Haslington During the First English Civil War, on 27 December 1642,(?) there was a skirmish between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians that took place on the southern outskirts of the village at a place called Slaughter Hill. The, Parliamentarians—also known as the Roundheads—won the battle. Local legend says the battle caused the brook nearby to turn red from the blood spilt. A sword was found embedded in the bank of Valley Brook. Although the macabre name Slaughter Hill suggests it may be named after this skirmish, it may be a corruption of "Sloe Tree Hill". Blackthorn ("Prunus spinosa"), the fruit of
Prunus brigantina Prunus brigantina Prunus brigantina, called Briançon apricot, marmot plum, and alpine apricot, is a wild tree species native to France and Italy. It is the only apricot-like "Prunus" species native to Europe. The fruit is similar to the commercial apricot "Prunus armeniaca", and is edible. An edible oil produced from the seed, 'huile des marmottes', is used in France. Unlike the other closely related species known as apricots, the fruit is smooth rather than hairy. "Prunus brigantina" is considered a member of the apricot group, along with "P. armeniaca", "P. mandshurica", "P. mume", and "P. sibirica", but its genetic relationships