| The earliest reference to Abberwick is in the 13th century when it was a member of the barony of Wark-on-Tweed. A series of medieval and early post-medieval documents record the number of taxpayers in the village and give us some idea of its population, for example, in 1296 there were 14 taxpayers and in 1336 only six. The population probably fell because of the wars with Scotland, failed harvests and the Black Death. The village seems to have recovered by the 17th century but declined again in the early 18th century and the farms were dispersed. By 1769 Abberwick is shown as a single farm. Around the present farm are the extensive earthwork remains of the medieval village and its field system. These include house platforms, foundations of a tower, enclosures and ridge and furrow cultivation. Around the village parts o the open field system is also visible and survives as a series of furlongs with headlands, all of which contain ridge and furrow. This is a Scheduled Monument protected by law. See also:
Source of Reference
Local History of Edlingham
Location of this site on a map, with option to view historical maps. Please note this link will open a new window. To return to this page please close the new window.
The Past Perfect web site for an example of a medieval castle (Wark). | |
