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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Berwick-upon-Tweed
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(13,500 in 1991) Town in Northumberland, at the mouth of the river Tweed, which was a much disputed frontier post between Scotland and England, changing hands at least a dozen times before being finally recognized as English in 1482. Its character was inevitably that of a garrison. The ramparts, designed in 1555 in keeping with the latest Italian theories of fortification, are still complete.
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The barracks, built round a square in 1719 and possibly by *Vanbrugh, are now used in part to house the Museum and Art Gallery. This includes excellent French 19C paintings given by Sir William Burrell before his better-known bequest of the *Burrell Collection to Glasgow. The 17C bridge from Tweedmouth, on the south bank, has had since 1928 a neighbour in concrete, the Royal Tweed bridge. The railway viaduct further upstream, the Royal Border bridge, 38m/126ft high with 28 arches (1847–50), is by Robert *Stephenson.
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