The History of the borough, Barony and Castle of Alnwick

Author: George Tate, originally published 1866

An online book available free from Google Books

Editors Review

The book has twenty five indexed chapters, with links from each to the subject matter.  From Tate's work, one draws the conclusion that early periods of history in the book appear to rely on folklore and guess work rather than any factual basis.  The author places Alnwick within the wider picture of English History.  There is considerable detail about the Percy family, which is to be expected in a town and county that for long periods was dominated by this family.  Chapter 17 covers the government of the town.  Chapter 22 covers the sports and pastimes and Tate points out that Alnwick maintained a fool for the amusement of the population.  There were also pipers who played an hour at night but were later replaced by fiddlers.  The Waites (entertainers) called at every house on New Years day to collect their fee.  Tate gives an insight into the history of entertainment in this part of Northumberland.

In conclusion a book that although centred upon the occupants of Alnwick Castle does give an insight into the people and customs of Alnwick over the centuries.