1300. - King Edward I. was at Durham, as a mediator between the bishop and his convent, touching their then bitter dissentions.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867 

This year, king Edward offered a clasp of gold, of the value of six marks, at the shrine of St. Oswyn, at Tynemouth.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

Alnwick church was founded in the reign of King Edward I., probably about this year.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1302. - King Edward I. was at Newcastle in the beginning of this year. 

1303. - King Edward I. mustered that victorious army at Berwick, with which he penetrated the remotest parts of Scotland, and completed its conquest. During the king's absence in Scotland his queen resided at Tynemouth monastery.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867 

1305. William Wallace, the Scottish hero, after experiencing different reverses of fortune, was betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He was taken to London, and there executed, and one half of his body ordered to be exposed on Berwick bridge. 

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

An arm of William Wallace displayed at Berwick-upon-Tweed after his execution and quartering on 23rd August 1305.

1306. - John de Seyton, one of the esquires of king Robert Bruce, having been taken prisoner, was conducted to Newcastle, and there hanged.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1310. - King Edward II. was at Newcastle. 

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

The same year, the king, queen, and nobles, spent their winter at Berwick.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1311. - About the latter end of this year a great confederacy was formed by the nobles and others of England, called Contrariants and Ordainers, against Piers Gaveston, the well known minion of king Edward II. The king retired with him to York, where he kept his Christmas, and received a petition either to deliver him up or to expel him the kingdom. Having no inclination to do either, he retreated still farther north with him to Newcastle, where they continued some time. The incensed barons, headed by the earl of Lancaster, and accompanied by all the forces they could raise, pursued him thither. The king having received intelligence of their approach, fled with his hated companion to Tynemouth, where his queen, then pregnant and near her delivery, at that time resided ; from thence, having procured a vessel in the river Tyne, notwithstanding her tears and intreaties not to abandon her in that place, he sailed with Gaveston to Scarborough. The earl of Lancaster, after he had taken possession of Newcastle, sent down to Tynemouth to condole with the afflicted queen, whom reasons of state forbade him to visit in person. The said earl, who with the barons had entered Newcastle the same day it was deserted by the king and his minion, seized the effects which their great haste had prevented them from removing with them. In Gaveston's baggage were found many jewels of great value: of these they took an exact inventory ; and, after his death, restored them to the king.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1312. - Robert Bruce attempted to surprise Berwick by an escalade in the night; but after ladders of ropes were fixed, the place was saved by the barking of a dog, which alarmed the garison, and the assailants were repulsed with considerable loss. 

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1314. - King Edward II. was again at Newcastle, on his route to Berwick, where he rendezvoused his army, consisting of 40,000 horse and 52,000 foot : they were in part lodged within the town, and the rest in tents without the walls. The carriages attending this army were numerous, as no supplies could be drawn from a country desolated by war and wasted by famine. Malmsbury says, if they had passed in one line, they would have extended sixty leagues in length.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

This year, Harbottle castle was demolished by the Scots, but was afterwards restored. This was part of the possessions of the Umfravilles of Prudhoe, who held it by the service of keeping Reedsdale free from thieves and wolves, under which tenure they also held the castle and manor of Otterburn.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867 

1315. The whole militia of England were ordered to rendezvous at Newcastle; and, in 1316, another rendezvous was ordered to be at the same place, on another expedition against Scotland.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867  

1317. - There was a grievous famine and mortality at Newcastle, insomuch that the quick could hardly bury the dead, and a great corruption of cattle and grass. Some eat the flesh of their own children, and thieves in prison devoured those that were newly brought in, and greedily eat them half alive.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1318. The Scots besieged Norham castle; a gallant defence was made for some time; but no succours arriving, the place was surrendered, and the troops permitted to retire to Durham.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

This year, Wark castle was taken by the Scots, by assault.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

The Scottish army, led by Sir James Douglas, lay seige to Berwick-upon-Tweed in April 1318. After he 11 week siege, the Scots took the town from the English, who had controlled Berwick since 1296.

1319. - King Edward marched against Berwick with a large body of troops. This force was accompanied by a fleet from the cinque ports, laden with provisions and all kinds of stores. The English fortified their camp, and then proceeded to an assault. The walls of the town are described to be so low that an assailant might strike the people that defended them with a spear. The English attempted an escalade at different parts at the same time, and a ship was directed to approach with an engine to attempt the walls on the side next the haven; but all these were fruitless; the ship was left on ground by ebb of the tide. They next employed a great machine called a sow, con- structed for holding and defending men, who were moved in it towards the foot of the wall, in order to undermine and sap its foundation. Devices were used to burn this machine: but by throwing a stone of vast weight from an engine, the sow was split, and her occupiers dislodged. On an attack of Mary gate, the drawbridge was burnt, and the gate in great danger: but forces from the castle coming to its defence, the assailants were obliged to retire. The earl of Murray and lord Douglas had entered England with 10,000 chosen men, and penetrated almost to the city of York, the queen escaping with difficulty. These circumstances determined Edward to raise the siege of Berwick. King Robert Bruce, perceiving the importance of this place, strengthened the walls and raised them considerably in height, giving also many new towers and additional bulwarks to the whole.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

This year, king Edward II invested in the Corporation of Newcastle the conservatorship of the river Tyne.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1321. - A meeting of commissioners, to treat of a final peace between England and Scotland, was ordered to be at Newcastle on Candlemas day.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1322. A general rendezvous of the king's forces was ordered to be at Newcastle on the Feast of the Holy Trinity . A rendezvous was also ordered to be at the same place on the eve of St. Luke, this year, which was prevented by an incursion of the Scots into England, who penetrated as far as Yorkshire, and nearly took the king of England prisoner. They are said to have besieged Newcastle on this occasion, but met with a vigorous repulse.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

This year, king Edward II. retook Norham castle from the Scots, after an assault of ten days.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

On the incursion of Robert Bruce into England this year, a party of the Scots, whilst the inhabitants were in their beds, surprised the suburbs of Durham, which they reduced to ashes.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

The walls of the city of Durham having been neglected, and becoming ruinous, were restored and put into a state of defence by bishop Beaumont, who this year received a severe censure from Edward II. for his negligence in matters so important to his palatinate.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867 

1323. On the execution of Andrew de Hartcla, earl of Carlisle, who suffered death for treason, one quarter of his body was ordered to be put up on the keep of the castle of Newcastle. 

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1327. - A summons was issued for all the king's military vassals to attend him at Newcastle, on the Monday before Ascension day. The king did not attend in person, but deputed his uncle, the earl of Norfolk, marshal of England.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

This year, the Scots laid siege to the castles of Norham and Alnwick, the former whereof they took; but they had not the same success at Alnwick: and in the siege of that place several Scottish knights were slain. 

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1328 - Joan, sister of king Edward III., being contracted to David, the son and heir of king Robert Bruce, was conveyed to Berwick with a splendid retinue, where she was received by the earl of Murray and lord Douglas, representatives of the king, he being sick; and the nuptials were celebrated with great magnificence. She was called Make Peace, and carried with her the ragman roll, and all records which had been seized by king Edward I., to be again deposited in the Scotch archives. At this ceremony a magnificent parade was made by the nobles of each nation, and a sumptuous pageant crowded the place, with all that solemn pomp which in the days of chivalry decked out pubic spectacles. Sumptured horses, and men braced in shining arms, forming long trains of steel effigies, stiffened in coats of mail, and strapped, like inanimate beings, to the saddle, were the chief objects; lord Mortimer's retinue alone consisted of nine score knights, properly caparisoned, with their esquires, gentlemen, and yeomen.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1332. The king deputed John Darcy and William Denum to treat with the Ambassadors from Scotland at Newcastle.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1333. - King Edward III. arrived at Durham, on his march northward, previous to the battle of Halidon hill. During his stay at Durham he lodged in the priory; a few days after, queen Philippa came from Knaresborough to meet him, and, being unacquainted with the custom of this church, went through the abbey gates to the priory, and, after supping with the king, retired to rest. This alarmed the monks, one of whom went to the king and informed him that St. Cuthbert had a mortal aversion to the presence of a woman. Unwilling to give any offence to the church, Edward immediately ordered the queen to arise, who, in her under garments only, returned by the gate through which she had entered, and went to the castle, after most devoutly praying that St. Cuthbert would not revenge a fault, which she had, through ignorance, committed.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

After a 4 month siege, the Scottish-held town of Berwick upon Tweed was captured by an English army commanded by King Edward III, in July 1333. This followed the uprising against Edward Balliol who had seized the Scottish Crown. The English King had supported Balliol and the uprising against him prompted Edward III to attack Scotland, beginning with the strategically important border town of Berwick.

Scottish forces under Sir Archibald Douglas were defeated by the English armies led by Edward III at Halidon Hill, 2 miles from Berwick-upon-Tweed in July 1333. At that time Berwick was held by Scotland, but following the battle Berwick was surrendered to the English.

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This year, On the day bishop Bury was enthroned, he entertained, in the hall of the castle at Durham, the king and queen of England, the queen dowager of England, the king of Scotland, the two Metropolitans, and five other bishops, seven earls, with their ladies, all the nobility north of the Trent, with a vast concourse of knights, esquires, and other people of distinction, among whom were many abbots and other religious.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1334. - King Edward III. kept his Whitsuntide at Newcastle, soon after which Edward Baliol, king of Scotland, did him homage in the church of the Black Friars, in that town, as his superior and chief lord of the realm of Scotland. This was performed on the 19th of June, in a public and solemn manner, in the presence of a great number of nobles and gentlemen there assembled. He alienated, at the same time, to the English king, the five Scottish counties next adjoining to the borders of England, to be annexed to that crown for ever.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1335 (Feb. 16).- The king was at Newcastle; he was there again about Midsummer this year, with his army, where he was attended also by Baliol, king of Scots. This year, the mariners of Newcastle were employed in the king's service in Scotland.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

This year (Nov.), a truce was agreed to at Alnwick between Edward III. and Sir Andrew Murray, the guardian of Scotland.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867 

1336. - John de Tynemouth, an eminent sacred biographer, who was born at that place, flourished about this period.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

"By a sudden inundation of the river Tyne, at Newcastle, a great part of the town wall, which extended along the Quay, was thrown down, and 167 men and women were drowned." 1339 Aug 15.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

Part of Tyne bridge, at Newcastle, was, carried away by a sudden inundation, and one hundred and twenty persons were drowned.

"1341. King Edward III. kept the festival of Easter, at Berwick, and held a tournament, in which twelve knights of Scotland entered the lists with twelve of the king's train. This spectacle was exhibited with great magnificence and solemn pomp; but from the animosity which subsisted between the people of the two nations, this exhibition was attended with so much ire and inveteracy, and such bitter rivalship, that two Scottish knights were slain and Sir John Twiford, an English knight."

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

At the end of autumn, 1341, king Edward III. was at Newcastle, and marched against the Scots at the head of 40,000 foot and 6,000 horse; but want of provisions obliged him to return to Newcastle, where he granted a truce to the Scots, which was renewed the following year.

Historical Account of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Including the Borough of Gateshead. Eneas Mackenzie, 1827

1342. - David, king of Scots, invaded England by the eastern border with an army of 53,000 horse and foot, and, coming to Newcastl, lay about it all night. Early the next morning the townsmen sallied forth to reconnoitre the enemy, of whom they slew great numbers by surprise, and brought back with them the earl of Murray, whom they took a prisoner in his tent. The next morning the Scots assaulted the town, but Sir John Nevil, then captain of the castle, making a most vigorous defence, they were compelled to raise the siege, and marched on towards Durham....

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

...they were compelled to raise the siege [of Newcastle], and marched on towards Durham, which he took by storm, after a siege of seven days; he here imbrued his hands in the horrid massacre of all ages and both sexes, spoiled and plundered the sacred places, and put the religious to miserable deaths.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867 

On [King David of Scotland] returning homewards, the rear of his army passing the castle of Wark, with great loads of plunder, were seen by the garrison with the greatest indignation. Sir William Montague was then governor, and the Countess of Salisbury, whose lord the fortress then belonged to, resided there. The governor with 40 horsemen made a sally, attended with considerable slaughter, bringing into the castle 160 horses laden with booty. King David, incensed at this insult, led his army against the castle, and made a general assault, but met with a repulse, attended with great bloodshed. David then prepared to fill up the ditches, and bring his battering engines to play upon the walls. The imminent danger of the garrison rendered it necessary to send information of their situation to the English monarch, who was approaching the borders with a great army. The place being closely invested rendered such an attempt perilous but it was effected by the governor himself on a fleet horse, in the darkness and tumult of a stormy night: he passed through the enemy's lines, and carried intelligence to king Edward, who redoubled his speed to relieve the place. The Scots chieftains, unwilling to hazard the treasures they had reaped in their expedition, persuaded the king to raise the siege and pass the Tweed, which was done only six hours before the van of the English army appeared. The joy of the Countess of Salisbury for this relief, and her pleasing deportment while she entertained the king at Wark, were the beginning of an amour, to which the famous institution of The Order of the Garter is said to owe its origin.

This year, the bishop of Durham obtained a verdict against the king's commissioners for trespasses done by them, in intermeddling in the conservatorship of the south side of the river Tyne. 

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1345. - There was a pestilence, which lasted two years, at Newcastle.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1346. - A letter, in the king's name, dated Sept. 6, this year, appears to have been sent to the mayor and bailiffs of Newcastle, informing them of the victory of Cressy, and that the siege of Calais was begun, ordering proclamation to be made in the town for merchants and others to forward to that place immediately flour, bread, corn, wine, beer, flesh, fish, bows, arrows, and strings, etc., for the use of the king's army.

This year, we find that Newcastle furnished 17 ships and 314 men for this siege, a force superior to that provided by any other port in England, except Yarmouth.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

David, king of Scotland, taking advantage of the absence of Edward, king of England, who was besieging Calais, entered England, by the western march, with an army of 30,000 men, showing tokens of a bloody and savage mind in his outset, by putting the garrison of Liddal tower to the sword, and marking his progress through Cumberland and Northumberland with wanton slaughter and desolation. In his march he sacked the priory of Hexham; and having advanced towards Durham, he encamped his army at Beaurepaire, three miles west of that city. The queen of England having summoned the prelates and military tenants to attend her at York, a body of troops, amounting to about 16,000 men, were assembled with all speed to oppose the invaders.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

The Battle of Neville's Cross, took place on the 17th of October 1346 about half a mile west of Durham. The battle was fought between an invading Scottish army, led by David II, and English forces led by Lord Ralph Neville. The English had less troops, because Edward III was occupied with the 'Hundred Years War' with France. However, the battle of Neville's Cross ended with the rout of the Scots and the capture of David II by John de Coupland. 

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1347. - Ralph lord Neville, one of the leaders at the battle of the Red hills, died this year, and was the first layman whose remains were interred within the walls of the cathedral of Durham. 

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

Note: the Battle of Red hills is now more commonly known as the Battle of Neville's Cross

1349. - Newcastle was burnt to the ground by accident. 

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1351 - St. Mary's chapel and hospital at Jesmond, near New-castle , existed at this time; their founder unknown. The corporation of Newcastle obtained a grant of it from Edward VI. Brand says " there remains one of the little windows of the hos-pital in the west gable of a house, at present a public house  The chapel has had a north aisle, which is now a stable, and the hospital itself is now a barn. " These ruins have lately been cleared of the buildings by James Losh , Esq., the present pro-prietor, and have a fine effect. 

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1353. - David, king of Scots, with the leave of the king of England, went to Newcastle, where a treaty was held by certain English commissioners with the nobles of Scotland, July 13th, concerning his delivery from imprisonment, and the conclusion of a peace. 

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1353. - King Edward III ., in his route to Scotland, kept his Christmas at Newcastle.

1357. - Castle moor and Castle field, anciently annexed to the castle of Newcastle, were granted by the crown, and made parcel of the corporation of that town.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1359 - St. Nicholas' church in Newcastle appears to have been built. It is 240 feet in length and 75 feet in breadth. The beautiful steeple of this church, which Mr. Pennant allows to be very justly the boast of the inhabitants, is in height about 194 feet, and, for its peculiar excellency of design and delicacy of execution, is justly esteemed one of the finest specimens of architectural beauty in Europe. It consists of a square tower 40 feet in width, having great and small turrets, with pinnacles at the angles and centre of each front of the tower. From the four turrets at the angles spring two arches, which meet in an intersecting direction, and bear on their centre a perforated lantern ( illuminated anciently for the conduct of travellers by night), surmounted by a tall and beautiful spire; the angles of the lantern have pinnacles similar to those on the turrets, and the whole of the pinnacles, being twelve in number, and the spire, are ornamented with crockets and vanes.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

Building of St Nicholas' Church begain in 1275, replacing the 12th century church here.

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1370.- The bishop's throne in Durham cathedral was built by bishop Hatfield about this year. In the arch beneath the throne, in the south aisle of the choir, he prepared an altar - tomb of white marble for the reception of his own remains, bearing his recumbent effigy, in his full episcopal attire. About the same time, the beautiful screen of open stone work was erected before the high altar, at the expense of John lord Neville. Bishop Hatfield thoroughly repaired the castle of Durham; he added a strong tower to its former lines of defence, and rebuilt the bishop's hall and the constable's hall. This bishop bore a distinguished part in the battle of Neville's Cross.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1377. - Seven intrepid and valiant Scots took possession of Berwick castle by storm in the night, and continued masters of it for eight days, although the garrison was all that time attacked by 7,000 English archers and 3,000 cavalry when subdued, they were put to the sword.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1385. - The Scots, under the earls of Fife, March, and Douglas, made an incursion into. Northumberland, laid waste the country as far as Newcastle, and demolished the fortresses of Ford, Wark, and Cornhill. A rendezvous of the English army was ordered at Newcastle on the 14th of July this year, to proceed against them.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

This year, Alexander, archbishop of York, was arrested at Shields, near Tynemouth, for high treason, just as he was taking ship to go over sea. Two searchers in the port of Newcastle John de Refham and Robert de Rypon, discovered him, and delivered him into the custody of the mayor and bailiffs of that town. Thirty pounds in money were found upon him, which, by an order of the king, were granted to the two persons that seized him.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

Alexander Neville (c. 1340–1392) - Archbishop of York was accused of treason in relation to the Lords Appellant rising against King Richard II in 1386-1388.

1388. While the English were unhappily occupied by the civil dissensions between the king and his parliament the Scots invaded England. On this occasion the military persons of the country were assembled at Newcastle, which was so full of people that " they wist not where to lodge." The enemy having as usual marked their way by rapine and destruction as far as Durham, returned and sat down two days before Newcastle, on both of which they had skirmishes with the defendants within that town. Sir Henry and Sir Ralph Percy, the gallant sons of the earl of Northumberland, were ever foremost in these enounters, in one of which Sir Henry Percy, fighting hand to hand with earl Douglas, lost his standard, which he made a vow to recover, and for that purpose pursued the Scots on their return as far as Otterburn, where a bloody battle was fought.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

The Scots fielded two armies, with Archibald Douglas's force and their baggage train heading to attack Carlisle, while another force under the Earl of Douglas and Earl of Moray ravaged the countryside around Durham and Newcastle.

Walter Skirlaw became Bishop of Durham in 1388. He was an important diplomat and adviser to King Richard II of England and then King Henry IV of England.

The armies engaged by moonlight, when battle would have redoubled horrors, especially when the conflict was hand to hand. Douglas, ambitious of laurels, sought for young Henry Percy, who, for his intrepidity and martial prowess, was named Hotspur. He met him in the hottest of the battle, insolently braved the young hero to engage, and Douglas fell beneath his valorous sword. The rumour of their leader's overthrow ran through the Scottish lines : they were intimidated, and began to fly : but, at the instant the panic was becoming general, and the English were advancing in hopes of victory, the earl of Dunbar came up with a large reinforcement, and the Scots rallied. Now, overpowered by numbers and faint with the fatigues and bloodshed of the fight, the English gave way, and the invaders were victorious: yet so powerfully, and with such gallant resolution, did the English maintain their ground against superior force, that the loss on each side was said to be nearly equal. The English left 1800 dead upon the field. Among the prisoners were lord Percy and his brother Sir Robert Heron, Sir Robert Ogle, Sir John Lilburn, Sir John Colwell, and many other valiant men of Northumberland.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1399. - King Henry IV. granted a charter to separate the town of Newcastle from the county of Northumberland, and make it a distinct county of itself.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

The charter was granted in recognition of Newcastle's growing importance as a trade centre, especially for coal and wool. The charter created a “County corporate” which separated the town, but not the castle, from the county of Northumberland and recognised it as a "county of itself" with a right to have a sheriff of its own. The burgesses were now allowed to choose six aldermen who, with the mayor would be justices of the peace. The mayor and sheriff were allowed to hold borough courts in the Guildhall.

15th Century >