ESPERSH1ELDS, a township, joint with Millshields, in the parish of BYWELL-ST-PETER, eastern division of TINDALE ward, county of NORTHUMBERLAND, 11 miles (S.S.E.) from Hexham, containing 180 inhabitants. At.Winnis Hill, a little westward, is a meeting-house for the Society of Friends, built in 1775, on land given by Sir Thomas Clavering. Near it is a place called Hare Town, where it is supposed there was formerly a collection of houses. The country between Espershields and Newbiggin, in the county of Durham, was anciently covered by a thick wood, which is said to have been burnt down by the owner, well known by the appellation of " Mad Maddison," who was afterwards hanged at Durham.