Whittle Dene Castle - the lair of evil Long Lonkin
On the A69, about two miles west of the Wylam junction, the
road passes over the Whittle Dene. Just to the north, and some
ten yards off the road, hidden by trees and bushes, are the bare
remains of what was to have been Nafferton Tower.
Philip de Ulecote, a royal Forester of Northumberland in the
reign of King John, started to build the tower there, about
1215. The Lord of Prudhoe, Richard de Umfreville, objected to
having a fortification built which overlooked his castle at
Prudhoe. He also had reason to dislike Philip! He had taken
possession of Prudhoe Castle, and held Richard's four sons
captive there. This was on the instructions of King John, a
punishment for Richard's conduct during the revolt of the barons.
After the death of King John, Hugh de Burgh ruled the
kingdom as regent for the young Henry III. He restored to Richard
his castle, lands and titles.
Upon investigation, Richard
discovered that Philip de Ulcote had not received a licence from
the king to build his tower. In 1218 he appealed to Hugh de
Burgh, who issued an order to Philip to suspend the work on his
tower at Nafferton. Work ceased, and no attempt was ever made
during the succeeding centuries to finish the building.
Over the years, whatever building Philip de Ulcote had
managed to erect, gradually decayed into ruins.
At sometime in
its history, the date is uncertain, a notorious villain called
Long Lonkin made the place his hide-out. He was, apparently, a
thief, robber, murderer and a most unpleasant person.
One of his victims was the owner of a pele tower, Welton Hall,
only a mile or so to the north-west of Lonkin's Lair. Lonkin
formed a relationship with a maid servant from Welton and she
became his accomplice in a plan to rob her master.
According to the legend, one night when the master of Welton
was away on business, the maid unlocked a door and admitted
Lonkin into the hall. Unable to find any valuables he roused the
lady of the hall and her child, and demanded that they tell him
where the treasures where hidden. They refused, and in a temper
he killed them both and threw the bodies into a nearby
burn. Lonkin escaped with whatever he had managed to steal. When
the master returned he set out to find Lonkin and inflict his
revenge. Exactly what occurred is not known. Some say that
during a chase Lonkin fell into a burn and was drowned. Others
say that Lonkin hanged himself in a fit of remorse, and yet
others that he was simply hanged! The fate of the maidservant is
not known.
About half way between Welton Hall and the site of
Nafferton Tower is a stream called the Bogle Burn, which joins
the Whittle Burn a few hundred yards to the north of Lonkin's
Lair. The word 'boggle', or 'bogle', is an old Northumbrian term
for a ghost or evil spirit. Along the Bogle Burn is a deep pool
called the Whirl Dub, which reputedly holds the remains of Long
Lonkin, and his treasure! On stormy, moonlit nights, the ghost of
Long Lonkin is said to wander this place, a soul never at rest
and never forgiven for his evil deeds.
Sources: Northumbrian Heritage, by Nancy Ridley, 1968.
Ordnance Survey, NZ 072 660.
History of Northumberland, Vol.XII, 1926.
Footnote - The Ballad of Long Lankin by Steeleye Span
A traditional poem immortalises the evil villain of Whittle Dene. This is recounted by the folk group Steeleye Span
in their powerfully haunting
track "Long Lankin". (Chrysalis CD "Steeleye Span - Spanning the Years" 7243 8 32236 2 6) Lonkin or Lankin,
who cares? He wasn't very nice to know anyway!
Text: Mike Gibson - Page design: Peter Barrett - Updated (Halloween) 31 October 1997