The Charltons; Family history, Noted Scottish Border Reivers

Northumberland, history, Hesleyside Hall, Bellingham, North Tyne


By Clive Dalton

Hesleyside Hall viewed from the road and the front park - the seat of the North Tyne Charlton grayne (clan)

The Charltons
For more information on the Charltons, and the history of the English- Scottish feuds that they were actively involved in and went on for nearly 400 years, the best source is the following brilliant book:

The Steel Bonnets- the story of the Anglo-Scottish Border Reivers.
By George MacDonald Fraser. 1971
Published by Collins Harvill 1989
ISBN 0-00-272746-3



Notes from book:


CHARLTON (Carleton)
English, although in its alternative form the name appears in south west Scotland, also Tynedale.

The Charltons were one of the hardiest and most intractable families on the English side, and were alternatively allied to and at feud with other Scottish tribe in the west.



Latterly they were engaged in bitter vendetta with the Scotts of Bucleugh. Although Carleton is another form of the name, the Cumbrian Carletons had no alliance or association with the Tynedale Charltons.

Notable family members:

• Lionel of Thornburgh
• Hector of the Bower (reputed to be the greatest thief of the region)
  
• Thomas of Hawcop
  

Family are still in Northumberland.

Garden party at Hesleyside Hall in 1939.
From L to R: Eileen Thompson, Ursula Davidson, Cliff Charlton, Lilly Charlton

The picture shows the back door to the Hall. The family still have the famous spur which was brought to the table to indicate they were out of meat. It was a discreet way of indicating that somebody had better get mounted and spurred and get across to the 'Scotch Side' to do some reiving (stealing).

In today's world they would be classed as terrorists!

And they would have left on their forays via this, the front gate - but before the beautiful ironwork was in plac. Who was the blacksmith who made this?