Many myths and tales of folklore have obscure origins, one such appears to be the story of the Warkworth Hermit.
Whilst obscure, much of the notoriety of the tale can be traced to the publication of the ballad published in 1771 by Bishop Thomas Percy. Percy was born in Shropshire and studied at Oxford, he was ordained in 1751 and eventually became Rector of Wilby in Northamptonshire, as well becoming the personal chaplain of the Earl of Sussex. Percy was a worldly man and had many varied and wide ranging interests, including reading on a huge number of subjects. This in turn led to his composing of verse with which he was to have some success. It was however, the discovery and collection of older verses which was to provide the greatest element of Percy’s success.
While visiting his friend Humphrey Pitt at Shifnal in Shropshire, Percy noticed a battered volume lying on the floor, under a bureau in the parlour, pages of which were being used by the maids to light the fire. It proved to be a seventeenth-century collection, which Percy rescued from the flames. In due course, it provided the basis for Percy’s anthology, “The Reliques of Ancient English Poetry” which was published in 1765 and became the source of his enduring fame. Not only did the collection influence Percy’s own works, particularly his “Hermit of Warkworth”. The publication of it was to begin a fashion for the rediscovery of historic ballads, and for the revival of Ballads in general, which was to become a key element of the Romantic movement. One of Percy’s own compositions, simply entitled ‘Song’ was later set to music and described as ‘perhaps the most beautiful Ballad in the English language’ by none other than Robert Burns.
In 1765 Percy became the Chaplain and Secretary to Lord Northumberland and tutor to his son, Algernon. It might be in light of this move that he had begun to focus more on his adoptive home of Northumberland and so wrote the ballad of the Warkworth Hermit. It was certainly around this time that the spelling of his name, which had been ‘Pearcy’, then ‘Piercy’, became ‘Percy’, perhaps to copy the name of his illustrious patron. It was Lord Northumberland’s influence that allowed Percy to become Dean of Carlisle Cathedral and latterly Bishop of Dromore in County Down. It is in County Down that Percy died and it was in the Cathedral there that he was buried in 1811.
The manuscript collection that Percy saved now bears his name; it is known as the Percy Folio and is held by the British Library. Little is known about its origins, or who owned it before Humphrey Pitt. None of its owners appear to have treated it well; even Percy marked and annotated the pages. While it was probably compiled in the seventeenth-century, some of its contents date from the twelfth. Editions of the folio are available via the British Library’s catalogue online and the Internet Archive:
Back in 2015, we started the “Northumberland At War” project with volunteers searching our collections for stories, about the home front and soldiers who served throughout the conflict. One aspect was the big task of transcribing the school log books, which was a job that Hilary, one of our volunteers, undertook. Five years on, and years after the project finished, Hilary is still working one morning a week extracting these stories.
A pattern developed; you can see the spread of epidemics and illnesses the children endured. We were always going to write a blog on this, but time has never allowed it. There was always something to prevent me from doing it. That is until now! I have found a wealth of information from the log books and newspapers that I think will develop into a number of blogs.
This is what our ancestors had to endure just over 100 years ago. The name may have changed, the causes and prevention hasn’t though? We could easily have travelled back in time, the only difference, between 1918 and now is the internet!
The school log books show the children suffered a variety of illnesses; some fatal, others not. There were the usual cases of head lice and the nit nurse visiting the schools. Go on, some of you will remember them, I do! There were the odd instances of skin eruptions [sounds awful]: impetigo, chicken pox, the spotted fever, scarlatina, and scarlet fever. One of my favourites though is the ‘ITCH’. I’m sure you are now scratching, I am just thinking about it. [Definition – Many skin conditions itch, including dry skin (xerosis), eczema (dermatitis), psoriasis, scabies, burns, scars, insect bites and hives. This was prevalent in February 1917 in Red Row Infants School [Ref CES 283/1/]].
There was a serious outbreak of ringworm in Seaton Terrace Junior School [Ref CES 130/1/1]; they had 25 cases in May 1914. They also reported the deaths of Joseph Graham who unfortunately, had been knocked down and crushed by the bakers van and Flora Burton who died of diphtheria, in January 1916. Plus a bad breakout of measles with 13 cases reported November 1919.
Whooping cough was also rife during those years. Stakeford Council School reported 25 cases in April 1915 [Ref CES 240/1/1]. Stannington School also had 35 cases of measles in May 1915 [Ref CES 242/2/2].
However, the biggest mention in these registers is influenza [‘flu]. There were various outbreaks which were isolated in the early years, but then there were the two outbreaks in July 1918 and later in the year into the early part of 1919. East Ord County Primary School [Ref CES 16/2/2] recorded this in their log book:
12 July 1918 – The epidemic of Spanish Flu has arrived in the parish. There are 6 cases amongst the school and a large number of adults are affected by the disease, which fortunately so far has produced no fatal results.
Later they recorded: “31 October 1918 the epidemic of influenza has broken out in the parish 20 scholars are absent.”
Branxton County Primary School [Ref CES 82/2/1], a school of only 32 children, reported that only 19 were fit for school on 4 November 1918.
Heddon on the Wall Church of England School had gone through whooping cough epidemics from February to March 1914, when 20% of a school of 112 were suffering. Then on 22 November, the log book recorded: “The Influenza epidemic has broken out in the village this week and is spreading, 20 children are off with it.”
Wark County Primary School [Ref CES 91/1/2] recorded the following: “1 November 1918 – There are cases of cold here and there, but so far no influenza has been reported in the district.” However, by 8 November 60% of the school was off with the flu and by 11 November: “School closed owing to the unabated spread of Influenza. One of our scholars Christine Wilson died of pneumonia.”
Councillor Edminson asked if anything was going to be done for Spittal this year. The place wanted a little cleaning up before the visitors arrived. They wanted to brighten the place up somewhat. The shoulder of the “prom” was in a dilapidated state and there were some palings which needed attention. She also suggested that the tree-guards might have a coat of paint to freshen them up, and asked if anything was going to be done in levelling and cleaning up at the new Fish Quay.
The Mayor – That is for the Harbour Commissioners.
Councillor Edminson – It looks a very untidy place, and is very dilapidated. Situated at the entrance to the town, it does not help to attract visitors, and I think something might be done to clear the place up and make it pleasing to look at.
Councillor Hadley – Has the Sanitary Inspector anything to do with the filling up of the new quay.
The Mayor – He has to do with anything which is a nuisance.
Councillor Hadley – Then I would suggest that he takes a walk round there when he has time.
Mr Boyd said the last time he had visited the place there had been a nuisance, but it had been covered up by ashes. It was a regular tip for all manner of things. He did not think there was anything he could object to as a nuisance.
Councillor Edminson – It has an evil look and a terrible smell. (Laughter).
Ald. Boston – The Harbour Commissioners are taking it in hand.
Ald. Short – I think tonight we might endeavour to meet Mrs Edminson’s suggestion about the clearing up and painting.
The Mayor – Her remarks will be brought up at the Works Committee.
Ald. Short – I hope so. With our blessing. (Laughter)
Councillor Edminson – We have got our spring cleaning done inside, sir, and we want to get started cleaning outside. (Hear, hear, and laughter.)
URBAN SANITARY AUTHORITY
OVERCROWDING AT EAST ORD VILLAGE
At East Ord village, four cottages of a poor type, for which Mr Adam Scott, 6 Winchester Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne, acts as agent, call for attention. One of these – a wrenched single apartment hovel – shelters two adults and five children whose ages range from 2 to 9. There is no drainage.
With regard to these cottages, Mr Lake reported that the owner had died, and the present proprietrix was resident in America. A new agent, Mr A. Scott, Newcastle, had been appointed. Mr Wood recalled that many years ago, the late Dr Paxton had reported these cottages. It was agreed to draw the attention of the new agent to the defects.
OTHER COTTAGES
Two cottages owned by Miss Lilly, East Ord, present objectionable features. One, a single apartment dwelling, with a capacity of 2304 cubic feet, accommodates four inmates – two adults and two lads of 16 and 20 respectively. The second, which is of similar size, is occupied by two women, a young man, and a girl of 11. Dr McWhir drew attention to the fact that in this case the privies were 100 yards away from the cottages.
It was agreed to send these to the Housing Committee for consideration.
Several dingy, badly lighted dwellings are to be met with on the Green; and in one of the single apartment type, for which Mr James Simmons, East Ord, acts as agent, there are five occupants – a widow and four children, whose ages range from 6 and 16.
Mr Lake reported that this cottage belonged to a Miss MacDonald, residing in England, and Dr McWhir, while agreeing with Mr Wood that the over-crowding was not so serious as it might have been with persons from 18 to 20 years, yet condemned it from a moral point of view.
It was agreed to defer action to a later date.
ORD NOT A MODEL ENGLISH VILLAGE
To the traditional tidiness of the English village, East Ord can lay little claim. Five privies which belief their designation, occupy places of prominence on the Green, three ash-pits utilised by eleven tenants, and a quota of piggeries, hen houses, and coal houses are also dotted round this open space, that, with a little attention, might be made one of the best rural recreation grounds in North Northumberland.
REF: BRO 0426-1185 East Ord Village c.1900
Mr Wood did not think that the Council could interfere with the privies, as the people were allowed to erect them. The only ground for the Council to complain was if they constituted a nuisance, which Dr McWhir and Mr Lake said they certainly did, Mr Lake adding that in summer the privies were most objectionable. This question was referred back to the Medical Officer and Mr Lake.
LOCAL NEWS
At a meeting of the May Horse Procession Committee, held in Berwick on Monday night, it was decided not to hold the Horse Procession this year, in view of the fact that the Northumberland Agricultural Society are holding the County Show at Berwick this year. It was felt that too many calls would be made upon tradesmen in the town should they be asked to subscribe to the two objects. Cost of prizes having advanced so much it is possible that, should it be decided to hold the Procession next year, the event will be more on the lines of the Norham and Paxton games. The idea is to hold a show in the Fields and charge for admission, and it is also suggested the Show might be brightened by having jumping and driving competitions.
An interesting ceremony took place in the Girls’ C. of E. School, Parade, on Friday afternoon, when the Vicar, on behalf of the Managers, teachers and scholars of the School presented Miss A. D. Shields with a wedding gift consisting of a silver tea and coffee service. The Vicar and Headmistress (Miss M.R. Richardson) both spoke of the service so ably and ungrudgingly rendered by Miss Shields during her thirteen years’ connection with the School, and wished her much happiness in her future life. Miss Shields, in a charming little speech, expressed her thanks for the beautiful gift, and referred to the happy relations which had always existed between her and the other members of the staff. Hearty cheers were given by the scholars for Miss Shields and the Managers, several of whom were present, and the proceedings were concluded by the singing of the National Anthem. Teachers and scholars parted from Miss Shields with very real regret and their affection and hearty good wishes go with her into her new sphere of life.
HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT
SURVEY TO TAKE PLACE SHORTLY
An extraordinary meeting of the Berwick-on-Tweed Employment Committee was held in the Board Room of the Employment Exchange, Berwick, on Saturday, when Councillor W. J.Dixon presided. There were also in attendance The Mayor (Councillor T. Bolus), Messrs T. S. Elder, W. Joures, Jas. Kean, J. Makins, Geo. Martin, A. C. Parkes, R. C. Rennison, W. R. L. Blakiston, Divisional Controller, Newcastle, and Mr R. Tipping, secretary.
The object of the meeting was to prepare for the survey of the harbour, which is now definitely decided upon, and the Chairman intimated that a copy of the Department’s minute had now been received. It was in the following terms:- “The Committee should be informed that a reply has now been received from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, who state that arrangements are at present being made for the conducting of surveying operations, which will be put in hand as soon as possible.”
In view of this official assurance, the Chairman proposed that a Sub-Committee be formed to meet the Government Surveyor when he arrived and lay all the information available at his disposal.
After discussion, it was unanimously agreed that the following Sub-Committee be appointed to meet the Surveyor if, and when required:- The Chairman ( Councillor W. J. Dixon), Councillor T. Bolus ( Mayor), Mr J. Makins, and Mr Geo. Martin.
