286 REPORT OB' MEIlTlNGg FOR 1905 



though that number would be afterwards greatly increased. 

 The site of the conventual buildings, though by no means 

 conspicuous, is raised above the level of the Wansbeck, in 

 whose valley it nestles under what are known as the Abbey 

 Banks, necessitating a scheme of drainage and a water-supply 

 of an artificial character. About a mile and a half higher 

 up the river a weir or dam was constructed, from which a 

 large flow of water was led in an open ditch, part of which 

 is still traceable alongside hedges dividing the fields on the 

 banks of the river, till it reached the confines of the Abbey, 

 where a handsome culvert of ashlar work, lately discovered 

 near a solitary ash standing within the grounds, led it round 

 the outside of the buildings, thus providing a channel for the 

 thorough maintenance of sanitary conditions. Thereafter it 

 emptied itself into the river. On its passage to the Abbey it 

 is believed to have fed the fish-ponds. The supply of drinking 

 water was procured from the wooded banks on the hillside to 

 the South, traces of the method of its conveyance having been 

 found within the curtain-wall, where tanks of oak and lead 

 still lie buried. In the neighbourhood of Alwinton, at the 

 junction of the Coquet and the Alwine, is situated Kidland, 

 bequeathed to the Abbey by the Lord of Felton, who " gave 

 right to eatage " on condition that all dogs employed in the 

 shepherding of the flocks should be "lawed," that is, maimed 

 in one limb, to prevent their pursuit of game. To the wilds 

 of Kidland Lea, also, erring brethren of the Order were 

 habitually transported in order to "recover their souls." The 

 lands of the Abbey were rich and extensive, stretching along 

 the Wansbeck and the Coquet, and comprising pits for the 

 extraction of sea-coal; salt works at the mouths of the Blythe 

 and Coquet ; fisheries in the Tyne ; and a peat-moss at 

 Edlingham. By reason of its propinquity to the old North 

 road from Newcastle, the Abbey was often honoured with 

 Eoyal visits, which proved so burdensome that the monastic 

 exchequer frequently gave out, necessitating in one instance 

 at least an application to King John for what would be 

 termed in the present day "an augmentation." An additional 

 strain was put upon their resources also by the many hostile 

 invasions made by the dreaded Northern hosts, whose approach 

 to the object of their desire would be made by the ravine 



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