Emspeth or Clennel Street (Alwinton)
Centred NT 87761310 Clennell Street. (1)
(NT87501367 - NT9216047) Ernspeth, c.AD1220. (2)
(Extends from NT 87501367 to NT 92160647). The survival of the name 'Ernspeth' from the 13th century is shown by the modern use of 'Yarnspath Law' (at NT 8631350) 'Ernspeth' undoubtedly means 'eagles' path', descriptive of its direction over the mountains. The root 'earn' in OE means 'eagle', but it is impossible to distinguish from the personal name 'Earn'. Its course is obstructed by at least six cross dykes. (3)
The great road of Yarnspeth (Ernspeth) is mentioned in a charter of Odinel de Umfraville in 1181 and again in a charter of Richard de Umfraville (died 1226). (4)
See 6" for comments. (5)
Clennel Street was a major drove road linking Morpeth with Kelso and crossed the English and Scottish border at Outer Cock Law (NT 8716). (6)(7)
Clennell Street was first recorded as Yarnspath or Ernespeth in deeds relating to Newminster Abbey in the late 12th century. It formed part of one of the boundaries between Clennell and the Kidland Forest, suggesting it was then an ancient routeway and boundary. It has been suggested it has its origins in the Bronze Age or earlier [6]. In the 18th century the route was depicted on General Roy's map of Scottish roads (1747-55) and described as a 'road from Morpeth to Kelso', and was probably for the long distance movement of sheep and cattle. Several alternative courses exist across the border and split between Murder Cleugh and Uswayford.
From 1200-1400 the role of Clennell Street appears to have been to enable the controlled movement of stock in a tightly-regulated and reasonably well-populated landscape, but in the centuries that followed it became a route for more illicit purposes, including raiding from both sides of the border, while small-scale stock movement continued. This combined role continued into the 19th century, but by the 1850s long distance droving and whisky smuggling had virtually ceased and roads like Clennell Street were largely relegated to use as farm tracks. (8)
Route information and maps. (9)
(NT87501367 - NT9216047) Ernspeth, c.AD1220. (2)
(Extends from NT 87501367 to NT 92160647). The survival of the name 'Ernspeth' from the 13th century is shown by the modern use of 'Yarnspath Law' (at NT 8631350) 'Ernspeth' undoubtedly means 'eagles' path', descriptive of its direction over the mountains. The root 'earn' in OE means 'eagle', but it is impossible to distinguish from the personal name 'Earn'. Its course is obstructed by at least six cross dykes. (3)
The great road of Yarnspeth (Ernspeth) is mentioned in a charter of Odinel de Umfraville in 1181 and again in a charter of Richard de Umfraville (died 1226). (4)
See 6" for comments. (5)
Clennel Street was a major drove road linking Morpeth with Kelso and crossed the English and Scottish border at Outer Cock Law (NT 8716). (6)(7)
Clennell Street was first recorded as Yarnspath or Ernespeth in deeds relating to Newminster Abbey in the late 12th century. It formed part of one of the boundaries between Clennell and the Kidland Forest, suggesting it was then an ancient routeway and boundary. It has been suggested it has its origins in the Bronze Age or earlier [6]. In the 18th century the route was depicted on General Roy's map of Scottish roads (1747-55) and described as a 'road from Morpeth to Kelso', and was probably for the long distance movement of sheep and cattle. Several alternative courses exist across the border and split between Murder Cleugh and Uswayford.
From 1200-1400 the role of Clennell Street appears to have been to enable the controlled movement of stock in a tightly-regulated and reasonably well-populated landscape, but in the centuries that followed it became a route for more illicit purposes, including raiding from both sides of the border, while small-scale stock movement continued. This combined role continued into the 19th century, but by the 1850s long distance droving and whisky smuggling had virtually ceased and roads like Clennell Street were largely relegated to use as farm tracks. (8)
Route information and maps. (9)
N510
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1969; B H Pritchard
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