Holystone : Early Medieval Origins

Archaeological fieldwork conducted in Upper Coquetdale has so far shed very little light on the early-medieval era and there is no contemporary documentation. The one historical reference which has previously been taken to apply to Holystone has now been shown to be based on a misreading of Bede's text. Early-medieval carved stonework has been discovered at Rothbury, in the shape of the fine early-mid 9th-century cross (Corpus, Rothbury 1; Cramp & Miket 1982, 17-19, no. 40), which may indicate the presence there of a monastery, or at any rate a centre of some importance, but nothing has been found further up the valley to compare with the stonework from Falstone in upper North Tynedale.

In these circumstances, it is not possible to write a narrative history covering these centuries for the area corresponding to the later township of Holystone. Instead we are limited to analysing those features which may have influenced the siting of a settlement at this particular location, along with the wider processes which led to the formation of the village and its associated township.

Two alternative hypothetical outlines of the origins of Holystone can therefore be presented:

Holystone was the centre (caput) of a late Anglo-Saxon estate covering an extensive area on the south side of upper Coquetdale coterminous with historic parish. As well as the lord's dwelling there would have been a chapel, but not necessarily a large nucleated village. When this estate was incorporated in the Norman Liberty of Redesdale under the Umfraville barons, probably in the early 12th century, it was chosen as the site of the nunnery which the Umfravilles founded. In addition to their initial bequest of land adjacent to the priory, the nuns were also given control of the parish church with the right to appoint the rector.

The priory was established on a previously uninhabited site, chosen because of its good communications, water supply, proximity to the centre of the lordship and conceivably some tradition of an earlier Christian presence. The convent church also served a parish carved out of one of the neighbouring parishes - Elsdon or more probably Alwinton - to provide further revenue for the nuns. A parallel is provided by Lambley parish in South Tynedale, which comprised the land given to the nunnery of Lambley, although this parish is much smaller than Holystone. Alternatively, a parish with similar boundaries may already have existed but centred on Harbottle, where there was later a chapel of ease, the church being shifted to Holystone following the foundation of the priory.