It’s astonishing that such small brooks formed part of the border between these ancient kingdoms. I wonder if they were once much larger, or whether perhaps there are so many water courses streaming off the Peaks that it just depended where the local powers stationed their soldiers. It may also have been that it was the valleys rather than the brooks themselves which proved easier to defend.
I understand that Dore (“gateway”?), through which the Sheaf runs, was a meeting point between the respective kings of Northumbria/Deira and Mercia when they wanted to parley.
It’s astonishing that such small brooks formed part of the border between these ancient kingdoms. I wonder if they were once much larger, or whether perhaps there are so many water courses streaming off the Peaks that it just depended where the local powers stationed their soldiers. It may also have been that it was the valleys rather than the brooks themselves which proved easier to defend.
I understand that Dore (“gateway”?), through which the Sheaf runs, was a meeting point between the respective kings of Northumbria/Deira and Mercia when they wanted to parley.
I’ve found the boundary of York Bishopric at the time of Offa
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:England_diocese_map_Offa.svg
It’s boundary looks like it follow watercourses
Post 950ad the bishopric was extended into Nottinghamshire
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:England_diocese_map_post_950.svg
Like a finger poking the south of England
Interesting article thanks.
I think that the boundary carries on east to the source of Shirebrook rising around Charnock Hill and flowing into the Rother.
I’m sure that I read somewhere that it was also the boundary between the Archbishoprics of York and Canterbury
Thanks Ian, I've also come across the Archbishoprics boundary story too but couldn't confirm it. It would certainly fit with the history of the brook.