In Search of Lang Lonkin/Long Lankin/Long Lonkin

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• published: 20 Sep 2016
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I go in search of the remains of Lonkin's Hall and try to follow some of the old Border Ballad. Just shy of 6 miles. There are various tellings of the same tale and although the Scots claim it as their own, we in Northumberland have the remains of Lonkin's Hall (the supposed hideout of Lang Lonkin). Although originally the foundations of a 13th century castle, it has had the name Lonkin's Hall in relation to the tale since before the first maps. Lang Lonkin is a rogue, a robber and highway man who is said to have lived about the 15th-16th century. His hideout was the ruins of Philip de Ulecote's castle foundations. The Scottish version of the tale has him as a wronged stonemason who was working on Lord Weary's castle at Balwearie, Fife (hardly border country). More likely the Scottish version adapted Welton to Weary. One night when the Lord of Welton Hall was away, Lang Lonkin decided to rob Welton Hall. Some accounts suggest he had a grudge against the Lord. What is agreed upon is that a servant inside the hall was in league with Lonkin and let him into the hall. The real historic Welton family who built the original hall were the sheriffs of Newcastle and Northumberland in the 15th century. Most accounts suggest that Lonkin made the lady's baby cry in order to get the lady to reveal where the loot was... however, another account suggests that the nursemaid was the servant in league with Lonkin and they murdered the baby, draining its blood into a bowl that was then mixed with the lady's food that evening or with her wine. Another suggests the blood was used to bathe in to cure Lonkin of leprosy. Whatever version you opt for the result was the same. Lonkin murdered both baby and lady. It is said by some accounts that he dumped their bodies in Bogle Burn where they continue to haunt thus giving the stream its name (a bogle being a ghost or evil spirit in Northumbrian as well as Scots). Another account was that they were dumped in a well called Lonkin's Hole (perhaps under the reservoir). Lonkin fled to his hideout at Lonkin's hall and hid in a supposed tunnel that led to Nafferton farm. Some accounts say he drowned in the same pool as where he dumped the lady and baby's bodies. Another account says he drowned at the pool Whirl Dub. However, most tellings of the tale suggest he was hanged on an oak tree near Whittle Dene, either by himself in remorse for his sins or by the lord of Welton Hall. His body is said to lay under the stone mounds found at Whirl Dub where he is rumoured to haunt still today... I finish my walk by visiting the site of King Oswald's camp in his campaign against King Penda of Mercia before the battle of Heavenfield 634AD. To find the remains of Lonkin's Hall... don't take my route, but instead park in the lay-by near Nafferton Farm on the A69 and enter the wood from that direction. By all accounts it should lead you to the ruins. My route: http://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4409418.html My intended route: http://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4409612.html To find the ruins: http://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4409619.html Other related links: http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_north/88/lonkins.html http://www.poetrymagazines.org.uk/magazine/record.asp?id=9214 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamkin http://jonandrika.org/wp/articles/lamkin-terror-of-nurseries/