Edlingham.

Norman Church, Medieval Castle, Victorian Viaduct.

Image: Edlingham, ancient church and castle.

Eadwulfingham, the "ham" of Eadwulf, was one of the four Northumbrian Royal villages given to Cuthbert in AD737 by King Coelwulf who resigned his throne to become a monk on Lindisfarne. The village of some 600 people lay to the North and West of the castle and it's Church was consecrated by Bishop Egred (831-847).

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In the Mid 12th century John de Edlingham (1230-56) built a large two storey Hall House on a levelled site beside the burn containing the hall, parlour, chambers, kitchen, bakehouse, brewhouse, service rooms as well as a moated enclosure fed from nearby springs. Defence was needed following the intervention of England in the Scottish succession and the beginning of three centuries of warfare, border raiding, economic hardship and social instability.

Image: Edlingham castle.

The property was taken over in 1296 by Sir William de Felton and both he and later his son improved both comforts and defences. From about 1400 it was referred to as a castle.

Image: Edlingham castle.

After 1514, the castle was purchased the Swinburnes who mostly let it to tenant farmers. They were accused of hiding Jesuit priests here in 1581, but a thorough search found nothing. Two of the last inhabitants were witnesses at the famous Margaret Stothard witch-trial, but the place appears to have been in ruins by the end of the 17th century.

Victorian viaduct can be seen behind the castle.

Image: Edlingham Church.

Church of St John the Baptist. 11th century.

St. John's is a good example of a sturdy Norman church, mostly 11th and 12th century, built not only for worship but for defence. The massive 14th century tower displays narrow slit windows indicating its use as a place of refuge for both the parish priest and, no doubt, several of the villagers. Scottish raids were a constant threat and barholes used to blockade the main door and hold them at bay can also be seen at Edlingham.

Image: Edlingham Church, interior.