Introduction

Northam lies in a quiet corner of the North Devon coast occupying a vantage point overlooking the confluence of the Rivers Taw and Torridge and protected from the wild Atlantic by Bideford Bay.

Northam's neighbour Appledore originally known as Tawmutha in Old English, provides beach front anchorages suitable for shallow draught vessels to be hauled out of the channel.

Can this little known village of Northam together with its neighbour, Appledore, have been pivotal in two battles: one securing the rebuilding of the power of Wessex and one signifying its end? 

The two battles are firstly the defeat of Hubba (Ubba) the Dane by the men of Devonshire described in the “Anglo Saxon Chronicles” in 878 during the reign of Alfred the Great which will be investigated in Part 2.

Almost two hundred years later the second battle in 1069 also mentioned in the “Anglo Saxon Chronicles” is a raid by the sons of Harold Godwinson following the Conquest of England by William of Normandy which will be investigated in Part 5.

Fig 1 - This 1765 map from the Bideford and District Archive collection shows the position of Appledore, Northam, Bloody corner and on a ridge between Northam and Abbotsham, Godborough, Henny Castle with what appears to be Olin Kenwith written beneath Henny Castle

If you wish to know more about this subject, the Bideford & District Community Archive has a booklet which can be purchased.