Shortflatt, Bolam, Alnwick Region, Northumberland, North-East England, British Isles [Map]

Shortflatt, Bolam [Map]. A historic house and defensive tower. Originally built in 1257, permission to crenellate (make battlements) was granted by the crown in 1305 to Robert de Reynes. A small turret in the north-east corner of the main house dates from this time. The tower itself was probably added in the late 15th or early 16th century at a time when Shortflatt was frequently targeted by Scottish raiders.

Archaeologia Aeliana Series 4 Volume 32 Pages 126-159. 1284. Margery died in 1284, holding land in Bolam, Greenleighton, Deanham, East Brunton, Little Whittington and Aydon in capite by the service of 1½ knights' fees and 20s. castle-guard; and also "Le Scortflat [Map], the manor and 160 acres of land", and land in Middleton, Cambo, Shaftoe and Hawick of the heirs of Hugh of Bolbec, rendering 20s. yearly to those heirs²⁸.

Note 28. Cal. Inq. Edw. I.

Note 29. App. A. In N.C.H., X, 331, William Middleton is identified with the person of that name who became vicar of Bolam before 1281 and was still vicar in Oct. 1294.

Archaeologia Aeliana Series 4 Volume 33 Pagess 134-141. In 1767 the manor of Shortflatt [Map] was divided, John Dent taking the mansion house and the western moiety, and William Hepple, and his associate. Lancelot Robson of Belsay, sharing the eastern moiety. The deed also provided that John Dent and his heirs should "use, possess and enjoy" the eastern moiety of the "Shortflatt Isle" in Bolam Church [Map], and that Hepple and Robson and their heirs should have the western moiety (pi. XVI). In the same year the three proprietors of Shortflatt were summoned to a Court Leet of the manor of Bywell—an interesting survival of the feudal connection with the barony of Bolbec.

Archaeologia Aeliana Series 4 Volume 33 Pagess 134-141. 1770. John Dent lived at Wincomblee or Walker till about 1770, when he settled at Shortflatt [Map], occupying the seventeenth century part of the house, and letting the tower to the farmer who rented as the "West Farm" most of the Dent land. He died in 1786²⁵.

Note 25. Newcastle Courant, Nov. 25th, 1786.

Archaeologia Aeliana Series 4 Volume 33 Pagess 134-141. Hodgson describes Shortflatt [Map] in about 1825 — "The approach to it is by a door-way in a garden wall, finely over hung with ivy. The tower is of strong masonry, and in good repair; its upper parts occupied by the farmer of the Shortflatt grounds, and its vault used as a cow house.... A shield over the door-way into the old entrance, if it was ever charged with armorial bearings, has been unfaithful to its trust."

Archaeologia Aeliana Series 4 Volume 33 Pagess 134-141. Edward John Dent (age 24), who became owner in 1880, made Shortflatt [Map] famous in sporting circles, his record as a breeder and trainer of greyhounds being six winners of the Waterloo Cup in eight years. His son, Lieut.-Colonel W. E. Hedley-Dent, assumed the name of Hedley-Dent in 1926³², and he and his wife have created a charming garden, and wide stretches of lawn, with beds of roses and lavender, and fine trees in the background, making a delightful setting for the old Border house, whose history I have told.