 This was part of the Royalist army of King Charles I preparing to fight the Scots.Information was soon received that the Scots led by General Leslie were crossing the river at Newburn to attack the English at Stella, after which the Whickham contingent would be threatened, and so orders were given to burn the camp at Whickham rather than let it fall into enemy hands.Many of the villagers of Whickham joined in the retreat which followed.