National Gazetteer (1868) - Kirkharle

"KIRKHARLE, a parish in the N.E. division of the ward of Tynedale, county Northumberland, 2 miles S. of Kirkwhelpington, and 20 N.W. of Newcastle. It is situated on the river Wansbeck, and contains the townships of Little Harle, Kirkharle, and West Harle, besides several hamlets The high road from Newcastle to Jedburgh passes through the parish. It was formerly held by the Bolbecks and William de Strother, from whom it passed to the Loraines. The soil is various, in some places resting on sandstone and clay, and in others on limestone, which last is extensively quarried for burning into lime. A coal-field extends over the greater part of the manor of Kirkharle, which was formerly worked. The living is a vicarage' in the diocese of Durham, value £185. The church, dedicated to St. Wilfred, is a small stone structure. Near Kirkharle House is a pillar to the memory of some of the Loraine family who were cut to pieces by the moss-troopers. This was the birth-place of Sir William de Herle, chief justice in the reign of Edward III.; and of the well-known landscape gardener, Launcelot Brown, commonly called "Capability Brown.""

"BIBRIDGE, a hamlet in the parish of Kirkharle, Tindale ward, in the county of Northumberland, 10 miles to the E. of Bellingham."

"GREATLAW, a village in the parish of Kirkharle, ward of Tynedale, county Northumberland, 11 miles N.E. of Hexham."

"HAWICK, a township in the parish of Kirkharle, N.E. division of Tynedale ward, county Northumberland, 9 miles E. of Bellingham. It is situated near the river Wansbeck, and contains some unenclosed moorland. Here was formerly a chapel, and there are several ancient earthworks, one of which consists of three compartments, each enclosed by regular lines."

"KIDLAW, a township in the parish of Kirkharle, county Northumberland, 10 miles E. of Bellingham."

"SHIELD-HILL, a village in the parish of Kirkharle, Tynedale ward, county Northumberland, 11 miles N.E. of Hexham, and 10 E. of Bellingham, in the Yale of the Wansbeck."

"THRIVE WELL, a village in the parish of Kirkharle, county Northumberland, 12 miles N.E. of Hexham."