 |
Home
Achieving the objectives
Spreading the word
The Medieval Fayre of St.Bartholomew
Mary Hunter
|
|
|
|
Spreading the word
Location: Northumberland
A brief look at the history of Newbiggin may prove helpful in achieving a greater understanding of this ancient place. It's unlikely that many residents, or visitors, will have the slightest idea of the importance that Newbiggin once held in the affairs of England.
It would seem that since surviving documents, held in the Public Records Office at Kew, confirm the granting of privileges to the village from the very beginning of the 13th century, that Newbiggin is likely to have been an established community from within living memory of the landing of William the Conqueror.
The charter that we are celebrating during this medieval fayre was granted by King John in the year 1204.
Hodgson, the Northumbrian historian, stresses the importance of Newbiggin as a maritime town when he notes that the King on several occasions between 1310 and 1337 summoned assistance from the port of Newbiggin.
It was also in 1337 that Newbiggin, along with Newcastle and several other important ports, was ordered to send three or four discreet and best men to attend a council on matters of great state importance with the Earl at Warwick Castle. Representatives from other ports met with the Archbishop of Canterbury in London.
At this time Newbiggin was described as 'a little, free, self contained community which pays £20 a year to its Lord, and for that it is free and owns all the land within its Ville'
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
