Mr. URBAN, Bury St. Edmund's, AFTER the many explicit and able illustrations of the Saxon Tower, now used as a Steeple to St. James's Church in this town, which have appeared in different Publications, particularly in Britton's "Architectural Antiquities," it may appear presumptuous in me to advert again to that perfect specimen of the talents of our ancestors. I am, however, induced to send you a sketch of this building, (see Plate I.) in consequence of the apprehensions which have long existed, being considerably increased, that this structure is in so dilapidated a state, that its existence depends on the precautions necessary for its preservation. On the 5th of last month, as it is customary, the bells were rung in commemoration of the day: soon after a peal had ceased, a considerable portion of the grand arch, on the East side of the gateway, suddenly fell down; the fallen stones fortunately separated from their long abode, without injury to any person, but it caused much alarm. The part which fell, is the arch springing from the capital of the third column, of which there are four on each side; not more than a third, however, is seen in the etching, being concealed by an arch or moulding, which springs from the second capital, and corresponding in shape and size to the one alluded to. About 30 of these large stones, which are at once the orua ment and support of this noble arch, were in a moment displaced. Another visible injury on this front of the Tower, is two immense cracks, from the very top to the lower or grand arch. Is it not to be regretted that so valuable a relick of antiquity should not have every precau tion taken to preserve it for future admiration? When these stones fell, it so happened that one of the most eminent and experienced architects of the present day was amongst those who lamented the event, and condemned the cause, which he considered to arise from the vibration and weight of the bells, which were very improperly placed therein about 30 years since; and that unless the ringing is discontinued, his opinion is, that the whole fabrick is in danger. The annexed Etching is done by Mr. H. Davy, whose residence in Bury is for the purpose of taking subjects for the interesting Work he has announced for publication, of "Illustrations of the Architectural Antiquities of Suffolk;" and it is hoped this is a prelude to the much-wanted topographical account of this county, so long and so eagerly looked for from those gentlemen, who for some time have been forming collections. I cannot help intimating to you, and your numerous admirers of antiquity, that a gentleman (Mr. Benjafield) who occupies the very site upon which the interesting Abbey Church stood, where the body of the Martyr St. Edmund was deposited, has been excavating the soil many yards in extent, and feet in depth; by so doing the foundations of buildings were discovered, of which no record is to be found. What an interesting detail could be made known! I trust it will be given; as every document connected with the Monastery of St. Edmund, which, as Dr. Yates observes, "acquired and maintained during a long succession of ages, a very distinguished and extended celebrity," cannot but be as interesting, as the completion of his " Monastic History and Antiquities" is desirable. Yours, &c. COMPENDIUM OF COUNTY HISTORY. ANTIQUARIUS. NORTHUMBERLAND, including BERWICK-UPON-TWEED. HISTORY, concluded from p. 13. 1215 and 1216. Northumberland ravaged; the castles of Alnwick, Berwick, Mitford, and Werk, destroyed by an army of Flemings under King John, in consequence of the barons of this county having done homage to Alexander King of Scotland at Felton-ball. 1244. At Ponteland, Peace concluded between Henry III. of England and Alexander III. of Scotland through the mediation of the Prior of Tyne. mouth. GENT. MAG. February, 1819. 1255. 1255. At Werk castle, Henry III. and his Queen Eleanor had an interview with their daughter Margaret, and her husband Alexander III. King of Scotland. 1291. At Berwick, August 2, the States of England and Scotland assembled by Edward I. to determine the succession to the throne of Scotland, when they decided in favour of the claim of John Baliol against Robert Bruce. 1292. At Newcastle, John Baliol King of Scotland did homage to Edward I. 1295. Berwick, March 30, taken by Edward I. and 7000 Scots slain; about the same time Carbam was burnt by Sir William Wallace. 1296. At Berwick, August 24, an English Parliament assembled by Edward I. when the Scotch nobility did homage to him. Harbottle castle successfully defended against the Scots. 1297. Berwick taken by Sir William Wallace and the Scots. 1302. On Red Rigs, near Yevering, 10,000 Scots under Earl Douglas defeated by Henry Lord Percy and George Earl of March. 1307. At Berwick, the Countess of Buchan, for crowning Robert Bruce at Scone, shut up by order of Edward I. in a wooden cage made in the shape of a crown, and exposed on the walls of the castle. She was thus confined for six years. 1310. In Bamborough castle, Edward II. sheltered his favourite Gaveston from the Barons, whilst he and his Queen Isabella wintered at Berwick. 1812. Berwick in vain attempted by scalade in the night by Robert Bruce and the Scots. 1314. At Berwick, June 28, Edward II. issued a proclamation informing his subjects of the loss of the great seal at the battle of Bannockburn, in Scotland, fought June 25.- Harbottle castle, July, taken by the Scots. 1316. Tynemouth priory plundered by the insurgents under Sir William Middleton and Walter de Sellby, who were shortly afterwards taken prisoners, sent to London, and hanged. 1818. Berwick, through the treachery of its governor, Peter Spalding, taken by Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, after which it was besieged by Edward 11. but without success.-Harbottle, Mitford, and Werk castles demolished by the Scots. 1328. In Berwick church, Joan, sister of Edward III. married to David,, son of Robert Bruce, King of Scotland. 1333. Bamborough castle, in which was Philippa, Queen of Edward III. successfully defended against the Scots.-Berwick surrendered to Edward III. the day after his victory at Halydon hill, in Scotland. 1334. At Newcastle, June 19, Edward Baliol, King of Scotland, did homage to Edward III. 1841. Newcastle successfully defended by Sir John Nevill against David King of Scotland, whose General, the Earl of Murray, was taken prisoner in a sally by the garrison. From Werk castle, its governor, Sir Edward Montagu, made a sally on the rear of the Scotch army, under King David, returning from the sack of Durham, when 200 Scots were slain, and twelve horses laden with spoil taken by Sir Edward. To revenge this attack, David invested Werk Castle, but was repulsed in two desperate aassults, the defenders being animated by the presence of the celebrated Countess of Salisbury, to whom Edward I. personally returned his thanks in this castle, where, according to some authors, he became enamoured of her, and in honour of her, it has been commonly but erroneously reported, that he founded the Order of the Garter. 1346. Hexham priory pillaged, and the surrounding country devastated by David King of Scots.-To Ogle castle, Oct. 17, John Copeland conveyed his prisoner David, King of Scotland, whom he had taken that day at the battle of Neville's Cross, in Durham. 1355. Berwick town, November, surprized, and its governor, Sir Alexander Ogle, slain by the Scots; but the castle bravely defended by the famous Sir John Copeland until relieved, and the town re-taken by Edward III. 1370. At Carham, Sir John Lilburn and his brother defeated, and taken prisoners by the Scots under Sir John Gordon. 1377. Berwick castle surprized by seven Scotchmen, who held it for eight days against 10,000 meu. 1884. Berwick treacherously delivered to the Scots by the Deputy-governor to the Earl of Northumberland; but the Earl, by menaces and bribery, soon afterwards recovered it. 1988. At Otterburne, Aug. 9, the English defeated, 2500 killed and wounded, and their commander, Sir Ralph Percy (who was also wounded) and 1000 men taken prisoners by the Scots; but their general, the brave Earl Douglas, was slain. This battle was commemorated in a song (preserved in "Percy's Reliques," from which, with many variations from real history, the famous ballad of "Chevy Chase," eulogized by Sir Philip Sydney and by Addison, was afterwards composed. 1406. Berwick castle, defended by the retainers of the Earl of Northumberland, surrendered to the forces of Hen. IV. the garrison being intimidated by a cannon shot (the first ever fired in England) which demolished great part of a tower. 1414. At Yevering, Scots defeated by Sir Robert Umfranville, Lord Warden of the Marches. 1419. Werk castle taken, and the garrison butchered by the Scots; but shortly afterwards retaken by the English, who crept up a sewer from the Tweed into the kitchen, and retaliated upon the Scottish garrison. 1422. Berwick successfully defended against the Scots. 1461. Berwick granted by Margaret of Anjou, Queen of Henry VI. to the Scots. 1463. At Berwick, landed from France Margaret, Queen of Henry VI. whence she advanced to Bamborough castle, which she took, and proceeded to Hexham, near which place, on Lyvel's plain, June 24, she was defeated by King-making" Earl of WarJohn Nevill Lord Montague, brother of the " wick, when her General, the Duke of Somerset, with the Lords Ros and Hungerford, were taken prisoners, and she herself, with her son Prince Edward, narrowly escaped by flight through a forest, where they were attacked and plundered by banditti, but at length safely embarked on board a small vessel which conveyed them to Flanders. In this battle about 2100 men were slain; the Duke of Somerset was beheaded at Hexham; and the victor obtained the title of Earl of Northumberland, which he afterwards resigned on being created Marquis of Montague. After this victory, Bamborough and Dunstanbrough castles were taken from the Lancastrians by the Earl of Warwick, who also besieged Alnwick; but the garrison, consisting of French troops, were rescued by an army of Scots under the Earl of Angus.A few days before the battle of Hexham a body of Lancastrians, on their march to join the Queen, were defeated at Hedgeley moor, and Sir Ralph Percy slain by Lord Montague. 1482. Berwick taken from the Scots by Richard Duke of Gloucester, afterwards Richard III. and has ever since remained in the hands of the English. 1513. Etal castle taken by James IV.of Scotland, but a division of his forces were routed on Milfield plain by the men of Durham, under Sir William Bulmer; and soon afterwards, on Branxton Westfield, near Flodden hill, Sept. 9, the Scotch army totally defeated by the Earl of Surrey, when their King, James IV. the Abp. of St. Andrew's, 2 Bishops, 4 Abbots, 12 Earls, and 17 Barons, with about 10,000 men, were slain. Of the English there fell only one man of rank, Sir Brian Tunstall, "stainless knight," and about 2000 men. This battle is admirably described by Walter Scott. 1523. Werk castle (November) successfully defended against the Scots and their auxiliaries, the French, commanded by the Duke of Albany, Regent of Scotland. At this siege Buchanan the historian was present. 1640. At Newburne, Aug. 28, the royal army under Lord Conway defeated by General Leslie and the Scots. 1644. Tynemouth castle, with 38 pieces of ordnance, taken by General Levin and the Scots.-Newcastle, under its gallant Mayor, Sir John Morley, successfully defended in a siege of three weeks in February, against the Scots; but in a second siege, after an heroic defence from Aug. 14 to Oct. 22, it surrendered to the Earl of Callender and General Levin. 1648. Tynemouth castle, on its governor Colonel Henry Lilburn declaring for the King, taken by assault by Sir Arthur Hazelrigge, and Lilburn beheaded. 1715. At Greenrigs, Oct. 6, the friends of the Stuarts assembled under Mr. Thomas Thomas Foster, the member for this county, and on Waterfalls bill were joined by the Earl of Derwentwater; after which they proceeded to Rothbury. Oct. 7, They marched to Warkworth, where their chaplain, on Sunday Oct. 9, prayed for King James III. Oct. 10, they passed through Alnwick to Morpeth, where their number was about 300 horse, but they would not entertain any foot, great numbers of which offered themselves, Finding the gates of Newcastle shut against them, they marched to Hexham, where they proclaimed James III. and on Oct. 19, returned to Rothbury, where they formed a junction with the Scots under Viscount Kenmure; after which, Oct. 20, they marched to Wooler, and thence proceeded to Kelso, in Scotland. 1761. At Hexham, March 9, a large concourse of people assembled to oppose the ballot for the Militia, when Ensign Hart, and a private of the North York Militia being killed, the Magistrates ordered the soldiery to fire, by which 45 of the rioters were slain, and 300 wounded. BIOGRAPHY. Acca, Bp. of Hexham, theological writer, (died 740.) AKENSIDE, MARK, poet and physician, Newcastle, 1721. Alnwick, Martin of, Franciscan philosopher and divine, Alnwick. Alnwick, William, Bp. of Norwich, Alnwick. Askew, Anthony, Greek scholar, collector, Newcastle, 1722. Astell, Mary, learned and pious, Newcastle, 1668. Bate, John, divine, Greek scholar, (died 1429.) BEVERLEY, ST. JOHN OF, Abp. of York, Harpham, about 640. Bewick, John, engraver on wood, Ovingham, (died 1795.) BRAND, JOHN, antiquary, historian of his native town, Newcastle, (died 1806.) Brown, Lancelot, "Capability Brown," landscape gardener, Camboe, 1715, Burdon, William, political and miscellaneous writer, Newcastle, 1764. Chambers, Sir Robert, Chief Justice in the East Indies, Newcastle, 1737. Duns, John, "Duns Scotus," "Doctor Subtilis," Dunstan, (died 1308.) Ebba, St. prioress of Coldingham, murdered by the Danes, 630. Elstob, Elizabeth, Saxon scholar, Newcastle, 1683. Elstob, William, divine, Saxon scholar, Newcastle, 1673. Fenwick, Sir John, conspirator against William III. 1645. Fresburn, Ralph, founder of first house of Carmelites in England, (died 1274.) Gibson, Thomas, physician, Morpeth, (died 1562.) Grey, Sir John, K. G. first Earl of Tankerville, Horton, (for. temp. Hen. V.) Hall, John, Justice, adherent of the Stuarts, Otterburn, 1672. Hewson, William, anatomist, Hexham, 1739. Hexham, John de, Prior of Hexham, historian, Hexham, (flor. 1154.) Hexham, Richard de, Prior of Hexham, historian, Hexham, (died 1190.) Holdsworth, Rich. Dean of Worcester, defender of Episcopacy, Newcastle, died 1650. HORSLEY, JOHN, author of Britannia Romana, 1685. Hutton, Charles, mathematician, Newcastle, about 1737. Knott, Edward, jesuit, Pegsworth, 1580. Margaret, Countess of Lenox, daughter of the Earl of Angus, and Margaret, Queen of Scotland, Harbottle, 1518. Nesbitt, John, dissenter, author of "Marks of Cadency," 1660. Newcastle, Hugh of, defender of Duns against Aquinas, Newcastle. Richardson, Joseph, lawyer and poet, Hexham, 1774. RIDLEY, NICHOLAS, Bp. of London, martyr, Willimoteswick, 1500. Rushworth, John, editor of Historical Collections, 1607. Stockdale, Percival, soldier, poet, and divine, Branxton, 1736. Swinhoe, Gilbert, dramatist, (flor. temp. Car. I. and Car. II.) Thornton, Roger, benefactor to Newcastle, Thornton, (died 1429.) 6 Walker, |