Report of Meetings for 1885. • By Jas. Hardy. 01 



crown of Scotland, and so continued till the death of Alexander III. in 1286. 



" The earliest and most imposing of all of them is Chipchase ; un- 

 rivalled for the beauty of its position, and rendered additionally interest- 

 ing from its union with a building of a later age (built by Cuthbert Heron 

 in 1621) which in itself would be attractive amid the best specimens of the 

 Jacobean style. The peel, properly so called, is a massive and lofty build- 

 ing, as large as some Norman Keeps. It has an enriched appearance given 

 to it by its double-notched corbelling round the summit, which further 

 serves the purpose of machicolation. The round bartizans at the angles 

 add to its beauty, and are set on with considerable skill. The stone roof 

 and the provisions for carrying off the water deserve careful examination. 

 Over the low winding entrance-door on the basement are the remains of the 

 original portcullis, the like of which the most experienced archaeologist will 

 pi vain seek for elsewhere. The grooves are often visible, and the chamber 

 where the machinery was fixed for raising it are also to be met with, even, 

 as at Goodrich, where the holes in which the axle worked, and the oil-way 

 that served to ease its revolutions, may be seen ; but at Chipchase there is 

 the little cross-grated portcullis itself, which was simply lifted by the lever- 

 age of a wooden bar above the entrance, and let down in the same mariner. 



" The history of this charmingly-placed structure appears to have been 

 pretty well made out. Originally it belonged to Odonel dc Umframville. 

 Gilbert, the Flower of the North, held it in capite amongst other posses- 

 sions from the crown, and Peter de Insula held it under him, with Withill, 

 for the third part of a knight's fee. It must have been either this person, 

 or his son Robert, who built the castle, as Robert was in possession, 2 Edw. 

 I. (1274)." 



" The scene of the popular story of the ' Long Pack ' formerly so well 

 known and often reprinted, as a ' chap-book ' indispensable to the wander- 

 ing pedlar of the North of England, is, by tradition, laid at Chipchase, 

 although Lee Hall, near Bellingham, is also supposed to have been the 

 place where the tragical incident happened, which James Hogg, the famous 

 Ettrick Shepherd, took for the foundation of his tale." (Rev. G. R. Hall). 



The return journey was on the east side of the Tyne, travers- 

 ing the villages of Chollerton and Barrasford. Wild roses again 

 predominated in the wayside flora. What is unusual, Knautia 

 arvensis was a gay corn-field weed; and Timothy grass was 

 prevalent in the corn crops. Cockley or Cocldaw Tower, an old 

 peel, attracted attention a little before reaching Chollerford. 

 Views of this are given in Palmer's pleasant book, "The Tyne 

 and its Tributaries," whose remarks on it are ; (p. 68) 



" Cocklaw Tower, near Chollerton, is considered to be a good example in 

 ruins of a class of border keep, less imposing than Haughton or Chipchase, 

 but larger than many of its kind. It is so much fallen into decay as not 

 to admit of exploration above the byre. The farmer on whose land the 

 tower stands, puts the byre to its old use, only the cattle go in and out 

 without haste." 



