River Swale - History

History

The earliest evidence of occupation in the river valley can be dated to the Mesolithic and Neolithic Ages with the discovery of flint tools and arrowheads. Around Harkerside are some small stone circles that date to the Bronze Age and some Iron Age defensive earthworks. Evidence of lead mining has been traced back to Roman times with finds at the Hurst mine. This industry seemed to decline until after the Danish invasions of the area. During the major ecclesiastical building of the 12th and 13th centuries, lead became a valuable commodity and mining once again increased in the valley. Evidence of the lead mining can still be seen from the remains of the 18th century practice of 'hushing' that involved creating turf dams across gills that were then released to wash away topsoil to expose the ore veins.

Around the 8th century, the river valley was settled by Angles who established themselves at Reeth, Stainton, Grinton Bridge and Fremington. Two hundred years later the upper valley was settled by Norsemen. After the Norman invasion, the lands of the valley were given to Count Alan of Brittany who built the castle at Richmond between 1071 and 1091. It was built on a bluff overlooking the River Swale.