Dalton le Dale :- ?????? Did Cromwell Cross Here
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This is a cache placed on the West side of this quiet secluded village nestled between the town of Seaham and the village of Murton. The cache is a small metal tube with log sheet only, therefore you will need bring your own Pen/Pencil. Car parking is available close by at St Andrews Church
Legend of "Cromwell's" Bridge Oliver Cromwell, fighting against King Charles 1st's Army, is said to have crossed the bridge, east of the church in Dalton-le-dale. This story was said to be untrue, as the bridge was not built until 1789. However, there was always a ford across the beck and this road served as the main thoroughfare from Sunderland to Easington. It is a recorded fact, made by an encounter on Boldon Hill that the combined Scots and Parliamentarians moved from Sunderland to Easington: "It was resolved our army should go to Easington where we might intercept provisions from Hartlepool, where we stayed till April 8th." It is more than likely that Cromwell's army marched from Sunderland to Easington via Dalton-le-dale ford. As in all myths, there is always some grain of truth, arising from a real event! St.Andrew’s Church How then did the church in Dalton-le-dale become known as St. Andrew's? Was it brother to St Peter's at Monkwearmouth built in 674 AD, or did it have some association with the sea and the traditions of the local community? One suggestion purported is that the name is associated with a locality, which has fresh running water, an important feature for any community in those times. The truth will probably never be known and another mystery of our past will remain unsolved. In today's church his white cross can be seen on the Mother's Union Banner and he is remembered every year on the 30th November, his feast day. The Effigy of Sir William Bowes - Knight The Bishopric of Durham from 1314 was subject to continual raids by the Scots, requiring a Peel Tower to be built at Dalden for protection against the invading hordes. Maude, Lady of Dalden (Towers) inherited her father’s estate, when she was fourteen, in 1370, She married Sir William Bowes, Knight of Streatlam, near Barnard Castle, in 1375. He had fought with the Black Prince at the Battle of Poitiers, in 1356 and was created a Knight Banneret for his valour. The English archer's superiority at this time, with the hail of arrows from their longbows, broke the many French attacks who were routed, with their King taken captive. Sir William died in 1420, his coat of arms has three red longbows and his effigy in church is dressed as a Knight with his feet resting on a lion. Was this the first link with Bowes-Lyon? Knights who travelled abroad were usually remembered with lions at their feet, whilst dogs signified hunting associations. When Lady Maude died in 1420, she left many interesting instructions in her will. She asked to be buried in the church at Dalton, and bequeathed six wax torches, at six pounds each, to the church and two quarters of wheat to the light of the Virgin in the church. To the vicar she left the sheets about her body and six "coverchiefs" to remind him of her to the end of his days and twelve pennies to every chaplain of Castle Barnard present at the celebration of her death mass at Streatlam. She also left several books, which were very precious in those days, to local ladies and to her goddaughter Lady Maude of Hylton. "One Romance boke is called the Gospels" Was this a copy of the New Testament Originally her effigy was laid to rest on the north corner of the Chancel, an indication of how important a person she was. In 1902 she was moved to the north wall of the nave where her condition continues to deteriorate. Hard Times During the 13th/14th centuries the Scots invaded England on numerous occasions, pillaging and killing local people as part of their disputes with the English monarchy. So bad was this period that the local population fell, to such an extent that the social economies almost entirely collapsed. The local vicar in 1337, Robert de Herrington, complained to his patrons that his Parish of Dalton was wasted and depopulated by the effects of the Scottish war. In Dalden there used to be fifteen husbandmen who had draughts, paying oblations and tithes of sheep and other animals, together with fifteen cottagers who paid tithes of lamb, wool, hens and other small items. This number was now reduced to five poor inhabitants who possessed no stock plus six householders in a state of beggary, unable to pay anything to the vicar. The vicar, who had discharged his duties to provide hospitality beyond his possible means, was very old and exclaimed, "Dig I cannot, to beg I am ashamed." The Prior and Convent of Durham extended to their ancient vicar an augmentation of forty shillings to be received annually during his life. During the same period, another catastrophe was to devastate the populous of Europe - in 1347 The Black Death arrived from China, This plague was devastating and wiped out, within a week, more than 75 percent of the communities it ravaged, even animals and birds were affected. As infected air was thought harmful, popular remedies included the carrying of sweet-smelling nosegays and the burning of spices and herbs indoors. All in all, this was not a good time to live in Dalton-le-dale, never the less, our ancestors persevered and the community recovered and began to grow. In 1363, smoke pennies were assessed at 3/4 d, an indication of recovery, as this was a charge made to those households with a hearth! The Old Vicarage 1370 - 1962 In 1273 the Prior and Convent endowed a plot of land in Dalton-le-dale to build a vicarage. It was located on the North side of the public road, opposite East Farm, and built of limestone with a roof of both slates and tiles. In 1871 a beam was discovered with the date 1370, which is thought to indicate the year in which the vicarage was built. Considerable alterations were added and in 1670, the vicar, Thomas Sharpe, inscribed his name and the year on a stone arch over the entrance door. This stone can be seen in the church. In the 1800's the Dean and Chapter sold the vicarage. At onetime one of the front rooms was used as the village school, with tuition costing 3d a week. In 1962 the owner of the house and land completely demolished the ancient building to the dismay of the local community. The Gregson’s The Gregson family feature continuously in the story of St. Andrew's church in Dalton-le-dale. Successive generations have been buried in the family vault underneath the 13th century font, which is situated at the west end of the church. There are also family graves outside the porch entrance near the south door. The Gregson's name features on many furnishings and graveyard inscriptions. In 1566 John Gregson bought his Murton estate from his landlord, Lord Lumley. His grandson John bought Burdon in 1674, the year Parish Records began. In 1701 John Gregson of Moorton and William Wood of Cold Hesledon were appointed overseers of the poor of Dalden. During the 1907 restoration of the church the Gregson's did some work of their own in the surrounding area. They demolished two farms and replaced them with three rows of terraced houses, namely, Dunelm Terrace, St. Cuthbert's Terrace and St. Andrew's Terrace. The Gregson's contribution to the village and church was vital for their upkeep and survival. Major Charles Dalton Gregson represented Burdon on Easington's Rural District Council during the 1930’s; he died in Tobago in 1953. He had three sons; John the eldest was in the Durham Light infantry and was killed in action just before Dunkirk. Charles Edward died aged fifteen in 1934. The last owner of the estate, Anthony Allgood Moore Gregson, retired from the Royal Artillery as a major in 1958. He had three children, two girls born in 1951 and 1953 respectively and one son born in 1956. The first-born son died tragically in Malta from an electric shock. The Gregson family sold the estate in 1931. Nine of the windows in St. Andrew's are dedicated to members of the family, a fitting epitaph for such a great and supportive family. Sundials There are two sundials associated with the church. A curious dial marking the hours on the north wall of the nave and an ancient Anglo-Saxon dial over the south porch ridge. The internal dial consists of a number of raised numerals spaced over 1.5 metres to record the hours 7 (VII) in the morning to l (XIII) in the afternoon. The numerals were highlighted by a stream of light shining through a slit in the roof over the middle window on the south wall. This timepiece is only accurate on St. Andrew's day, the 30th November, however, since the roof regeneration in 1907, this spectacle can no longer be observed. The Restoration of the Church The Reverend G.W.Anson Firth saw there was an urgent need for restoration of the church in July 1906, so he called a meeting when Mr. C. Hodgeson Fowler, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquary of Arts from Durham reported his findings and plans for a major building work that had to be done. The cost was to be fifteen hundred pounds, a large amount of money at that time, A petition for a faculty was sent to the Diocese of Durham and a big fundraising effort was begun with many of the local gentry/companies and associations giving generously. The names of the Gregson family were recorded as giving money for building work and also for furnishings in the chancel. The work included a new roof, ceiling and floor in the nave; all walls, interior and exterior made good and the porch rebuilt. The chancel arch was replaced by a screen and box - pews were replaced by smaller Edwardian style pews. All this work was completed by Sept. 24th 1907, when a grand reopening service was held. All the subscribers were invited, so the church was packed full, with hundreds having to stand outside. There were several clergymen present, the Lord Bishop, as well as many other important dignitaries and parishioners. Murton church choir led the processional hymn from the church gates and the Lord Bishop gave the address saying they had gathered for a sacred and joyous occasion in a most ancient building, which had been beautifully made new. The hymn " Mark the sound of holy voices chanting at the Crystal Sea" was sung and a collection was taken for the provision of surplices, cassocks, kneeling mats, books and prayer books. Afterwards a splendid tea was served in a large marquee near the church whilst Murton Colliery Band played selections including their test piece for the impending Crystal Palace competition. Norman Door The Norman style door showing "Beak - Head" ornamental mouldings. This was the original entrance, which was left open at Christenings to allow evil spirits to escape.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Svefg gb gur cbfg