READSDALE, (Northumberland) a large tract, thinly inhabited, because formerly subject to frequent robberies from the
bogtrotters, lies on the S. and E. sides of the r. Read, which runs thro' it from the mountain, called Readsquire, where
it falls 70 foot into the valley, and runs into the North-Tine. Here was of old the True Place, as it was then called;
i.e. the place of conference bet. the Lds.-wardens of the eastern marches of both Km.s. for determining, the disputes of
the borderers. Here are many ruins of old forts, and great heaps of stones, called Laws, supposed by the people to have
been laid in remembrance of battles there. The jurisdiction of this Dale bel. to the Umfravils (who held it in fee of the
K. to guard it from robbers) from the R. of Will. the Conq. to that of Hen. VI. when the last of them left it to Walter
Talboys; whose son being attainted in the R. of Edw. IV. he granted it to Robert Ld. Ogle; after whose death it came to
Thomas Winsbeich, Esq; who exchanged it with Hen. VIII. for an estate in Worcestershire.