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
Northumberland
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
The Whin Sill: Craster’s Ancient Spine
By Crasterfarian As a born and bred Crasterfarian, I’ve always wondered about the history of where I was brought up. The very fabric of the village… Read More »The Whin Sill: Craster’s Ancient Spine
Northumbrian History Theory Time: Benedict Biscop and the Origins of Bedlington
By Tim Lewthwaite Benedict Biscop — international book collector, influential architect, founder of Jarrow-Monkwearmouth monastery, mentor to the Venerable Bede, latter-day patron saint of Sunderland… Read More »Northumbrian History Theory Time: Benedict Biscop and the Origins of Bedlington
Nova Scotia: Dunstanburgh’s Sea-Gate
By Crasterfarian Tucked below the Great Keep and South Wall of Dunstanburgh Castle lies an inlet locals call Nova Scotia, the Castle’s little harbour. Visitors’ eyes… Read More »Nova Scotia: Dunstanburgh’s Sea-Gate
Roman Pragmatism and Experimentation in the North
By The Crasterfarian When people picture a Roman fort, they often imagine the neat, playing-card rectangle that appears in every textbook. It’s a shape built on… Read More »Roman Pragmatism and Experimentation in the North
The Coquet Roman Complex: A Forgotten Artery of the Frontier
A Theory by The Crasterfarian and Anthony Simm Background The River Coquet is absent from conventional accounts of Roman military infrastructure in Northumberland. Yet when… Read More »The Coquet Roman Complex: A Forgotten Artery of the Frontier
Seven Castles in One View — Ros Castle Trig Point and Hillfort, Northumberland
By Crasterfarian This first picture is looking south into the low winter sun, down over Blawearie and several other Iron and Bronze Age hillforts. Fascinatingly, the… Read More »Seven Castles in One View — Ros Castle Trig Point and Hillfort, Northumberland