Corbridge lies 4 miles East of Hexham. 16 miles West of Newcastle and half a mile from the site of the Roman town of Corstopitum. Strategically placed in Roman times at the junction of Dere St (York-Scotland route) and Stonegate (Corstopitum-Carlisle). It later became an important Anglo-Saxon settlement. The towns layout remaining virtually the same as it was in Saxon times, with the hub / centre being the Church and Market Place.

Battles

Being a Border Town it suffered many attacks over the years. 914 and 918AD saw Saxons joining forces to fight off Norse invaders from the West (Based in Dublin).Invaders from Scotland struck on several occasions: David I of Scotland 1138, 1296 badly damaged by William Wallace ('Braveheart') and in 1312 by Robert Bruce and in 1346 by David II. The village also suffered severely during the Border unrest, from Scots incursions, but also at the hands of the border reivers (raiders) from the nearby valleys of upper Tynedale and Redesdale. Significantly in 1300 the Vicar's Pele was built as a fortified sanctuary and still stands in the church grounds.

Later day development

In 1674 the current bridge was built.
In the 18C the making of Boots and Shoes for Fishermen, and Lead and Coal Miners was the chief industry in the village.
As 19C development progressed the railway arrived around 1 mile south on the other side of the river. Its arrival made some changes in straighter lines of communication and commuter access mainly with Newcastle but it made no significance change to life in the village.

Today's Town stands proud in the fact that modern day 'developers' have failed to disturb its leisurely pace and its romantic Historic atmosphere.

Online History