34 Report of Meetings for 1887. By J. Hardy. 



Glantleys."* Of two old places of this name only the cottages 

 now remain ; the ground, like that of most of the surrounding 

 farms being laid down to pasture. Not far from us, on the side 

 where we were was Frith,f and Greens lay nearer to Newton. 

 These and Overgrass;]; that we reached next, are relics of a very 

 early period of cultivation here. Passing Overgrass — a deca} r ed 

 place— we descended a lane, the sides of which were much over- 

 grown by wild roses, and neglected thorn-hedges, with trees, 

 several of them oaks, interspersed. These were being trimmed 

 when we were there. We were told that there was one field on 

 Overgrass, that had once grown oaks, which were grubbed up to 

 sow corn. A ploughing day was appointed, but the soil was so 

 stiff, and the ground so rough, that nothing could be effected to 

 any purpose. Next year the process was repeated with equal 

 unsuccess ; and then it was left to nature, and carried the name 

 thereafter of " Labour-in- Vain." It was then annexed to Swar- 

 land plantations, which are said to be seven miles in circuit. The 

 old owners of Swarland and " Nimmer house " derived a revenue 

 from the sale of oak timber and baik from their estates, (Tate's 

 Hist, of Alnwick, n. p. 338). 



We joined our dissevered friends at Swarland Burn, whose 

 banks are here well clothed with wood in a '.harming hollow. 

 We entered at a gate to the peel tower, or " Overgrass Castle," 

 situated at the upper end of a cultivated haugh. The ruins of 

 this peel are marked in Armstrong's Map, 1769, but none of the 

 County histories refer to it. There is much Myrrhis o&orata 

 about the old structure. It is built of large square blocks of 

 sandstone ; this rock being close at hand, in the channel of the 

 burn ; and along its banks. The cattle vault is still perfect. 

 There is a loop hole or slit for arrows in the east end. The 

 vault is green and grassy all over the upper surface, and there 

 are several trees anchored on its exterior. It is placed in a very 

 concealed position. There are apparently foundations of a bridge 



* Glendenleya, as appears by one old writ. The vill of Glanteley was 

 granted with his body by William de Bertram to Rrenckbnrn: — Brenck. 

 Chart. No. XXIII. The name resembles Glantedon, or Glanterlone, the old 

 form of Glanton. 



f Frith a cleared place in a forest, a held taken from a forest. 



£ Originally Overgairs, Orergares, Overisgar' (clerical error) from oyer, 

 upper; and gair, "a slip of tender fertile grass in a barren situation." 

 " Green gairs'' or stripes are common in the hill country on the Borders. 

 Tn time of Henry I'll., David le Walays held 40 acres of land in Ov'garis 

 for 10s. (Test- de Nevill). 



