Northumberland Day

Northumberland Day is celebrated on 30 May this year. 

The county day is an initiative begun 5 years ago by Langley Castle and is an opportunity to celebrate all things Northumbrian. There is plenty planned, both the day itself and the week before and following.

For details of events check out the official website NorthumberlandDay.co.uk

There is also a ‘Letter to Northumbear’ writing competition for children under 11 which sounds a lot of fun.

Jesmond’s Local History Collection

Local History Collection

Here at Jesmond Library we have a special collection which celebrates our region – from the Borders to the north, to County Durham to the south, and the cities and towns in between. And, of course, that includes Northumberland.

It is a fascinating collection. We have books which tell of the forces that shaped the area, the myths and stories shared, its castles, the architecture of its cities, the food we enjoy and the dialect we speak, its culture and people, its inventors and engineers, the arts and crafts movements, wildlife and natural world around us. 

Browse the stacks and you will find out things you never knew you didn’t know!

The history of Northumberland 

It’s not just about the Romans

There is more than we can possibly cover in a short post, so this blog will give just a hint of books in the collection which reveal the colourful history of Northumberland.

Hadrian’s Wall

Every school child learns about the Roman occupation, of Hadrian’s Wall and the forts at Vindolanda and Arbeia. And certainly much has been discovered which has helped scholars learn of life on the northern frontier of the Roman Empire and of the Celts who were native to the area. In fact, you could be forgiven for assuming that is when Northumberland’s history began! But of course this isn’t true.

Long before the Romans

Prehistoric Northumberland

Investigate our Library collection further and you will discover Northumberland from a time long before the first century.

For example, the prehistoric hill fort at Yeavering Bell, Bronze Age and Iron Age artefacts, stone circles and rock art.

Holy Island

Lindisfarne

Then move forward past the Romans to the Anglian kingdoms, learn of Oswald, the conversion to Christianity and the saints of Lindisfarne – Aiden, Bede and Cuthbert. 

Battles and Castles

And then the Viking invasion, the Norman conquest, the fall of the Kingdom of Northumbria, the rise of the Earldom of Northumbria, the border skirmishes, the Reivers and the rebels. 

It’s no wonder there are so many registered battle sites in Northumberland, and it has more castles than any other county!

Enjoy Northumberland Day

Battles and Castles

So on this Northumberland Day 2021, we hope you will enjoy all that the county has to offer.

Staycations are the thing, and where better to be than Northumberland?

And perhaps you will plan a future visit to Jesmond Library to discover more about what shaped Northumberland and made it into the wonderful county it is today.