| Where: | Langley, Northumberland at Langley Castle & Derwentwater Cross, on roadside between Langley Castle and Haydon Bridge |
| When: | Weekday near 24th February |
| Time: | 11.30 am |
Langley in Northumberland is the setting for a memorial cross erected in the late nineteenth century to the memory of James and Charles Radcliffe, the Earls of Derwentwater who were executed for their part in the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745. Local landowner Cadwallader John Bates commissioned the cross after his purchase of nearby Langley Castle, which is now a hotel; it is one of only two monuments to the Radcliffe brothers in the country and is believed to be the only English memorial to sacrifices made in the Jacobite cause. History group the Northumbrian Jacobite Society have an annual commemorative meeting on a date near the anniversary of James Radcliffe’s execution (24th February) followed by lunch at the castle – in previous years the ceremony used to be at the cross (as in the photographs) but from 2019 the dedication takes place at Langley Castle and a representative will attach the wreath to the cross on behalf of the Society, as the roadside situation of the cross is somewhat hazardous for pedestrians.
Helpful Hints
The commemoration is often on a Friday near the 24th February, or on 24th itself. In 2024 it was on Friday 23rd February- 2025 details are yet to be confirmed.
Parking isn’t safely available at the Cross- drive up the road a short distance as it widens out.
Click here for the Society website: http://www.northumbrianjacobites.org.uk
I discovered this monument 25 years ago, quite by chance, whilst on a motorcycling holiday. I parked my motorbike near the Cross and photographed it. The photo is still on my garage wall today. I could not remember the exact location but, thanks to Chris and Ailsa at the Visit Scotland Information Centre in Jedburgh, the exact site has been found despite the fact they had very little to go on. I would dearly love to attend the annual commemorative meeting and take lunch in the medieval castle, now an hotel.(I am a History graduate in love with the Age of Chivalry) I am a Scot, originally from Falkirk in Stirlingshire, and now live in Epsom in Surrey but, despite being in my late seventies, I am still a touring motorcyclist. I am inspired to do this as an adventure although it is about 350 or more miles from my home, a long ride for a geriatric rider especially in February, wouldn’t you agree? Please keep me on your e-mailing list. Perhaps I should even join your Society. Thank you very much for keeping history alive.
Dear Roy,
Thanks for your message! As a seasoned traveller to many events around the country myself, I appreciate that your journey would indeed be a long one – but I have to say I’ve never regretted making the effort to attend an event yet as they’re always such fun and worth a trip! Of course if you’re feeling prosperous, you could always stay a night or two at the Castle and explore a bit longer… You can find the details of the Society at http://www.northumbrianjacobites.org.uk and their site will no doubt be updated in due course with all the info about next year’s ceremony and how to book the lunch etc.The Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheNorthumbrianJacobiteSociety/ would be a good place to ask for advance warning of the date and arrangements for next year if you’re thinking of going. As you’ve guessed, I’m a member of the Society but as I’m always haring off to traditions all over the place I never manage to get to any of the meetings at the moment, alas!
Best wishes,
Averil
Dear Averil
Thank you for taking the trouble to reply. If you send me an e-mail to … I will attach the images that I sent to Jedburgh. Although they are a bit fuzzy they show the Cross with my motorcycle taken all those years ago.
Kind Regards
Roy
Hi Averil,
I have been singing Derwentwater’s Farewell for over half century since encountering it on an EP by Louis Killen. Much more recently I came across information about James Ratcliffe while researching something else. I haven’t had time to check thin out but the article was suggesting that James Ratcliffe’s grave was moved in 1874 and that he in now at rest at Thorndon Hall in Essex, quite close to where Karen and I live.
Hi Colin,
Yes, he was reinterred in Essex as it was where his descendants were living, the Earl’s daughter having married one of the Petre family -they still live nearby at Ingatestone Hall where there are some of Lord Derwentwater’s relics on display, including the clothes he wore to his execution. The other Radcliffe family members were reinterred at Hexham, the nearest Catholic Church to Dilston, after the estate and chapel were sold off.
Hope you’re coping with the lockdown- what a strange world we’re living in right now!
Averil
Noticed this driving past today! How fascinating. I seem to remember an association between Derwentwater and the Northern Lights – maybe they appeared on the day of the execution? I think in some parts such illuminations took the name ‘Lord Derwentwater’s Lights’ for some time.
I had not realised that this might be the only commemoration to the Jacobite cause in the country. I teach History at Northumbria Uni so I’ll try and convince a student to take this as a research topic.
Thanks so much for the information – I’ll try and make a commemorative event in the coming years.
Yes, there was a novel called Northern Lights by Anya Seton – supposedly the Lights were visible while the Earl’s cortege made its way North I believe and that’s where the Lord Derwentwater’s Lights name came from. There was a copy of the novel in the house when I was growing up which had a very red sky on it so as a child I thought the Northern Lights were red not green 🙂
It’s an interesting topic with lots of local associations so would make a good subject for research from Newcastle- there are lots of landmarks in Frankie Dickinson’s book “The Reluctant Rebel” if you haven’t come across it.
Best wishes,
Averil