A gold earring was found in Dinnington in 1861, "and given to the British Museum by J. Pierrepoint Morgan as part of the Greenwell Collection". Described as follows: "max. diameter 25 mm, weight 236 grammes. Crescentic earring, circular in section, spirally twisted with tapered terminals".
Site Type: Broad
Findspot
SITEDESC
A gold earring was found in Dinnington in 1861, "and given to the British Museum by J. Pierrepoint Morgan as part of the Greenwell Collection". Miket describes it thus: "Max. diam. 25 mm, weight 236 gr. Crescentic earring, circular in section, spirally twisted with tapered terminals".
Site Name
Dinnington, gold earring
Site Type: Specific
Ear Ring
HER Number
779
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 779 >> M.H. Dodds, 1930, Prehistoric Period, Northumberland County History, XIII, p. 17 and fig. 9;
R. Miket, 1984, The Prehistory of Tyne and Wear, pp. 50-51, fig. 16, no. 8
YEAR1
1992
YEAR2
1996
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Monument <By Form>
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
DAY1
03
DAY2
08
District
N Tyneside
Easting
431500
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ36NW
MONTH1
08
MONTH2
08
Grid Reference
NZ
NMRNUMBER
NZ 36 NW 13
Northing
567800
General Period
ROMAN
Specific Period
Roman 43 to 410
Place
Willington
Description
Part of a Roman quern, or millstone, was donated to the Society of Antiquaries by Mr. Russell of Willington in 1842.
Site Type: Broad
Findspot
SITEDESC
Part of a Roman quern, or millstone, was donated to the Society of Antiquaries by Mr. Russell of Willington in 1842.
Site Name
Willington, Roman quern
Site Type: Specific
Quern
HER Number
778
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 778 >> Archaeologia Aeliana, 1844, Donations to the Society since November, 1831, 1, III, p. 12
YEAR1
1992
YEAR2
1996
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Monument <By Form>
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
CONDITION
Fair
DAY1
03
DAY2
08
District
N Tyneside
Easting
432100
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ36NW
MATERIAL
Bronze
MONTH1
08
MONTH2
08
Grid Reference
NZ
NMRNUMBER
NZ 36 NW 12
Northing
567100
General Period
PREHISTORIC
Specific Period
Bronze Age -2,600 to -700
Place
Wallsend
Description
A flat bronze axe is reported to have been found in Wallsend, but there is no information about the date of discovery or findspot. It was formerly in the Greenwell Collection, and is now in the British Museum. It is described as 135 mm long, thin-butted, and with a cutting edge 80 mm wide. The butt is damaged, the edges battered and surface pitted.
Site Type: Broad
Findspot
SITEDESC
A flat bronze axe is reported to have been found in Wallsend, but there is no information about the date of discovery or findspot. It was formerly in the Greenwell Collection, and is now in the British Museum. It is described as 135 mm long, thin-butted, and with a cutting edge 80 mm wide. The butt is damaged, the edges battered and surface pitted.
Site Name
Wallsend, flat bronze axe
Site Type: Specific
Axe
HER Number
777
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 777 >> J. Evans, 1881, The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain, p. 43
M.H. Dodds, 1930, Prehistoric Period, Northumberland County History, XIII, p. 17
R. Miket, 1984, The Prehistory of Tyne and Wear, pp. 78-9, fig. 25, no. 7
SURVIVAL
80-90%
YEAR1
1992
YEAR2
1996
English, British
ADDITINF
Y
Class
Monument <By Form>
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
DAY1
03
DAY2
08
District
N Tyneside
Easting
432300
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ36NW
MATERIAL
Antler
MONTH1
08
MONTH2
08
Grid Reference
NZ
NMRNUMBER
NZ 36 NW 11
Northing
566600
General Period
PREHISTORIC
Specific Period
Neolithic -4,000 to -2,200
Place
Willington Quay
Description
In July 1934 Mr. Laverick, of Willington Quay, donated this mattock to the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle. It is said to have been found here, but its precise findspot is unknown. The implement is "made out of the basal portion of an unshed red deer antler", weighs c. 850 grammes, and is 290 mm long. It has an oval shafthole 30 x 25 mm between the stumps of the brow and bez tines, and its beam has been truncated obliquely to form a cutting edge. It appears to show two distinct wear patterns, "possibly related to different episodes of use", and is a fine example of an "antler-base mattock". Though antler-base mattocks had a broad time range, being in use from the Mesolithic to the Early Bronze Age, a radiocarbon date of 3880 +/- 80 Radiocarbon Years before Present for this example shows that it was clearly post-Mesolithic. It is also considered possible that it may have come in a load of ballast sand from the Thames.
Site Type: Broad
Findspot
SITEDESC
In July 1934 Mr. Laverick, of Willington Quay, donated this mattock to the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle. It is said to have been found here, but its precise findspot is unknown. The implement is "made out of the basal portion of an unshed red deer antler", weighs c. 850 gr, and is 290 mm long. It has an oval shafthole 30 x 25 mm between the stumps of the brow and bez tines, and its beam has been truncated obliquely to form a cutting edge. It appears to show two distinct wear patterns, "possibly related to different episodes of use", and is a fine example of an "antler-base mattock". Though antler-base mattocks had a broad time range, being in use from the Mesolithic to the Early Bronze Age, a radiocarbon date of 3880 +/- 80 Radiocarbon Years before Present for this example shows that it was clearly post-Mesolithic. It is also considered possible that it may have come in a load of ballast sand from the Thames.
Site Name
Willington Quay, antler mattock
Site Type: Specific
Mattock
HER Number
776
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 776 >> Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1935, Donations, 4, VI (for 1933-34), p. 286
G.R.B. Spain & J.D. Cowen, 1937, Donations, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 4, VII (for 1935-36), p. 9
J.J. Wymer, 1977, Gazetteer of Mesolithic sites in England and Wales, Council British Archaeology Research Report, p. 221
R. Miket, 1984, The Prehistory of Tyne and Wear, pp. 78-9, fig. 25 no. 6
C. Smith & C. Bonsall, 1985, A Red Deer Antler Mattock from Willington Quay, Wallsend, Archaeologia Aeliana, 5, XIII, 203-11
C. Smith & C. Bonsall, 1991, A Radiocarbon Date for the Willington Quay Antler Mattock, Archaeologia Aeliana, 5, XIX, p. 131
YEAR1
1992
YEAR2
1996
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Domestic
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
DAY1
03
DAY2
08
District
N Tyneside
Easting
433550
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ37SW
MONTH1
08
MONTH2
08
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
574040
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Brierdene
Description
The Northumberland County History appears to say that the 1318 survey of the Middleton lands in Hartley "contains...the earliest known mention of Brereden, a manor-house or fortified dwelling, built, in all probability, by the Middletons, of which all trace has vanished, though the name survives in that of Brierdean farm. Brereden may be assumed to have occupied a site near the present homestead where the dene is crossed by a field-road leading from Monkseaton to Hartley". "The last mention of the old hall, or, more probably, the earliest reference to the farm which superseded it, is to be found in Sir Ralph Delaval's estate book, under the date of 1613, where it is termed "Bryerden house".
SITEASS
There is not enough published evidence to support all this - but see Inq. ad quod damnum 12 Ed. II no. 58.
Site Type: Broad
House
SITEDESC
NCH appears to say that the 1318 survey of the Middleton lands in Hartley "contains...the earliest known mention of Brereden, a manor-house or fortified dwelling, built, in all probability, by the Middletons, of which all trace has vanished, though the name survives in that of Brierdean farm. Brereden may be assumed to have occupied a site near the present homestead where the dene is crossed by a field-road leading from Monkseaton to Hartley". "The last mention of the old hall, or, more probably, the earliest reference to the farm which superseded it, is to be found in Sir Ralph Delaval's estate book, under the date of 1613, where it is termed "Bryerden house". Dated C14th.
Site Name
Brierdean, manor house
Site Type: Specific
Manor House
HER Number
775
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 775 >> Delaval papers, 18th century, Sir Ralph Delaval's estate book 1613- Northumberland Records Office
H.H.E. Craster, 1909, Hartley Township, Northumberland County History, IX, p. 112 and n.
YEAR1
1992
YEAR2
1996
English, British
ADDITINF
N
AREA_STAT
Conservation Area, Site of Special Scientific Interest
Class
Religious Ritual and Funerary
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Rachel Grahame
Crossref
773
DAY1
04
DAY2
11
District
N Tyneside
Easting
435243
Grid ref figure
10
Map Sheet
NZ37NE
MONTH1
08
MONTH2
05
Grid Reference
NZ
NMRNUMBER
NZ 37 NE 7
Northing
575397
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Stuart 1603 to 1714
Place
St Mary's Island
Description
There is supposed to have been a chapel, dedicated to St. Mary or St. Helen, on the island, associated with which was a graveyard. The antiquarian, Tomlinson in 1889 sited this cemetery on the east side of the house, where there was a lawn which could not be built on because it was consecrated ground. He added, a bit contradictorily, that 7 skeletons had been disturbed during recent alterations to the inn, and more were found in the building of St. Mary's lighthouse. The latter were removed to Seaton Delaval churchyard. Craster quotes 2 references from the Earsdon parish register, one - a woman buried in St. Ellen churchyard in 1603 - in support of the dedication to St. Helen, and the other - a man buried at Bateshill (Bates Isle) "within ye walls of ye chappell" in 1680 - as the latest burial. Both were from Hartley.
SITEASS
Look at the Earsdon parish registers. Is there a commemorative stone in Seaton Delaval churchyard?
Site Type: Broad
Cemetery
SITEDESC
There is supposed to have been a chapel, dedicated to St. Mary or St. Helen, on the island, associated with which was a graveyard. Tomlinson (1889) sited this cemetery on the east side of the house, where there was a lawn which could not be built on because it was consecrated ground. He added, a bit contradictorily, that 7 skeletons had been disturbed during recent alterations to the inn, and more were found in the building of St. Mary's lighthouse. The latter were removed to Seaton Delaval churchyard. Craster quotes 2 references from the Earsdon parish register, one - a woman buried in St. Ellen churchyard in 1603 - in support of the dedication to St. Helen, and the other - a man buried at Bateshill (Bates Isle) "within ye walls of ye chappell" in 1680 - as the latest burial. Both were from Hartley. Tomlinson suggests rather vaguely that the latest burials were 18th century.
Site Name
St Mary's Island, chapel cemetery
Site Type: Specific
Churchyard
HER Number
774
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 774 >> W.W. Tomlinson, 1889, St. Mary's Island, Northumberland, Monthly Chronicle pp. 441-2
W.W. Tomlinson, 1893, Historical Notes on Cullercoats, Whitley and Monkseaton, pp. 144-5
H.H.E. Craster, 1909, Hartley Township, Northumberland County History, IX, p. 120
P. Brown, 1935, St. Mary's Island, Friday Books, pp. 133-5; North Tyneside Council, 2005, St. Mary's Island Draft Conservation Area Character Statement; St. Mary's Island, 2017, Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
1992
YEAR2
2022
English, British
ADDITINF
N
AREA_STAT
Conservation Area, Site of Special Scientific Interest
Class
Religious Ritual and Funerary
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
Crossref
774
DAY1
04
DAY2
08
District
N Tyneside
Easting
435240
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ37NE
MONTH1
08
MONTH2
08
Grid Reference
NZ
NMRNUMBER
NZ 37 NE 7
Northing
575400
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
St Mary's Island
Description
Though the evidence is poor, there is a strong tradition of a medieval chapel on Bates or St. Mary's Island. In the 18th century the chapel was in ruins. The 1st edition Ordnance Survey map recorded only "the supposed site of St. Mary's Chapel", and the antiquarian Tomlinson in 1889 confirmed that every trace of the chapel had long since gone. In spite of this, in 1909 Craster wrote "The chapel was dedicated to St. Helen; its erroneous ascription to St.Mary being perhaps due to traditions of the Lady-light, also called St. Katherine's light, which was burnt within it. The light had an endowment of five shillings rent, and was perhaps burnt continuously, though whether for devotional or humanitarian reasons is doubtful. A lighthouse, built upon the rock in 1898 by the Trinity House of London, has destroyed all traces of St. Helen's chapel, of which the ruins were still traceable within living memory". He also quotes a reference in the Earsdon parish register to a burial in "St. Ellen churchyard" in 1603.
SITEASS
Look for additional references, in bishops' registers, parish registers etc.
Site Type: Broad
Place of Worship
SITEDESC
Though the evidence is poor, there is a strong tradition of a medieval chapel on Bates or St. Mary's Island. In the 18th century the chapel was in ruins, and "I know not its history".(1) 1st ed. OS recorded only "the supposed site of St. Mary's Chapel", and Tomlinson (1889) confirmed that every trace of the chapel had long since gone. In spite of this, in 1909 Craster wrote "The chapel was dedicated to St. Helen; its erroneous ascription to St.Mary being perhaps due to traditions of the Lady-light, also called St. Katherine's light, which was burnt within it. The light had an endowment of five shillings rent, and was perhaps burnt continuously, though whether for devotional or humanitarian reasons is doubtful. A lighthouse, built upon the rock in 1898 by the Trinity House of London, has destroyed all traces of St. Helen's chapel, of which the ruins were still traceable within living memory". He also quotes a reference in the Earsdon parish register to a burial in "St. Ellen churchyard" in 1603.
Site Name
St Mary's Island, chapel
Site Type: Specific
Chapel
HER Number
773
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 773 >> J.W. Fawcett, 1921, Ruined Northumbrian Churches,Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 3, IX (for 1919-20), 55
W.W. Tomlinson, 1889, St. Mary's Island, Northumberland, Monthly Chronicle pp. 441-2
W.W. Tomlinson, 1893, Historical Notes on Cullercoats, Whitley and Monkseaton, p. 144
Ordnance Survey maps, 1858, 1st ed. 1:2500 LXXXI.12
H.H.E. Craster, 1909, Hartley Township, Northumberland County History, IX, pp. 97, 120
P. Brown, 1935, St. Mary's Island, Friday Books, pp. 133-5; North Tyneside Council, 2005, St. Mary's Island Draft Conservation Area Character Statement; St. Mary's Island, 2017, Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
1992
YEAR2
1996
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Clare Henderson
CONDITION
Fair
DAY1
03
DAY2
24
District
N Tyneside
Easting
433008
Grid ref figure
10
Map Sheet
NZ37NW
MAP2
NZ37SW
MONTH1
07
MONTH2
09
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
574612
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Hartley
Description
Though the shrunken medieval village of Hartley lies in Northumberland, the southern half of its township, roughly between the Seaton Burn in Holywell Dene on the north to south of Brierdene Burn on the south, lies in North Tyneside. Ridge and furrow exists, or has existed, in several places, notably (1) NZ 341 755 at Hartley West Farm, where it was wide and curved, though by 1992 damaged by the new sewer; (2) NZ 348 748 at Hartley East Farm, ploughed out in 1991/2; (3) NZ 332 747 and (4) NZ 327 746 on either side of Crow Hall Farm with, in (3), the apparent remains of a building; (5) NZ 346 738, south of Brierdene Burn; (6) NZ 335 740, around Brierdene Farm. A prominent boundary bank separates Hartley from Holywell, between the Bee Hive Inn, NZ 329 734, and Holywell Dene, NZ 325 747. The open fields were enclosed, and divided into farms, in the early 17th century.
SITEASS
NRO may have field names. The farm names above were taken from an annotated 1st ed. 1:2500 map there - no date for these comments. It may be necessary to split this entry. Survey would be desirable.
Site Type: Broad
Cultivation Marks
SITEDESC
Though the shrunken medieval village of Hartley lies in Northumberland, at (NZ 342 758), the southern half of its township, roughly between the Seaton Burn in Holywell Dene on the north to south of Brierdene Burn on the south, lies in North Tyneside. Ridge and furrow exists, or has existed, in several places, notably (1) NZ 341 755, wide and curved, now (1992) damaged by the new sewer, Hartley West Farm; (2) NZ 348 748, ploughed out in 1991/2, Hartley East Farm; (3) NZ 332 747 and (4) NZ 327 746 on either side of Crow Hall Farm with, in (3), the apparent remains of a building; (5) NZ 346 738, south of Brierdene Burn; (6) NZ 335 740, around Brierdene Farm. A prominent boundary bank separates Hartley from Holywell, between the Bee Hive Inn, NZ 329 734, and Holywell Dene, NZ 325 747. The open fields were enclosed, and divided into farms, in the early C17. Post medieval ridge and furrow is visible in the non civil parish of North Tyneside as earthworks, cropmarks and levelled earthworks. Some elements appear to be no longer extant on the latest (1988) Ordnance Survey vertical photography.
Alison Deegan - Blocks of medieval and/or post medieval ridge and furrow and post medieval narrow ridge and furrow is visible as earthworks on historical and recent air photos. These remains are located along in the fields that flank the south bank of Seaton Burn and the fields to the south of Crow Hall Farm. Those remains to the west and south of have been levelled, those to the east survive as earthworks.
Site Name
Hartley common fields
Site Type: Specific
Broad Ridge and Furrow
HER Number
772
Form of Evidence
Earthwork
Sources
<< HER 772 >>
Aerial Photograph, North Tyneside MBC Technical Serv, 1980, 18 Oct., Run 1 no. 201, Run 2 nos. 24, 33, 38, 198, 201
H.H.E. Craster, 1909, Hartley Township, Northumberland County History, IX, pp. 121-2, 125
Aerial Photograph, North Tyneside MBC Technical Serv, 1974, 22 August, Run 4 no. 381
Aerial Photograph, North Tyneside MBC Technical Serv, 1991, 7 September, Run 3, 110 91 084; Vertical aerial photograph reference number RAF CPE/UK/2352 2006 04-OCT-1947; Vertical aerial photograph reference number RAF 58/B/40 5127 18-MAY-1948; RAF/CPE/UK/2352 RP 3005 04-OCT-1947; Next Perspectives APGB Imagery NZ3274 05-JUN-2016; Next Perspectives APGB Imagery NZ3374 10-APR-2015
SURVIVAL
40-59%
YEAR1
1992
YEAR2
2020
English, British
ADDITINF
Y
Class
Domestic
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Clare Henderson
DAY1
27
DAY2
24
District
N Tyneside
Easting
436271
Grid ref figure
10
Map Sheet
NZ36NE
MONTH1
07
MONTH2
09
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
568875
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Milneton
Description
Milneton is listed in Richard I's confirmation of their properties to the prior and convent of Tynemouth in 1189, and Hugh de Milneton in 1264, and his son William in 1291, both did homage for this holding to the abbot of St. Alban's. The name appears in lists of the priory's property in the 13th century and 14th century, sometimes coupled with Sheles, but does not occur after 1392. The Northumberland County History notes: "Milneton lay near North Shields, and perhaps took its name from Tynemouth windmill on the eastern bank of the Spital dene... Tynemouth...has swallowed up the tiny township of Milneton, of which the insignificance may be gauged by the entry against it of 4d for cornage, the average assessment of the neighbouring townships being ten times that amount".
Site Type: Broad
Settlement
SITEDESC
Milneton is listed in Richard I's confirmation of their properties to the prior and convent of Tynemouth in 1189, and Hugh de Milneton in 1264, and his son William in 1291, both did homage for this holding to the abbot of St. Alban's. The name appears in lists of the priory's property in the C13 and C14, sometimes coupled with Sheles, but does not occur after 1392. NCH: "Milneton lay near North Shields, and perhaps took its name from Tynemouth windmill on the eastern bank of the Spital dene... Tynemouth...has swallowed up the tiny township of Milneton, of which the insignificance may be gauged by the entry against it of 4d for cornage, the average assessment of the neighbouring townships being ten times that amount". Dated C12th.
Site Name
Milneton village
Site Type: Specific
Deserted Settlement
HER Number
771
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 771 >> W.S. Gibson, 1846, The History of the Monastery at Tynemouth, I, 61, 114, 138, 153, 167: II (1847), lxxxv
H.H.E. Craster, 1907, Northumberland County History, VIII, 55, 67n, 115, 117, 209, 247-8, 369, 422
YEAR1
1992
YEAR2
2020
English, British
ADDITINF
Y
Class
Monument <By Form>
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
CONDITION
Fair
DAY1
24
DAY2
08
District
Newcastle
Easting
425000
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ26SE
MAP2
NZ26SW
MATERIAL
Bronze
MONTH1
07
MONTH2
08
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563600
General Period
PREHISTORIC
Specific Period
Bronze Age -2,600 to -700
Place
Newcastle
Description
In 1922 R. Blair exhibited to the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle a sword which was then in his possession, and which he said had been dredged from the Tyne "Between Kings Meadows island and the High Level Bridge, more than fifty years ago". In 1923 it was donated to the Society from his estate. The blade and part only of the hilt plate survive. Surviving length 542 mm, max. width 32 mm, thickness of blade 6 mm. Two rivet-holes survive on the handle.
SITEASS
This sword is presumably that listed as in the possession of R. Blair in 1889 (1).
Site Type: Broad
Findspot
SITEDESC
In 1922 R. Blair exhibited to the Antiquaries a sword which was then in his possession, and which he said had been dredged from the Tyne "Between Kings Meadows island and the High Level Bridge, more than fifty years ago". In 1923 it was donated to the Society from his estate. The blade and part only of the hilt plate survive. Surviving length 542 mm (21.5 ins), max width 32 mm, thickness of blade 6 mm. Two rivet-holes survive on the handle. This piece has not been published by Cowen, or Challis and Harding.
Site Name
River Tyne, bronze sword
Site Type: Specific
Sword
HER Number
770
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 770 >> W. Greenwell, 1889, Ancient British Implements of Bronze, Etc.Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 2, III (for 1887-88), p. 309
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1907, 3, II (for 1905-06), opp. p. 226 no. 1
R. Blair 1923, Exhibited, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 3, X (for 1921-22), p. 224
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 1925, 4, I (for 1923-24), pp. 122, 184
M.H. Dodds, ed. 1930, Prehistoric Period, Northumberland County History, XIII, p. 21 fig. 23 and p. 22
R. Miket, 1984, The Prehistory of Tyne and Wear, p. 43 and p. 45, fig. 13, no. 6