Derek Dodds - Northumbria at War (Battlefield Britain)

Etal Castle, surrendered to James IV before the Battle of Flodden. See pages 109 and 122.

NORTHUMBRIA

N orthumbrias history has marched to the drumbeat of war. Once part of an ancient kingdom, Northumbria is now popularly regarded as the land between the rivers Tweed and Tees, enclosing the original borders of Northumberland and Durham. For over a thousand years, armies have marched to battle across their hills and moors. During much of that time these historic northern counties have been a prisoner of their own geography. Caught in a struggle between emerging nations, the northern border in particular became an area of almost ceaseless military activity which spilled across the counties and down through the centuries. And even when war was officially over, strife persisted and added to the roll-call of battles, both famed and forgotten, in a Northumbria at War.

This volume is a narrative of that long conflict, drawing heavily upon original sources. Such ancient voices, however, despite their relative immediacy, have well-known limitations. For the earliest eras especially, their accounts can be brief and partisan, making difficult the detailed reconstruction of even major battles. These vibrant echoes of the past are nevertheless indispensable and are supplemented in this work by the scholarship of many later historians and a consideration of battlefield landscape wherever it survives.

In this respect, Northumbria is a treasure trove of discovery for the military historian. Northumberland above all, because of its persisting rural nature, has remained comparatively unscathed. It contains an extraordinary legacy of fortified sites and battlegrounds. They offer both scenic attractions and invaluable benefits to the historical explorer investigating their turbulent past. But despite this and even acknowledging the usefulness of A H Burnes oft-quoted concept of Inherent Military Probability, the final interpretation of what actually took place in these momentous locations must necessarily remain a personal view. As more modern and well-documented warfare has demonstrated, the improbable in battle does occur.

Many people have contributed to the production of this book. To those not mentioned I offer apologies and thanks in equal measure. In particular I must thank Andrew Dodds and Lynsey Ewan for their fine cartography and artwork which I only hope may be emulated by the text. Mr John Wilks, MA, formerly senior curator with Tyne and Wear Museum Service, kindly read my manuscript in various drafts and made helpful suggestions for its improvement. Thanks also to Lindsay Allason-Jones of Newcastles Museum of Antiquities and Lesley Webster at the British Museum, who corrected my misconceptions on post-Roman history. Similarly, Hugh Cheape of the National Museums of Scotland and Philip Lankester at the Royal Armouries in Leeds fielded questions patiently and with good humour on Scottish heraldry and medieval weapons respectively. Notwithstanding this wealth of support, any shortcomings in the final publication are entirely my responsibility. Finally, to my wife June is owed the greatest debt of all. Countless hours of domestic neglect have tested her forbearance to the limit. Perhaps dedicating this book to her will mark a beginning to my rehabilitation.

In a recent work, a military historian has cautioned against attempting a more detailed analysis across such a broad span of Northumbrian history. It is left for the reader to judge how far I should have heeded his warning.