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Hexham, Northumberland, Tynedale, North-East England, British Isles [Map]

Hexham, Northumberland is in Tynedale, Northumberland.

634 Battle of Heavenfield

15 May 1464 Battle of Hexham

See: Beaufront Castle, Hexham [Map], Devil's Water, Hexham [Map], Dilston, Hexham [Map], Dipton Wood, Hexham, Hexham Abbey [Map], Linnels, Hexham [Map], St John Lee Church, Hexham [Map], Swallowship Hill, Hexham [Map].

Battle of Heavenfield

In 634 King Oswald of Northumberland (age 30) won a decisive victory over the army of the Cadwallon ap Cadfan King Gwynedd at the Battle of Heavenfield which was fought at Heavenfield, Northumberland [Map] around six miles north of Hexham, Northumberland [Map].

Cadwallon ap Cadfan King Gwynedd was killed at a place Bede describes as Denisesburna which is possibly Rowley Water some eight miles south of the site of the battle.

In 1110 Aelred of Reivaulx Chronicler was born in Hexham, Northumberland [Map].

15 May 1464 Battle of Hexham

On 15th May 1464 a Yorkist army commanded by John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu (age 33) defeated a Lancastrian army commanded by Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 28) at Hexham, Northumberland [Map] during the Battle of Hexham.

Those fighting for York included John Stafford 1st Earl Wiltshire (age 36), John Scrope 5th Baron Scrope of Bolton (age 26) and Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby (age 36).

Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset was beheaded following the battle. The general pardon which he has previously received was annulled. Duke Somerset, Marquess Dorset, Earl Somerset and Earl Dorset forfeit for the second time. His son Edmund Beaufort 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 25) was styled by supporters of the House of Lancaster as Duke of Somerset but had not right to do so.

Philip Wentworth (age 40) was executed at Middleham [Map].

Warkworth's Chronicle. 15th May 1464. Also in the iiijth yere of the Kynge Edwarde, the monethe of Maij, the Duke of Somersett, the Lorde Roos (deceased), the Lorde Moleyns (age 33), Talboys the Earl [Baron] of Kyme (age 49), Sire Phylippe Wenterworth (age 40), Sire Thomas Fynderne, gadred a grete peple of the northe contre1. And Sere Jhon Nevelle, that tyme beynge Earl of Northumberlonde, with 10,000 men come uppon them, and there the comons fleede that were with them, and ther the forseide lordes were takene and afterward behedede3. But thenne the Lorde Montagu (age 33), the Earl of Warwick (age 35)s brothere, whiche the Kynge had made Earl of Northumberlonde, was mighty and strong by the same, &c. And for so moche as the Kynge and his counselle thought that he wolde holde with his Earl of Warwick, therfor the Kyng and his counselle made the countre to desire that they might have the ryghtfull heyre Percy, sonne to Henry Percy that was slayne at Yorke Feld, to be the Earl of Northumberlond, and so it was doone. And after this the Kynge made Lorde Montagu, Marquyus Montagu, and made his sonne (age 3) Duke of Bedford, whiche schulde wedde the princesse, the Kynges heldest doughter, whiche, by possibylite, schuld be Kynge of England, and so he hade many fayre wordys and no lordeschyppys, but alwey he promysed he wuld do, &c,

Note 1. Gadred a grete peple of the northe contre. The following very curious document is from a MS. in the College of Arms (L.9):— "Anno Edwardi quarti quarto et mensis Maij die xxvij. scilicet in die san[c]te Trinitatis.

The Kyng lay in the Palois of York, and kept his astate solemply; and tho there create he Sir John Nevelle, Lord Mowntage, Earl of Northumberland. And than my lorde of Warrewike toke upon hym the jorney, by the Kynges commandement and auctoritee, to resiste the Rebellions of the Northe, acompanyed with hym my sayde Lorde of Northumberland his brother.

"Item, the xxiijti, day of Juyne, my saide Lorde of Warrewike, with the puissaunce, cam before the castelle of Alwike, and ad it delivered by appointement; And also the castell of Dunstanboroughe, where that my said Lord kept the feest of Saint John Baptist."

"Item, my said Lorde of Warrewike, and his broder Earl of Northumberland, the xxv. day of Juyn, leyede siege unto the Castelle of Bamburghe, there within being Sir Rauf Grey, with suche power as attendid for to keepe the said castelle ayen the power of the Kinges and my said Lord, as it apperith by the heroudes reporte, by the whiche my Lord sent to charge them to delyvere it under this forme, as ensewithe; Chester, the Kinges heroude, and Warrewike the heroude, had this commaundement, as foloweth, -to say unto Sir Rauf Gray, and to other that kept his Rebelliouse oppynyon, that they shule delivere that place contynent aftyr that summacion, and every man for the tyme being disposed to receyve the Kynges grace, my said Lord of Warrewike, the Kinges lieutenant, and my Lord of Northumbreland, Wardeyn of themarches, grauntith the Kyng['s] grace and pardon, body, lyvelodes, reservyng ij. persounes, is understoude, Sir Humfrey Neville and Sir Rauf Grey, thoo tweyn to be oute of the Kinges grace, without any redempcion. Than the answere of Sir Rauf Grey followithe unto the said heroudes, he clerely determynyng withinne hymself to liffe or to dye within the said place; the heroudes, according to my Lordes commandement, charged hym with all inconveniences that by possible might fall in offence ayenst Allemighty God, and sheding of bloode; the heroude saying in this wise, My Lordes ensurithe yow, upon their honour, to susteyne siege before yowe these vij. yeres, or elles to wynne yowe."

Item, my sayde Lorde Lieutenant, and my Lord Wardeyn, hath yeven us ferther comaundement to say unto yowe, if ye deliver not this Juelle, the whiche the king our most dradde soverain Lord hath so gretly in favour, seing it marcheth so nygh hys awncient enemyes of Scotland, he specially desirethe to have it, hoole, unbroken, with ordennaunce; if ye suffre any greet gunne laide unto the wal, and be shote and prejudice the wal, it shall cost yowe the Chiftens hede; and so proceding for every gunne shet, to the leest hede of any persoune within the said place. Than the saide Sir Rauf Grey deperted from the saide heroud, ant put hym in devoir to make deffence.

And than my Lorde lieutenant had ordennede alle the Kinges greet gonnes that where charged at oons to shute unto the said Castelle, Newe-Castel the Kinges greet gonne, and London the second gonne of irne; the whiche betyde the place, that stones of the walles flewe unto the see; Dysyon, a brasin gonne of the Kinges, smote thouroughe Sir Rauf Grey's chamber oftentimes; Edward and Richard Bombartell, and other of the Kinges ordennaunce, so occupied by the ordonnaunce of my said Lord, with men of armes and archirs, wonne the castelle of Bamburg with asawte, mawgrey Sir Rauf Grey, and tooke hym, and brought hym to the Kynge to Doncastre, and there was he execut in this fourme as followith. My lorde Earl of Worcestre, Connestable of Englond, sitting in jugement, told hym jugement, and remambrid hym, saying unto hym; "Sir Rauf Grey, thou hast take the ordir of Knyghthode of the Batthe, and any soe taking that ordir ought to kepe his faithe the whiche he makes; therfor remembre the[e] the lawe! wilt thou shall procede to jugement? thees maters shewith so evidently agayn the, that they nedithe not to examyn the of them, by certein persounes of the Kinges true subgettes, the whiche thou hast wounded, and shewithe here that thou canst not deny this; thou hast drawen the with force of armes unto the Kyng oure most natural soverain Lorde, the whiche tho wotest wele yave unto the suche trust, and in suche wise mynystred his grace unto the, that thou haddist his castels in the Northe partie to kepe; thou hast betraied Sir John Asteley Knyght, and brother of the gartier, the whiche remaignethe in the hand of the Kynges oure soverain Lord enemyes in Fraunce.

Item, thou hast withstoud and maade fences ageynst the Kynges maiestie, and his lieutenant the worthy Lorde my broder of Warrwike; it apperith by the strookes of the greet gunnes in the Kyng walles of his castell of Bamburghe. For the[se] causes, dispost the to suffre thy penaunce aftyr the lawe. The Kyng had ordenned that thou shuldest have hadd thy sporys striken of by the hard heles, with the hand of the maister cooke, that whiche is here redy to doo, as was promysed at the tyme that he tooke of thy spurres; he said to yee, as ys accustumed, that 'And thou be not true to thy soverain Lord, I shal smyte of thy sporys with this knyf herd by the helys,' and so shewne hym the maistre cooke redy to doo his office, with apron and his knyff.

"Item, Sir Rauff Grey, the Kyng had ordenned here, thou maist see, the Kynge of armes and heroudes, and thine own propre cote of armes, that whiche they shuld teere of thy body, and so thou shuldist as wel be disgraded of thy worshipp, noblesse, and armes, as of the order of Knyghthode; and also here is an oder cote of thin armes reversed, the which thou shuldest have werne of thy body, going to that dethe warde, for that belongethe aftyr the lawe. Notwithstanding, of the disgrading of knygthode, and of thine armes, et noblesse, the King pardons that for thy noble grauntfader, the whiche suffrid trouble for the Kynges moost noble predecesseurs2. Than, Sir Rauf Grey, this shal be thy penaunce, thou shalt goo on thy feet unto the towneseend, and there thou shalt be laide downe and drawen to a scaffold maade for thee, and that thou shalt have thyne hede smite of thi body, to be buriede in the freres; thi heede where it pleased the Kyng."

Note 2. Sir Ralph Grey, of Wark, Heton, and Chillingham (lineal ancestor of the Earls of Tankerville, as well as of the present Earl Grey) was the grandson of Sir Thomas Grey, beheaded at Southampton with the Earl of Cambridge, Aug. 5, 1415. See the whole sheet pedigree of Grey in Raine's North Durham. - J.G.N.

Note 3. Were takene and afterward behedede: On the fifteenth day of May, at Hexham, Northumberland [Map], the Duke of Somerset (age 28), Edmund Fizthu, Bradshaw, Wauter Hunt, and Black Jakis were decapitated. On the seventeenth day of May, at Newcastle, the Lord of Hungerford, Lord Roos, Lord Thomas Fynderum, Edward de la Mare, and Nicholas Massam were decapitated. At Middleham Castle [Map], on the eighteenth day of May, the Lord Philip Wentworth, William Penyngton, Ward of Topcliff, Oliver Wentworth, William Spilar, Thomas Hunt, the footman of King Henry, were decapitated. At York, on the twenty-fifth day of May, Lord Thomas Husye, Thomas Gosse, Robert Merfynn, John Butler, Roger Water, the doorkeeper of King Henry, Thomas Fenwyke, Robert Cocfeld, William Bryte, William Dawsonn, and John Chapman were decapitated. At York, on the twenty-eighth day of May, John Elderbek, Richard Cawerum, John Roselle, and Robert Conqueror were decapitated." — MS. Arundel, Coll. Arm. 5, fol. 170, rº.

Quintodecimo die mensis Maij, apud Exham, decapitati sunt Dux Somersett, Edmundus Fizthu miles, Brasdshaw, Wauter Hunt, Blac Jakis. Decimo-septimo die mensis Maii, apud Novum-Castrum, decapitati sunt Dominus de Hungarforde, Dominus Roos, Dominus Thomas Fynderum, Edwardus de la Mare, Nicholaus Massam. Apud Medetham, xviijo die mensis Maii, decapitati sunt Dominus Philippus Wentworth, Willielmus Penyngton, Warde de Topcliff, Oliverus Wentworth, Willielmus Spilar, Thomas Hunt, le foteman Regis Henrici. Apud Eboracum, xxvº die mensis Maii, decapitati sunt Dominus Thomas Husye, Thomas Gosse, Robertus Merfynn, Johannes Butlerus, Rogerus Water, janitor Regis Henrici, Thomas Fenwyke, Robertus Cocfeld, Willielmus Bryte, Willielmus Dawsonn, Johannes Chapman. Apud Eboracum, xxviijo die mensis Maii, decapitati sunt Johannes Elderbek, Ricardus Cawerum, Johannes Roselle, Robertus Conqueror.

Beaufront Castle, Hexham, Tynedale, Northumberland, North-East England, British Isles [Map]

Beaufront Castle, Hexham is also in Castles in Northumberland.

On 31st January 1907 Anne Dorothy Byng (age 26) was accidentally shot and killed by her husband Captain James Harold Cuthbert (age 30) when he slipped whilst out on a pheasaant shoot at their home Beaufront Castle, Hexham [Map].

Devil's Water, Hexham, Tynedale, Northumberland, North-East England, British Isles [Map]

Archaeologia Aeliana Series 4 Volume 30. Montague's advance along the Tyne was unopposed. Bywell castle was apparently not taken until after the battle of Hexham;27 the Lancastrian garrison must have been with drawn before he came as he could hardly have ignored it. It is just possible that he advanced along the south side of the Tyne, but there does not seem to have been any road along that side and Prudhoe may have held a Lancastrian force, although the only suggestion that the Lancastrians held it is Henry's letter to William Burgh. There is no mention of it in the Year Book or the Chronicles. Somerset must have selected the site of the battle to dispute the crossing of the Devil's Water [Map], the last obstacle between Newcastle and Hexham. Montague presumably crossed the Tyne at Bywell or Corbridge. The Devil's Water [Map] can only be forded at a few places above Dilston [Map], and there seems no doubt that it was above Dilston that the battle was fought, although some have tried to place it on the level ground between Hexham and the Tyne.

Note 27. Brief Latin Chronicle, p. 179.

Dilston, Hexham, Tynedale, Northumberland, North-East England, British Isles [Map]

Archaeologia Aeliana Series 4 Volume 30. Montague's advance along the Tyne was unopposed. Bywell castle was apparently not taken until after the battle of Hexham;27 the Lancastrian garrison must have been with drawn before he came as he could hardly have ignored it. It is just possible that he advanced along the south side of the Tyne, but there does not seem to have been any road along that side and Prudhoe may have held a Lancastrian force, although the only suggestion that the Lancastrians held it is Henry's letter to William Burgh. There is no mention of it in the Year Book or the Chronicles. Somerset must have selected the site of the battle to dispute the crossing of the Devil's Water [Map], the last obstacle between Newcastle and Hexham. Montague presumably crossed the Tyne at Bywell or Corbridge. The Devil's Water [Map] can only be forded at a few places above Dilston [Map], and there seems no doubt that it was above Dilston that the battle was fought, although some have tried to place it on the level ground between Hexham and the Tyne.

Note 27. Brief Latin Chronicle, p. 179.

Dipton Wood, Hexham, Tynedale, Northumberland, North-East England, British Isles

Queen's Cave, Dipton Wood, Hexham, Tynedale, Northumberland, North-East England, British Isles [Map]

Preface. The escape of queen Margaret and her son has been made the subject of a romantic story, for which there is, unfortunately, very little historical foundation. The queen and the prince, as they were fleeing from the battle-field, were seized by some robbers, who plundered them of everything they possessed. A quarrel among their captors, as the spoil was being divided, enabled the unhappy pair to escape; but they fell, soon afterwards, into the hands of another marauder. With a presence of mind that never deserted her, Margaret placed her exhausted child in the stranger's charge, and entreated him to protect the boy as he was a king's son. The Northumbrian was touched by her frankness, and saved them from their peril. The story is a pretty one and appeared for the first time in Monstrelet; who states however, that the incident occurred in a forest in Hainault.r English writers have not scrupled to make it their own, and have transferred it to Hexhamshire. Still, we must not forget that in the rocky bank of the Devilswater, close to Linnels, there is a recess called the Queen's cave [Map], in which, according to the tradition of the country, Margaret and her son concealed themselves. It is possible, but not probable, that they found shelter in this place. Many would be the shifts to which they would be put during their misfortunes, and numerous would be their hiding-places.

Note r. Monstrelet, ed. Jolines, x., 125.

Archaeologia Aeliana Series 4 Volume 30. It has often been claimed that Queen Margaret was with the Lancastrian forces when the battle was fought, but this is impossible. There is no reason. to doubt the story of Margaret and the robbers which Chastellain had at only-second hand, but Queen's cave in West Dipton Wood [Map] cannot be the scene of her adventure and some other explanation for the name Queen's Letch must be found. Neither Chastellain nor Monstrelet, who both give the story, say that it took place near Hexham. They give no locality at all. It is certain that she had left England before the battle was fought and had not returned. The time of her departure can be accurately determined. It must have been early in August, 1463. On July 22 she was in Edinburgh and wrote to Louis XI from, there.38 The letter is only dated by the day and month, but 1463 is the only year in which it could have been written, since Louis XI only succeeded Charles VII on July 22, 1461. Margaret could not know of his accession to write to him on the very day, and in 1462 she was not in Edinburgh but at Rouen collecting troops and money to renew the campaigns against Edward. It is not known exactly when she left Edinburgh, but she moved to Bamburgh and embarked there39 for Sluys, where she arrived sometime between 6 and 10 August.40

Note 38. J. Calmette and G. Périnelle, Louis XI et L' Angleterre (1930), pitces Justificatives 19.

Note 39. Worcester, Annales, p. 39 note.

Note 40. J. Calmette and Périnelle, p. 39 note.

Linnels, Hexham, Tynedale, Northumberland, North-East England, British Isles [Map]

Grafton's Chronicle. 15th May 1464. The Lorde Montucute sevng fortune thus prosperously leadyng his sayle, was aduaunced with hardie courage towarde his enemies, and then in passyng forwarde, he had by his espialles perfect intelligence, that king Henry with all his power, was encamped in a fayre plaine called Livels [Map], on the water of Dowill in Exhamshire. It was no neede to bid him haste haste, as he that thought not to leese the occasion to him so manifestly geuen, & therfore in good order of battaile, he manfully set on his enemies in their awne campe, which like desperate persons, with no smal courage receiued him. There was a sore fought field, and no partie by a long tract, could getany aduauntage of the other, till at the last, the Lorde Montacute criyng on his men to do valiauntly, entred by plaine force the battaile of his enemies, and brake their array, which like men amased, fled hether and thether, desperate of all succor. In which flight and chase, were taken Henry Duke of Sommerset, which before was reconciled to king Edward, the Lorde Roos, the Lorde Molyns, the Lorde Hungerford, syr Thomas Wentworth, syr Thomas Huse, syr John Finderne, and many other. King Henry was this day the best horseman of his company: for he fled so fast that no man could overtake him, and yet he was so nere pursued, that certaine of his Ilenchmen and folowers were taken, theyr horses beyng trapped in blew veluet: wherof one of them had on his head, the said king Henryes Helinet. Some say his high Cap of estate, called Abococket, garnished with two riche Crownes, which was presented to king Edward, at Yorke the fourth day of Muy. The Duke of Sommerset, was incontinently for his great mutabilitic and lightnesse, beliedled at Exbam, the other Lordes and knightes were had to Newe Castell, and there after a little vespite, were likewise put to execution. Besyde these persons, divers other to the number of XXV were executed at Yorke, and in other places: whereby other fautors of king Henryes partie, should be out of all trust of all victory, considering that theyr Capitaines had hopped hedlesse. From this battaile escaped king Henry the six, syr Humfrey Neuell, William Taylboys, calling himsclfe Erle of Kent, syr Raufe Grey, and Richard Tunstall, and dyvers other, which beyng in feare of takyng, hid themselves and lurked in dennes and holes secretly. They were not so closely hid, but they were espyed: For the Erle of Kent was taken in a close place in Riddesdale, and broughs to New castell, and there with an Axe lost his head. Sir huwmirey Newell after long lurkyng ina Caue, was taken in Holdernesse, and at Yorke behedded. Thus every man almost that escaped, was after taken and scorged: so that it should seeme that God had ordeyned all such persons as rebelled agaynst king Edward, to have in conclusion, death for there rewarde.

Archaeologia Aeliana Series 4 Volume 30. The Year Book28 describes the site as un lieu appelle Livels, sur le ewe Devyls and Worcester29 as a hill one mile from Hexham. Hall and Grafton follow the Year Book, calling it a "fair plain called Livels".30 Later writers formed no exact idea of the site. T. C. Anstey and J. Gibson31 paid a visit to "what we of Hexham regard as the field of battle, viz. the ground between Dukesfield and Linnels [Map] on the south side of the Devil's Water". "Y.H. of Newcastle" was "assured that the battle happened at a place called Lennolds, south-west of Hexham and that the lines of entranchment are still to be seen."32

Note 28. Surt. Soc., p. cix.

Note 29. Worcester, Annales, p. 779, printed in The Wars of the English in France, ii, part 2, Rolls Series.

Note 30. Hall, p. 260; Grafton, ii, p. 3.

Note 31. AA (3), vi, p. 6

Note 32. Gentleman's Magazine (1778), p. 507.

Archaeologia Aeliana Series 4 Volume 30. Accounts of the battle of Hexham, which ended, by the total defeat of the Lancastrian forces, the four years' war fare between Henry VI and Edward IV, have always been very brief and somewhat confused. In spite of its importance, contemporary chroniclers tell us very little about it. Warkworth's chronicle does not even name the site and Gregory's chronicle hurries over the battle but lists in full the executions which followed. It seems that Worcester wrote a full account of the battle, but unfortunately a page is missing from the MS. at this point and his chronicle is resumed in the middle of the description. Even its date was forgotten. Waurin, a late fifteenth century writer, places it a year too early and the sixteenth century chroniclers, Hall and Grafton, give it under the year 1462, although their description of the site is more accurate than that of earlier writers. Fortunately there is an official source, the Year Book de Termino Paschae, 4 Edward IV1, which describes the site and gives the exact date of the battle, 15 May, 1464. But the inaccuracies of the chroniclers have become better known than the entry in the Year Book and many local historians have been misled. Brand is uncertain of the site and quotes two rival opinions, one in favour of the low ground near the Tyne, the other for a site near Linnolds [Map], without judging between them. Hodgson makes a very brief reference to the battle, but he gets the date correct. His successors have added nothing to his description but have been less accurate. Bates thought that two battles were fought, one in 1463, the other in 1464, although it is clear even from the meagre descriptions of the chroniclers that whatever date they may give, it is one and the same battle that they are describing. Even the Northumberland County History shows some indecision. While volume IV (p. 48) follows the lead of Bates and gives two battles, one in 1463, the other on 4 May, 1464, both volumes I (p. 47) and VI (p. 75) give only one battle and that fought on 8 May, 1464.

Note 1. Year Book, extract published in Surtees Soc. The Priory of Hexham, i (1864), pp. cviii-cxi.

Swallowship Hill, Hexham, Tynedale, Northumberland, North-East England, British Isles [Map]

Archaeologia Aeliana Series 4 Volume 30. The three obvious crossings for anyone advancing on Hex ham from the east are all lower downstream, and there is one site which commands them all. Swallowship Hill [Map] is the obvious site for the battle to have been fought. It commands the crossing at Linnolds, to the south of the hill, the ford near Swallowship well to the west and another ford to the north of the hill, where the Devil's Water is running west to east. Moreover it does not only control these crossings, it looks over a wide district and from there Somerset would be able to see Montague's advance, and if he showed any intention of crossing the Devil's Water between Dilston and the Tyne, Somerset could, without much difficulty, have marched to intercept him. Swallowship Hill seems to be the place that Anstey and Gibson are trying to describe and I think they are right. This site fits as well as the Ordnance site the description of Worcester and the Year Book, while tactically it is far superior.