68 Mr. Dickson on Rothbiiry and its Saxon Cross. 



Edward I. to Edward III. John Fitz Robert, Lord of 



Rothbury, aged 40, assumed the name of Clavering. 



his son and heir, summoned to Parliament from the 



10th April, 28 Edw. I., 1299, to the 20th November, 



5 Edw. III., 1331 ; ob. 1332.— iS-. P. M. 



This John de Clavering for certain considerations made 



over to Edward II. the reversion in fee of the Barony 



of Rothbury, failing issue, and this reversion Edw. III. 



in the 2nd year of his reign, granted to Henry de 



Percy of Alnwick, in fee, which was confirmed by 



Parliament. John de Clavering had no issue, and this 



manor, on his death, vested in Henry de Percy, and it 



has continued in the Percy family ever since, and now 



belongs to Algernon Percy Duke of Northumberland. 



About a mile below the town is the famous Crag End 



Quarry; a pure white close-grained freestone. Here the 



stones for the landings and staircases of Alnwick Castle have 



been procured. 



The springs of Whitton and Simonside, the Reever's Well, 

 the Bridge Well, and many other supplies from the bowels of 

 the earth, are copious and refreshing. 



The views from Simonside are most extensive ; the whole 

 of the coast as far as Tynemouth to the south, and Berwick 

 to the north, is visible ; and the eye takes in the Cheviot 

 range, and some places far into Scotland. The prospect also 

 from the ruins of the old hall is pleasing. All these objects 

 are well worthy of a visit when the atmosphere is clear on 

 some long summer day. 



The village is sheltered from the north and east by high 

 hills, and to a certain extent from the south and west. It has 

 always been the favourite resort of invalids, and here medical 

 men recommend their delicate patients to sojourn. 



This predilection is not mere fancy, for by a late report 

 from the Registrar General, he proves it to be one of the most 

 healthy places in the country ; there being as few deaths per 

 cent, as in any other parish in England. 



Let those members who pursue the finny tribe bring their 

 rods with them, and after wholesome toil and filling their 

 baskets, sit doAvn by the Reever's Well (a characteristic term 

 from the olden days), or by the romantic Thrum, or Scottish 

 ford, and there enjoy an hour's repose amid scenes of rural 

 beauty. Some may find their way to Brinkburn Priory, about 

 three miles below the town, on the north bank of the Coquet, 

 (still within our limits), where, in a dark dell and bend of the 

 river, they may roam amongst monastic ruins, and admire 



