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Harbottle

HARBOTTLE, a township, in the parish of Hallystone, union of Rothbury, W. division of Coquetdale ward, N. division of Northumberland, 2 miles (N. W.) from Hallystone; containing 162 inhabitants. The castle, now in ruins, was in the reign of Edward I. a very strong fortress, and sustained the reiterated attacks of the whole Scottish army in 1296: hither Margaret, Queen Dowager of Scotland, retired in 1515, after her marriage with the Earl of Angus, and here she was delivered of a daughter in 1518. The extensive remains of the building are situated on a commanding eminence overlooking the river Coquet, and present a very perfect specimen of a Saxon castle, with its courtyard and keep; the walls of the great tower, being rent asunder and overhanging their bases, have a singular and striking effect. The township is very hilly, and occupied as sheep-walks; the rocks are generally porphyritic. There are fairs for sheep on July 8th and September 9th. The tithes have been commuted for £9. A place of worship for Presbyterians was erected in 1756.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.

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