The rolling Cheviot Hills that straddle the English-Scottish border are pronounced without the last syllable. This pocket for land was used for hunting. It was known as a chase, thus Chevy Chase.
The Earls
The Earl of Northumberland, who was based south of the border, would often hunt in the area. The Earl of Douglas, who was north of the border had banned hunting. So, when the Earl of Northumberland crossed the border into the Scottish Cheviot Hills for his hunt in 1388, it was interpreted as an invasion. The ensuing battle cost 110 lives. It is also believed to be the basis for the Ballads of Chevy Chase, which tells the story of the famous clash.
The Cheviot Hills are divided into the northern and the southern hills. Most of the higher ground is in the north where the highest hill is 2,674 ft (815 m) above sea level. The hills that lie north of the Scottish border have traditional rights of access. And south of the border it is known as ‘open country’ under the Northumberland National Park.
Chevy Chase is a city in Maryland USA named after the area and the ballads. And the actor with the same name changed his name from Cornelius Crane Chase, just because he liked the sound of it.
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