ANTIQUITIES OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 15 



bourhood (a), for the endowment of a reading and writing- 

 fchool; the matter's falary reputed at this time about eight 

 or ten pounds per annum ; the fchool-houfe built by the Rev. 

 Mr. Patey vicar of the parifh (b). 



Nicholas Ridley, Efq 1 ; an alderman of, and governor of the mer- 

 chants company in, Newcajlle, by his lad will and teftament, 

 bearing date 7th December^ 1710, gave to the poor of the parifh 

 forty millings per annum, out of a little farm or tenement, called 

 Wagtail-Hall; to be diftribmcd to the more aged and infirm, eight 

 days before Chriftmas (c). 



On an eminence, called CaJlle-Banks, eaft from the church, is 

 the veftiges of a fort, guarded by a cefpititious wall on all fides, 

 except the fouth, where it is open, and has a pretty ftcep flope, 

 and a large fpring towards the middle, now a bog ; a line vale, 

 river, wood, and moor-profpect before it ; the villas of Ha!t'wefei\ 

 Redpeth, Widen, BelleJler-Caftle, Plenmcller, and Unthank, all vifiblc 

 from every part of it ; the fight of the river loft under hanging 

 woods ; the meadows and corn-fields between it and the river 

 forming a fpacious area or amphitheatre, projecting to the ftreams 

 like a peninfula ; thefe laft belonging to Mrs. Cuthbertfon, widow 

 of the late George Cuthbertfon, of Ne'wcaftle^ Efq; who was Lord of 

 the manour. 



About a mile fouth-weft from Haltivefel, on the other iide of. 

 is 



(a) His name, Fether/lanLaugh. 

 Lady Capers Will. 



(i) Colleaan. Warburton. 



* * * 



(e) Biwne's Hi ft. of Nno:ajlle upon Tynt. 



Bellejler- 



