The upland liberty of North and South Tynedale, held by the kings of Scots of the English crown with their own court at Wark on Tyne: the valleys of the North Tyne (Bellingham, Simonburn) and South Tyne (Haltwhistle, Knaresdale), with Alston and its silver-lead moor at the head of the South Tyne, which William granted to the Vieuxpont family.
It is English ground that answers to a Scottish lord; William's claim to the whole of Northumberland is a separate matter.
Who he is
- Name
- William the Lion, king of Scots
- Title
- Lord of the liberty of Tynedale (an English fief)
- Since
- Not pinned: the Scottish kings held Tynedale as a fief of the English crown from about 1157-58; William forfeited his English lands in 1174, and when Tynedale returned to him is not pinned in the sources checked (the Quitclaim of Canterbury, 5 December 1189, is the likeliest moment)
- Born
- 1143
- Family
- See the scotland realm record (sco)
- Confidence
- low
General histories; not re-checked.
Overlord
King John (for Tynedale only)
What it holds
- The liberty of Tynedale with its court at Wark on Tyne
- Haltwhistle, Bellingham, Simonburn, Knaresdale
- Alston (granted by William to William de Vieuxpont)
How it was acquired
Royal grant, mid-twelfth century.
Allies and rivals
William claims the earldom of Northumberland and Cumberland too; his envoys pressed it on John in 1199.
How things stand that morning
Held by William's officers (low confidence).
Wealth
Upland grazing and the Alston silver-lead workings.
Military
No major castle; mottes at Wark and Bellingham. No figures.
Threats
- If the Scottish talks fail, John could take Tynedale into his hand
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- 22 November 1200William does homage to John at Lincoln, which covers his English lands.Depends on: The Scottish talks Stopped by: War
Places of note
- Wark on Tyne: Seat of the liberty's court
Where the sources disagree
- Whether Tynedale was in William's hand on 1 January 1200 is not pinned in the sources checked; the campaign may rule it royal until the homage of 22 November 1200.
Evidence: The liberty is certain in the thirteenth century; its state in 1199-1200 is inferred.
On the map: A rough outline of the two valleys.
Primary sources for England
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Chronicle of Jocelin of Brakelond, Jocelin of Brakelond (about 1198 to 1203). An inside account of Bury St Edmunds under Abbot Samson, written while the events were fresh. Read online
- Chronicle of Melrose, Anonymous (monks of Melrose abbey) (about 1173 to 1270, in many hands; the 1200 entries are near contemporary). The main Scottish annal for the year, kept at a Cistercian house on the Tweed. Read online
- Chronicle of Roger of Howden, Roger of Howden (about 1192 to 1201). The fullest single narrative for the year. Read online
- Chronicle of the Princes, Anonymous (Welsh translation of a lost Latin chronicle kept at Strata Florida) (Latin original to about 1282, compiled from contemporary annals; Welsh versions about 1300 and later). The native Welsh record of the year. Read online
- Chronicle; Deeds of the Kings, Gervase of Canterbury (Chronica about 1188 to 1199; Gesta Regum about 1199 to 1210). The Chronica stops in 1199, so for 1200 the witness is the briefer Gesta Regum, which notes John's peace with Philip, the coronation of Isabella at Westminster on 8 October 1200, and matters touching Canterbury: the archbishop Hubert Walter as chancellor, the cathedral priory's quarrel with him, and the Lambeth college dispute lately settled by the pope. Read online
- English Chronicle of Ralph of Coggeshall, Ralph of Coggeshall (about 1200 to 1224, in stages). Short but independent entries for 1200 from a Cistercian house in Essex: John's levy on the Cistercians and the carucage, the peace with Philip, the king's new marriage and the queen's coronation, and the death of Hugh of Lincoln. Read online
- Flowers of History, Roger of Wendover (about 1220 to 1235 at St Albans). For 1200 Wendover is mostly Howden rewritten, so he is a second witness only where he adds St Albans material: a long account of Hugh of Lincoln's last months, death and funeral, and anecdotes about John's conduct toward the Cistercians and his new queen. Read online
- Images of History, Ralph de Diceto (about 1188 to 1202). A London view of the year from the dean of St Paul's, who knew the justiciar and the bishops personally. Read online
22 more in the sources library for The British Isles.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.