direction, and 
 are generally the first formation of the workings. 
 
 Boards. — These are the chief excavations, or 
 workings of a coal mine. They are about four yards 
 wide, and eight yards asunder, and run east and west, 
 at right angles with the head- ways. 
 
 Pillars are the parallelograms, or long squares 
 of coal, left to support the roof. When the roof falls, 
 
©72 COAL TRADE. 
 
 by their being left too weak, it is called a thrust ; and 
 when, by iheir narrowness, they sink into a tender floor, 
 it is called a creep. If the roof and pavement are 
 both strorg, as well as the coal, and the pit about 
 thirty fathoms deep, then two-thirds or three-fourths 
 may be taken away at the first working, and one- 
 third or one-fourth left in pillars. If tender, it will- 
 require a larger proportion to be left in pillars ; pro- 
 bably one-third or nearly one-half. 
 
 Walls are openings for the purpose of ventila- 
 tion, made between each board : they are two yards 
 wide, and from twenty to twenty-six yards distant. 
 
 Stentings are openings between two parallel 
 head-ways, for the same use as walls. 
 
 Jenkins are narrow passages made through the 
 middle of the pillars, for the purpose of getting the 
 coal left at the first working ; after they are made, the 
 workings generally either creep or thrust together. 
 
 Cross cuts are oblique passages made in exten- 
 sive workings, for the purpose of shortening the way 
 to any particular part of the mii:e. 
 
 Drifts are narrow, oblong excavations made for 
 the purpose of conveying water from the workings, for 
 taking the air from one shaft to another, for making 
 discoveries beyond dykes and troubles, and for similar 
 purposes. 
 
 Stoppings, represented by the black lines in the 
 walls and stentings, are partitions of briek and lime, 
 made to procure a regular ventilation through all the 
 wastes or old workings of the mine. 
 
 Frame-dams are made of beams of square fir 
 timber, about three feet long, hid length-ways, close* 
 
COAL TRADE. 273 
 
 ]y joined and firmly wedged together. They are used 
 for damming water; and in mines frequently raise it to 
 a great height. 
 
 Brattices are partitions of wood used in ventil- 
 ating the boards in which the hewers are at work. 
 When a mine has only one shaft, a part of it is brat- 
 ticed off, in order that the air may pass down the 
 larger division, and ascend by the smaller. 
 
 Falls, or breakings down of the roof of a pit, 
 frequently kill the workmen. When they occur in 
 the wastes, they obstruct the regular current of at- 
 mospheric air. 
 
 The following is a list of employments, and a few 
 technical terms peculiar to this trade. 
 
 Viewer: the person who gives direction as to 
 the method of working and ventilating the mine ; in 
 large collieries he has a person under him, called the 
 Under-viewer. From the viewers, the overmen re- 
 ceive their instructions. 
 
 Overman: one who inspects the state of the 
 mine every morning, before the men go to work : he 
 also ker ps a daily account of the men's labour. 
 
 Keeker : an inspector of the hewers, waiters, &c. 
 
 Wastemen : persons that daily examine the state 
 of the workings, and see that they be properly ventil- 
 ated. 
 
 Hewers : persons that hew or cut the coal from 
 its natural situation : a block of coal that has been 
 nicked ana kirved, they call ajud: to kirve, means to 
 undermine ; to nick, to cut the coal on each side of 
 the board or head way. The jud is forced from the 
 roof by wedges and a mallet. 
 
274 COAL TRADE, 
 
 Putters and Barrowmen are those who fill 
 the corves and lead them from the hewers, on lour 
 wheeled carriages, called Trams, to the crane or shaft. 
 The barrowman pulls before, and the putter putts or 
 thrusts behind. In high seams, horses are used in- 
 stead of men. 
 
 Cr an em en are stout lads employed in raising 
 the corves of coals by the power of a crane, from the 
 trams, upon a higher carriage, called a Holly or 
 Waggon. 
 
 Drivers are boys employed to drive the horses, 
 that draw the sledges, rollies, and waggons from the 
 crane to the shaft. 
 
 Trappers are boys of the youngest class, em- 
 ployed to open and shut the doors, which keep the 
 ventilation in the workings regular. 
 
 Shifters are men who repair the horse-way » 
 and other passages in the mine, and keep them free 
 from obstructions. 
 
 Onsetters are those who hook the laden and 
 unhook the empty corves at the bottom of the shaft $ 
 and the 
 
 Banksmen, at the bank, or top of the pit, un- 
 hook and empty the laden corves into carts or wag- 
 gons, from a frame or stage. 
 
 Brakemen, are employed to work the steam en- 
 gine, or other machinery used in raising the coal from 
 the mine. 
 
 Gin-drivers are boys employed to drive the 
 horses in the gin or engine used in raising coals from 
 pits of moderate depth. 
 
 Corvers make the corves, a surt of strong osier 
 
COAL TRADE. 275 
 
 baskets, in which the coals are conveyed from the 
 hewers to the bank. 
 
 Wailers are boys emj loyed to pick out slate, 
 pyrites, and other foul admixtures from the coal. 
 
 Skreeners take the small coal from beneath a 
 screen of iron, over which the coals, as they come 
 from the hewers, are poured into the waggons, or 
 carts. 
 
 Fire Damp, or hydrogen gas, prevails more or less 
 in all coal mines, and is the most terrible and destruc- 
 tive evil the miner has to contend with. It is sup- 
 posed, in these situations, to be generated by the con- 
 tact of water and pyrites ; though it is most abundant 
 in the dry seams, out of which it issues with a hissing 
 noise : the places evolving it in this manner have their 
 orifice fringed with a thin pelucid film, and are called 
 blowers. Sometimes, especially where the strata are 
 shattered, it issues out of fissures and cavities in con- 
 siderable quantities, and explodes at the workmen's 
 caudles ; but when, either from the falling of stop- 
 pings in the wastes, or by neglect of shutting some of 
 the trap-doors, the current of atmospheric air has for 
 some time been diverted out of its proper course, this 
 element has been suffered to accumulate and is in- 
 cautiously ignited by the candle of the person that first 
 visits the inflammable repository, effects of a volcanic 
 nature are produced. The subterraneous lightning 
 scorches and mangles the workmen exposed to its 
 fury; sweeps down its long galleries in one common 
 torrent of destruction, limbs of men and horses, doors, 
 brattices, workmen's tools, and coal dust, all which it 
 ejects through the shaits, accompanied with thick vo„ 
 
£/6 COAL TRADE. 
 
 Iumes of smoke and fire. The noise of the explosion 
 resembles that of a distant park of artillery, and the 
 echo it produces is like the reverberations of thun- 
 der in the higher regions of the air. Workmen, 
 who have escaped the fury of these blasts, de- 
 scribe them as instantaneously preceded with a 
 strong, sudden wind, and as afflicting the head 
 with pains as if it were pierced with arrows, and, 
 even in cases where the person sustains little injury 
 from the fire, as causing in the hands, face, and other 
 bare parts of the body, a hot, scorching pain. They, 
 who have presence of mind to throw themselves flat 
 on their faces, are seldom injured, especially where 
 there is water; but, if they be left in a vacuum, or 
 where choakdamp prevails, they soon suffocate. 
 
 Choak-damp, or carbonic acid gas, the lesser, 
 but often fatal evil of coal mines, is, with fire*damp, 
 ranked by chymists among the simple combustibles, 
 though it is not of a nature so highly inflammable. 
 It is heavier than common air, and, like water, forbids 
 animal respiration and extinguishes lights. Its gravity 
 makes it difficult to be carried off by currents of at- 
 mospheric air; but, where it does not exclusively pre- 
 vail, its suffocating quality is avoided by keeping the 
 head above its level: its presence is always easily as- 
 certained by its not suffering a candle to burn in it. 
 
 In the life of Lord Keeper North, an account, 
 dated in 1676, thus describes these airs: " Damps 
 or foul air kill insensibly ; sinking another pit that the 
 air may not stagnate, is an infallible remedy. They 
 are most in hot weather. An infallible trial is by a 
 dog, and the candles shew it. They seem to be heavy 
 
COAL TRADE. 277 
 
 sulphureous air, not fit for breath ; and I have heard 
 some say, that they would lie in the midst of the shaft, 
 and the bottom be clear. The flame of a candle will 
 not kindle them so soon as the snuff; but they have 
 been kindled by the striking fire with a tool. The 
 blast is mighty violent, but men have been saved by 
 lying flat on their bellies." In the parts of mines 
 where fire-damp has collected, the wastemen use a 
 steel-mill instead of candles. This simple machine 
 consits of two wheels, one of which is turned with great 
 rapidity against a piece of flint : instances, however, 
 have occurred when the fire-damp has exploded, 
 even with this most salutary and useful precaution. 
 
 About the latter end of the eighteenth century, 
 one of these explosions killed seventy-two persons in a 
 colliery at North Biddick, on the river Wear. At 
 Lampton colliery, on the 22d of August, 1766, a like 
 accident occurred. u The workmen, to the number 
 of an hundred, had but just left off work, and three 
 masons, with as many labourers, been left to build up 
 a partition to secure the coals from taking fire by the 
 ..lamp; when the said lamp being let down at the re- 
 quest of the masons to rarify the air, the latter in an 
 instant took fire with a terrible explosion, and made 
 its way up the pits destroying men, horses, and all in 
 its passage. The noise of the explosion was heard 
 above three miles round, and the flash was as visible 
 as a flash of lightning. The men below were drove 
 by the force up through trie shaft or great tube, like 
 balls out of a cannon, and every thing that resisted 
 shared the same fate. The neighbourhood being 
 alarmed, collected itself in order to give assistance ; 
 
 Aa 
 
278 COAL TRADE. 
 
 but found only heads, arms, and legs, thrown out to a 
 great distance from the mouths of the pits. The 
 ground, for acres, was strewed with timber, coals, &c. 
 All the partitions, trap-doors, corves, wood props, 
 and linings, were swept away, together with the en- 
 gine for drawing up the coals, and all its apparatus.* 
 " By the melancholy accident which occurred at 
 Hebburn, in 1805, twenty-iive widows and eighty-one 
 children were left unprotected and unprovided for; 
 and by that at Oxclose, nearly about the same period, 
 eighteen widows and seventy children — in all forty- 
 three widows and one hundred and fifty-one children, 
 out of which latter number, only thirty-three were 
 able in any degree to contribute to their own sup- 
 port/'f On the 25th of May, 1812, the colliery at 
 Felling exploded and destroyed ninety-two persons, 
 leaving forty-one widows, ten of whom were at that 
 time pregnant, and one hundred and thirty- three chil- 
 dren to the protection of the public : this last calamity, 
 however, so far excited the commiseration of man- 
 kind, that a large voluntary contribution was made 
 for them ; and the body of gentlemen engaged in the 
 Coal Trade commenced a fund to provide relief for 
 the relatives of sufferers by similar accidents, 
 
 Formerly the air of coal mines was accelerated by 
 placing a grate of burning coals near the bottom of 
 the up-cast shaft : these grates are locally called lamps, 
 and are used at present for giving light to the banks- 
 men by night, and for drying the corves at, in wet 
 weather. But at present the air "is put in motion by 
 means of a large furnace near the edge of one of the 
 
 • Newcastle Papers, f Newcastle Courant, 
 
COAL TRADE. 279 
 
 shafts, inclosed in a covered building which surrounds 
 the whole mouth of the shaft, and provided with a 
 large chimney similar in appearance to a glass-house* 
 The heated air, thus ascending through the chimney, 
 is succeeded by cold air from the shaft, which in its 
 turn is suceeded by air from the lowest part of the 
 mine. The whole is thus successively removed, and 
 its place supplied by air which finds its way from 
 above, through another communicating shaft open to 
 the day. The certainty of this operation has evident- 
 ly no dependence on the depth of the mine, its ex- 
 tent, or its forms. The brisk current thus produced 
 below naturally takes the most direct course betwixt 
 the two shafts. The ventilation on each side is 
 therefore accomplished by means of another contri- 
 vance. A continued communication is formed be- 
 twixt the two shafts in any required direction, by 
 opening the proper avenues and closing all others, 
 A continued current is sometimes made to pass in 
 this manner for twelve or eighteen miles." 
 
 Gins. — James the VI. of Scotland, about the year 
 1600, granted a patent to a predecessor of the first 
 earl of Balcarras, for inventing an engine for drawing 
 water out of coal mines/* In Rymer's Foedera we 
 find an exclusive grant given in 1630, to one David 
 Ramsay, for raising water by a new method out of 
 deep mines. Master Beaumont brought with him 
 " rare engines to draw water cut of the pits." In 
 the life of Lord Keeper North, dated 16/6, are the 
 following curious notices. " The coal mines in 
 Aa£ 
 • Arnot's Hist, of Edin, p. 66, 
 
£80 COAL TRAbE. 
 
 Lumley Park, are the greatest in the north, and pro- 
 duce the best coal. These collieries had but one 
 drain of water for two engines, one of three stories, 
 the other of two, all the pits for two or three miles 
 together were drained into these drains. The engines 
 are^ placed in the lowest places, that there may be the 
 less way for the water to rise; and if there be a run- 
 ning stream to work the engines, it is happy/ 1 The 
 species of engines, corruptly called gins, have been used 
 only in landsale collieries, or in seams of moderate 
 depth, since the invention of steam engines. One of 
 them, engraved in Emerson's mechanics, has the rol- 
 ler immediately over the shaft, which is also the cen- 
 tre of the horse track. In the whim gins, the ropes 
 run upon two pullies over the shaft, but the roller is 
 at some distance, and the circular tract of the horses 
 is at one side of the shaft, leaving the other free for 
 the teeming or delivery of the coals. 
 
 The first idea of a Steam Engine is thrown out 
 in the Marquis of Worcester's Century of Inventions, 
 dated in 1655. No use was made of it till Captain 
 Savery began tp claim the invention as his own, and 
 to erect them about gentlemen's gardens and pleasure 
 grounds : his attempts to make them applicable to 
 mining purposes was unsucessful ; but Mr New- 
 comen, an iron-monger, and John Cowley, a glazier, 
 at Dartmouth, about the year 1712, by the invention 
 of a new r kind of machinery, finally accomplished the 
 applications of steam to mechanics ; and the successive 
 invention of Messrs Boulton and Watt, Mr Smeaton, 
 and others have brought it into common use in all 
 mining districts, The first steam engine^ erected in 
 
COAL TRADE, 281 
 
 this neighbourhood, was at Oxclose, near Washing- 
 ton; the next at Norwood, near Ravensworth. A 
 Swedish gentleman, who taught Mathematics in 
 Newcastle, erected one at Mr Ridley's colliery, at 
 Byker, in 1713 or 1714. 
 
 AaS 
 
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. 
 
 The extensive foundations of Roman buildings dis- 
 covered on the banks of the Tyne, at Newcastle, 
 Wallsend, Jarrow, South- Shields and Tynemouth, 
 sufficiently prove that this was a favourite port of that 
 enterprising people ; but concerning the nature of the 
 commerce they carried on here, we are left entirely to 
 conjecture. The general trade of Britain, under the 
 Roman sera, seems to have been in grain; but the 
 great military establishment constantly kept up on 
 the line of the Wall, would rather demand an impor- 
 tation of that article here, than suffer it to be sent, 
 as was then customary, to the armies in Germany. 
 Under the Saxon age, Religion presided over the 
 Tyne; and during the Danish usurpation, its banks 
 were desolated and its towns reposed in ashes. In the 
 eighth year after the Conquest, Jarrow seems to have 
 been a pla.ce of more importance than Monkches- 
 ter; but Curthofe, brother to the Conqueror, erected 
 a castle among the ruins of Pons j£lii, in 1080, from 
 which period the commencement of the commerce 
 of Newcastle may be dated. The charter of 
 Henry the I., to this town, is couched in the phrase 
 of trade, and mentions "ships arriving at Tynemouth, 
 itinerant merchants, goods brought to the town by 
 sea, dying of cloth, buying of wool and skins, export- 
 ation of corn" and such like. Before the year 1650, 
 it was justly observed that u the coal trade had made 
 Newcastle to flourish in all trades." In the year 1539, 
 it appears by the books of the Trinity-House, that 
 there came into this port, five hundred and three 
 
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. 
 
 English, and three hundred and forty- four foreign ships: 
 in 1739, the same authority states the number of visits 
 from coasters to be two thousand seven hundred 
 and sixty-seven; from English, across the sea, three 
 hundred and fifty-three ; and from strangers thirty ; 
 The coasters, in 1777, made four thousand three 
 hundred and seventy-six voyages ; over-sea traders, 
 three hundred and fifty; and foreigners, forty-two. 
 The coasting vessels on an average, about this time, are 
 supposed to have made eight voyages in a year, which 
 would make, in 1777, five hundred and seventy-four 
 vessels in the London and coast trade. In 1805, 
 there entered with goods, one thousand four hundred 
 and fifty-two vessels coastways, one hundred and six- 
 ty-three British vessels, and one hundred and fifty 
 foreign vessels, oversea; one hundred and one vessels 
 arrived from abroad with ballast : and in the same 
 year, exclusive of the above, there belonged to the 
 port of Newcastle, including Blythe, &c. seven hun- 
 dred and sixty eight ships, of the burden of one hun- 
 dred and sixty-five thousand eight hundred and eighty- 
 three tons, In 1810, Newcastle, with Blythe, had 
 four hundred and ninety-four ships in the coal trade, 
 and two hundred and fifty-eight in foreign trade, a- 
 mounting in burden to one hundred and sixty-one 
 thousand nine hundred tons, and employing seven 
 thousand four hundred and thirty-three men. 
 
 In enumerating the produce and manufactories in 
 this neighbourhood, we shall confine ourselves to such 
 as are remarkable for extent, or are peculiar to the 
 district. 
 
 Exports. — Besides coal, the principal exports 
 are glass of all kinds, silver bullion, pig lead, red and 
 
£84 TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. 
 
 white lead, lead shot, butter, pickled salmon, bacon* 
 hams, copperas, grindstones, flag-stones, fire-stones, 
 bricks and tiles, cinders and coke, cast and wrought 
 iron and steel, ale, beer and porter, earthen ware, 
 flour, painters' colours, starch, Prussian blue, sal-am- 
 moniac, soda, paper, watch glasses, leather gloves, 
 lamp-black, whale oil, coal-tar, coal-oil, refined su- 
 gars, canvas, &c. 
 
 Imports. — The principal articles imported into 
 the Tyne are wine, spirits, fruit, cotton, tobacco 
 staves, timber, masts, plank, tar, iron, deals, corn, 
 sugar, hemp, flax, smalts, linen yarn, hides, &c. 
 
 Iron.— Near Lanchester there areirast heaps of 
 iron scoria, the refuse of ancient bloomeries: in that 
 neighbourhood there are also several excellent seams 
 of iron-stone. Messrs Cookson, for many years, had 
 extensive works for smelting iron, at Whittle, near 
 Chester-le-street ; and similar works were established 
 near Lee-Hall, on the north Tyne, and at Bebside, 
 near Bedlington 5 but they have all been discontinu- 
 ed. The works at Lemington were commenced in 
 1797, and at present are in a very flourishing state. 
 The iron stone used at them, is chieflly collected from 
 the schistus beds in the neighbouring collieries, and 
 from the sea shore near Whitby. The average week- 
 ly produce of the furnaces here, is about fifty-six tons 
 of pig iron, part of which is sold to the foundries, and 
 the rest wrought into malleable or bar iron. The firm 
 carrying on this concern, is called the Tyne Iron 
 Company : they have a large foundry. 
 
 Wrought Iron-Works. — We noticed the ex- 
 tensive works at Swalwdl and Winlaton, at p, 158, 
 
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. 285 
 
 of this volume. The large concern at New-Green- 
 wich, and NeW'Depford on the south-side of the Tyne, 
 near Gateshead, like that at Swalwell, affords a strik- 
 ing proof of the effects of great industry and persever- 
 ance, in a free commercial kingdom. These works 
 were commenced about fifty years since by the late Wil- 
 liam Hawks, esq. and at present are employed in ex- 
 ecuting large contracts in anchors, and various articles 
 of naval ironmongery, to the Royal Dock yards. 
 Besides which they manufacture, for the general 
 trade, all kinds of articles in iron and steel; have a 
 mill for boring cannon and other cast metal cylinders \ 
 two forges, wrought by steam engines ; with appara- 
 tus for grinding edge-tools, slitting and rolling iron, 
 a large foundry, &c. &C. This company have also 
 two iron forges at Beamish, and one at Lumley, all 
 wrought by water. 
 
 At High and Low Team, about a mile west of 
 Gateshead, anchors, and other kinds of articles in 
 iron and steal, are extensively manufactured, by 
 Messrs Morrison, Mossman, and Co. which company, 
 have also a large foundry, slitting mill, &c. 
 
 Foundries.— In addition to the foundries at 
 Lemington, Swalwell, New Greenwich, and Low 
 Team, the most extensive in the neighbourhood of 
 Newcastle, are carried on by the following firms. 
 
 Isaac Cookson and Co. Close, Newcastle : — Malin 
 Sorsbie, Busy Cottage: — Moffit aud Glynn, Sand- 
 gate: — Whinfield and Co* Hillgate, Gateshead: — 
 Losh, Wilson, and Bell, at Walker. 
 
 Lead. — The lead produced by the rich and nu- 
 merous mines in Allendale, Weardale, in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Alston Moor, and on the mountain of 
 
286 TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. 
 
 Crossfell, is smelted into pigs near the mines, and con- 
 veyed in carts to the Tyne, at Stella and Swalwell. 
 The export in this article from Newcastle on an 
 average for six years to Christmas, 1776, was seven 
 thousand and seventy-two and a half tons ; and iu 
 the eight last years, as follows: 
 
 Tear, Tons, Cwt. 
 
 Tear, 
 
 Tons, Ctvt. 
 
 1804... -10,352 £ 
 
 1808*... 
 
 8.155 
 
 1805-... 9,162 3 
 
 1809»*»* 
 
 4,972 
 
 1806-... 3,911 
 
 1810~.. 
 
 5,670 
 
 1807-... 6,809 
 
 1811. ... 
 
 4,553 
 
 One bing of washed lead ore weighs eight cwt. 
 and, upon an average, four bings and one quarter, or 
 thirty-four cwt. yield one ton of pig lead. One 
 Newcastle fodder, or twenty-one cwt. of pig lead, 
 produces from seven to twelve ounces of silver; such 
 as yields less than seven ounces and a half, will not 
 pay for refining. 
 
 Refineries of Lead, as well as the smelting 
 mills, are principally near the mines; a great part of 
 the lead, however, undergoes this operation in the ex- 
 tensive works established for this purpose at Blaydon, 
 and Bill-quay. 
 
 Lead Manufactories*— At Low Elswick, 
 Messrs Ward, Walker, Parker, and Co. carry on a 
 very extensive concern in rolling sheet lead, and con- 
 verting pig-lead into ceruse and minium, for pigments.* 
 
 • " The processes used in marking red and white lead are so 
 simple, that we have thought it would not be unentertaining 
 to our readers to give a slight sketch of them." 
 
 " The first operation is to melt the pig-lead into pieces nearly 
 two feet long, five inches broad, and so thin as to expose as 
 great a surface as possible to the action of the acid. These 
 pieces are then placed upon earthen pots, containing about 
 half a pint of vinegar each, and are set in a layer of tanner* 
 apent bark, as close to each other as possible." 
 
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES, 287 
 
 They also cast large quantities of patent shot in a 
 tower, 175 feet high, and built for the purpose: the 
 lead is melted at the top of the tower, and by cooling 
 as it falls, obtains that roundness and solidity for which 
 it is admired by sportsmen : shot is also cast in a sim- 
 ilar manner, in the shaft of an old coal-mine near 
 Wylam. 
 
 The other lead manufacturers are Easterby, Hall, 
 & Co, Bill-quay ;— James Hind, & Co. Ouse-burn: 
 « — and Lock, Blackett, & Co. Gallow gate. 
 
 Colour Manufactories. — Besides the pig- 
 ments prepared from lead, there are extensive manu- 
 factories for a great variety of colours, at Paradise, 
 near Benwell ; at Skinner-burn ; in Sandgate, and 
 Gateshead ; and at He worth- shore. 
 
 " Upon this layer of pots and lead are placed boards laid over 
 ivith a further quantity of bark, and thus they are continued, 
 layer upon layer, tili they arrive at their destined height. 
 These strata continue covered for about three months- When 
 the boards are removed, the lead is found nearly in the shape 
 as when placed there, but quite altered in its nature, being per- 
 fectly corroded, quite white, and easily broken by the fingers 
 into a white powder resembling cnalic: The pieces are 
 now thrown together into a large receiver full of water, hav- 
 ing, about two-thirds up, a partition with holes in it running 
 across. A workman then with a large pole, and a strong head 
 fixed upon it, stirs, beats, and breaks them, by which means 
 the corroded lead divides and falls to the bottom of the receiv- 
 er. This part of the operation was formerly done dry, and 
 proved extremely fatal to the health of the people employed. 
 From the dust and particles of the lead injuring the constitu* 
 tion, few of the workmen lived beyond the age of forty years, 
 but by now grinding the lead in water, this fatal part of the 
 process is remedied. The blue lead is then taken away, melt- 
 ed, and undergoes a similar operation; the white substance 
 is taken to the mill and ground in the rough, by the power of 
 a steam engine. The grinding is performed by the common 
 blue mill stone ; after it is ground, it is put into large tubs 
 and elutriated, then put into flat dishes and dried. It is then 
 fit for making into paiut/'^Firtf £dition 9 
 
f88 TRADE AND MANUFACTURES, 
 
 Prusiate of Iron, or, as it is vulgarly called, 
 Prussian Blue, was attempted to be made in the be- 
 ginning of last century, by a Jew, in Oakwellgate, in 
 Gateshead. He removed his apparatus to Corbridge ; 
 but, not succeeding in making a saleable article, he 
 relinquished his speculation, when the late Thomas 
 Simpson, esq. a gentleman of extensive knowledge in 
 chymestry, and of a persevering spirit, took it up and 
 brought the art to perfection, at Elswick. He was 
 the first who introduced the liquid blue, and after* 
 wards the stone and fig blue, so much in use for giv- 
 ing clearness of colour to linen. Since bis death, the 
 manufactory has been removed to a situation at 
 Heworth-shore, which is peculiarly well adapted for 
 carrying on this, and the other extensive concerns 
 which have cf late been established there. 
 
 Glass Works. — Sir Robert Mansell, knight, 
 vice admiral of England, established Glass Works 
 on the Tyne, about the year 1619 ; and for that pur- 
 pose brought workmen from Lorraine then a province 
 in Germany, for in that ycrai we find the families of 
 " Hensey, Teswicke, and Tyttere" settled in New- 
 castle. Sir Robert, by royal proclamation, had the 
 sole right of making glass in England confirmed upon 
 him on account of the great industry and capital he 
 had employed in perfecting that manufacture with 
 pit coal ; •• whereby not only the woods and timber 
 of this kingdom are greatly preserved; but the making 
 of all kinds of glass is established here, to the saving 
 of great treasure at home, and the employment of 
 great numbers of our people." These Glass-houses 
 were situated between Ouseburn and St. Lawrence 
 
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. 289 
 
 quay. The family of Tytery are extinct : the Hen- 
 zells and Tyzacks, till of late years, kept the arcana 
 of the trade in their possession, and at present, chiefly 
 preside over the working parts, though very few of 
 the Tyzacks are now left; and workmen, without dis- 
 tinction of family, are admitted into the employment . 
 
 In 1772, there were on this river, in full employ- 
 ment, one plate glass-house ; three crown glass-houses; 
 live for broad, or common window glass ; two for 
 flint glass; and five bottle houses; in all sixteen 
 houses. At present there are fourteen houses for 
 crown ; one for broad or common window glass ; six 
 for flint glass ; and nine for green bottles ; besides 
 which there are four green bottle houses at Hartley 
 Pans ; and three green bottle, and one flint house at 
 Sunderland. 
 
 Potteries, — Few places combine more conve- 
 niences for manufacturing every species of earthen- 
 ware than the banks of the Tyne. Flint and potters 
 clay are brought from the south of England in ships, 
 coming in ballast for coals: glass we have seen, has 
 been long in abundance here, and the chief materials 
 for colouring and glazing, are productions of the 
 neighbourhood. But, notwithstanding these advan- 
 tages, till of late years, large importations of earthen- 
 ware annually entered the Tyne, and the favourable 
 opening for establishments in this way was over-look- 
 ed or neglected. The large pottery of St Anthony's, 
 however in many of its productions, begins now to 
 emulate, and even to equal those of Staffordshire: 
 it has a flint mill at Blaydon. This sort of ware is, 
 8b 
 
£Q0 TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. 
 
 also, made at Sheriff-bill, on Gateshead Fell; and at 
 Skinner's-burn, and Ouse-burn ; and there are three 
 ntanufactories of common black earthen ware, two at 
 Heworth-shore, and one at Ouseburn. 
 
 Coal Tar, Lamp Black, &c. — About the 
 year 1772, Baron Van Haake, a native of Silesia, 
 and Joseph Pears, a German, made experiments in 
 extracting tar from coal, at Chatham. The baron 
 .soon after removed to Gateshead, and, in conjunction 
 with one Christopher Schirret, made further attempts 
 with apparatus erected near Messrs Hawks & Cos 
 foundry. He also recommended James Smith, a 
 Comedian, who was desirous of embarking in this 
 speculation, to fetch Pears from Chatham, which be- 
 ing accomplished, Smith 3 under the direction of Pears, 
 commenced his operations at Scotchwood ; but, tiring 
 of the concern, sold it to Michael Heaton, who, after 
 carrying it on for fourteen or fifteen years, first sold 
 a share and then the whole of it to Mr Row, who re- 
 moved the works to St. Peter's quay; about which 
 time Pears perfected the art of making lump black, by 
 collecting the smoke passing off during the process of 
 making coal tar. The baron died in Gateshead, in 
 1780. 
 
 In 1781, the earl of Dundonnald procured a patent 
 for " making tar, pitch, essential oils, volatile alkali, 
 mineral acids, sails, and cinders from pit coal." His 
 ovens were at Bell's Close. Besides these, there are 
 now three other manufactories of these articles, two 
 at Heworth-shore, and one at Derwent-haugh. 
 
 Copperas is extracted from the pyrites, with 
 which the coal mines abound. The first manufactory 
 
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. 291 
 
 for it, iu this district, was on the river Wear; the 
 next at Felling shore, on the southern bank of the 
 Tyne. This article is also, made at Scotchwood, 
 Elswick, Dent's-hole, St. Anthony's, Walker, and at 
 South- field, near Wall's-end. 
 
 Sal-ammoniac, an extract of soot and sea wa- 
 ter, is made in a large way at Mr Bram weirs manu- 
 factory at Heworth-shore : 
 
 Glauber's Salts are extracted from its refuse. 
 
 Soda is manufactured by Messrs Losh & Co. at 
 Walker. 
 
 Brown Paper is made in mills wrought by 
 steam engines, at Scotcliwood, at Felling-shore, and 
 Heworth shore, and at several water-mills within a 
 few miles from Newcastle. 
 
 So aperies, on a large scale, may be seen in the 
 Close, in Sandgate, and at Ouseburn. 
 
 Sugar Refineries. — These are inHillgate, in 
 Gateshead, and in the Close. This business is at 
 present, less extensively carried on than formerly, ow- 
 ing to the difficulty of intercourse with foreign 
 countries. 
 
 Saltworks were formerly abundant at Howdon 
 Pans, Jarrow, and North and South Shields; but are 
 at present much decayed, and confined to the two 
 last places. Liverpool has become the great impo- 
 rium of this trade. Large quantities of it, are, how- 
 ever, made from a spring, m an old colliery, at Bii t- 
 ley, near Chester-le-Street. Similar springs occur 
 in the high-main coal-seam, at Felling, and in Walk- 
 er and other collieries. Tradition tells us that while 
 the great plague was making havoc amongst the in- 
 b b 2 
 
QQ2 TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. 
 
 Labitants of Shields, it spared the persons who dwelt 
 about the salt-works. 
 
 Salmon Fisheries in the Tyne, are mention* 
 ed in a note, at page 73. Mr Brand found an an- 
 cient manuscript in the possession of Thomas Astle, 
 esq. which mentions all the fisheries, or yares, as they 
 were then called, from Stanley Burn, on the south 
 side of the river, to South Shields. 
 
 Grindstones. — The hostmen were incorporat- 
 ed for the purpose of " the loading and better dis- 
 posing of sea-coales and pitt coales, and stones called 
 grindstones, rub-stones, and whet-stones, in, upon, 
 and within the river and port of Tyne " This article 
 is almost exclusively procured about Windy-Nook, 
 Gateshead-Fell, and Ayton-Banks : and in peaceable 
 times finds its way from hence into almost every cor«* 
 ner of the world. They are frequently used in Africa 
 and Asia as hand-mills for grinding corn. As the 
 tract that affords them has strata of various strength 
 and fineness, grindstones for every purpose, they can 
 be applied to, can be procured at Newcastle. Form- 
 erly some were fetched into England from Spain: 
 but they were of so soft a grit as not to be useful for 
 many purposes.* 
 
 Corn Mills. — The landscape around Newcas- 
 tle is rendered exceedingly striking by the great num- 
 ber of various shaped windmills with which it abounds. 
 No town of the kingdom has, indeed, so many mills 
 about it for grinding corn as Newcastle. But the 
 plenty of coals in the neighbourhood, and the irregu- 
 lar employment of the mills wrought by wind or 
 
 • Mag. Brit. vol. iii. p. 608. 
 
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. 293 
 
 water, have each of late years contributed to encour- 
 age the erection of those wrought by steam : of this 
 kind there are seven at present : their chief recom- 
 mendations are expedition, and the steadiness and 
 constancy of their impulsive power. 
 
 Spinning Manufactories. — There is an 
 extensive manufactory of this description at Ouse- 
 burn, near Newcastle : it is appropriated to the spin- 
 ning of linen yarn. 
 
 The Breweries of ale, beer, and porter, are 
 both numerous and extensive in Newcastle and its vi- 
 cinity. Their celebrity is such that they send it by land 
 carriage, to places at the distance of fifty or sixty miles. 
 
 Newspapers. — There are four newspapers print- 
 ed weekly in Newcastle; the Courant and the 
 Chronicle, on Saturdays; the Tyne Mercury, on 
 Tuesday's; and the Newcastle Advertiser, on Thurs- 
 days. 
 
 Inns and Taverns. — The principal Inns and 
 Taverns in Newcastle, as posting houses, are Forster s, 
 Queen's-head, Pilgrim Street; Loftus's, Turk's-head, 
 Bigg Market ; and Grieveson's, Crown and Thistle, 
 Groat Market. Though not a posting house, Mrs 
 Atkinson's, the George Inn, Pilgrim Street, affords 
 very good accommodations to travellers. 
 
 Coffee Houses. — There are no houses in 
 Newcastle which come within the description of the 
 coffee houses in London : the rooms called by that 
 name being properly News Rooms, devoted to the 
 use of their respective subscribers, or to such stran- 
 gers as they introduce. 
 
 BbS 
 
294 TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. 
 
 Banks. — There are four banking houses in New- 
 castle, viz. : The Old Bank ; sir M. White Ridley, 
 Bart. Bigge, Gibson, & Co. at the east end of Mos- 
 ley Street. 
 
 The Tyne bank; sir Charles Loraine, Bart. Baker, 
 Pearson, Maude, and Loraine, at the west end of 
 Mosley Street. 
 
 The Newcastle bank; Messrs R. J. Lamb ton, 
 Bulman, Fenwick and Pybus, in Dean Street. 
 
 The Northumberland bank; Messrs Reed, Bat- 
 son, Reeds, and Co. Tyne Bridge end* 
 
 Wharfingers. — Goods are forwarded to and 
 from all places by the following wharfingers : 
 Nichol, Ludlow, & Co. High Crane. 
 Thomas Robson, Quay. 
 Joseph Snowball, Folly. 
 Thomas Snaith, Broad Chare. 
 Bradshaw and Hood, Quay. 
 Wm. Anderson and Son, Pilgrim Street. 
 Trading Vessels. — There are twenty packets 
 and other vessels, employed in the conveyance of 
 goods and passengers to and from London, and a 
 constant intercourse with a number of trading vessels 
 to all the principal ports in the kingdom. 
 
 Passage Boats. — There are several covered 
 passage boats, called comfortables, which go every 
 tide to and from South and North Shields. — They 
 have good accommodations, and are fine sailing boats. 
 There are also large open boats called wherries, daily 
 passing through all the navigable parts of the river 
 for the purpose of conveying goods and passen- 
 gers. 
 
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. 295 
 
 Carriers. — The London waggon sets out every 
 day, except Sunday, from the Bird-in-Bush Inn yard, 
 in Pilgrim Street, and conveys goods to all the inter- 
 mediate places on the great road from York to 
 London. 
 
 The Edinburgh and Glasgow waggon sets out from 
 the same place on the same days. 
 
 The Leeds waggon sets out from the Manor Chare, 
 the same days, and conveys goods also to London, 
 and the different places on the road. 
 
 Carriers to Carlisle, and the different towns in 
 Cumberland, and the adjoining counties in Scotland, 
 arrive and set out every day, Saturdays and Sundays 
 excepted. They stand on Sandhill. 
 
 The carts for Hexham and Alston stand at the same 
 place, and set out Mondays and Fridays. 
 
 The Berwick and Alnwick waggon sets out Tues- 
 days, Thursdays, and Fridays, from Pilgrim Street. 
 
 The Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, and Stain- 
 drop carriers stand on the Sandhill, and set out every 
 Friday. 
 
 The Durham and Stockton carriers set out from 
 the Sandhill, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 
 
 The Sunderland waggons, from the Sandhill, set 
 out Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. 
 
 The Darlington carriers set out on Fridays, from 
 the Sandhill. 
 
 The Morpeth carriers are in town Tuesdays, Thurs- 
 days, and Saturdays. 
 
 There are also many carriers from the towns and 
 villages in Northumberland, not here enumerated 
 
£96 TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. 
 
 which are in town on Thursdays, and are to be found 
 in the Bigg Market and Pilgrim Street. 
 
 COACHES. 
 
 From Loftus's, Turk's Head — The Char- 
 lotte sets out for London, by way of York, every 
 morning at eight, and arrives the third morning at 
 nine o'clock. 
 
 The High Flyer sets out at nine in the morning, 
 stops at York that night, and arrives in town the third 
 day at two in the afternoon. 
 
 m The High Flyer sets out for Edinburgh, by way of 
 Berwick, every morning at five o'clock. 
 
 The Carlisle coach sets out thrice a week for Car- 
 lisle, by way of Hexham, at eight in the morning. 
 
 From Forster's, Queen's Head — The 
 Edinburgh Royal Mail sets out every morning at ten 
 o'clock for London, and every afternoon about one 
 for Edinburgh. 
 
 The Carlisle Royal Mail sets out every day about 
 one o'clock, and arrives at ten in the same night. 
 
 From the Half-moon, Bigg Market — 
 The Telegraph sets out every morning at five o'clock, 
 for Leeds and London. 
 
 The Hexham Dilligence sets out every Monday, 
 Wednesday, and Saturday, at one o'clock. 
 
 From the Quay-side — Shields stages set out 
 almost every hour, from eight in the morning till five 
 in the evening. 
 
 From the Rose and Crown, Newgate 
 Street — The Morpeth stages set out every morn- 
 ing about eight o'clock ; and every afternoon about 
 five. 
 
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. 297 
 
 The Alnwick coach sets out every Monday, Wed- 
 nesday, and Friday morning, at half past eight o'clock. 
 
 The Carlisle coach (Burns) sets out every Tues- 
 day, Thursday, and Saturday morning, at eight, and 
 arrives at eight the same evening. 
 
 From the Crown and Thistle, Groat 
 Market, a coach sets out, for Sunderland, every 
 morning at seven, and returns at three in the after- 
 noon. 
 
 From the Newmarket Inn, a Sunderland 
 coach sets out every afternoon about four, and returns 
 every morning about eleven. 
 
 From the Old Garrick Head, a coach sets 
 out, for Sunderland at nine in the morning, and re- 
 turns in the evening betwixt seven and eight o'clock. 
 
 From the Goat Inn, Gateshead, a coach, 
 to Durham, sets out every day except Sunday and 
 Tuesday, at four o'clock in the afternoon. 
 
 Hackney Coaches have never yet been estab? 
 lished in Newcastle $ but Sedan Chairs are much 
 in use* 
 
INTDEX. 
 
 A Page. 
 
 ABALLABA - - - 205 
 Admiralty. Court of - - 95 
 Ad Murum - - - - 184 
 
 JEsica - - - - - - 195 
 
 Akenside Dr Mark - 107 
 Albion Street - - - - 17 
 
 All Saints' Charity School 36 
 
 Church - - - 28 
 
 Almshouse ----- 49 
 
 _ Ward's - - - 74 
 
 Amboglanna - - - - 20c 
 Anderson Pbce - - - - 68 
 St Andrew's Charity School 36 
 — — — Church - - 26 
 St Ann's Chapel - - - 29 
 
 Row - - - - 83 
 
 — Street - - - 82 
 
 St Anthony's - - - - 22 
 Assembly Rooms - - - 6s 
 
 ' -, Library of 39 
 
 Asylum - - - - - - 43 
 
 Athol, Adam, &c. - - - 26 
 Augufline Friars - - - 12 
 Axelodunum - - - - 208 
 
 Axweli Park - - - - 159 
 
 Ayden Castle - - - - 162 
 
 B 
 Backs, in Coal Mines - 25 
 Backworth - - - - 168 
 
 Banks ------ 294 
 
 Banksmen ----- 374 
 
 Barras Bridge - - - - 1 
 
 Bates* Island - - - - 176 
 
 Baths -------45 
 
 Roman, 137, Z55, 182, 
 
 193> *94> 302 
 Beamish ----- 157 
 Beaumont, Mr - - - - 325 
 Becket, St Thomas a, Cha- 
 pel of ------ 29 
 
 Page, 
 Bede ------ 133 
 
 Benefit Societies - - - 54 
 Benevolent Society - - - $$ 
 Bennet Chessie Friars 11,40,76 
 Benton - - - - z 69 
 
 Benwell - - - - XI z, 183 
 
 Chapel - - - 20 
 
 Bible Society - - - - 154 
 
 Bifhopwearmouth - - Z47 
 Blackett's Hospital - - 47 
 Black Friars - - - zi, 43 
 Black gate ----- 4 
 
 Blagdon ----- 168 
 
 Blythe Coal Trade of - 228 
 Boards - - - - - 271 
 
 Boats, Passage - - - 294 
 Bo! beck Hall - - - - 67 
 
 Bolden ------ 143 
 
 Borcovicus - - - - 193 
 
 Boring for Coal - - - 266 
 Boulness ----- 212 
 
 Boundaries of Newcastle S$ 
 Bowers ----- 194 
 
 Bradley Hall - - - - z6z 
 
 Brakeraen - - - - » 274 
 
 Branks ------ 61 
 
 Brass Pipe in the Roman 
 
 Wall 214 
 
 Bratices - - - - - - 273 
 
 Breweries ----- 293 
 
 Lridewell ----- 63 
 
 Bridge, Barras - - • - - 18 
 
 Roman - - - 187 
 
 . Stock- - - - 59 
 
 Tyne - - . - 56 
 
 Burdoswald - - - - 200 
 Burying Ground - - 32, 77 
 Busy Gap - - * - 192 
 Butter Market - - - 74 
 
INDEX. 
 
 299 
 
 Page.] 
 Butcher Market * - * 74 
 Brown, Dr - - - - 26 
 Brown, Stephen - - - 104 
 
 Byker no 
 
 Bye Trades, the fifteen 98 
 
 By well ----- 162 
 
 C 
 
 Caervoran - - - - 197 
 Caking Coal - - - 246 
 Cale Cross - - - - 72 
 
 Cambeck Fort - - - 202 
 Cannel Coal - - - - 247 
 Carmelites - - - - 15 
 Carrawbrugh - - - - 191 
 Carriers ----- 295 
 Castle Garth - - - - 6 
 — Leazes - - - 84 
 
 of Newcastle - - 3 
 
 Stairs - - - - 76 
 
 194 
 
 Causeway Hamlet 
 
 Cave of Enchanted Warrior^ 2 
 
 Chair of King Ethel 
 
 of bede - - - - 
 
 Chapels - - - - - 
 
 . St Ann's - - - 
 
 — — Benwell - - - 
 
 ■ Cramlington - - 
 
 Gosf<.;rth - - - 
 
 — — Heaton - - - 
 
 ■ Jtcmond - - - 
 
 ■ St James's . - 
 
 1 St John's - - 
 
 and Meeting Houses 30 
 
 — St 1 homas a Becket's 29 
 
 Page. 
 Church, St Nicholas - 23 
 Cilurnum ----- 187 
 Close 75 
 
 Close House - - - - 164 
 Clergymen's Sons, Society of 50 
 
 Coaches 296 
 
 Coal, boring for - - - 266 
 
 Discovery of - - 264 
 
 Duration of - - 232 
 
 — Duty on - - - 232 
 
 — Ditto at Newcastle 235 
 
 — Inclined Planes 243 
 
 — Keels ---- 238 
 
 — Measure - - - 232 
 
 — Men employed in the 
 Trade - - 
 
 — Origin of 
 
 — Price of - - 
 
 — Species of 
 
 — btaiths - - * 
 
 — Stratification attend- 
 
 192 
 135 
 21 
 29 
 20 
 3o 
 30 
 21 
 
 19 
 18 
 22 
 
 St Lawrence's 
 Ch: res on the Quay-side 
 Charitable Institutions 
 Charlotte Square - - 
 Charters - - - - 
 Cheeseburn Grange - - 
 Chester-le-Street - - 
 Chirton ----- j^ 
 Churches in Newcastle 
 Church, Ali Saints' - - 
 ■ 6t Andrew's 
 
 St John's - - - 
 
 ■ St Mary's, Gates- 
 
 head - - - zx8 
 
 *9 
 15 
 46 
 76 
 
 87 
 
 164 
 148 
 
 23c 
 243 
 
 241 
 238 
 
 ing - - 249, 257 
 
 Tar 290 
 
 I rade at Blythe 228 
 
 Newcastle 281,228 
 
 Sunderland 229 
 
 Winning of Mines 269 
 
 - Waggons & waggon- 
 
 ways - - 241, 244 
 Coffee Hou-es - - - 293 
 Collmgwood Street - - 70 
 C olour Manufactories 287 
 
 Common Council, Court of 96 
 Companies of Freemen 97 
 
 Condercum - - - - x g a 
 Congavata - - - - ^06 
 Conscience, Court of 94 
 
 ConservatorshipoftheTyne 101 
 Copperas ----- 290 
 
 Corbridge ^i 
 
 Corves ------ 
 
 Corporation of Newcastle 
 Courts of Northumberland 
 
 in Newcastle 
 
 Cramlidgton - - - - 
 
 Cranes 
 
 Lranemen 
 
 Crosscuts 
 
 274 
 
 92 
 
 7 
 
 93 
 
 168 
 
 IS 
 *74 
 2;* 
 
300 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Page. 
 Crosses - - - - « - 71 
 
 Culiercoats - - - - 174 
 
 Culm - -* - - i; - 248 
 Cunningham, John, his Epi- 
 taph - - - - 37 
 
 Custom-house - - - 64 
 
 D 
 Damp, Fire and Choak 275 
 Dawes, Richard - - 17,34 
 Davison's Hospital - - 47 
 Dene Street - - - - 79 
 
 Denton ------ 165 
 
 Devil's Causeway - - 187 
 Dip, and Rise of Strata 256 
 Dispensary - - - - 42 
 
 Dissenting Meeting Houses 30 
 
 Ministers' Widows* 
 
 Fund - - - S3 
 
 Dissington, North & South 165 
 
 Drifts - - - - - 27a 
 
 Drivers ----- 374 
 
 Drumbrugh - - - - 209 
 
 Dukes of Newcastle - 107 
 Dunfton Hill - - - - 158 
 
 Duns Scotus - - - - in 
 
 Dykes .----- 254 
 
 E 
 Eachwick Hall - - - 164 
 Elswick ----- no 
 
 Exchange - 59 
 
 Exports of Newcastle 284 
 
 F 
 Fairs — — 99 
 
 Falls in Coal Mines — 273 
 Felling Hall — 130 
 
 Fenham — — no 
 
 Fish Markets — 73 
 
 Floods at Newcastle 57, 81 
 Forth — — 84 
 
 Fossils in Coal Mines 245, 
 
 346, 250, 252 
 
 rage. 
 
 } 
 
 III 
 
 122 
 
 121 
 
 Gateshead — 
 
 ■ ■ — Almshouse 
 
 ' Anchorage 
 
 School — 
 ■■ Bailiff — 
 
 ■ Borough Lands 124 
 
 — St Edmund's *> 
 
 Hospital S " 3 
 ■■ ■ ■ ■ — Chantries in *) 
 
 the Church of J "? 
 
 Chapels 112, 1 18 
 
 Chill Well, in 129 
 
 Church — 118 
 
 ■■ Corporation of 126 
 
 Fair — 128 
 
 Fell — 129 
 
 Foresters 125 
 
 ■ Hospital of "> 
 
 King James J " 7 
 
 —-House — 116 
 
 King John's "> 
 
 Palace J 12 9 
 " Market — 128 
 
 Meeting Houses 121 
 130 
 128 
 128 
 i*3 
 121 
 126 
 
 Foundries — — 285 
 
 Frame Dams — 272 
 
 Franciscan or Grey Friars 13 
 Friendless Poor Society 54 
 
 G 
 Gabrosentum — 11 1, 209 
 Gallowgate — — 77 
 
 Park 
 
 Population 
 
 Post Office 
 
 Privileges 
 
 School, New 
 
 Seal — 
 
 — of the Church 119 
 
 Stewards 126 
 
 Toll Booth 121 
 
 Trinity Chapel 112 
 Water — 126 
 
 St George's Festival & Porch 24 
 
 Gelt River 
 Gibside 
 Gins — 
 
 Gin-drivers — 
 Glass Works 
 Glauber's Salts 
 Gosforth — 
 
 Chapel 
 
 Great Chesters 
 Grindon Chare 
 Grindstones 
 Groat Market 
 
 204 
 
 154 
 
 279 
 
 ^ 74 
 288 
 291 
 167 
 
 30 
 185 
 
 22 
 292 
 
 74 
 
INDEX. 
 
 SOI 
 
 Page. 
 
 Guild, Court of — 96 
 
 H 
 
 Hadrian's Vallum 179 
 
 Halton Chesters — 186 
 
 Heaton Hall — 109 
 
 ■■ Chapel — 21 
 
 Hebburn Hall — 131 
 
 Heddon-on-the-wall 164 
 
 Hewers ----- 273 
 
 Heworth - - - - 130 
 
 Band - - - 252 
 
 Hitches ------ 254 
 
 Hoastman's Society, note 98 
 Hospitals - 19, 45, 46, 49, 96 
 
 Houghton le-spring - - 147 
 
 Hou-e-Steads - - . - 192 
 
 Hugh, of Newcastle - - 14 
 
 Hunnum ----- 186 
 
 Hylton Ca&tle - - - - 144 
 
 I 
 
 Imports of Newcastle - 284 
 
 Inclined Planes - - - 243 
 
 Infirmary ----- 40 
 
 Iron, and Iron Works 284 
 
 Inns ------ 293 
 
 Institution, New - - - 39 
 
 j 
 
 Jackson, Dr - - - - 26 
 
 St James's Chapel' - - 1 
 James the Second's Statue 60 
 Jarrow - - - - - -132 
 
 Jenkins - - . - - 102 
 Je>mond - - - - - 109 
 
 Jesus Hospital - - - 46 
 Jet ------- 248 
 
 John, King, his Palace, > 
 in Gateshead - j 
 
 129 
 
 at Heaton 
 
 no 
 36 
 
 22 
 27 
 35 
 
 St John's Charity School 
 
 — Chapel 
 
 — — Church - - 
 
 Jubilee School - - - 
 
 K 
 
 Keeker ----- 273 
 Keelmen - « - - 241 
 Keelmen's Hospital - - 47 
 Kirkley 166 
 
 Page, 
 
 Knights of St John 7 
 
 c t 1 ?* 22, no 
 
 01 Jerusalem J 
 
 Knox, George - - - - 26 
 
 L 
 
 Lambton Hall - - - 150 
 
 Lamps ------ 87 
 
 Lamp Black - - - - 290 
 
 Lanchester - - - - 150 
 
 Lawes, the Four - - - 195 
 
 Lawrence Chapel - - - 19 
 
 Lead ------ 285 
 
 Leazes .----- 84 
 
 Legions, Roman, in Britain 214 
 
 Libraries in Newcastle 37, 39 
 
 Limestone - - - 
 Literary Institutions 
 Little Chesters - - 
 St Luke's Hospital 
 Lumley Castle - - 
 
 House - - 
 
 Lunatic Asylum - - 
 Lying-in Hospital 
 
 M 
 Maiden Way - - 
 Maison de Dieu - - 
 Magdalen Hospital 
 
 258 
 
 37 
 194 
 
 45 
 148 
 
 *7 
 AS 
 44 
 
 188 
 20 
 17 
 
 Magna - 197 
 
 Man-ion House 
 March, John - - - - 
 Markets - - - - - 
 Marley, Sir John - - 
 Marsdon - - - - 
 Martin, Friar, of Alnwick 
 St Mary, Chapel - - - 
 
 Hospital - - 
 
 Mayor's Court - - - 
 Mayor's Place of Election 
 Medical Establishments 
 Meeting Houses - - - 
 Mttal Stone - - - - 
 St Michael's Priory - - 
 Milburne House - - - 
 Mills, Corn - - - - 
 Minster Acres - - - 
 Monkche»ter - - - - 
 Monk's Stone - - - 
 Monkwcarmouih . - - 
 
 62 
 106 
 
 71 
 ™5 
 14* 
 
 14 
 
 *9 
 16 
 
 93 
 17 
 
 46 
 
 30 
 
 260 
 
 15 
 166 
 292 
 161 
 3 
 174 
 143 
 
 C C 
 
302 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Page. 
 Moor, Nuns - - - - 85 
 
 — Town - - - - 85 
 
 Moot Hall 6 
 
 Mosley Street - - - 
 Mosstroopers - - 
 Mysteries, the Twelve 
 
 N 
 Newburne - - - 
 Newgate - - - - 
 — Street - - 
 
 New Road 
 News-papers 
 
 79 
 192 
 
 97 
 
 164 
 61 
 76 
 83 
 
 ^93 
 
 St Nicholas' Charity School 35 
 
 Church 
 Library 
 
 Northumberland House 
 
 —— Street 
 
 Nunnery - - - - 
 
 On-setters 
 Overmen 
 Ovingham 
 Ouseburn 
 
 3 
 66 
 
 77 
 10 
 
 274 
 273 
 163 
 
 83 
 
 } 
 
 Pandon - - - - 
 Gate - - - 
 
 Pants - - - - - 
 Paper, Brown - - ■ 
 Parade * - - - - 
 Parishes, limits of, in 
 Newcastle - - - 
 Penshaw - - - - 
 Percy Street - - - 
 Petriana - - - - 
 St Peter's - - - - 
 Pigg*s Folly - - - 
 Pilgrim's Inn - - - 
 Pilgrim Street - - - - 78 
 Pillars in Coal Pits - - 271 
 Pleasant Row - - - 82 
 Pons -ffihi,or Newcastle 1,181 
 Population of Newcastle 99 
 Portgate ----- 186 
 Portraits - - - - 4I>6° 
 Post Office, Newcastle 63 
 
 . : Gateshead 128 
 
 Post Stone - - - - 250 
 Potteries ----- 289 
 Pnsaaonstratensian Priory 22| 
 
 - 79 
 9 
 
 86 
 291 
 
 77 
 
 23 
 148 
 
 - 77 
 
 - 201 
 * 22 
 
 - 167 
 67,78 
 
 Pagi, 
 Prestwick Carr - - • 167 
 Prisons ------ 61 
 
 Privileges of Newcastle 87 
 
 Procolitia ----- 187 
 
 Promenade - - - - 84 
 
 Prudhoe Castle - - - 161 
 Prusiate of Iron » - - 286 
 Putters ------ 274 
 
 Pye powder Courts 95 
 
 Quarter Sessions for") , 
 
 Newcastle $ 
 
 Quay-side ----- 74 
 
 R 
 Race Ground - - - - 85 
 Ravensworth Castle - 150 
 Recovery, House of - - 43 
 Redheugh ----- 129 
 Refineries of Lead - - 286 
 Registers of All Saints 28 
 
 St Andrew's 27 
 
 Benwell Chapel 20 
 
 — — Gateshead 119 
 
 St John's 27 
 
 St Nicholas 26 
 
 Religious Houses - - - 10 
 Rhodes, Robert - - - 103 
 Ring, Anecdote concerning 74 
 — — Curious - - 81, 186 
 Rise and Dip of Strata 
 Rock Coal - - - - 
 
 Roman Wall 
 Rutchester 
 Ryton - - 
 
 Sac, Friars of - - 
 Sal-ammoniac - - ■ 
 Salmon - - - - 
 
 Fisheries - ■ 
 
 Saltwellside-Grange 
 Saltworks - - - 
 Sandhill Market - ■ 
 Sandgate - - - 
 Sand-stone - - ■ 
 Saville Row - - 
 Scilchester - - - 
 Schist us - - - 
 
 Schools - - - - 
 Scotch Inn • -•■ * 
 
 256 
 
 247 
 177 
 
 184 
 160 
 
 14 
 
 291 
 
 73 
 292 
 
 130 
 
 291 
 
 73 
 
 82 
 260 
 
 77 
 187 
 260 
 
 - 33 
 68 
 
INDEX. 
 
 303 
 
 Page. 
 Scrope's House - - - - 67 
 Seals, Impressionsof 89, 119, 126 
 Seaton Delaval - - - 175 
 Segedunum - - - - I 80 
 Sever us*s Wall - - - 177 
 Shafts of a Coal Mine 271 
 
 Sheriff's Court - - - 93 
 Shewing Shields - - - 191 
 Shield Field - - - - 82 
 Shields, North - - - 170 
 
 — South - - - 131 
 Shifters ----- 274 
 
 Side ------ 67, 78 
 
 Skreeners — — 275 
 
 Sluice — — 175 
 
 Soaperies — — 291 
 
 Soda — — — 291 
 Societies, Benefit - - - 54 
 
 — Benevolent 55 
 
 Bible — 54 
 
 — — — — ofClergymen'sSonsjo 
 —- — Friendless Poor 54 
 1 Religious Tract 55 
 
 - Schoolmaster's 5$ 
 
 " Widows of Dis- 
 senting Ministers 52 
 
 Spinning Manufactories 293 
 
 Troubles 
 
 
 JPagc. 
 
 — 256 
 
 Tuthill, meaning of the 7 
 Name — — J 
 
 65 
 
 Tunnocelum 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 210 
 
 Tyne 
 Tynemouth 
 
 V 
 
 — 
 
 100 
 
 17a 
 
 Vessels, Trad 
 Vestry Books 
 Vicarage 
 Viewer 
 
 ing — 
 , Gateshead 
 
 294 
 
 no 
 
 68 
 *73 
 
 Vindobala 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 184 
 
 Vindolana - 
 
 
 — 
 
 194 
 
 Splint Coal — 
 Steam Engines- 
 Sugar Refineries 
 Sunderland — 
 
 Swalwell 
 Swirle, note 
 
 . Coal Trade 
 
 Tanfield — — 
 
 Arch — — 
 
 Taverns — — 
 Theatre — — 
 
 Thirlwall Castle — 
 Thornton, Roger 9, 24, 28 
 Tombs — — 
 
 Tract, Religious Society 
 TraJe and Manufactures 
 Trappers — — 
 
 Trinity House — 
 
 '■ School of — 
 
 247 
 280 
 291 
 145 
 228 
 158 
 77 
 
 156 
 
 157 
 
 ^93 
 
 66 
 
 199 
 
 102 
 
 24 
 
 55 
 
 282 
 
 274 
 63 
 35 
 
 W 
 
 Waggons — — 241, 243 
 Waggon- ways — 243, 241 
 Wailers — — 275 
 
 Walls'-end — 169, 180 
 
 Walls in Coal Mines 271 
 
 — of Newcastle 7, 10 
 
 Wall knoll — 15, 80 
 
 Walltown — — 179 
 Walwick Chesters 187 
 
 Ward's Almshouse 74 
 
 Warden's Close — 43 
 
 Wardley — — 131 
 
 Wastemen — — 273 
 Watchcross — — 205 
 Water,supplyof,toNewcastie86 
 
 Watling Street 
 Well at Walltown 
 Westgate — 
 Street 
 
 Westmorland Place 
 Westoe — - 
 
 Wnarfingers — 
 
 Whickham — 
 Whinstone — — 
 Whitburn — 
 
 White Friars — 
 Winlaton — 
 
 Winning Coal - 
 
 Headways 
 
 Wolsington — 
 Wool Market — 
 Wylam — 
 
 187 
 
 197 
 
 9 
 
 76 
 
 67 
 142 
 294 
 157 
 258 
 143 
 
 15 
 158 
 269 
 271 
 166 
 
 74 
 163 
 
304 
 
 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. 
 
 Page, Line. 
 
 % 23 Read)*. Corinthian pillar; large flag's horns ; layers 
 of grafs, ferns, and boughs of oak and birch, 
 matted together ; horfe dung ; mules {hoes ; and 
 other natural and Roman antiquities were dis- 
 covered. 
 7 I % After Britain, read. Their figure is a double, oblong 
 
 square, forty- eight yards long, and twenty-four 
 wide. The ground-floor is partly below the fur- 
 face, and confifts of cells and other apartments 
 for the criminal* during the time of the affizes^ 
 thefe are all covered with flrong Roman arches. 
 Above them, in the centre of the building, is^an 
 entrance-hall, and grand jury room, on each side 
 of which are the courts, each measuring fixty 
 feet by thirty-five, and behind them apartments 
 for the judges, juries, witnesses, &c. Over these 
 are offices for the gaoler, clerk of the peace, and 
 other officers; and over the grand jury room, an 
 apartment for the council. The north elevation 
 has a Grecian Doric portico of four pillars, where 
 is the door to the common hall that leads to the 
 courts and grand-jury rooms at the extremities 
 on this fide are the entrances for the public, who 
 ftand on rows of fleps rising behind each other. 
 The fouth elevation is taken from the Parthenon 
 in Athens, having a Grecian Doric portico of fix 
 pillars, each five feet in diameter, and twenty- 
 eight feet high. The foundations are laid on 
 ftrong clay, and conftructed of very large blocks 
 of freeftone. The whole of the mafonry is in* 
 deed of a very fuperior kind, the centre of the 
 walls being executed with fquared afhiars, and 
 their outfide finely polifhed. 
 
 1 5 4 For Edward \\\,reid Edward i. 
 
 ib* ib &C For Carmalites, read Carmelites. 
 
 %% 38 St Peter's j* a corruption of Sir Peter's, from Sir 
 Peter Riddell, who had a leafe of the place. 
 Brand i 459. 
 
 33 9 For Farenham, read Farneham. 
 
 — iz /orCarlife read \. arlifle. 
 
 33 24 Ihe ballaft fhore alluded to by Grey, was oppofite 
 St Ann's Chapel: it exifkd in 1548, as a place 
 then " commonly called the Ballaft Shoars," In 
 
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. 303 
 
 Page* Line, 
 
 1600, leafes were granted of " St Lawrence with 
 the Ballad Shores on the eaft and weft fide of 
 Oufeburn:" but no mention occurs of the time 
 when the burial ground commenced here. 
 $$ 6 For precedency, read prefidency. 
 
 70 25 For people, raking 
 
 71 Markets. The Wheat-Market has been removed 
 
 into the area above St Nicholas Church: the 
 Sandhill and Poultry Markets, to the New 
 Buicher Market. 
 %S 28 After 'Trent, add. On the fouth-eaft fide of the Church 
 Quarry, on Gatefhtad /ell, there is a very ex- 
 tensive doubleline of the fites of tents, which were 
 formerly eredted during the time tnat races were 
 held there The Race Ground was on the plain 
 between the Church Quarry and Ayton Banks. 
 
 Ill Before Gateshead, read: The Depot for artillery, on 
 
 the Town Moor, was begun in 1805, in v/hich 
 year the Magazine was built. The (tables are 
 adapted for 188 horfes, befide* thofe for officers 
 and the fick horfe-hofpital, which hold 16 mo^e: 
 thtfe, with the artillery men, drivers, and offi. 
 cers barracks, the cooking and cleaning houfes, 
 forage flieds, and other offices were finished by 
 the latter end of 1807, fince which time, fome 
 other additions have been made, and an order 
 ha c been lately given for erecting a canteen and 
 officers meis -oam. The whole area, containing 
 eleven acres, is girt with a high ftone wall, and 
 is h Id of the Mayor and Burgefses of Newcaftle, 
 at the annual rent of five pounds an acre. Mr 
 Wyat fumiflied the defign; and the engineers 
 were Capt Hartcap, and Lieut. 'Jold. Capt. 
 Geary the firft Britilh officer who fell in the 
 prefent war in Portugal, was depury engineer: 
 thefe gentlemen were fucceeded by Col De Bufze, 
 who finished the buildings. Upwards of forty 
 thoufand pounds have been expended upon this 
 depot 
 
 118 13 After 18 11, add. Rooms for three Bede-men, inferib- 
 ed in the front, KING JAMES'S HOSPITAL 
 REBUILT IN M DCCC XII. have been erecTed 
 by the Rev. J. Collinfon, A. M. rector of this 
 parifh. 
 
 126 25 For which, read and r — and I 26, after years, ada t a 
 Court of Frank pledge and Court- baron for the 
 manor of Gatelhead, has, &c. 
 
306 ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. 
 
 Page, Line* 
 
 127 I For 1446 read 1 646. 
 
 13a 27 After Church, add* a fmall iilver coin of Aulus Vitel- 
 lius in excellent preft rvation, was found in the 
 parfonage garden, in 18 12 
 
 158 22 After portico, aad, it was confecrated July the thirti- 
 eth, i8i2,by the Bifliop of Durham. 
 
 167 19 For C. W. tfrandling, read C. J Brandling. 
 
 171 25 Read, taken by the i>cots,in 1644; rebuilt with ftone 
 in 1672; and, &c. Brand it , 331, 463, 
 
 176 1, 2 About half this impreflion has thefe lines improper- 
 ly difpofed. 
 
 185 5 For Valtntifimi, read Velentifimo. 
 
 188 ao For executed, read reprefcnted. 
 
 191 % For writing, read writings, and line I5 >t /or RAETICS, 
 readRAETlCVS. 
 
 280 23,24 For them, read it. 
 
 294 ¥be prfent Wharfingers in Neivcajlle, are: Nichol, Lud- 
 
 low & Co High Crane Thomas Robfon. Quay. 
 Thomas Snaith, Broad Chare. Hood and Ryle, 
 Quav. Wm. Anderfon and Son, Pilgrim Street. 
 Coulfon Hall, & Co. Quay. J. H Huafon, 
 Quay. William Thompfon, Quay. A fart of 
 this Imprejfion is correff. 
 
 Akenhead & Sons, 
 Printers, Newcaftle. 
 
D. Akenhead # Sons have lately published 
 
 SHIP OWNER'S MANUAL, 
 
 AND 
 
 SEA-FARING MAN'S ASSISTANT: 
 
 Or, an Epitome of the Laws and Regulations relative to the 
 Ship Owner and Merchant; arranged under the following 
 Heads. — Navigation, Smuggling, Manifefts, Coafting Trade, 
 Convoys, Fiflieries, Aliens PafTengers, Quarantine, Ship Own- 
 ers and Matters, Ship Matters and Seames, Marine Stores, 
 Impreffing, Admiralty, Freight, Charter-party and Demurrage, 
 Factorage, Marine Infurance, Salvage, Arbitration, Difburfe- 
 ments and Ship Accounts, Bills of Exchange, Foreign Ex- 
 changes Weights and Meafures of various Countries, Coal 
 Trade Regulations and Coal Accounts, Mifcellaneous Informa- 
 tion, coLttfting of Harbour Regulations and Charges, Dock 
 Dues, Pilotage, Signals, and a Variety of ufeful Tables, &c. &c. 
 
 To which are adaed, Tables of the New Duties of Cuftoms 
 and Excife; together with the Bounties, Drawbacks, and Al- 
 lowances; the Countervailing Duties, payable on all Goods 
 imported into Great Britain and Ireland refpecShvely; the 
 Sound Duties; tne Port Charges there; and other Information, 
 neceffary to the Ship Matter and Merchant; and a Lift of the 
 Stamp Duties. — Tbe Tenth Edition—Price iQs,(>fl.fiwe<t, 
 
Library of Congress 
 Branch Bindery, 1903