Talk:Berwickshire Towns and Villages L

From the Family Tree Forum Reference Library

Ladykirk

Kirk of Our Lady of the Steill dates to approximately 1500. The church sits on the north bank of the River Tweed, close to a fording point and just across the river on the English side sits the village of Norham and the ancient stronghold of Norham Castle. From the top of the tower Norham can clearly be seen. History shows the many battles within the region and the battle of Flodden Field took place just seven miles away in 1513.

King James IV vowed to build a church that could not be destroyed by fire or flood, cross border burning raids were commonplace, perhaps this is why the roof is stone? This heavy roof also explains why the walls have heavy buttresses to support the extreme weight.

One of the most recent changes to the building is internal, the pews and pulpit came from the now demolished St Andrews' Church in Berwick.


Lennel

Lennel Church was the former parish for the Coldstream area. The church was built in the twelfth century. During the late 1600's and early 1700's the population of Lennel dwindled as people moved to Coldstream and the church fell into disrepair by 1704. A new church was constructed in Coldstream before 1710 and this was then dedicated as the parish church by 1718.

The Mort House was built in the early 1800's within the ruins of the church, the graveyard was the only burial site within the area and graverobbers were common in the district. Watchmen were recruited to protect bodies kept overnight in the mort house prior to burial.


Back to Berwickshire Parishes L