The Cheviot Hills, Northumberland National Park\n© Simon Fraser

Conclusion

Dere Street played a prominent role in medieval and early modern Redesdale, the border crossing serving as a meeting place for the judgement and resolution of disputes, both international and intercommunal, and as a jumping off point for the raids which generated those disputes.

When conditions permitted, it formed a throughfare for long distance cattle droving of a more legitimate kind. It must have had an important influence on the growth of settlement at High Rochester in the 16th century and would clearly merit further study, both documentary and archaeological.

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