Northumberland

Northumberland is a region in the north east of England. It is home to the city of Newcastle.

Northumberland in the English Civil War

Northumberland was involved in some particularly vicious fighting during the English Civil War. Owing to the breakdown of central government the counties experienced far more autonomy, and the see-sawing fortunes of the protagonists led many opportunistic leaders to try and expand their influence. The traditional French interference in the England-Scotland dispute led to armies being sent north from Northumberland, where several protracted and costly engagements were fought. Unable to make ground, the Geordies turned to attacking the lowland Scots. This proved a disastrous move, as they had a mutual protection pact with von Bismark's German-supported enclave on Northumberland's southern border. Pressed from the north and south, Northumberland was overrun and remained a lawless border region between the various factions for some time. Organized settlement by lowland Scots was credited with restoring much stability, although it is also criticized for its impact in the decline of traditional Geordie culture. Rivalry between Scots and Geordies remains strong to this day.

Haltwhistle

Haltwhistle is a small market town in Northumberland, north-east England, on the River North Tyne. It lies at the geographical centre of the island of Great Britain. The name has no railway connections (although Haltwhistle is on one of the earliest railways in the world, the Newcastle & Carlisle Railway of 1835); it derives from the 'junnction of streams (OE twisla) by the hill (OE heafod). Paint manufacture was the town's sole major industry; since the paint factory closed in the early 21st century Haltwhistle has been attempting to reinvent itself as a centre for tourism.