14 THE TEESDALE MERCURY Wednesday, 5th January, 2000 Wednesday, 5th January, 20( Ills MAJESTY'S HOLDINGS LEASED FOR A D 1 5 0 1 CASTLE SIEGE ENDS 1,000 YEARS FROM 1607 ROYALISTS OUSTED LIBRARY KEEPER A D 1 7 5 1 VISITS THE RALE A NEW DEAL FOR FROMRABY 1645 - 1 7 5 0 1540. Teesdale has been vis SIR GEORGE BOWES MICULETON AND ited by Mr John Leland, library LUNEDALE TENANTS - 1 8 5 0 cl503 - Leonardo da Vinci keeper to his majesty King paints the Mona Lisa. Henry VIII. Mr Leland has SURRENDERS 1569 Sir Talbot Bowes of Streat 1752 - Gregorian calendar lam, owner of much of Mick- is adopted. 1509-1547 - Reign of King received a commission from the openly supported the After 11 days defiance of leton, Lunedale and Holwick, Henry VIII. king to travel the country rebels, believing that under 1760 - D eath o f K ing rebel forces, Sir George has agreed with four of his 1519 - Magellan begins voy recording everything connected the leadership of the Earls George II. Bowes has been compelled principal tenants to lease to age around world. with antiquity that can be of Northumberland and to surrender the fortress at them more than 70 holdings for 1760 - Ullathorne’s Mill was found. Westmorland victory would 1526 - John Headlam con Barnard Castle. the unprecedented term of opened in Barnard Castle He carried out this prodi be assured, leading to the veyed all his lands at Desertions from an 1,000 years in return for a pay and soon became a busy gious task with exemplary dili overthrow of Queen Eliz Stainton to Sir William already tiny garrison and ment of £1,569-15-0. Quarries, hub of activity, em ploying gence and the publication of a b e th . B ow es. loss of water supply com mines and some woods are many flax workers. the results of his labours is Others were glad to see bined to make the surren excluded from the deal. Sir 1760-1820 - King George III 1536-40 - Henry VIII dis keenly anticipated, though it is Sir George live to fight der inevitable. Talbot is believed to be having is the ruler. solves monasteries. feared it will be some consider another day and expressed The Earl of Westmorland, cash-flow problems which this 1547 - Ivan the Terrible, able time before the results can the hope that his brave 1762 - Catherine the Great, commanding the besieging new deal will help alleviate. Czar of Russia. reach the stage of publication. defence of the castle had Empress of Russia. army, was present as the The tenants, William Dent Meanwhile, however, Mr Lel been enough to allow the 1771 - Great flood washed Edward VI, son of Henry small troop of loyalists, and John Stephenson of and has given us permission to Queen’s armies time to away some Teesdale VIII by Jane Seymour, suc defeated but unbowed, Mickleton, as well as Laurence quote from some of the notes he muster and frustrate the bridges. ceeds his six times married quitted the castle. They Dent of Tumerholme and John made during his visit. rebels' intentions. One month ago, during the which the invaders had seized. fa th e r. were allowed to depart Bales of Greengates, have all 1771 - First lead smelt mill Raby is the largest castle of vvithout interference. The next few weeks early morning of Sunday 29th Now the shortage of food as 1553 - Queen Jane reigned signed the lease documents opens at Eggleston. lodgings in all the north coun Some of the onlookers should decide the outcome. June, a party of some 120 well as lack of fodder for their for 14 days. and tell us that they are well 1773 - Abbey Bridge, pro try and is of a strong building mounted troops made a sur horses has compelled the satisfied with the new arrange vided by J.B.S. M orritt of 1553-1558 - Reign of M ary I, but not set either on a hill or prise attack on Raby Castle, Royalists to surrender. They ment. At the same time they Rokeby Hall, was opened. daughter of Henry VIII by very strong ground . . . three Unique bridge put up which was being held for were allowed to march away are somewhat suspicious of Sir Many visitors travelled to Katharine of Aragon. parks belong to Raby whereof Parliament by Sir Henry Vane. unscathed, their officers even Talbot’s intentions and plan to see it and were happy to 1558 - The Rev William Bell two have plentiful deer . . . The attackers, who were being permitted to retain their keep their copies of the docu pay the toll to cross it. there is also a chase named across the R iver Tees supporters of King Charles, weapons. bequeathed bells to the ments securely locked away in Langley, with fallow deer, three had come from Bolton Castle in 1775-83 - American war of church at Middleton. case of future problems. Raby Castle, above: a drawing miles long. The King has a for Wensleydale. They succeeded Independence. 1558-1603 - Reign of from William Hutchinson’s est of red deer in the moorland in scaling the castle walls, let Elizabeth I, known as the History of Durham, 1794 1787 - First convicts sent to at Middleton . . . Barnard Cas Ab e ting down the drawbridge and virgin queen. Botany Bay. tle is a substantial town, hav occupying the castle. 1787 - Thomas Humphreys, 1560 - Slave trade begins. ing a good market and is well Sir Henry’s son, Sir George, Tragedy at Bowes: immortalised in Charles built . . . the castle of Barnard immediately raised the coun 1564 - William Shakespeare Two lovers buried Dickens’ novel Master b o rn . stands stately upon Tees . . . ” tryside, and by noon on the fol Humphrey's Clock, was lowing day had assembled in one grave 1569 - The Rising of the born in Barnard Castle. He about 300 horse and foot at 1714. Our readers will be North. Sir George Bowes became interested in Native of the dale Mickleton Chest, which was Staindrop. By nightfall, they distressed to hear of the sad defends the stronghold of repairing and making Barnard Castle while it is used to keep safe documents were joined by six troops of events at Bowes. Roger remembers his relating to the 1,000 year lease clocks as a young man. under siege by rebel troops horse from York. W rightson and M artha Rail- granted by Sir Talbot Bowes. It 1789 - French Revolution. for 11 days. He has to sur roots in his will With this relief force they ton, both of the parish, is in Bowes Museum. 1693. The will of the late blockaded the castle and were were lovers. When in March 1798 New Greta Bridge render in the end but his Drawing by John Degnan action helped the Queen to William Hutchinson of Delroo, able to recapture 55 horses he contracted a fever and built. v ic to ry . Hertfordshire, has now been shortly after died she was 1799 - Napoleon becom es proved. He was born at Crag inconsolable. consul in France. 1580 - Sir George Bowes Obituary: Christopher Sanderson It is reported that on dies at Streatlam and is near Lartington but spent 1802 - First steamship sails most of his life in London 1693: The death has occurred at the age of 76 of Mr hearing his passing bell succeeded by his eldest son Christopher Sanderson of Eggleston Hall. Thrice mar being tolled she cried out, the high seas. Sir William. where he became a successful lawyer in the Court of ried, he has left a large number of descendants. “My heart is broke,” and in 1803 - Britain declares war 1584 - W alter Raleigh Chancery. Mr Sanderson will be remembered for the diary he a few hours she too was on France. founds colony of Virginia d e a d . Unlike many who have left kept for many years in which he recorded not only per 1803 - Birth on 19th June of in America. There is great sympathy the dale, he never forgot the sonal details but events of local and national impor John Bowes, founder of 1588 - Spanish Armada. in the district for the The Bowes Museum. place of his youth. Four years tance, together with regular observations about the ago he caused a footbridge to bereaved families. Tobacco and potatoes weather. Much of this will no doubt be of great interest 1811 - Sir Walter Scott visits reach Europe. be built over the Deepdale beck Rokeby, later the subject of at Crag, remembering an occa to future generations, and it is to be hoped that these 1603 - Jam es VI of Scotland his famous poem. He was a sion when as a boy he was diaries will be preserved. We have been given permis Stone from days ascended the English friend of J.B.S. Morritt, nearly drowned while fording sion to quote one or two of his entries here: th r o n e . o f the plague who thought his poem the stream. 1648. 24 October. Lt General Oliver Cromwell came to would boost the local 1605 - Guy Fawkes and the Now, two very substantial Barnard Castle. tourist trade. Gunpowder plot. donations are detailed in Mr 1812 - Napoleon’s retreat Hutchinson’s will. One of these 1652. 29 March. A great eclipse of the sun. I could 1611 - Sir W illiam Bowes from Moscow. dies at Streatlam. Sir Tal relates to the establishment see stars in the sky between 10 and 11am. bot Bowes took possession and maintenance of almshous 1741. We were recently priv anchored at either end, are 1673. There were some 400 red deer in Teesdale 1813 - Pride and Prejudice of the estate. Sir Talbot es for six people at Romald- ileged to see the completion of suspended across the gorge. forest in mid-September but by the following written by Jane Austen. kirk. The second is to set on a became MP for Knaresbor- the new footbridge which These are joined by timbers to spring they were reduced to 40 or 50 after a : ft * 1815 - Battle of Waterloo. firm footing and to regulate the ough, and entertained King spans the Tees near the hamlet form a narrow walkway and a severe winter. 1820-1830 - Reign of King free school at Bowes which he Jam es I at Aske. of Bowlees. The crossing place flimsy handrail affords some iJ liH SSJW- George IV. established 15 years since. 1620 - Pilgrim Fathers set is at a spot where the river security to the traveller. The It is possible that one of the 1825 - Darlington and sail for America. flows through a narrow gorge chains have been made by two stipulations in the will may between whinstone cliffs. experienced blacksmiths, Tho Stockton railway opens to 1630 - Taj M ahal begun. cause some problems and even mas Horn of Newbiggin and great celebrations. Many The new structure is the 1637 - Japan closed to for offence in Bowes. One condi William Dowson of Lon ton. Teesdale people go to see handiwork of a group of lead e ig n e rs . tion for admission to the school Two further chains at each the trains and start asking miners residing at Holwick but is that it should be open only to end of the bridge help to when the railway will come 1639 - Some person un working in the mines on the children whose parents have restrain its motion to some to their area. known gave £20 to the poor north side of the river. They their corn ground at the mill extent. Even so, passing over is 1830-1837 - King William IV of Gainford. found that getting over the 1 purchased some years ago by an unnerving experience and is monarch. 1642-49 - Civil w ar is fought river on their journey to and Mr Hutchinson. not to be taken lightly despite in England. from work was difficult and 1832 - Great R eform Act Less controversial is the fact the amused assurances of its Butter Stone, Cotherstone . hazardous. A solution to the (electoral reform). Charles I beheaded. that he specifies that the mas makers that it is perfectly safe. It marks the place where in problem was suggested it 1832 - Form ation of B ar 1644 - Plague took many ter of the school is to be a per times of plague food and seems by one of their number, The picture of Winch Bridge is nard Castle Cricket Club. It lives in Teesdale. son of an honest, religious and supplies could be traded in John Smith. a drawing from William Hut the open air remote from soon had a large number of good conversation, a Protes chinson’s History of Durham 1648 - It is reputed that Ol tant and a man learned in the Two strong chains, firmly areas of infection, and is a followers watching its iver Cromwell stayed at Latin tongue. grim reminder of the dan matches regularly. Blagraves House in Bar Both master and his assis gers faced at times by previ 1833 - Birth, on 16th March, nard Castle. He had a meal tant must not give themselves Bridge constructed by o u s g e n e r a tio n s of Richard Watson, Tees of burnt wine and oat to gambling or haunt ale-hous dale poet. c a k e s . es or taverns. Eggleston Hall, above, show 1835 - First photograph is 1660 - Charles II restored W illiam Hutchinson ing the building prior to its taken and printed. to th r o n e . redesign by Bonomi in the Obituary: the Rev 1837 _ Q ueen V icto ria 1665 - Great plague causes early nineteenth century. begins a 63 year reign. many deaths in London. Ralph Johnson Note the smoking chimney of 1838 - Charles Dickens, 1665 - Robert Burrell be A celebrated Blackton lead smelting mill aged 26, stays at the Kings queathed £18 13s 9d to (top left) which was an naturalist Head in Barnard Castle charitable causes in important and busy feature 1695. We regret to report the while researching his novel G a in fo rd . of the Teesdale lead mining death of the Rev Ralph Johnson, Nicholas Nickleby. He vis vicar of Brignall for 39 years. He industry. Drawing from Will 1666 - Fire of London puts its Bowes and talks to resi was a celebrated naturalist and iam Hutchinson’s History of an end to the plague. dents about conditions at antiquary who, although he him D u rh a m 1673 - Over 400 deer are self wrote no books on the sub the village's boarding counted in Teesdale Forest. ject, was consulted by and corre school. The lead groves (mines) 1682 - Peter the Great, Czar sponded with several eminent 1840 - Penny post begins. people on Natural History. which belonged to Raby o f R u ss ia . Mr John Ray, the distin Estates during 1697-8 1843 - First Co-op started 1685-1688 - Jam es II, VII of guished botanist, credited Mr were Highfield, Lowfield, by the Rochdale Pioneers. Scotland, is king. Johnson with establishing the Langdon, Eggleshopp and 1845 - Potato famine causes method of classifying plants 1689 - Reign of William and Fleakbridge. Other mines dreadful disaster all over which is now universally used. Ireland. Some people came Mary begins. In addition to his other activi opened in the following to Teesdale to find work 1691 - Bank of England ties and duties, Mr Johnson for two centuries. and many went to America. fo u n d e d . many years ran a private school from which not a few pupils pro Blagraves House, Barnard 1702-1714 - Queen Anne is 1847 - Outbreak of Asiatij gressed to Cambridge Univer Crag Bridge, Deepdale. An inscription on the bridge records its Castle, right. This is where on the throne. sity. One of these was Robert, the cholera in Barnard Castle construction in 1697 by William Hutchinson of Delroo Christopher Sanderson and son of Christopher Sanderson of It was blamed on poor sani 1707 - Act of Union bet his friends celebrated the Eggleston Hall, who became a tation and overcrowding ii ween England and Scot successful lawyer and noted anti accession of King James II in tenement houses. It clain Nor Tees alone in dawning bright, la n d . quary. Mr Johnson will be 1685. It is still a restaurant ed 143 lives. It led to Iocs 1714-1727 - George I is king. interred in the beautifully situat Shall rush upon the ravish’d sight; and has a widespread repu government being intre ed churchyard of St Mary, Brig But many a tributary stream tation for serving excellent duced in the form of 1719 - Daniel Defoe writes nall, a fitting resting place for Each from its own dark dell shall gleam food. Photograph from Bowes Board of Hesdth, and rate Robinson Crusoe. one who delighted in the won - Sir Walter Scott, Rokeby Museum collection were levied to pay for 1730 - Methodism founded. ders of nature. safe water supply.