Biddlestone medieval village (Netherton with Biddlestone; Biddlestone)
The 'Biddlestones' (NT 90 NE 1) are the pedestal and socket of a medieval wayside or market cross which seems to have stood at one end of the village green of Biddlesden or Biddlestone, 'before the village and green were displaced by the park of Biddlestone Hall'. (1)
NT 955082 Biddlestone. Date of emparking not given. There are particularly good marks of former ploughlands surrounding this site and running up into the Cheviot-fringe. It was still a village in 1410. Nine out of 23 tenancies decayed in 1584. (Nothing visible on available air photographs (RAF 1946). (2)
NT 95740814. On the south side of the modern road through the Park, is a small area of hummocky ground. At the west end, an upturned tree has uncovered a mass of loose stones in the ground, and more stone appears in a bank a little north of a standing tree at the same place. Rig and furrow ploughing surrounds this area on the east, south and west sides. Fields all around the Park of Biddlestone Hall (NT 90 NE 3) bear further rig and furrow ploughing features. The site is a likely one for the deserted village, being sheltered by a low ridge on the north side and overlooking gentle slopes to the south, down to a little stream 150m away. In the south-east corner of the Park, a hollow way drops down either side of the stream to a good fording place, now occupied by a bridge of late construction. There are no traces of old trackways and no old field names are extant. Local enquiries revealed no knowledge of the village site. (3)
In the disturbed area described by F1 fragmentary banks can be identified that appear to have formed small garths. There is little doubt that this area was once part of the village. (4)
The village of 'Biddlestone' has records dating back to 1300AD. (5)
No surveyable remains. (6)
NT 9574 0814 (See 1:2500 illustration). On the south side of the modern road through the park is a small area of hummocky ground, which was most probably the site of the former village. The site is a likely one being sheltered by a low ridge on the north side and overlooking gentle slopes to the south, down to a stream 150m away.
Within this area are the fragmentary remains of enclosure banks, an earthen platform and the posssible remains of an exposed building foundation, surrounded on the west, south and east by pronounced rig and furrow ploughing. In the south-east of the field a modern track utilises two hollow ways, one on either side of the stream at a good fording place, although now connected by a modern bridge. A similar hollow way to the west also leads down to the stream. Fields surrounding the site of the now demolished Biddlestone Hall (NT 90 NE 3) bear further rig and furrow and it is probable that the village extended north of the modern road, but this area is thickly afforested and no remains are evident.
According to Mr Snaithe, farmer of Biddlestone Home Farm a deep, stone lined well was discovered at approximately NT 95990815 in 1959 and is thought to have been the village well, but modern afforestation has now obscured any trace.
Although no old field names survive, the area to the south of the road is known locally as that of the old village, but the remains are now fragmentary and form no particularly extensive or coherent pattern and do not warrant survey at 1:2500. (7)
Biddleston was a member of the barony of Alnwick, subinfeudated to Gilbert de Umfraville, Lord of Redesdale, as one of the Ten Towns of Coquetdale in 1242. 1296: 17 taxpayers. Poll Tax of 1377: 24 adults listed. The vill was held in moieties in the medieval period. By 1576 entirely in the hands of the Selby family. 1604: 12 tenants. Hearth Tax of 1665: 12 householders with one hearth and Mr Selby with five hearths.
Reorganisation of the estate occurred in the 18th century. The former village site was emparked by 1769 and a new farm established at Biddlestone Edge.
Selby mansion demolished except for chapel which was built on the basement of the former tower. Earthworks at NT 955081, south of road - possible house site and small enclosure, as well as well-preserved ridge and furrow surrounding the site. (8)
NT 955082 Biddlestone. Date of emparking not given. There are particularly good marks of former ploughlands surrounding this site and running up into the Cheviot-fringe. It was still a village in 1410. Nine out of 23 tenancies decayed in 1584. (Nothing visible on available air photographs (RAF 1946). (2)
NT 95740814. On the south side of the modern road through the Park, is a small area of hummocky ground. At the west end, an upturned tree has uncovered a mass of loose stones in the ground, and more stone appears in a bank a little north of a standing tree at the same place. Rig and furrow ploughing surrounds this area on the east, south and west sides. Fields all around the Park of Biddlestone Hall (NT 90 NE 3) bear further rig and furrow ploughing features. The site is a likely one for the deserted village, being sheltered by a low ridge on the north side and overlooking gentle slopes to the south, down to a little stream 150m away. In the south-east corner of the Park, a hollow way drops down either side of the stream to a good fording place, now occupied by a bridge of late construction. There are no traces of old trackways and no old field names are extant. Local enquiries revealed no knowledge of the village site. (3)
In the disturbed area described by F1 fragmentary banks can be identified that appear to have formed small garths. There is little doubt that this area was once part of the village. (4)
The village of 'Biddlestone' has records dating back to 1300AD. (5)
No surveyable remains. (6)
NT 9574 0814 (See 1:2500 illustration). On the south side of the modern road through the park is a small area of hummocky ground, which was most probably the site of the former village. The site is a likely one being sheltered by a low ridge on the north side and overlooking gentle slopes to the south, down to a stream 150m away.
Within this area are the fragmentary remains of enclosure banks, an earthen platform and the posssible remains of an exposed building foundation, surrounded on the west, south and east by pronounced rig and furrow ploughing. In the south-east of the field a modern track utilises two hollow ways, one on either side of the stream at a good fording place, although now connected by a modern bridge. A similar hollow way to the west also leads down to the stream. Fields surrounding the site of the now demolished Biddlestone Hall (NT 90 NE 3) bear further rig and furrow and it is probable that the village extended north of the modern road, but this area is thickly afforested and no remains are evident.
According to Mr Snaithe, farmer of Biddlestone Home Farm a deep, stone lined well was discovered at approximately NT 95990815 in 1959 and is thought to have been the village well, but modern afforestation has now obscured any trace.
Although no old field names survive, the area to the south of the road is known locally as that of the old village, but the remains are now fragmentary and form no particularly extensive or coherent pattern and do not warrant survey at 1:2500. (7)
Biddleston was a member of the barony of Alnwick, subinfeudated to Gilbert de Umfraville, Lord of Redesdale, as one of the Ten Towns of Coquetdale in 1242. 1296: 17 taxpayers. Poll Tax of 1377: 24 adults listed. The vill was held in moieties in the medieval period. By 1576 entirely in the hands of the Selby family. 1604: 12 tenants. Hearth Tax of 1665: 12 householders with one hearth and Mr Selby with five hearths.
Reorganisation of the estate occurred in the 18th century. The former village site was emparked by 1769 and a new farm established at Biddlestone Edge.
Selby mansion demolished except for chapel which was built on the basement of the former tower. Earthworks at NT 955081, south of road - possible house site and small enclosure, as well as well-preserved ridge and furrow surrounding the site. (8)
N1107
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1957; E Geary
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1957; A S Phillips
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1970; B H Pritchard
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1976; S Ainsworth
FIELD SURVEY, Deserted Medieval Villages of North Northumberland 1978; P J Dixon
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1957; A S Phillips
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1970; B H Pritchard
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1976; S Ainsworth
FIELD SURVEY, Deserted Medieval Villages of North Northumberland 1978; P J Dixon
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