In 1870-72, John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described Redesdale like this:
REDESDALE, the valley of the river Reed, in Northumberland; comprising the parishes of Elsdon and Corsenside, and extending from the boundary of Scotland at Carter fell, 16½ miles south-eastward, and 4½ south-westward, to the North Tyne at Reedsmouth. It is mostly a narrow mountain vale, overhung by the Cheviots; it was formerly covered with natural brush-wood and forest; it is now bare of every kind of wood, except a few formal modern plantations; and it presents a monotonous aspect of wild moor and mountain pasture. ...
It is traversed, in the upper and middle parts, by Watling-street, in the lower part, by the Wansbeck Valley railway; and it gives the title of Baron to the family of Mitford. It figures prominently in the history and ballads relating to Border feuds and forays; it was long held by the Umfravilles, on the tenure of defending it from wolves and robbers; it once could furnish 600 men for battle, though now it has a total pop. less than 2,000; and it was celebrated in early times for its archers and huntsmen. Hence do we read in Rokeby,
In Redesdale his youth had heard
Each art her wily dalesmen dared,
When Rooken-edge and Redswair high
To bugle rung and bloodhound's cry."
Redesdale through time
Redesdale is now part of Tynedale district. Click here for graphs and data of how Tynedale has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Redesdale itself, go to Units and Statistics.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Redesdale, in Tynedale and Northumberland | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/24768
Date accessed: 29th April 2024
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