Swalwell
| Swalwell | |
| County Durham | |
|---|---|
 Holy Trinity Church, Swalwell | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NZ203622 |
| Location: | 54°57’14"N, 1°41’2"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Newcastle Upon Tyne |
| Postcode: | NE16 |
| Dialling code: | 0191 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Gateshead |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Blaydon |
Swalwell is a village in County Durham which has been incorporated into the conurbation on the south of the River Tyne: it is found on the northern edge of Whickham, squashed against the A1 dual carriageway which cuts across its northern fringe. The western end of Swalwell is an industrial area running to the banks of the River Derwent, which enters the Tyne here. The Gateshead Metro Centre is immediately north of Swalwell across the A1.
The Civil War
On 27 August 1640, an encampment of soldiers was gathered in the fields north of Whickham church on the slope down to Swalwell. This was part of the Royalist army of King Charles I preparing to fight the Scots. Information was soon received that the Scots led by General Leslie were crossing the river at Newburn to attack the English at Stella, after which the Whickham contingent would be threatened, and so orders were given to burn the camp at Whickham rather than let it fall into enemy hands. Many of the villagers of Whickham joined in the retreat which followed.
The fire at the camp ignited a seam of coal which apparently burned for several years in various places including the Coaly Well.
On 7 September 1648 a burial took place at Whickham churchyard of a soldier in Cromwell's army, which was then camped north of the church. Cromwell is supposed to have stayed in Whickham for two days before marching to Scotland down Clockburn Lane on 25 July 1650 on his way to the Battle of Dunbar, crossing the Tyne at Newburn and using the ancient route of the cattle drovers.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Swalwell) |