Warden Law village

The earliest reference to "Wardon" is in Boldon Buke, (1183 survey of land belonging to the Bishop of Durham, Hugh du Puiset) when there were 9 farmers holding 18 oxgangs, each of 13.5 acres. In Hatfield's Survey (c.1381) there were 5 bond tenants each holding 1-3 messuages. In 1611 Sir Henry Belasyse surrendered the whole vill to the use of John Shawdforth, yeoman, who built a new house there. It then passed through various Shaldforths until it was divided, one half staying with them, the other descending in the Hutton family. The original shape of the village is not clear.