Northumberland

Apart from J.J. Anderson’s 1982 REED volume Newcastle Upon Tyne, which will be revised as part of this project, work on the Northumberland records is still at an early stage, but significant material includes payments for performances and musical instruments; two books of directions for 15th-century household ceremonies; a play and poems; and inventories of household belongings. Collections still to be searched include:

  1. Berwick-upon-Tweed Record Office (Borough accounts, Haggerston and Scope family papers, Calendar of Border Papers).
  2. Bodleian Library: Percy household books, history of the Lords Bishop of Lindisfarne.
  3. British Library MSS Hargrave 226; Add. 383; Add. 24965; Add. 24815; Stowe 661; Stowe 313; Stowe 930; Add.Ch. 26591, Add.Ch. 39969 and Add.Ch. 54762.
  4. Lambeth Palace Library: Talbot and Shrewsbury papers.
  5. National Archive: Sheriff’s Administrative Accounts, progresses of James VI and I (May-June 1603), Berwick on Tweed Chamberlain’s accounts.
  6. Northumberland County Record Office: records for 8 parishes; Manor Court documents and stewards’ papers for Hexham, Anick Grange and Allendale; Sheriff of Northumberland quietus roll; Quarter Session and Court Of Exchequer records; papers of at least six Northumberland families; records of six Newcastle guilds; state documents about alehouses.
  7. Tyne & Wear Archives Service: Newcastle Quarter Sessions and City council records; papers of at least six Newcastle families; records of thirteen Newcastle guilds.
  8. York University, Borthwick Institute: wills (1587 and 1593); accounts of archiepiscopal visitations of Alnwick, Bamburgh, Corbridge and Newcastle upon Tyne, and registers of William Greenfield, Archbishop of York (1306-15).

Other collections consulted will include Alnwick Castle Library, Durham Cathedral and University libraries, and Durham County Record Office.

For information and Records pertaining specifically to the Percy family (as Earls and Dukes of Northumberland), click here:  Percy Family Papers.

TitleCategoryAddressDescription
Alnwick Castle Castle 55.415898,-1.705846 Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1NQ. Traditional seat of the Dukes of Northumberland.
Bamburgh Castle Castle 55.608936,-1.709944 Bamburgh, Northumberland NE69 7DF.
Berwick-upon-Tweed Record Office Library, archive or collection 55.772397,-2.002219 Berwick-upon-Tweed Record Office, a branch of the then Northumberland County Archives Service. Council Offices Wallace Green, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 1ED. 01289 301 865. Fax: 01289 330 540. Email: [email protected]. REED-NE material includes: Borough accounts, Haggerston and Scope family papers, Calendar of Border Papers
Lindisfarne Priory Church, abbey, priory or similar 55.669332,-1.80101 Lindisfarne Priory, Holy Island, Berwick Upon Tweed, Northumberland TD15 2RX
St. Laurence Church (RC) Church, abbey, priory or similar 54.976321, -1.573620 St. Laurence Church, Pittington, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE6 2NS. The current building dates from c. 1100.
Tyne & Wear Archives Service Library, archive or collection 54.969153,-1.62465 Tyne & Wear Archives Service, Newcastle Discovery, Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 4JA. 0191 232 6789. REED-NE material includes: Newcastle Quarter Sessions and City council records; papers of at least six Newcastle families; records of thirteen Newcastle guilds.
Woodhorn Museum and Northumberland Archives Library, archive or collection 55.188865,-1.548572 Woodhorn Museum and Northumberland Archives, Ashington NE63 9YF 01670 624455. REED-NE material includes: records for 8 parishes; Manor Court documents and stewards’ papers for Hexham, Anick Grange and Allendale; Sheriff of Northumberland quietus roll; Quarter Session and Court Of Exchequer records; papers of at least six Northumberland families; records of six Newcastle guilds; state documents about alehouses.