Located in East Scrafton, a small hill called Lady Hill is marked on the OS Series 1 map. The term “Lady” is of interest, since it has been used elsewhere in sites that appear important for religious purposes.
May 22
Nathwaite Bridge, over the river Cover in Coverdale, is just about the only way any heavy traffic can easily cross between the key villages of Carlton and West Scrafton. The importance of the location is perhaps underlined as the last place down the river Cover where it remains reasonably ford-able, and therefore crossable in past times when no closer bridge existed.
May 22
Every region in Brigantia has its own accent and ways of speaking. North Yorkshire, being such a large county, has quite a significant variance in its dialects and this glossary may not be universally applicable in the whole of the region.
In the field of Bridge Barn, close to Nathwaite Bridge, there are two fords marked on the OS Series 1 map. This site page holds the details of our investigation into the fording point we think may be called Cow Ford.
In the field of Bridge Barn, close to Nathwaite Bridge, there are two fords marked on the OS Series 1 map. This site page holds the details of our investigation into the fording point we think may be called Intach Ford.
Located in the same field as Bridge Barn, close to the Cow Ford, there is a mound. In may be around 4-5m in diameter and perhaps 1.5-2m high. Our initial search drew a blank as to what it may be. But it’s proximity to Cow Ford suggests it may have a mining, or masonic origin.
May 20
Even in a rural community of mainly farmers, there are often reasons to wish to build or create a structure that is for, at least in part, for defensive purposes. Thus, some barns in Yorkshire and other places can be seen to have “arrow slits”, and later, square “gun ports”. This article provides a brief overview of what these structures are, why they were built and how they were used.
May 20
“Coal Barns”, are, in the case of Coverdale, and smaller coal producer, often, simply ordinary barns, which have been used, and perhaps partially converted for use as coal storage.
Nathwaite bridge over the River Cover is a strategically placed river crossing, for centuries it has been the only crossing point over the river Cover, and with a fortified barn right next door to it, this is an enigmatic site worthy of closer attention.
The barn that is located closest to Nathwaite Bridge seems important, but is poorly understand and recorded. It’s position, in close proximity to the bridge, together with three arrow-slot style defensive features indicate it may have served to protect the Carlton side of the river from raiders, and is in a perfect position, strategically. Yet, it is not recorded as such, and may be later in its creation, as it does not appear on some earlier maps.
