Byrness : Potential For Further Research

The earliest firm evidence the use of the graveyard, in the form of dated headstones or parish burial records, derives from the late 17th century, but it was already described as an ancient burial ground in 1715, suggesting it may have medieval origins.

A building identified as a medieval chapel was recorded by several 18th century antiquaries but Hodgson was more doubtful as to whether the structure was a chapel. The resolution of these questions is clearly a high local research priority. Detailed scrutiny of surrounding field walls to see if any contain fragments of medieval carved or architectural stonework is one possible means of progressing this investigation. Geophysical survey in advance any future developments is another.

If there was a medieval chapel and graveyard at Byrness it may have serve the needs of the populations residing, perhaps temporarily, at the vaccaries (cattle farms) and other stock farms mentioned in inquisitions post mortem relating to the Umfreville lords of Redesdale. These seigneurial stock farms are not precisely located but probably mostly lay in the side valleys (hopes). The identification and investigation of these complexes is a high priority.