Chapter I: Front Matter

List of Illustrations

Bamburgh Castle. _From photograph by J.P. Gibson, Hexham_ The Priory, Tynemouth. _From photograph by T.H. Dickinson, Sheriff Hill_ Untitled Hexham Abbey from North West. _From photograph by J.P. Gibson, Hexham_ The River Tyne at Newcastle (showing Swing Bridge Open). Untitled Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Untitled North Gateway, Housesteads and Roman Wall. _From photograph by J.P. Gibson, Hexham_ Untitled Alnwick Castle. _From photograph by J.P. Gibson, Hexham_ The Wreck of the “Forfarshire”. _From illustration kindly lent by B. Rowland Hill, Newcastle_ Drawing of boat Sketch Map Of Northumberland. _From a Drawing by C.H. Abbey_

INTRODUCTORY.

The following book makes no pretensions to be a mine of deep
historical research or antiquarian lore; its object will have been
achieved, and its existence to some extent justified, if haply by
its aid some of the dwellers in this northern county of ours, with
its past so full of action, and its present so rich in the
memorials of those actions, may pass a pleasant hour in becoming
acquainted through its pages with the happenings which have taken
place in their own particular fields, their own streets, or by
their own riverside.

I am aware that many learned volumes on this subject, representing
an enormous amount of patient labour and careful research in their
compilation, are already in existence. To such this little book can
in no sense be a rival; but there must be many people who have not
a superabundance of time, to enable them to dig out the information
for which they wish, from these various sources; nor can they
always make these volumes their own, to be consulted at leisure.

Northumbrians have always been interested in the records of their
own county, and are now-a-days not less so than when, some
three-and-a-half centuries ago, Roger North found them “great
antiquarians within their own bounds.” If to such as these this
little book may perhaps bring in a more convenient form the
information they seek, and help them to become better acquainted
with the county which inspired Swinburne to write in stirring
phrases of “Northumberland,” and to address the home of his people
as
“Land beloved, where nought of legend’s dream Outshines the truth”—

I shall be more than satisfied. I would take this opportunity of
expressing my grateful thanks to the Rev. Canon Savage, of Hexham,
for information relating to the tomb of Alfwald the Just, in the
Abbey, given with courteous readiness; to the Rev. Canon Jeffery,
of Bywell, for similar kindness regarding Bywell St. Peter’s; to
R.O. Heslop, Esq., whose profound store of learning on the subject
of “Northumberland words” was in cases of uncertainty my final
court of appeal; to E.T. Nisbet, Esq., and J. Treble, Esq., to whom
I am greatly indebted for their goodness in reading my manuscript,
and for their generous encouragement following thereupon; to C.H.
Abbey, Esq., for his kindness in executing the map which
accompanies these pages; and to Mr. G.P. Dunn, of Corbridge, for
much helpful criticism, and many suggestions which only want of
space has prevented my adopting in their entirety.

J.F.T.

_31st May_, 1913.

NORTHUMBERLAND YESTERDAY AND TO-DAY