546 Further Notes on Alnham, By James Hardy. 



been for a Centurion's guard to protect the herds of cattle when 

 grazing during summer, in the rich pastures on the banks of the 

 river Aln, above Whittingham." (John Smart, Arch. ^Eliana.) 



The vill of Alnham (Yarwell), as well as Screnwood (Screven- 

 wood), and Netherton were, 37 Hen. III. A.D. 1253, part of the 

 lordship and estate of William de Vesci. Traces of an extensive 

 castle, which was once burnt by the Scots, are yet visible on a 

 green knoll opposite the church; while incorporated in the 

 present vicarage house is the stout Pele Tower of later times. 

 In 1542, Bowes and EUerker report — "At Aluane be two lytle 

 towres whereof thone ys the mansion of the vycaredge and 

 thother of the inherytaunce of the Kinges Ma'ie p'dl of the 

 late Erie of Northumblendes' landis being scarcely in good 

 reparacons." 



At the adjoining village of Netherton there are numerous 

 mounds, hollow ways, and entrenchments, relics of an early race, 

 unexplored as yet ; and on an eminence at the southern border 

 of the township called " Robert's Law," the late Mr Smart found 

 an ancient camp in which were a number of querns or haud- 

 mill stones. Tumuli also exist on the west side of the Wreigh 

 or Eithe Burn, opposite Trewhitt House. In 1538 all the able 

 m.en with and without horses and harness were mustered on 

 Robert's Law, along with the other able inhabitants of "Coke- 

 dale," and the thieves of Redesdale, as they were politely called in 

 those unruly times. A little south of Robert's Law, a Roman 

 Eoad from Watling Street on the west to the Devil's Causeway 

 on the east, crosses the turnpike. 



Further Notes on the Antiquities of Alnham and Neigh- 

 bourhood. By James Hardy. 



As we are very imperfectly acquainted with the extensive tract 

 of country sweeping down from the hills (Hogden Law, 1797 ; 

 Hazelton-rig hill, 1655; Northfield head hill, above Alnham, 

 1013; Ooldlaw near Biddleston, 1287 feet), to the lowlands 

 which terminate in the "core of the Coquet," I subjoin a few 

 fresh incidents to Mr Dixon's contributions, which enlarge the 

 observations of the Club into comparatively new territory. If 

 the Club could afford by degrees to print Mr Tate's geology of 



