THIS week sees the launch of Otterburn Castle, a splendid, Grade II-listed historic landmark sitting in 32 acres within the Northumberland National Park at the heart of the Redesdale Valley. The origins of Otterburn can be traced back to 1076 when William the Conqueror, having enjoyed a full decade of life on these shores, gave the land to his cousin, Robert d’Umfraville in recognition of his services. He instructed Robert to hold the land and ‘keep it free from wolves and enemies’.
A survey commissioned in 1308 shows evidence of a peel tower that was built on the site, together with a park stocked with ‘wild beasts’; some 80 years later, the English army suffered a bloody defeat during the battle of Otterburn at the hands of the Scottish, led by the Earl of Douglas, who tried to take the tower.
Life at Otterburn continued. Used as a hunting lodge during the 15th century, it passed to the Hall family in the reign of Henry VIII —for reasons that remain unclear. John Hall is noted as a Sequester under Cromwell (meaning he confiscated enemy property) and became Commissioner for Enclosure in 1552. His most infamous successor was ‘Mad Jack Ha’, who features in William Harrison Ainsworth’s novel Preston Fight for his part in the 1715 Jacobite rising. A cat with not quite nine lives, ‘Mad Jack’ was finally convicted for his ‘crimes’ after five reprieves and hanged at Tyburn in July 1716.
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