When the Mattress Went Wavy
By Crasterfarian A ‘Mammy Joan’s Story’ Craster 1942 One of my greatest pleasures is to sit with my mam and talk. We talk about everything —… Read More »When the Mattress Went Wavy
Northumberland
When Wyrd is Woven
By Crasterfarian I’ve written a few pieces lately on my interpretation of events in Bernicia around 630 AD, or “The Golden Age of Northumbria” as it… Read More »When Wyrd is Woven
An Irish Monk and Northumbrian Saint: The Story of Aidan
By Thomas Bainbridge Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne is a seminal figure in Northumbrian history. Born most likely in rural Ireland, Aidan became a monk on the… Read More »An Irish Monk and Northumbrian Saint: The Story of Aidan
The Fyrd and the -ingham Settlements
By Crasterfarian I mek nee wonder people get lost up here, mind, it’s a canny place to lose yourself. But howay, three places that sound almost… Read More »The Fyrd and the -ingham Settlements
Joining The Dots On Our Landscape
By Crasterfarian The more I read and write about history, the more I understand that what we are left with in today’s landscape are simply ghosts… Read More »Joining The Dots On Our Landscape
The Tortuous History of Saint Cuthbert’s Bones
By Thomas Bainbridge Cuthbert is among the most cherished figures in Northumbrian history, so much so that the people of the region were once known as… Read More »The Tortuous History of Saint Cuthbert’s Bones
Tughall and Saint Cuthbert
By Crasterfarian I wonder how many of you have passed this by and wondered “hmmm I wonder what that is?” You’ll see it on the way… Read More »Tughall and Saint Cuthbert
Gannin the Widdy Way
By Crasterfarian For as long as I can remember I’ve trotted up and doon the Coast Road, either for pleasure or for work. As I’ve headed… Read More »Gannin the Widdy Way
‘Ubbanford’ — Norham: Northumbria’s Gateway
By Crasterfarian Ubbanford, or Norham as it is now known, owes its existence to one simple, decisive fact: this is the closest reliable ford on the… Read More »‘Ubbanford’ — Norham: Northumbria’s Gateway
SOL INVICTUS: When Light Turns Back the Tide of Darkness
By Crasterfarian Long before Christmas had a name, before shepherds and kings, mangers and virgins, before carefully chosen dates, people here already knew this time of… Read More »SOL INVICTUS: When Light Turns Back the Tide of Darkness