More information : NT 988 530. Berwick's existence appears to have been first recorded in 1097 when King Edgar confirmed by gift to the Bishop of Durham "the village of Berwick with all its appearances" (a). Before that time Berwick is recorded in several historically dubious references,including the Orkneyinga Saga, which gives Berwick two references,the earliest of which would appear to lie in mid 11th century (b). The place-name Berwick is probably derived from Old English berwic `barley farm' denoting a grange or out-lying part of an estate, and may represent Anglian expansion northwards (c). Situated on a small coastal peninsular on the northern bank of the River Tweed, Berwick was both an important urban centre and defensive position until late medieval times. It had the status of a port of international renown, and was a chief exit point for wool and hides from religiuos houses in southern Scotland. There is little evidence for the reasons for the development of early Berwick. Berwick's rise to importance may have been its geographical position when the Tweed became finally resolved as the boundary between England and Scotland. Berwick's growing position of importance necessitated adequate defences, leading to the construction of the fortifications (see NT 95 SE/3) and the Castle (see NT 95 SE/1) and transformed the settlement into one of political and economic significance. (1-1c)
According to a document dated 1119-1124, Berwick was known as a Scottish burgh (a). According to a document dated 1302, Berwick was an English borough (b). (2-2b)
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