Notes on Akeld and Gouptand. By M. Culley. 4-05 



their lands, or the greater part of them in possession of the 

 Prenderguests, a family belonging properly to the Scotch side of 

 the Border. By an Inq. 3 Edward III., we find " Henr Prendre- 

 gest, de Scocia, miles," holding in Akeld 1 mes. et 40 acr.' terr. 

 arabil. etc." 



How the Prederguests became possessed of their Northumbrian 

 estate, does not appear. It may perhaps have been through 

 intermarriage with the De Akelds. They were an old and impor- 

 tant Berwickshire family, and are mentioned in Charters of David 

 I., William the Lion, and Alexander I. and II. They were not 

 long in possession at Akeld, for in 1335, "The king granted to 

 Thomas de Heton in fee, all the lands and tenements which 

 belonged to Adam Prendergest, Scotchman and Eebel, in the 

 town of Akeld, in the county of Northumberland, etc." 



In 1380, John de Arundell, knight, and Eleanor his wife, held 

 the Manors of Akeld, Coupland, Yeavering, etc. 1 This was 

 possibly in consequence of forfeiture or wardship. A few years 

 later, we find the Hetons in possession again, for in 1389 there 

 is an Inq. on the death of Alan de Heton, concerning the division 

 of his lands, amongst which, Akeld is specified. 2 Shortly after 

 this, there appear as lords of Akeld and Coupland a family who 

 were already occupying a leading position in the county, and who 

 were destined to be the successors of the Muschamps and Hetons 

 in all, or nearly all, their lands and honours — the Greys ; Inq. p. 

 m. 21 Henry IV., Ealph Gray, knight, held Akeld, Coupland, 

 etc., "ut de Manerio de Wollour." 



In 1481, Thomas Ilderton, Esq., 3 Thomas Gray, etc., appear as 

 owners of Akeld, Coupland, Yeavering, and other neighbouring 

 Manors. Mr Hardy, Oldcambus, suggests that they were at the 

 head of a commission about the ownership of these Manors in con- 

 sequence of forfeiture, and this seems to me very probable. The 

 Ildertons were a Northumbrian family of great antiquity, and 

 lords of an estate bearing their own name. 



In the following century we find the Forsters of Adderstone, 

 and the Halls of Otterburn, holding lands within the Manors of 

 Akeld and Coupland. The Forsters were one of the great clan- 

 families of Northumberland, and the Laird of Adderstone was 

 their chief. The Halls of Otterburn occupied perhaps the first 

 place amongst a numerous Border clan of Halls on Reed-water. 



1 Hodgson's Hist. Northd. 2 Hodgson's Hist. Northd. 

 3 Hodgson's Hist. Northd. 



