^4 HBPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1901 



Appendix II. 



BiDDLESTON. 



Biddleston Hall, the ancient seat of the Selbys, stands on 

 the southern slopes of the Cheviots, at an elevation of about 

 750 feet, guarded on the north by a deep ravine and the 

 massive forms of Cold Law, Silverton, and Harden, all of 

 which rise to a height of about 1300 feet. On the south 

 the valley of the Coquet opens out to view, enclosed within 

 the heather-clad .hills of Simonside. Biddleston is thought 

 to be the Osbaldiston of Sir Walter Scott in Eob Eoy; be 

 this as it may, it is a spot full of interesting associations. 

 For a description of its flora and its other natural aspects, 

 I may refer the members to the Eeport of Meetings for 

 1877 (Yol. XII. of the Proceedings, p. 53) by the late Dr 

 Hardy, who, in company with our courteous guide, Mr 

 Dodds, explored the ravine below and the hills beyond. 



The history of the Manor of Biddleston is rather difficult 

 to unravel, for, notwithstanding the oft-quoted copy of the 

 grant of Vissard's lands to Sir Walter Selby, knight, dated 

 24th October 1272, by Edward I., it is somewhat puzzling 

 and disappointing to find that there is no mention made of 

 the Selbys in connection with Biddleston in such early docu- 

 ments as the Pipe Rolls, the Testa de Neville, or the Escheats 

 as given in Hodgson's " History of Northumberland." For 

 instance, in the Testa de Neville, circa. 1272, Biddleston is 

 recorded as a member of the Barony de Vesci of Alnwick, 

 held by Gilbert de Umfraville of Harbottle, being one of the 

 ten towns of Coquetdale. The others were Ingram, Fawdon, 

 Ohirmondesden, Netherton, Burradon, Farnham, Sharperton, 



