The Great North-East: An English History Tour, vol.3

Good news! Another book!!

I am pleased to say that Volume 3 of The Great North-East: An English History Tour is now available for purchase at Amazon - see here, or click on the image above. It is available as both an eBook and an old-fashioned paperback. The profit margin on each sale is about £1.50 profit - which, of course, goes to the Great North Children's Hospital. 

Like volumes 1 & 2, the 200-page book takes an affectionate look at various aspects of the history of the region, from the Scottish border in the north to the River Tees / Cleveland in the south. Chapters this time around cover the following topics: Churches, War, Follies, Seats, River Tyne, Late Dark Ages, Places, Pubs Curiosities, Ruins, Trees, Fame, Castles & Industry.

By visiting Amazon you can read a sample of the book before you commit to buy (there is actually a bigger chunk of the text to view via the eBook option). It's all very laid back and informal, and will hopefully bring a smile to your face whilst learning a few new facts about the history of the country's most interesting region.

If you decide to buy a copy then may I offer you a big thank you from both the GNCH and myself. Pass the word on!

'The Man-Stealer Baffled': White Slavery?

A couple of years ago I purchased the complete 8 volume set of The Local Historian's Table Book by M.A.Richardson. It is an original 1840s affair, and is, well, quite literally falling apart at the seams (but it was cheap). The set is divided into two parts: 5 volumes of 'Historical' bits and bobs, and 3 volumes of 'Legendary' stuff. The former is full of interesting snippets, but I'd never bothered very much with the latter, until a few days ago...

In order to justify my impulsive purchase, I thought it about time that I cast my eyes over the first of the 'Legendary' volumes. I didn't expect to find much in the way of actual factual stuff, but was surprised to discover a good deal of interest. The most surprising was one of the first tales entitled The Man-Stealer Baffled: An Incident of Tynedale, which tells the story of the habitual "seizing by force [of] able bodied young men and sending them as slaves to the sugar plantations in the West India Islands." An example is given, being dated to a point in the early 1700s, which took place a little to the north of Corbridge. The 'man-stealer' was thankfully stopped in his tracks, I am pleased to say.

Here are images of the three pages in question. Click on the same to enlarge - hope you can make them out. The texts can also be found at Google Books and archive.org 

Edward I at Newcastle, 1296

On 1st March 1296, King Edward I of England arrived at Newcastle for his appointment with John Balliol, King of the Scots. Balliol had been appointed to his esteemed position by a committee headed by the English king, so he was very much playing second fiddle in the meeting of the monarchs - and most certainly expected to at least turn up to pay homage, and to thereafter pretty much do as he was told. He didn't show; so Edward advanced into Scotland with his 30,000+ army, and brought his troublesome neighbours to heel at the Battle of Dunbar on 27th April 1296. And so began the First War of Scottish Independence.

The following piece appeared in several nineteenth century historical collections, though the exact, original source is rather difficult to pin down. It paints a vivid picture of Edward Longshanks impatiently awaiting the arrival of Balliol in the castle keep, his vast army bristling with anticipation. It is entitled Edward the First at Newcastle, A.D. 1296 - A Fragment, which implies the verse was part of a greater whole. If anyone knows anything more about the piece, then do leave a comment.

 

Meantime within Newcastle walls, 

Crowding her squares, her streets and halls, 

Ready to march to hill or glen, 

Full more than thirty thousand men, 

All armed and wearing mail and plate, 

The orders of their king await. 

Himself, within his massive hold, 

Surrounded by his barons bold, 

Discoursed of Balliol's perfidy, 

And how due chastisement should be 

Dealt upon those who dared disown 

His right to Scotland's ancient crown. 

Tall he appeared, his frame was spare, 

Swarthy his hue, and dark his hair; 

Firm was his look, his deep black eyes, 

As thoughts of war or high emprise 

To rouse his spirit might conspire, 

Flamed in his head like coals of fire. 

So plain his garb that those who gazed 

Upon their monarch were amazed, 

He should appear, arrayed so mean, 

In midst of such a martial scene; 

For arms and pennons waving far 

On every side, showed pomp of war, 

And thronged around him, bold and free, 

The pride of England's chivalry, 

Whilst her broad standard to the sky 

Streamed on the castle turrets high.

END of fragment.