A potted history of Northumberland

See the ROMAN PERIOD

343AD – Trouble breaks out on Hadrian's Roman Wall, Roman forts in North Tynedale are burnt down.

367AD – Tribes overrun Hadrian's Wall in a Barbarian Conspiracy. Picts, Irish and Scots, assisted by Saxon pirates from northern Europe, in the biggest revolt against the Romans to date.

369AD – Hadrian's Wall extensively restored.

388AD – Hadrian’s Wall attacked by native tribes and the Romans suffer defeats in battle.

399AD – The Romans begin to evacuate troops from Britain to protect Rome and the eastern parts of the empire.

408AD – Revolts against the Romans in North Britain gain momentum.

410AD – Britain has now virtually ceased to be part of the Roman Empire.

604AD – Athelfrith takes the crown of Deira in the Yorkshire wolds and unites all the Anglo-Saxon territory north of the River Humber into one kingdom called Northumbria.

604AD – Athelfrith, King of Northumbria marries Acha, a member of the Deiran royal family.

610AD – King Cearl of Mercia (The Midlands) has takes Prince Edwin (Athelfrith's brother) under his protection.

615AD – Cumbria is been seized by King Athelfrith and added to the Kingdom of Northumbria.

616AD – Athelfrith killed in battle against Raedwald of East Anglia at Bawtry on the River Idle. Oswald, Athelfrith’s son flees Northumbria to the Scottish island monastery of Iona.

616AD – Edwin becomes the new King of Northumbria.

625AD – King Edwin of Northumbria marries a Christian princess called Ethelberga of Kent. The marriage reflects Edwin’s forms an alliance with King Eadbald of Kent, who is the only Christian king in England.

626AD – The native Celtic kingdom of Meicen (Hatfield) near Doncaster and the Anglian kingdom of Lindsey (Lincolnshire) are captured by Edwin.

626AD – Eumer, an agent of Cuichelm, King of the West Saxons, attempts to assassinate King Edwin at his royal palace in the Yorkshire wolds. On the same night Edwin’s queen, Ethelburga, gave birth.

633 – Penda defeats King Edwin of Northumbria and becomes King of Mercia (The Midlands). Penda is one of the most powerful kings in the country along with his Welsh ally Caedwalla who claims the throne of Deira.

633 – Eanfrith, pagan son of Aethelfrith, is the new King of Northumbria. Northumbria reverts to paganism. St Paulinus, the Christian Bishop of York returns to Kent.

634 – King Eanfrith, eldest son of Aethelfrith, is killed by his younger brother Oswald who has returned from Iona. Oswald becomes king.

635 – Oswald defeats Penda of Mercia and the Welsh under Caedwalla at the battle of Heavenfield at Chollerford near Hexham. The victory leaves Oswald undisputed overking (Bretwalda) of all England. He employs St Aidan, an Irish monk from the Scottish island of Iona, to convert Northumbria to Celtic Christianity. Aidan settled on the island of Lindisfarne, which subsequently became known as Holy Island, where he founded a monastery. Under Aidan and his successors, Holy Island flourished as a leading ecclesiastical centre, the focus of what has been called a “golden age” of scholarship and cultural excellence. The historian and theologian the Venerable Bede was born in Northumbria, and the great illuminated manuscript now called the Lindisfarne Gospels was created by the monks of Holy Island.

638 – The Lothians and Edinburgh are besieged and captured by Oswald who adds them to Northumbria. Edinburgh was the chief fortress of an ancient British tribe called the Gododdin.

640 – A monastery is established on the coastal headland at Hartlepool by Hieu, an Irish princess, who becomes the first abbess.

August 5, 642 – Oswald is killed in battle at Maserfelth fighting against Penda of Mercia.

642 - Oswald is succeeded by his brother Oswy in Bernicia and by the rival Oswine in Deira, splitting Northumbria into two.

643 - Penda of Mercia seizes Northumbrian land in Deira, Lincolnshire and Elmet near Leeds.

649 - Hieu, the founder and abbess of the monastery at Hartlepool is succeeded by St Hilda.

651 - St Aidan dies in the church at Bamburgh. He is succeeded by Bishop Finan. Meanwhile, a boy called Cuthbert sees the death of Aidan in a vision while shepherding on the moors near the Tweed. Cuthbert decides to become a monk and joins the monastery of Mel Rose.

651 - Oswine, King of Deira, is murdered after backing down from military confrontation with Oswy of Bernicia at Wilfar’s Hill near Catterick. Oswine’s hiding place at Gilling is discovered by one of Oswy’s men and he is killed. Oswine is buried at Tynemouth. Oswy claims Deira on the strength of his marriage to Eanfled, daughter of the late King Edwin.

651 - Oswy, King of Bernicia, appoints Ethelwald, son of Oswald, as King of Deira but Deira (Yorkshire) is subordinate to Bernicia (the North-East).

652 - Penda, the pagan king of Mercia, attacks Northumbria as far as Bamburgh in an alliance with Ethelwald, King of Deira.

653 - The Picts from central and eastern Scotland, select Talorgen, nephew of the Northumbrian King Oswy, as their king.

653 - Uttan is the abbott at the monastery of Ad Caprae Caput on the south bank of the River Tyne. Ad Caprae Caput means Goat’s Head (Gateshead). It may refer to some kind of totem signifying a meeting place.

655 - Oswy, king of Northumbria, is proclaimed Bretwalda or ‘overking’ of all England. He appoints Penda’s son Peada as King of Mercia south of the Trent. Oswy takes north Mercia for himself.

711 – The Northumbrian's defeat the Picts in battle.

October 718 – Cenred dies and is succeeded by Osric who helped murder the boy King of Northumbria two years ago.

May 7, 721 – Saint John of Beverley, formerly Bishop of York and Hexham, dies at Beverley monastery.

In the late 8th Century, Northumbria collapsed into a state of anarchy caused in part by rivalry between the royal houses of Deira and Bernicia. From 737AD to 806AD, Northumbria had ten kings: three were murdered, five were expelled and two retired to become monks. This instability encourages the first Viking raiders to attack the Northumbrian coast from 793AD. Many defensive strongholds were built, among them the great castles of Alnwick, Aydon, Belsay, and Prudhoe, which still stand today, as well as the fortified dwellings characteristic of the Border country. These “pele towers” usually took the form of a thick-walled tower, with quarters for cattle on ground level and living accommodation above.

August 5, 759 – Oswulf, King of Northumbria, is assassinated near Corbridge and succeeded by a Deiran called Athelwald Moll of Catterick.

866 – Osbert, King of Northumbria, is overthrown and replaced by his brother Aelle II.

March 23, 867AD – Aelle, King of Northumbria, is captured attempting to retake York from the Danes. Earl Osbert of Bernicia is killed during the battle. Aelle is subjected to the horrific Blood Eagle ordeal by the Vikings. His ribs are torn out and folded back to form the shape of an eagle's wings. It is punishment for his alleged murder of Ragnor Lodbrook, a great Danish leader who was the father of Ivar, Halfdene and Hubba.

867 – The Danes employ an Anglo-Saxon called Egbert as temporary King of Northumbria.

875 – The Danes, under the leadership of Halfdene, enter the Tyne and destroy Tynemouth Priory before wintering at the mouth of the River Team near Gateshead. Once the winter is over the Danes begin their battle campaign in Bernicia and Scotland. Hexham is ransacked.

875 – Descendants of the old Kings of Bamburgh continue to rule the North East region but as clients of the Danish Kings of York.

914 – Irish-Vikings under King Ragnald attack the North-East with the help of the Yorkshire Danes. The Bernicians fight in alliance with the Scots and defeat the Vikings at Corbridge.

918 – Ragnald defeats a joint army of Northumbrian's, Danes and Franks in a second battle at Corbridge. The Danes no longer support Ragnald.

954 – Eric Bloodaxe is murdered by Maccus, an agent of Oswulf Ealdulfing, the High Reeve or Earl of Bamburgh, who rules Northumbria north of the Tees. Oswulf supports Eadred, the King of Wessex and England. Eric's death signifies the end of northern independence and Yorkshire and the North-East are ruled as part of England by Kings in the south.

957 – Mercia and Northumbria rebel against Eadwig in favour of his brother Edgar who they wish to appoint king.

October 1, 959AD – Edgar is the new king of England.

1054 – Siward, Earl of Northumbria, defeats the Scots under King Macbeth and installs his nephew Malcolm Canmore as Lord of Strathclyde and the Lothian. This battle - in which Siward, Malcolm and Macduff disguised their attack by concealing themselves behind tree branches - gives Shakespeare the plot for his famous play as the apparition predicts: "Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him."

1069 - WILLIAM the Conqueror's conquest of the North was not immediate. The northerners massacred his troops at Durham and York and murdered his appointed earls. It was only after William's "Harrying of the North" in the winter of 1069 that the conquest of the region began. It was completed by the construction of Norman castles at York, Richmond, Durham and "New Castle". These became the strongholds of Norman control and authority in the North-East.

January 30, 1069 – Robert Comines, a Norman knight, is appointed Earl of Northumbria by the King William.

January 31, 1069 – A mob of Northumbrians broke the gates of Durham and stormed through the streets killing the Normans. Earl Comines flees for safety into the bishop's palace but is killed when it is set alight. The blaze threatens the western tower of Durham Minster but the locals pray and the wind diverts the flames. Only two Normans survive and flee.

1086 – England north of the Tees is left out of the Domesday Book, a survey of the king's territory, which is an indication of desolation in the region.

November 13, 1093 – Malcolm III, King of the Scots, is slain during a raid on Alnwick. He was tricked by Arkil Morel, nephew of Robert Mowbray. Malcolm is buried at Tynemouth and Mowbray forms an alliance with Donald, the new Scottish king.

1095 – Bamburgh Castle is besieged by King William II against Robert Mowbray who has rebelled against him. Mowbray's castles at Newcastle, Tynemouth and Morpeth are seized. Northumberland is taken under direct rule of the King. It stretches from the Tyne to the Tweed but includes land in south Durham.

Henry I of England dies in 1135 and is succeeded by his nephew Stephen, instead of his daughter Matilda. David, King of Scotland, attacks Northumberland in support of Matilda and is defeated in battle at Northallerton in 1138, but given Northumberland the following year. When the Scottish Chancellor William Cumin seized the Bishop of Durham’s throne in 1141, David’s control of the North-East was complete.

February 5, 1136 - Stephen and David sign a treaty at Durham settling land disputes. David’s son Henry is granted Huntingdon, but Stephen keeps Northumberland, which has been claimed by the Scots for many years.

1138 - David invades Northumberland four times in support of Matilda.

August 22, 1138 - The Scots invade again and fight the English, whose army is almost entirely composed of Yorkshire barons, at the Battle of the Standard near Northallerton. David’s army is heavily defeated and he is forced to retreat to his castle at Carlisle.

1147 - Henry Plantagenet (the future King Henry II) promises David of Scotland that when he is king, he will continue to recognise David’s right to Cumberland and Northumberland.

1157 - Despite his promises in 1147, Henry II reclaims Northumberland from the Scots but allows them to keep Tynedale.

November 22, 1200 - William of Scotland claims Northumberland as his own in a meeting with John.

1210 - Alexander, son of William of Scotland, gives his allegiance to John at Alnwick. In 1214 Alexander becomes the new king of Scotland as Alexander II.

1212 - King John visits Corbridge in the hope of finding Roman treasure which is said to be buried there. It follows similar searches in 1202 and 1208 but he finds nothing.

June 15, 1215 - The Magna Carta is signed by King John in the presence of the barons. It reduces the excesses and abuses of the monarch’s power. The Northumberland barons are still not happy and transfer allegiance from John to Alexander of Scotland. Alexander raids as far south as Newcastle.

1216 - John burns Morpeth, Alnwick and Berwick and drives out the Scots and then attacks the Scottish lowlands.

October 1216 - John dies and is succeeded by the nine-year-old Henry III. The Scots raid the north throughout the following year.

1272 - Edward I becomes the new King of England.

1296 - Scots raid lays Hexham town to waste, burning the abbey and the Hexham grammar school.

1309 - Henry de Percy, first Earl of Northumberland, purchased Alnwick Castle (and with it his title) and pledges to defend England against the Scots.

1346 - King David of Scotland plunders and burns Hexham Abbey prior to the Battle of Nevilles Cross, near Durham.

July 22, 1414 - Scots are defeated in a battle at Yeavering, near Wooler, by Sir Robert Umfraville.

1434 - Permission is given for town walls to be built at Alnwick

March 29, 1461 - Yorkists are victorious in a heavy snowstorm at the Battle of Towton. Edward of York is crowned Edward IV. Lancastrian supporter Earl Henry Percy is among those killed. The Lancastrian castle at Alnwick is acquired by John Neville, brother of Warwick.

October 25, 1462 - After a long siege, Margaret of Anjou, queen of the deposed Henry IV, captures Bamburgh
and Alnwick Castle with the support of the French and Scots.

January 1463 - Richard Neville of Middleham Castle besieges the Lancastrians in Alnwick Castle until they eventually retreat despite their Scottish reinforcements.

April 3, 1463 - The first Battle of Hexham takes place between Yorkists under John Neville and the Lancastrian supporters of Margaret. Ralph Percy, switches allegiance to the Lancastrians who are defeated and flee to Scotland.

1464 April 25- A Roses battle takes place at Hedgeley Moor near Wooler. The Yorkist John Neville is attacked by Lancastrians who include Ralph Percy and Sir Ralph Grey. Neville is victorious.

May 5, 1464 - Second War of the Roses battle at Hexham. The Lancastrians under Margaret are defeated again by Neville.

May 1464 - The Lancastrian-held castles of Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Alnwick surrender to King Edward VI.

May 27, 1464 - John Neville, Lord Montagu, is appointed as Earl of Northumberland.

September 9, 1513 - The English under the Earl of Surrey defeat and kill King James IV of Scotland at the battle of Flodden Field near Branxton in North Northumberland.

1532-34 - The Earl of Northumberland ravages the Scottish Borders in 1532 and in 1534. In 1534 the English destroy 192 Scottish castles, towers and churches.

1569 The Nevilles of Durham and Percys of Northumberland plot to overthrow Elizabeth I and reinstate Roman Catholicism in “The Rising of the North”.

1606 - King James begins the transportation of Border Reivers to Ireland.

1697 - Northumberland MP Sir John Fenwick, is beheaded for plotting against King William.

1702 - William III dies after falling from a horse which once belonged to the executed
MP John Fenwick. He is succeeded by Queen Anne.

WORLD’S FIRST RAILWAYS
Seventeenth Century colliery railways called ‘Newcastle Roads’ enabled mines to be opened further away from the Tyne and Wear. These were the world’s first railways and were operated by horse drawn wagons called chaldrons filled with coal. The first recorded railway, the Whickham Grand Lease Way of 1620, ran from Whickham to Dunston via Lobley Hill.

1761 March 9, - Troops open fire on the crowd after The Riot Act was read to Allendale miners demonstrating against army conscription methods. Forty men are killed. A 74-year-old man is later hanged for his part in the riot, but he was not in Hexham on the day in question. For many years after the North York Militia were labelled the `Hexham Butchers'.

1901 - 100,000 coal miners work in the Durham coalfield and a further 37,000 are employed in the Northumberland coalfield.