The Baydale Banks Tragedy

Blackwell, near Darlington,  once more popularly known as ‘Baydale’ was the scene of a gruesome murder which is little known about today.

The victim was Christopher Simpson, an elderly labourer from Thornaby, who was murdered at Baydale Banks Head on the night of 5th June, 1624.  Simpson’s body was found the following morning and quickly attracted local residents to the view the body and share their experiences of when and with whom the victim was last seen.  Suspicion fell immediately on Ralph Simpson, the dead man’s nephew, who lived in Aldbrough in Richmondshire.  It appears the only evidence for Ralph Simpson having committed the murder was that he was the last person known to have seen the murdered man.

The accused man was quickly arrested and taken to the scene, as was the local coroner, and a hasty inquest was held on the spot.   Ralph Simpson was found guilty at the scene of the murder and executed soon afterwards.