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+Project Gutenberg's Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland, by Daniel Scott
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland
+
+Author: Daniel Scott
+
+Release Date: October 31, 2011 [EBook #37891]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BYGONE CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Brian Foley and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BYGONE CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: THE LEPERS' SQUINT, ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH,
+BROUGH-UNDER-STAINMORE.
+
+_From a Photo by Mr. George Arkwright, Beatrice, Nebraska, U.S.A._]
+
+
+
+
+  Bygone Cumberland
+  and
+  Westmorland
+
+
+  By Daniel Scott
+
+
+  LONDON:
+  WILLIAM ANDREWS & CO., 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, E.C.
+  1899.
+
+
+
+
+TO EMMA.
+
+
+
+
+Preface.
+
+
+The information contained in the following pages has been derived from
+many sources during the last twenty years, and in a considerable number of
+cases I have examined old registers and other documents without being then
+aware that some of their contents had already been published.
+
+Few districts in the United Kingdom have been more thoroughly "worked" for
+antiquarian and archæological purposes than have Cumberland and
+Westmorland. The Antiquarian Society and the numerous Literary and
+Scientific Societies have, during the last thirty years, been responsible
+for a great amount of research. I have endeavoured to acknowledge each
+source--not only as a token of my own obligation, but as a means of
+directing others wishing further information on the various points.
+
+I also desire to acknowledge the help received in various ways from
+numerous friends in the two counties.
+
+DANIEL SCOTT.
+
+PENRITH, _June 1st, 1899_.
+
+
+
+
+Contents.
+
+
+                                              PAGE
+
+  AN UNPARALLELED SHERIFFWICK                    1
+
+  WATCH AND WARD                                 9
+
+  FIGHTING BISHOPS AND FORTIFIED CHURCHES       22
+
+  SOME CHURCH CURIOSITIES                       38
+
+  MANORIAL LAWS AND CURIOSITIES OF TENURES      64
+
+  OLD-TIME PUNISHMENTS                          91
+
+  SOME LEGENDS AND SUPERSTITIONS               130
+
+  FOUR LUCKS                                   148
+
+  SOME OLD TRADING LAWS AND CUSTOMS            155
+
+  OLD-TIME HOME LIFE                           169
+
+  SPORTS AND FESTIVITIES                       188
+
+  ON THE ROAD                                  209
+
+  OLD CUSTOMS                                  223
+
+  OLD SCHOOL CUSTOMS                           240
+
+  INDEX                                        257
+
+
+
+
+Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland.
+
+
+
+
+An Unparalleled Sheriffwick.
+
+
+For a period of 645 years--from 1204 to 1849--Westmorland, unlike other
+counties in England (excluding, of course, the counties Palatine), had no
+Sheriff other than the one who held the office by hereditary right. The
+first Sheriff of the county is mentioned in 1160, and nine or ten other
+names occur at subsequent periods, until in 1202, the fourth year of the
+reign of King John, came Robert de Vetripont. Very soon afterwards the
+office was made hereditary in his family "to have and to hold of the King
+and his heirs." The honour and privileges were possessed by no less than
+twenty-two of Robert's descendants. Their occupation of the office covers
+some very exciting periods of county history, the tasks committed to the
+Sheriffs in former centuries being frequently of an arduous as well as
+dangerous character.
+
+The Sheriff had very important duties of a military character to carry
+out. Thus in the sixth year of Henry the Third we have the command from
+the King to the Sheriff of Westmorland that without any delay he should
+summon the earls, barons, knights, and freeholders of his bailiwick, and
+that he should hasten to Cockermouth and besiege the castle there,
+afterwards destroying it to its very foundations. This order was a
+duplicate of one sent to the Sheriff of Yorkshire concerning Skipton
+Castle and other places. It is not known, however, whether the
+instructions respecting Cockermouth were carried out or not.
+
+The powers of Sheriff not being confined to the male members of the
+family, the histories of Westmorland contain the unusual information that
+at least two women occupied, by right of office, seats on the bench
+alongside the Judges. The first of these was Isabella de Clifford, widow
+of Robert, and, wrote the historian Machell, "She sate as is said in
+person at Apelby as Sheriff of the county, and died about 20 of Edward I."
+The other case was that of the still more powerful, strenuous, and gifted
+woman, Anne, Countess of Pembroke. Of her it is recorded that she not
+only took her seat on the bench, but "rode on a white charger as
+Sheriffess of Westmorland, before the Judges to open the Assizes." It will
+not be forgotten that territorial lords and ladies in bygone times held
+Courts of their own in connection with their manors and castles. The Rev.
+John Wharton, Vicar of South Stainmore, in a communication to the writer
+some time ago said: "From documents shown me by the late John Hill, Esq.,
+Castle Bank, Appleby, the great but somewhat masculine Anne, Countess of
+Pembroke and Montgomery, seemed partial to Courts of her own. She sat upon
+many offenders as a judge, and it is handed down that she executed divers
+persons for treasonous designs and plotting against her estate."
+
+The Memoranda Rolls belonging to the Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer, show
+the mode of presenting or nominating the Sheriff for Westmorland in the
+time of the Cliffords, his admittance to the office by the Barons of the
+Exchequer, and his warrant for executing it. From the Rolls of the 15th,
+19th, and 23rd years of Edward the First, when the Sheriffwick passed into
+the family of the Cliffords, it seems that the right of appointment was
+the subject of litigation between the two daughters and heiresses of the
+last of the Vetriponts. This ended in an agreement that the elder sister
+should "present" to, and the younger should "approve" the appointment. In
+this way Robert de Moreville was admitted to the office of Sheriff in the
+fifteenth year of Edward's reign, Gilbert de Burneshead three years later,
+and Ralph de Manneby in 1295, each swearing faithfully to execute his
+office and answer to both daughters. On the death of the sisters the
+Sheriffwick became vested in Robert de Clifford, son and heir of the
+eldest, and continued in the possession of his descendants until the
+attainder in 1461.
+
+The list of Sheriffs is, of course, a very long one, and even allowing for
+the large number of individuals who have left nothing more than their
+names, there is much material for interesting study in the histories of
+the others. The actual work was rarely done by the holders of the office.
+"The functionaries who performed the duties were simply deputies for the
+Sheriff, and although we find them attesting many ancient charters and
+grants relating to the county, recording themselves as Vice-Comites (or
+Sheriffs), they simply executed the office as Pro-Vice-Comites (or
+Under-Sheriffs). The attainder of the Cliffords during the Wars of the
+Roses, until its reversal in the first year of Henry the Sixth, causes a
+void as regards their family, their places being filled from among the
+supporters of the House of York."[1] For a considerable period Westmorland
+was treated as part of Yorkshire, the Sheriff of the latter county
+rendering an account of the two places jointly. From the time of John,
+however, the accounts rendered for Westmorland by Yorkshire Sheriffs would
+have been as Sub-Vice-Comites for the Vetriponts.
+
+The High Sheriffs and their connections lived in considerable state when
+the country was sufficiently peaceable to permit of it. This is proved by
+the arrangement and size of their castles, while Sir Lancelot Threlkeld,
+half-brother of Henry Clifford, used to boast that he had three noble
+houses. One, at Crosby Ravensworth, where there was a park full of deer,
+was for pleasure; one for profit and warmth wherein to reside in winter,
+was the house at Yanwath; and the estate at Threlkeld was "well stocked
+with tenants ready to go with him to the wars." The various "progresses"
+of the Countess Anne also afford evidence of the state kept up, for she
+frequently speaks of her journeys from one castle to another "escorted by
+my gentlemen and yeomen."
+
+Among the numerous pieces of patronage which became the prerogative of the
+High Sheriffs of Westmorland, was that of the Abbey of Shap, but there
+does not appear to be any record when this and other privileges passed
+from them, the property being granted by Henry the Eighth to the Whartons.
+Where so much power lay in the hands of one person, or of one family,
+differences with other authorities was perhaps inevitable. The interests
+of the burgesses of Appleby would seem to have clashed at times with those
+of the Sheriff, and for very many years the parties kept up a crusade
+against each other, especially during the reigns of the first three
+Edwards. What the cost of those proceedings may have been to the Sheriff
+cannot be told, but on the other side the result was the forfeiture of
+rights for a considerable time, because the fee farm rent had got into
+arrear. The Hereditary High Sheriff had the privilege of appointing the
+governor of the gaol at Appleby, but he had to pay £15 per annum towards
+the salary, while the magistrates appointed the other officials and made
+up from the county rates the remainder of the cost of the institution.
+
+The long period during which the holders of the Sheriffwick held the
+privilege is the more remarkable--as Sir G. Duckett, Bart., reminded the
+northern archæologists in 1879--because of the way in which ancient grants
+and statutes have in almost all cases become a dead letter and obsolete.
+
+A singular incident in connection with the Sheriffwick happened about
+seventy years ago, and is recorded in the life of Baron Alderson, father
+of the Marchioness of Salisbury. The Baron went to Appleby to hold the
+half-yearly assizes, but on arriving there found that he could not carry
+out his work because Lord Thanet was in France, and had omitted to send
+the documents for obtaining juries. The Judge had therefore to spend his
+time as best he could for several days, until a messenger could see the
+High Sheriff in Paris and obtain the necessary papers.
+
+When the eleventh and last Earl of Thanet died in June, 1849, the male
+line of the family ceased, the estates passing by will to Sir Richard
+Tufton, father of the present Lord Hothfield. The office of Hereditary
+High Sheriff was claimed by the Rev. Charles Henry Barham, of Trecwn,
+nephew of the Earl, but a question arising as to the validity of a devise
+of the office, Mr. Barham relinquished his claim in favour of the Crown.
+An Act was afterwards passed--in July, 1850--making the Shrievalty in
+Westmorland the same as in other counties.
+
+
+
+
+Watch and Ward.
+
+
+The geographical position of the two counties rendered an extensive system
+of watching essential for the safety of the residents. In the northern
+parts of Cumberland, along the Border, this was particularly the case; but
+there watch and ward was more of a military character than was necessary
+elsewhere, while as it was a part of the national defence it passed into
+the care of the Government for the time being. From the necessity for
+"watching and warding" against the northern incursions, came the name of
+the divisions of the two counties. Cumberland had for centuries five
+wards; more recently for purposes of local government these were increased
+to seven; and Westmorland also has four wards.
+
+The regulations of the barony of Gilsland, in a manuscript volume
+belonging to the Earl of Lonsdale, are very explicit as to what was
+required of the tenants in the way of Border service. These stipulated for
+good horses, efficient armour and weapons for the bailiffs, and a rigid
+supervision of those of lower rank. The tenants' nags were ordered to be
+"able at anye tyme to beare a manne twentie or four-and-twentie houres
+without a baite, or at the leaste is able sufficientlye to beare a manne
+twentie miles within Scotlande and backe againe withoute a baite." Every
+tenant, moreover, had to provide himself with "a jacke, steale-cape,
+sworde, bowe, or speare, such weapons as shall be thought meatest for him
+to weare by the seyght of the baylife where he dwelleth or by the
+land-serjeante." The rules as to the watch required that every tenant
+should keep his night watch as he should be appointed by the bailiff, the
+tenant breaking his watch forfeiting two shillings, which in those days
+was a formidable amount. The tenants had to go to their watch before ten
+o'clock, and not to return to a house till after cock-crow; they were also
+required to call twice to all their neighbours within their watches, once
+about midnight, and "ones after the cockes have crowen."
+
+Detailed instructions were drawn up for the guidance of the men during
+their watches. These were even less emphatic, however, than those which
+referred to the maintenance and keeping of the beacons, of which fourteen
+public ones (including Penrith and Skiddaw) are named in Nicolson and
+Burn's History. Modernising the spelling, one of the paragraphs runs as
+follows:--
+
+    "The watchers of a windy night shall watch well of beacons, because in
+    a wind the fray cannot be heard, and therefore it is ordered that of a
+    windy night (if a fray rise) beacons shall be burnt in every lordship
+    by the watchers. One watcher shall keep the beacon burning and the
+    other make speed to the next warner, to warn all the lordships, and so
+    to set forwards. And if the watchers through their own default do not
+    see the beacons burn, or do not burn their own beacons, as appointed,
+    they shall each forfeit two shillings. If the warners have sufficient
+    warning by the watchers, and do not warn all within their warning with
+    great speed, if any fault be proved of the warner he shall forfeit
+    18d."
+
+The "Orders of the Watch" made by Lord Wharton in October, 1553, are of
+considerable local interest in connection with this subject, and the
+following extracts may for that reason be quoted:--
+
+    "Ainstable, Armathwhaite, Nunclose, and Flodelcruke to keep nightly
+    Paytwath with four persons; William Skelton's bailiffs and constables
+    to appoint nightly to set and search the said watch. Four fords upon
+    Raven, to be watched by Kirkoswald, Laisingby, Glassenby, Little
+    Salkeld, Ullesby, Melmorby, Ranwyke, and Harskew: at every ford
+    nightly four persons; and the searchers to be appointed by the
+    bailiffs and constables, upon the oversight of Christopher Threlkeld,
+    the King's Highness's servant. Upon Blenkarn Beck are five fords, to
+    be watched by Blenkarn, Culgaith, Skyrwath, Kirkland, Newbiggin,
+    Sourby, Millburn, Dufton, Marton, Kirkbythore, Knock, and Milburn
+    Grange; bailiffs and constables to appoint searchers: Overseers,
+    Christopher Crackenthorp, and Gilbert Wharton, the King's Highness's
+    servants. Upon the water of Pettrel: From Carlisle to Pettrelwray;
+    bailiffs and constables there, with the oversight of the late Prior of
+    Carlisle for the time being, or the steward of the lands. And from
+    thence to Plompton; overseer of the search and watch nightly John
+    Skelton of Appletreethwayt, and Thomas Herrington, Ednal and
+    Dolphenby; Sir Richard Musgrave, knight, overseer, his deputy or
+    deputies. Skelton and Hutton in the Forest; overseers thereof, William
+    Hutton and John Suthake. Newton and Catterlen, John Vaux, overseer,
+    nightly. For the search of the watches of all the King's Highness's
+    lands, called the Queen's Hames, the steward there, his deputy or
+    deputies, nightly. From the barony of Graystock; the Lord Dacre, his
+    steward, deputy or deputies, overseers. This watch to begin the first
+    night of October, and to continue until the 16th day of March; and the
+    sooner to begin, or longer to continue at the discretion of the Lord
+    Warden General or his deputy for the time being. Also the night watch
+    to be set at the day-going, and to continue until the day be light;
+    and the day watch, when the same is, to begin at the day light, and to
+    continue until the day be gone."
+
+
+[Illustration: PENRITH BEACON.
+
+_From a Photo by Mr. John Bolton, Penrith._]
+
+
+Penrith Beacon had an important place in the system of watch and ward in
+the south-eastern parts of Cumberland and North Westmorland. As a
+former local poet wrote:--
+
+  "Yon grey Beacon, like a watchman brave,
+  Warned of the dreaded night, and fire-fed, gave
+  Heed of the threatening Scot."
+
+The hill before being planted as it now appears, was simply a bare fell,
+without enclosures of any kind. The late Rev. Beilby Porteus, Edenhall, in
+one of his books,[2] after mentioning the uses of Penrith Beacon,
+added:--"Before these parts were enclosed, every parish church served as a
+means of communication with its neighbours; and, while the tower of
+Edenhall Church bears evident tokens of such utility, there yet exist at
+my other church at Langwathby, a morion, back, and breast-plate, which the
+parish were obliged to provide for a man, termed the 'Jack,' whose
+business it was at a certain hour in the evening to keep watch, and report
+below, if he perceived any signs of alarm, or indications of incursions
+from the Border."
+
+South Westmorland had as its most important look-out station, Farleton
+Knott, where "a beacon was sustained in the days of Scottish invasion, the
+ruddy glow of which was responded to by the clang of arms and the war
+notes of the bugle."
+
+Wardhole, now known as Warthol, near Aspatria, was once an important
+protection station, watch and ward being kept against the Scots; from this
+place "the watchmen gave warning to them who attended at the beacon on
+Moothay to fire the same." The ancient beacon of Moota is about three
+miles from Cockermouth. Dealing with the natural position of Bothel,
+Nicolson wrote over a century ago:--"The town stands on the side of a
+hill, where in old time the watch was kept day and night for seawake,
+which service is performed by the country beneath Derwent at this place,
+and above Derwent, in Copeland, at Bothil, in Millom. It is called
+_servicium de bodis_ in old evidences, whereupon this hill was named the
+_Bode-hill_, and the village at the foot of it _Bode-hill-ton_ (Bolton),
+or _Bodorum Collis_. The common people used to call a lantern a _bowet_,
+which name and word was then in use for a light on the shore to direct
+sailors in the night, properly signifying a token, and not a light or
+lantern, as they call a message warranted by a token a _bodeword_, and the
+watchmen were called _bodesmen_, because they had a _bode_, or watchword
+given them, to prevent the enemy's fraud in the night season."
+
+There was a noted beacon near Bootle, from which that town took its old
+name--"Bothill"--the beacon being fired, upon the discovery of any ships
+upon the Irish Sea which might threaten an invasion, by the watchmen who
+lay in _booths_ by the beacon. For the support of this service the charge
+or payment of seawake was provided. This payment occurs in connection with
+various manors; thus on an inquisition of knights' fees in Cumberland it
+was found that Sir William Pennington held the manor of Muncaster "of the
+King as of his castle of Egremont, by the service of the sixth part of one
+knight's fee rendering to the King yearly for seawake 12{d}, and the
+puture of two serjeants." At the same inquiry it was certified that
+William Kirkby held the manor of Bolton, in the parish of Gosforth, of the
+King "by knight's service, paying yearly 10/- cornage, and seawake,
+homage, suit of court, and witness-man." He also paid two shillings
+seawake for other lands in the district. Many other instances of this tax
+for watch and ward in old days might be quoted, but diligent search and
+inquiry during the last few months have failed to show that it is now
+exacted in any form, or when the payments were allowed to lapse.
+
+Of watch and ward as applied to town and village life as distinct from
+Border service there may be found in Cumberland and Westmorland records
+many very interesting and suggestive reminders. By the famous statute of
+Winchester it was provided that from Ascension Day to Michaelmas in every
+city six men should keep watch at every gate, in every borough twelve men,
+and in every other town six or four, according to the number of the
+inhabitants, and that these should watch the town continually all night
+from the setting to the rising of the sun. This was but one of three kinds
+of watches, the others being kept by the town constable, and the other set
+by authority of the justices. Every inhabitant was bound to keep watch in
+his turn, or to find another. It was specially provided that the watching
+and warding should be by men able of body and sufficiently weaponed, and
+therefore a woman required to watch might procure one to watch for her.
+While the person thus chosen had to bear sundry punishments in default of
+carrying out a duty which was neither pleasant nor safe, there was the
+wise provision that if a watchman were killed in the execution of his
+duty, as in endeavouring to apprehend a burglar, his executors were
+entitled to a reward of £40. In the standard work by Orton's best known
+former Vicar may be found two copies of Westmorland warrants, one for the
+keeping of watch, and the other for the commitment of a person apprehended
+by the watch, while there is also a copy of an indictment for not
+watching. This was no mere matter of form; for hundreds of years after
+King Edward instituted the system it was the chief safeguard against
+robbery, and in a great many places against incursions of the enemy.
+
+At Kendal watch and ward was strictly maintained, not for the purpose of
+keeping out marauding Scots or other undesirable characters, but for the
+maintenance of quiet and order in the streets. In 1575 the Mayor and
+burgesses of Kendal made the following order with reference to the
+watching of the borough:--
+
+    "It is ordered and constituted by the Alderman and head burgesses of
+    this borough of Kirkby Kendal, that from henceforth nightly in the
+    same borough at all times in the year, there shall be kept and
+    continued one sufficient watch, the same to begin at nine of the clock
+    of the night, and to continue until four of the clock in the morning,
+    in which watch always there shall be six persons, viz., two for
+    Sowtergate, two for Marketstead and Stricklandgate, and two for
+    Stramagate, to be taken and going by course in every constablewick one
+    after the other, and taking their charge and watchword nightly off the
+    constables or their deputies, severally as in old times hath been
+    accustomed; which six persons so appointed watchmen nightly shall be
+    tall, manlike men, having and bearing with them in the same watch
+    every one a halberd, ravenbill, axe, or other good and sufficient iron
+    bound staff or weapon, sallett or scull upon every one his head,
+    whereby the better made able to lay hands upon and apprehend the
+    disordered night walkers, malefactors, and suspicious persons, and to
+    prevent and stay other inconveniences, and shall continually use to go
+    from place to place and through street and street within the borough
+    during all the time appointed for their watch, upon pain to forfeit
+    and lose to the Chamber of this borough for every default these pains
+    ensuing, that is to say, every householder chargeable with the watch
+    for his default 3s. 4d., and every watchman for his default such fine
+    and punishment as shall be thought meet by the Alderman and head
+    burgesses."
+
+Shortly before the end of 1582 the foregoing order was repealed and
+another regulation substituted. The material part was in the following
+quaint terms, the original spelling being observed:
+
+    "And shall contynnally goo and walk ffrome place to place in and
+    throughe suche streete within the same boroughe as they shal be
+    opoyntyd and assigned by the Constabull or his deputy then settinge
+    the watch that is to say ij of them in everie suche streete in
+    companye together as they may be apoynted ffor their sayd watche vpon
+    payne to forfeyte and losse to the Chamber of this Bourgh for everie
+    fault dewly pved theis payns ensuinge that is to say everie
+    householder and wedow and bachler Chargeable wth the watche for his
+    default xijd and every watchman ffor his default such ffyne and
+    punnyshmt as shal be thought mete by the Alderman or his deputye
+    ffrome tyme to tyme beinge."
+
+At Carlisle and several other places the rules for the watch were among
+the most interesting and important items in the whole of the rules
+concerning local government. On the coast at times very vigorous action
+was both required and taken. At Whitehaven, in February, 1793, a meeting
+of the authorities was held "in consequence of the daring attempts made by
+the enemy in other places and the dangers to which the port was formerly
+exposed." Orders were issued for mounting all the heavy guns, and for
+procuring ammunition and other stores. Thirty-six weapons were mounted in
+six batteries; governors of these batteries were appointed, with other
+officers. A nightly watch was set, and every precaution taken to prevent a
+surprise, or to resist any attack which might be made on the port.
+Fortunately the precautions were not put to the test.
+
+Coming down to a much later period, but still connected with the
+protection of the two counties, a curious incident may be recalled, if for
+no other reason than that it is impossible for such a contretemps ever to
+occur again. In 1807, after a ballot for the Cumberland Militia, Penrith
+being the headquarters, an order arrived for the recruits to be marched up
+to the regiment. They were, wrote an eye witness, accordingly mustered for
+that purpose in marching order, and, followed by many of the populace,
+arrived at Eamont Bridge, where the sister counties of Cumberland and
+Westmorland divide. Here there was a sudden halt. They would not cross the
+bridge without their county guinea. After some altercation, and promises
+by Colonel Lacy and other gentlemen that they should be paid on joining
+the regiment, which promises were of no avail, they were counter-marched
+to Penrith. For three successive days they were thus marched, and still
+halted at the division of the counties. The lower orders of the populace
+took part with the soldiers, and a riot ensued, in which Colonel Lacy, the
+commanding officer, was very roughly handled. The consequence was that a
+troop of Enniskillen Dragoons was sent for from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and
+arrived in Penrith on the morning of the third day. A hard black frost was
+set in at the time, and the horses being "slape shod," they were falling
+in every direction. They were marched along with the recruits, who again
+stopped at the bridge. The populace was still unruly; the dragoons loaded
+their firepieces; the Riot Act was read, and the word "March" was given;
+but it was of no avail. A general cry was then raised that they would be
+satisfied with the promise of Colonel Hasell of Dalemain, but of no other
+man. Mr. Hasell came forward, and in a short, manly address, gave his
+promise that they should be paid on joining the regiment, and with cheers
+for the Colonel, they at once marched off.
+
+
+
+
+Fighting Bishops and Fortified Churches.
+
+
+The ecclesiastical history of Cumberland and Westmorland is curiously
+interwoven with that of secular affairs. This to a large extent arises
+from the geographical position of the diocese of Carlisle--and
+particularly of the diocese before its extension in 1856, up to which year
+it was the smallest in England. The Bishop of Carlisle in bygone centuries
+had always to take a leading part in fighting schemes, and as the churches
+would be the only substantial structures in some villages, they naturally
+came to be put to other uses than those of worship.
+
+The bishopric was indeed a unique district. Carlisle was the great Border
+fortress of the West Marches; the Bishop was invariably a Lord Marcher,
+and often Captain of the Castle. In copies which Halucton (Halton) caused
+to be extracted from the Great Roll of the Exchequer, frequent references
+are made to expenses incurred during a siege. These are believed to refer
+to 1295-6, when the Earl of Buchan and Wallace assailed the city, and when
+the Bishop was apparently Warden. The ecclesiasts during many hundreds of
+years must have been almost as familiar with the touch of armour as with
+that of their sacred robes. Writing on this subject over a century ago a
+Cumberland authority said:--
+
+    "As an example of the prevailing humour of those martial times, what
+    sort of priest must we suppose Cressingham to have been, who never
+    wore any coat that is accounted characteristic of a profession, but
+    that in which he was killed, namely, an iron one. Beck, the fighting
+    Bishop, was so turbulent a mortal that the English King, in order to
+    keep him within bounds, was obliged to take from him a part of those
+    possessions which he earned in battle, and in particular the livings
+    of Penrith and Symond-Burne. But not to mention Thurstan, who fought
+    the battle of the Standard, there are sufficient reasons for believing
+    that most of the priests in the northern parts of England had a double
+    profession, and they are so often mentioned as principals in these
+    continual wars that one cannot help concluding that the martial one
+    was more attended to. When the pastors are such, what must the people
+    be?"
+
+There was a very interesting quarrel--the facts being too numerous to be
+stated here--concerning the manor of Penrith, and those in some other
+parts of East Cumberland. They were in the possession of John de Baliol,
+by virtue of an agreement come to between the Kings of England and
+Scotland, but afterwards Edward the First quarrelled with Baliol, seized
+his lands, and granted them to Anthony Beck, the military Bishop of
+Durham already mentioned. That prelate had assisted the King at the battle
+of Falkirk, with a considerable number of soldiers, and was greatly
+instrumental in obtaining the victory. When the Parliament met at
+Carlisle, however, the grant was disapproved, and as the Bishop did not
+attend to show by what title he had taken the lands, they were adjudged to
+belong to the Crown.
+
+The manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of Carlisle contain many
+references to the knowledge of war required by the early Bishops. When
+Linstock was the episcopal residence, it lay exposed to the incursions of
+the Scots, whose respect of persons, as Mr. C. J. Ferguson has reminded
+us, was small. In April, 1309, Bishop Halton excused himself from obeying
+a summons to Parliament, pleading both fear of a Scots invasion and bad
+health as reasons. Later correspondence showed that the Bishop had been
+employed by the King as his deputy in suppressing outrages in the West
+March, and desired to be freed from some of his duties. The King therefore
+absolved the prelate from the duties to which he objected, but begged him
+to assume the remainder of the offices in his commission, so as to
+restrain the lawlessness prevailing on both sides of the Border.
+
+The difficulties of defence, or the constant annoyance, became so great
+that in 1318 Edward the Second obtained from the Pope the appropriation to
+the bishopric of Carlisle of the church of Horncastle, Lincolnshire, to be
+a place of refuge for the Bishop and his successors during the ravages of
+the northern enemy. Thomas de Lucy, upon the invasion of the Scots in
+1346, "joined his strength with the Bishop of Carlisle [Welton], and so
+alarmed the enemy in the night-time, by frequent entering into their
+quarters, that at length they fled into their own country. And a truce
+shortly after ensuing, he was again joined in commission with the same
+Bishop and others to see the same duly observed." The Bishop was soon
+afterwards constituted one of the commissioners for the arraying of men in
+the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland for the defence of the Borders,
+the French then threatening an invasion. With the growth of these troubles
+from abroad, pressure was put upon those who could raise funds, of whom
+Bishop Appleby was not the least important. "_Brevia de privato sigillo_
+quickly succeed one another at this time," wrote the Rev. J. Brigstocke
+Sheppard, in 1881,[3] when he had gone carefully through the muniments of
+the Dean and Chapter. "The King, in an agony of apprehension, occasioned
+by the threat of invasion, backed by a large fleet collected in the
+northern ports of France, begs the Bishop again and again to raise a
+defensive militia, to cause prayers to be offered in all churches, and
+finally to advance him as much money as he can upon security of the
+clerical _disme_ which would soon be due." In a further letter, the King
+being determined to borrow from such of his subjects as could best afford
+to lend, ordered the Bishop to send for six of the richest clergy and six
+of the most affluent laymen in each county, and upon these twenty-four to
+impose a loan of fifty marks on an average--more upon those who could
+afford it, and less upon those less able to bear the tax. In 1373 Bishop
+Appleby was enjoined by the King to reside continually in his diocese upon
+the Marches, and to keep the inhabitants in a state of defence as a
+protection to the rest of the kingdom against the Scots.
+
+And so through all the long list of Border troubles the Bishops had to
+take a conspicuous share in the proceedings, until the ludicrous incident
+on Penrith Fell, which was the last occasion on which a Bishop took part
+in fighting on English soil. Various local chroniclers have given
+different versions, but there seems to be no room for doubt that the one
+by Chancellor Ferguson is accurate. When in 1715 the Jacobites marched
+from Brampton to take Penrith, the people from all the country side
+(though whether the number was 4,000 or 14,000, as variously stated, is
+not material), armed with guns, scythes, pitch-forks, and other handy if
+not always military weapons, went on to the fell to meet the rebels. The
+"_posse comitatus_ were under Lord Lonsdale and Bishop Nicolson, the
+latter seated in his coach, drawn by six horses. So soon as the
+Highlanders appeared, the _posse comitatus_ went away; in plain words they
+skedaddled, leaving the two commanders and a few of their servants. Lord
+Lonsdale presently galloped off to Appleby, and the Bishop's coachman,
+whipping up his horses, carried off his master _willy nilly_ to Rose
+Castle. It is said the prelate lost his wig, while shouting from the
+carriage window to his coachman to stop." The result of this ignominious
+retreat was that the Jacobites took possession of Penrith for the time
+being, but behaved well, their most serious action being the proclamation
+of James the Third, and the capture of a lot of provisions.
+
+From fighting prelates to fortified churches is not a long step. Three or
+four of these structures have come in for more notice than the rest,
+although the latter cannot thereby be considered as lacking some of the
+most interesting features of the others. During the last thirty years the
+changes necessitated by restorations of churches have caused some of these
+relics of turbulent times to be somewhat altered; there are still,
+however, numerous village structures which tell their own story much more
+vividly, to the trained eye, than could be done by written record. When
+the late Mr. John Cory, county architect for Cumberland, read his paper on
+the subject at Carlisle a quarter of a century ago, he pointed out some of
+the characteristics of these ancient ecclesiastical strongholds: "The
+distance from each other tells of a scanty population; the deficiency of
+architectural decoration shows that the inhabitants of the district were
+otherwise engaged than in peaceful occupations; while traces of continual
+repairs in the fabric are evidently not to be attributed to the desire
+shown in the churches of many southern counties to make good buildings
+better, but have resulted from the necessity occasioned by the partial
+destruction of churches through hostile aggressions. In many instances it
+may be said that the church had been erected scarcely less for the safety
+of the body than for the benefit of the soul."
+
+That the abbey of Holme Cultram was once both a fortress and a church is
+shown to this day by the remains of earthworks which once served for its
+defence. Curious entries in the parish books also indicate the bitter
+hatred of the Cumbrians for those from over the Border. The value of the
+abbey is shown by a petition of the inhabitants of the lordship to
+Cromwell in 1538, when they asked "for the preservation and standynge of
+the Church of Holme Cultrane before saide; whiche is not onlye unto us our
+parish Churche, and little ynoughe to receyve all us, your poore Orators,
+but also a great ayde, socor, and defence for us agenst our neghbours the
+Scots, witheaut the whiche, few or none of your Lordshipp's supplyants are
+able to pay the King his saide Highness our bounden dutye and service,
+ande wee shall not onelye praye for his graciouse noble estate, but also
+your Lordshipp's prosperitie with increase of honour long to endure."
+
+The tower of Burgh-by-Sands Church, close to the Solway, was built at the
+west end of the structure, with walls six feet to seven feet in thickness.
+A further indication of the desire for security is found in the bottoms of
+the windows of the church, which were placed eight feet from the ground.
+Entrance to the fortified tower could only be obtained through a ponderous
+iron door six feet eight inches high, with two massive bolts, and
+constructed of thick bars crossing each other, and boarded over with oak
+planks. As only one person at a time could gain access to the vaulted
+chamber, there was every possibility of offering effective opposition to
+attacks, while the ringing of the bells would be the signal for bringing
+any available help. What was true of one side of the Solway was equally
+true of the other, there being still traces of fortified churches on the
+Scottish side of the Firth.
+
+Newton Arlosh Church is another noteworthy example of a building
+
+  "Half house of God, half castle 'gainst the Scots,"
+
+though here the bulk of the attention would seem to have been paid to
+bodily danger. The doorway was made only two feet six inches wide, and as
+at Burgh the lowest parts of the windows were placed above the reach of a
+man's hand--in this case the sills were seven feet from the ground. Light
+was of less consequence than security, and so the windows were only one
+foot wide, with a height of three feet four inches.
+
+Though further away from the Border than either of the other churches
+mentioned, that at Great Salkeld was peculiarly liable to attack by the
+Scottish raiders, as it occupies a strong position near the river Eden,
+whose banks seem to have been much used by the undesirable visitors. The
+tower is in a splendid state of preservation, although necessarily much
+altered, in detail, from its former condition. There were five floors,
+that on the ground level being a vaulted room, with a strong door of iron
+and oak leading into the church. Three small apertures afforded light and
+opportunities for watching from the first floor, and that room also
+contained a fireplace. In a footnote in their "Cumberland" volume of
+"Magna Britannia," the brothers Lysons suggest that Great Salkeld Church
+might have been fortified about the time that Penrith Castle was built.
+There is, however, no direct evidence on the point. Dr. Todd, the former
+Vicar of Penrith, who was noted for his encounters with his superiors,
+says in his account of Great Salkeld Church, that in his time there was a
+place "called the Corryhole, for the correction and imprisonment of the
+clergy, while the Archdeacon had any power within the diocese."
+
+Prior to the restoration of Dearham Church, the structure possessed
+numerous features of interest to the antiquary, some of which have
+necessarily been removed or altered. The lower storey of the tower
+consisted of a barrel-vaulted chamber, originally enclosed from the
+church, and entered only by a small and strongly-barred doorway, similar
+to that at Burgh. When the Antiquarian Society visited Dearham some twenty
+years ago, the late Canon Simpson drew special attention to this part of
+the church. He said it had unquestionably "been one of the old massive
+fortified towers peculiar to the Border district: from it, whilst the
+parishioners were being besieged, a beacon fire at the top would alarm
+their friends in the surrounding country." Some oak beams then seen in the
+tower showed signs of fire, one of them being charred half through. The
+lower part of the tower of Brigham Church, only a few miles from Dearham,
+is strongly vaulted with stone, access being obtained to the chamber above
+by means of a narrow door and winding stairs. From these features it has
+been concluded by archæologists that this was one of the old Border
+fortified churches.
+
+Further away from the Border, into Mid Westmorland, the searcher may still
+meet with evidences of old-time church builders having a much keener eye
+for the defensive qualities of their structures than for architectural
+beauty. Solidity was the first consideration, and although some of them
+were, after all, but ill adapted for the purpose, they must have been, as
+the Rev. J. F. Hodgson[4] once pointed out, "much larger and stronger
+buildings than the wretched hovels of the common people. Their enclosures
+would very generally offer the best position for defence. Among the
+Westmorland churches, those of Crosby Garrett (or Gerard) and Ormside,
+though small, and not structurally fortified, seem unmistakably posted as
+citadels. Orton Church, too, both in structure and position, is admirably
+situated for defence. At Brough, the church, a massive and easily
+defensible building, is situated upon the precipitous bank of the
+Hellebeck, and forms a sort of outwork of the Castle." The church at
+Kirkby Stephen certainly occupies a position which would give its
+occupants a strong hold on the Upper Eden Valley. The old church at
+Cliburn, on the banks of the Leath, was also probably placed there with
+some regard to defence. It is believed that the fine old church at Barton
+was used for a like purpose, and the vicar some time ago pointed out to
+the writer existing evidences of a large moat having probably been formed
+in case of necessity, the river Eamont being near enough to ensure an easy
+means of water supply.
+
+There are preserved in the church of Langwathby two specimens of old
+Cumberland armour--a helmet and a cuirass. The villagers have versions of
+their own as to the wearer of these articles, but obviously the stories
+rest on no better foundation than that of tradition; the real explanation
+is, doubtless, that given by the late Rev. B. Porteus, and already quoted
+in the chapter on "Watch and Ward."
+
+Above the tomb of Sir Roger Bellingham (died 1533), in Kendal Church,
+there is an ancient helmet suspended, but whether it was put there
+because the helmet belonged to the knight, or as a memorial of his having
+been created a knight banneret on the field of battle, there has nothing
+come to the knowledge of local historians to enable them to decide. The
+popular name for the helmet, however, is "the Rebel's Cap," and following
+the account of Machell, who was living at the time, various writers have
+given different versions of a story which, though doubtless correct in its
+main points, is open to question on others. The version given by the late
+Mr. Cornelius Nicholson[5] may be quoted, as it is the briefest:--
+
+    "In the Civil Wars of the Commonwealth, there resided in Kendal one
+    Colonel Briggs, a leading magistrate, and an active commander in the
+    Cromwellian army. At that time, also, Robert Philipson, surnamed from
+    his bold and licentious character, _Robin the Devil_, inhabited the
+    island on Windermere, called Belle Isle. Colonel Briggs besieged Belle
+    Isle for eight or ten days, until the siege of Carlisle being raised,
+    Mr. Huddleston Philipson, of Crook, hastened from Carlisle, and
+    relieved his brother Robert. The next day, being Sunday, Robin, with a
+    small troop of horse, rode to Kendal to make reprisals.
+
+    "He stationed his men properly in the avenues, and himself rode
+    directly into the church in search of Briggs, down one aisle and up
+    another. In passing out at one of the upper doors, his head struck
+    against the portal, when his helmet, unclasped by the blow, fell to
+    the ground and was retained. By the confusion into which the
+    congregation were thrown, he was suffered quietly to ride out. As he
+    left the churchyard, however, he was assaulted; his girths were cut,
+    and he himself was unhorsed. His party now returned upon the
+    assailants; and the Major, killing with his own hands the man who had
+    seized him, clapped the saddle upon his horse, and, ungirthed as it
+    was, vaulted into it, and rode full speed through the streets, calling
+    to his men to follow him; and with his party made a safe retreat to
+    his asylum on the lake. The helmet was afterwards hung aloft, as a
+    commemorating badge of sacrilegious temerity."
+
+The episode was used by Sir Walter Scott for some particularly spirited
+lines in "Rokeby" (stanza 33, canto vi.), and in his notes Sir Walter
+explained that "This, and what follows, is taken from a real achievement
+of Major Robert Philipson, called from his desperate and adventurous
+courage _Robin the Devil_." A reference to the poem will show that this,
+as dealing with fact, can only be applied to the first sixteen lines,
+which run:--
+
+  "The outmost crowd have heard a sound
+  Like horse's hoofs on hardened ground;
+  Nearer it came, and yet more near,--
+  The very death's-men paused to hear.
+  'Tis in the churchyard now--the tread
+  Hath waked the dwelling of the dead!
+  Fresh sod and old sepulchral stone
+  Return the tramp in varied tone.
+  All eyes upon the gateway hung,
+  When through the Gothic arch there sprung
+  A horseman armed, at headlong speed--
+  Sable his cloak, his plume, his steed.
+  Fire from the flinty floor was spurned;
+  The vaults unwonted clang returned!--
+  One instant's glance around he threw,
+  From saddle-bow his pistol drew."
+
+Mr. Stockdale, in his "Annals of Furness," says there was a tradition in
+his time that the Parliamentarians in 1643 stabled three troops of horse
+in the nave of Cartmell Church; and there can be no doubt that to similar
+base uses other ecclesiastical structures in the diocese were occasionally
+put in turbulent times. Carlisle Cathedral was often used for purposes of
+war, and it was not free from other exciting scenes. During the
+Commonwealth it was the centre of much rioting. George Fox preached there,
+and files of musketeers had to be brought in to clear the place of the
+rioters. After the ill-fated rebellion of '45, the cathedral was still
+further degraded, being made into a prison for captured Highlanders.
+
+
+
+
+Some Church Curiosities.
+
+
+Under a great variety of divisions many curious facts connected with the
+old-time churches of the northern counties might be noted that cannot here
+be touched upon. Some of them--especially those associated with the
+personal aspect--had their origin solely in the circumstances of the time;
+others may be traced to personal idiosyncracies; while geographical
+reasons may be found for a third class. With a few exceptions it has not
+been deemed necessary in this chapter to go beyond the Reformation. Among
+the records concerning Kendal Church is a reference in the Patent Rolls of
+1295, in which Walter de Maydenestane is described as "parson of a moiety
+of the church of Kirkeby, in Kendale." An inquiry in _Notes and
+Queries_[6] brought the suggestion that probably this was one of the
+places which used to have both a rector and a vicar, several instances of
+that arrangement having been in force being mentioned. No information was,
+however, forthcoming as to the Kendal case.
+
+Boy bishops are not unknown, and Westmorland affords an instance of an
+infant rector, the following appearing in the list for Long Marton, as
+compiled by Dr. Burn:--"1299. John de Medburn, an infant, was presented by
+Idonea de Leyburne, and the Bishop committed the custody of the said
+infant to a priest named William de Brampton, directing him to dispose of
+the profits of the rectory in such manner as to provide for the supply of
+the cure, and the education of the young rector in some public school of
+learning." If John de Medburn ever took up the duties of his office, it
+could not have been for any extended period, as another rector was
+instituted in 1330.
+
+There was a curious dispute at Holme Cultram in 1636. The Rev. Charles
+Robson, who five years previously had become vicar, being a bachelor of
+divinity, demanded that the parish should provide him with a hood proper
+to his degree. The parishioners objected on the ground that such a claim
+had never been made before, the previous vicars having provided their own
+hoods, and that Mr. Robson had on all proper occasions, as required by the
+canons, worn a hood of his own until within half a year of the dispute
+arising. A case was stated and a legal opinion taken; the result was
+entirely against the vicar, who made his position worse, inasmuch as it
+was laid down that while the churchwardens were not to provide the hood,
+they could be the means, through the ordinary, of compelling a priest who
+was a graduate to wear his hood, according to the 58th canon. Another
+instance of a clergyman going to law with his parishioners was that of the
+Rev. John Benison, vicar of Burton, who was dissatisfied with the payments
+of the vicarial revenues. The dispute found its way into Chancery, and
+Benison, in 1732, secured the following scale of payments:--"For burial in
+the church or churchyard shall be paid 1s., except for women who die in
+childbirth, for whom nothing is due. The modus for tithe lands shall be
+double for the two first years after the induction of a new vicar, and
+every person keeping a plough shall pay yearly 1d. in lieu and full
+satisfaction of agistment of barren cattle."
+
+Bishop Nicolson has left some curious pictures of the parsons in the
+diocese of Carlisle at the time when he made his visitation in the early
+years of the eighteenth century. The clergy of that time were for the most
+part not remarkable for their learning, although there were some notable
+exceptions. These were the victims of circumstances; they lived in what
+was really a dark age, and no one can feel surprised that so many gave way
+to drinking and other unclerical habits. Several, either openly or in the
+names of their wives, kept ale-houses; there was one rather glaring
+instance of this kind on the western side of Cross Fell. Poverty was
+continually their share; an instance of the life some of them led is
+recorded by James Clarke,[7] of Penrith:--
+
+    "Langdale is as poor as any in these parts, except for the slate
+    quarries, and the slaters (like the miners in Patterdale) debauch the
+    natives so far that even the poor curate is obliged to sell ale to
+    support himself and family. And at his house I have played 'Barnaby'
+    with him on the Sabbath Day morning, when he left us with the good old
+    song--
+
+        'I'll but preach, and be with you again.'"
+
+William Litt (1785-1847), the author of "Henry and Mary," a story of West
+Cumberland life, which was very popular a generation ago, says:--"It is a
+well authenticated fact that a rector of Arlecdon left his pulpit for the
+purpose of bestowing manual correction on one of his parishioners, whom he
+conceived was then insulting him. The surplice, however, was such an
+impediment to his usual lightness of foot that his intended victim, after
+a severe chase, effected his escape, and for that time eluded the
+chastisement intended for him by his spiritual pastor." Although nothing
+is known as to the identity of the cleric who thus endeavoured to deal
+with a supposed offender, possibly it was Thomas Baxter, who was incumbent
+for 62 years (1725 to 1787). He figures by name in "Henry and Mary," and
+is represented as on one occasion reprimanding Squire Skelton, of Rowrah,
+very severely for swearing.
+
+In 1653 George Fox, the founder of the Society of Friends, visited
+Cumberland. One Sunday afternoon he entered the church, and standing on a
+seat, he preached three hours to an overflowing congregation; he says in
+his journal, "Many hundreds were convinced that day." A short time
+afterwards he again visited the church on a Sunday morning, and entered
+into a long theological argument with Mr. Wilkinson, the vicar, who lost
+his dinner in consequence. The discussion continued almost to nightfall;
+the result seems to have been the conversion of the vicar and the majority
+of his congregation, as it is on record that Mr. Wilkinson afterwards
+became a distinguished minister of the Society of Friends.
+
+The old customs peculiar to Cumberland and Westmorland of "Whittlegate"
+and "Chapel Wage" have long since passed out of the list of obligations
+imposed, although the rector of Brougham might still, if he wished, claim
+whittlegate at Hornby Hall every Sunday. The parsons of the indifferently
+educated class already alluded to had to be content with correspondingly
+small stipends, which were eked out by the granting of a certain number of
+meals in the course of twelve months at each farm or other house above the
+rank of cottage, with, in some parishes, a suit of clothes, a couple of
+pairs of shoes, and a pair of clogs. Clarke gives the following
+explanation of the origin of the term:--
+
+    "Whittlegate meant two or three weeks' victuals at each house,
+    according to the ability of the inhabitants, which was settled among
+    themselves; so that the minister could go his course as regularly as
+    the sun, and complete it annually. Few houses having more knives than
+    one or two, the pastor was often obliged to buy his own knife or
+    'whittle.' Sometimes it was bought for him by the chapel wardens. He
+    marched from house to house with his 'whittle,' seeking 'fresh fields
+    and pastures new,' and as master of the herd, he had the elbow chair
+    at the table head, which was often made of part of a hollow ash
+    tree--a kind of seat then common. The reader at Wythburn had for his
+    salary three pounds yearly, a hempen sark or shirt, a whittlegate, and
+    a goosegate, or right to depasture a flock of geese on Helvellyn. A
+    story is still (1789) told in Wythburn of a minister who had but two
+    sermons which he preached in turn. The walls of the chapel were at
+    that time unplastered, and the sermons were usually placed in a hole
+    in the wall behind the pulpit. One Sunday, before the service began,
+    some mischievous person pushed the sermons so far into the hole that
+    they could not be got out with the hand. When the time came for the
+    sermon, the priest tried in vain to get them out. He then turned to
+    the congregation, and told them what had happened. He could touch
+    them, he said, with his forefinger, but could not get his thumb in to
+    grasp them; 'But, however,' said he, 'I can read you a chapter out of
+    Job that's worth both of them put together!'"
+
+There may be other instances of the formal appointment of females to
+undertake church work usually performed by the other sex, but the writer
+has only met with one local example, which occurs thus in the Kendal
+churchwardens' accounts:--"1683, June 29. It is then agreed & consented
+too by the major part of the churchwardens that Debora Wilkinson shall be
+continued saxton till next Easter, she keeping under her so sufficient a
+servant as shall please the Vicar & whole p{r}ish & she to give sufficient
+security to the churchwardens for her fidelity. As alsoe it was then
+granted by the major parte of church wardens that the said Debora
+Wilkinson for her paines herein shall have & receive to her owne use for
+every coffin in the church 2s. 6d. (she or her deputy in takeing up of
+fflaggs in the church or lying them downe to place them leveally & in good
+order, breaking none of them), and the said Debora or her servant shall
+make clean the church att all times according to the Vicar's order, and to
+keepe the font w{th} faire water, changeing itt every fforthnigh or as
+often as the Vicar pleaseth."
+
+The uses of some parts of ancient buildings have puzzled gentlemen
+thoroughly acquainted with church architecture, for the simple reason that
+certain of the arrangements might have been made for a variety of
+purposes. Leper windows are perhaps sufficiently numerous to show the
+intention of the builders, but there are instances where that is not at
+all easy to define. The side windows in Bolton Church, near Wigton, one of
+which has been described by the Rev. Hilderic Friend as a leper window,
+was suggested by the late Mr. Cory as being "for such a purpose as giving
+out alms or receiving confession," as they always had hinges and bolts for
+shutters, but not glass. Chancellor Ferguson put forward the further
+theory that as lepers could not come into the church, they made confession
+at these windows. Dr. Simpson rejected these statements, and said that
+lamps were placed in the low side windows of some churches after funerals
+to scare away evil spirits--an interesting addition to North-Country
+folk-lore. Leprosy was apparently a serious trouble in the two counties
+five or six centuries ago. John de Vetripont gave to Shap Abbey the
+hospital of St. Nicholas, near Appleby, on condition that the abbot and
+convent should maintain three lepers in the hospital for ever. In 1356 Sir
+Adam, rector of Castlekayroke (Castle Carrock), was cited to show cause
+why, being seized with leprosy to such a degree that his parishioners dare
+not resort to divine service, he ought not to have a coadjutor assigned
+him.
+
+There are still to be found traces in some of the older churches of the
+rooms of anchorites. Experts have stated that the vestry at Greystoke
+seems to have been used as an anchor-hold or reclusorium. It is believed
+that two reclusi, or inclusi, sometimes dwelt together there, one living
+in the vestry and the other in the room above. The latter apartment may
+have been used for a chantry priest, a church watcher, or a sacristan.
+Among the architectural curiosities of the two counties may be noted the
+church tower of Kirkoswald. The parish church is built at the foot of a
+steep hill, facing the Eden, while the old market town is on the sharply
+rising ground at the rear. The parishioners would thus have but a small
+chance of hearing the bells when sounded for service if they occupied the
+ordinary place. Consequently for a very long time--certainly before the
+present church was built--the two bells have been placed in a detached
+tower on the top of the hill at the rear of the church, and over a hundred
+yards away from the building.
+
+Many ecclesiastical buildings, from the cathedral down to the humblest
+village chapel-of-ease, would seem to have had curious inscriptions or
+pictures upon their walls. Nearly all these have disappeared, and later
+comers are indebted for their knowledge of what has been to such
+industrious chroniclers as Machell, Burn, and others. The former put on
+paper in 1692 the following lines, which were on the walls of the south
+chapel of Kirkby Lonsdale Church:--
+
+  C.        W.
+    (_Arms_)
+  16        68.
+
+  "This porch by ye Banes first builded was,
+  Of Heighholme Hall they weare;
+  And after sould to Christopher Wood,
+  By William Bains thereof last heyre;
+  And is repayred as you see,
+  And set in order good
+  By the true owner nowe thereof
+  The fore saide Christopher Wood."
+
+As in our own day the restoration or alteration of a church frequently
+caused much ill-feeling in a parish, and there are records of several such
+"scenes" in Cumberland and Westmorland in bygone days. One such was at
+Sebergham, where the church was rebuilt in 1825-6, and a tower built at
+the west end. On the first Sunday that the edifice was opened the
+following protest in rhyme was found nailed to the church door:--
+
+
+        "The priest and the miller built the church steeple
+        Without the consent or good will of the people.
+        A tax to collect they tried to impose
+        In defiance of right and subversion of laws.
+        The matter remains in a state of suspension,
+        And likely to be a sad bone of contention.
+        If concession be made to agree with us all
+        Let the tax be applied to build the church wall.
+
+    Churchyard wall now in a ruinous state. Sebergham High Bound, July 12,
+    1826."
+
+While dealing with the architectural curiosities of North-Country
+churches, allusion should be made to a story connected with that at
+Ambleside. A piece of painted glass on the north side of the old church
+has a representation of what is locally known as the carrier's arms--a
+rope, a wantey-hook, and five packing pricks, or skewers, these being the
+implements used by the carriers and wool staplers for fastening their
+packing sheets together. The tradition is that when the church needed
+rebuilding, together with the chapels of St. Mary Holm, Ambleside,
+Troutbeck, and Applethwaite, which were all destroyed or rendered unfit
+for divine worship, the parish was extremely poor; the parishioners at a
+general meeting agreed that one church would serve the whole. The next
+question was, where it should stand. The inhabitants of Undermillbeck were
+for having it at Bowness. The rest thought that as Troutbeck Bridge was
+about the centre of the parish, it should be built there. Several meetings
+in consequence were held, and many disputes and quarrels arose. At last a
+carrier proposed that who ever would make the largest donation towards the
+building should choose the situation of the church. An offer so reasonable
+could hardly be refused, and many gifts were immediately named. The
+carrier, who had acquired a fortune by his business, heard them all, and
+at last declared that he would cover the church with lead. This offer,
+which all the rest were either unable or unwilling to outdo, at once
+decided the affair. The carrier chose the situation, and his arms (or more
+properly his implements) were painted on the north window of the church.
+Tradition adds that this man obtained the name of Bellman, from the bells
+worn by the fore-horse, which he first introduced there.
+
+Several instances of fonts having found their way from churches to private
+grounds have been made known during recent years, one being at Penrith,
+and others at Musgrave and Brough-under-Stainmore. On the western side of
+the county, in the grounds of Mr. T. Dixon, Rheda, is the ancient font,
+dated 1578, belonging to Arlecdon Church. In the third decade of this
+century, says the Rev. H. Sugden in his notes on the history of the
+parish, it was acting at a farm-house as a trough to catch rain-water from
+the roof. Subsequently the font was found by Mr. Dixon in a stone wall at
+Rowrah Hall, and was removed to its present place of safety. It seems that
+the contractor who rebuilt the church in 1829, was allowed to use or
+dispose of any of the material or contents. The font and an ancient
+tombstone of the Dixons, were sold by him, and while the font was made
+into a water-catcher, the tombstone found its way to a farm at Kirkland,
+where it was utilised as a sconce in the dairy. Occasionally churchwardens
+were guilty of what would seem to have been vandalism. At Kirkby Lonsdale
+(1686), they recorded the last of a Norman font:--"Received for the old
+font stone, 6d."
+
+Among the regulations made by the Head Jurie of Watermillock in 1627 was
+this:--"Item, It is ordered by the jurie that every tennent of this parish
+shall sitt in church in their own seats that hath formerly been set forth
+to their ancestors. And if any have a desire to sitt in the Lady Porch,
+besides such as have their ancient Rooms therein, they shall sitt there
+paying yearly for the same to the use of the Church ijd. p{r} Annum." The
+churchwardens were evidently kept close to their duties by the same
+authority, as may be seen by this entry in the book:--"It is ordered that
+the Churchwardens of this Parish shall not be discharged of their office
+in any year before the Church Stock be fully answered at the sight and
+judgment of the Head Jury for the time being."
+
+This action probably had its origin in the losses of public funds which
+had to be deplored in many parishes in consequence of the money being lent
+out at interest. "Culyet" is not a word to be found in the standard
+dictionaries of our time, although it appears in the parochial records of
+Millom. Canon Knowles took the word to mean the free-will offerings made
+from house to house, being used at Christ Church, Oxford, as the
+equivalent of "collecta," a collection. In some of the parishes which lent
+out church funds, rather heavy rates of security were exacted--at Millom
+the arrangement was seven and a half per cent. Hence there can be no room
+for surprise that so many parishes have had reason to deplore "lost
+stock."
+
+Crosthwaite differed from other places in the manner of selecting and
+swearing the churchwardens and sidesmen, the form being settled by the
+Commissioners for Ecclesiastical Causes in Queen Elizabeth's time. They
+decreed "That yearly, upon Ascension Day, the vicar, the eighteen sworn
+men, the churchwardens, the owner of Derwentwater estate, the sealer and
+receiver of the Queen's portion at the mines, one of the chiefest of the
+company and fellowship of the partners and offices of the minerals, then
+resiant at Keswick, the bailiffs of Keswick, Wythburn, Borrowdale,
+Thornthwaite, Brundholme, and the forester of Derwent Fells, shall meet in
+the church of Crosthwaite, and so many of them as shall be there assembled
+shall chuse the eighteen men and churchwardens for the year ensuing, who
+shall on the Sunday following before the vicar take their oath of office."
+
+The seating of the men and women on different sides of the church was a
+proceeding once so common as to almost remove it from the list of
+curiosities. The churchwardens' books of Crosthwaite contain very minute
+orders as to where every person in the parish should sit, and in other
+places a similar rule obtained. In these days of "free and open churches"
+it is interesting to read of the arrangements which the churchwardens and
+vicar made so as to allocate every seat in St. Patrick's Church, Bampton,
+in 1726. The rule appears to have been based on the land tax, and the list
+begins with "The Lord Vis. Lonsdale," who had one complete stall for the
+use of the tenants of Bampton Hall, another for Low Knipe, and other seats
+elsewhere. The whole of the inhabitants seem to have been provided for,
+the catalogue concluding with a statement of the accommodation set apart
+for the school-master of Measand and the school-dame at Roughill; the
+master at Bampton Grange, being an impropriator, found a place among the
+aristocracy on "the Gospel side" of the chancel.
+
+Some quaint entries concerning the provision and cost of wine for sacred
+purposes--and for other uses not always answering that description--are to
+be met with in several of the parochial records. In the vestry book of
+Cockermouth is this entry for June, 1764:--"Ordered that all the wine for
+the communicants be bought at one house where the Churchwardens can get it
+the best and cheapest. Ordered that no wine be given to any clergyman to
+carry home." At one of the meetings of the Cumberland and Westmorland
+Antiquarian Society, the late Canon Simpson produced a paper which showed
+that very heavy sums, comparatively, had been spent at Kendal in providing
+Communion wine. One item was for £6, another £9, and again £11, while
+opposite one of the entries was the remark: "That is exclusive of wine
+used at Easter." It was customary for the vicar or rector to give the
+Easter Communion wine, receiving in return Easter dues. On another
+occasion, when the Bishop of Chester was to visit the church, the wardens
+ordered a bottle of sack to be placed in the vestry.
+
+An interesting ceremony has long been gone through at Dacre Church in
+connection with the distribution of the Troutbeck Dole. The principal
+representative of the family now living is Dr. John Troutbeck, Precentor
+of Westminster. The Rev. Robert Troutbeck, in 1706, by his will gave to
+the poor of Dacre parish, the place of his nativity, a sum of money, the
+interest of which was ordered to be "distributed every year by the
+Troutbecks of Blencowe, if there should be any living, otherwise by the
+minister and churchwardens for the time being." A more curious proviso was
+contained in the will of John Troutbeck, made in 1787. By that document
+£200 was left to the poor of the testator's native parish, and the
+interest was ordered to be "distributed every Easter Sunday, on the family
+tombstone in Dacre churchyard, provided the day should be fine, by the
+hands and at the discretion of a Troutbeck of Blencowe, if there should be
+any living, those next in descent having prior right of distribution. If
+none should be living that would distribute the money, then by a
+Troutbeck as long as one could be found that would take the trouble of it;
+otherwise by the minister and churchwardens of the parish for the time
+being; that not less than five shillings should be given to any
+individual, and that none should be entitled to it who received alms, or
+any support from the parish." The custom was carried out in due form on
+the "through-stone" last Easter.
+
+Kirkby Stephen, up to about sixty years ago, had a very curious
+custom--the payment, on a fixed day every year, upon a tombstone still in
+the churchyard, of the parishioners' tithe. The late Mr. Cornelius
+Nicholson, in a now scarce pamphlet on Mallerstang Forest, gave the
+following account of the observance:--
+
+    "The tombstone is unhewn millstone grit, covered with a limestone
+    slab, whereon a heraldic shield was once traceable, supposed to
+    indicate the ownership of the Whartons. Tradition says, however, that
+    it is older than the tombs in the Wharton Chapel. Among the
+    parishioners it went popularly by the name of the great 'truppstone,'
+    a corruption perhaps of 'through-stone.' It is certain, however--and
+    this is the gist of the story--that for generations, time out of mind,
+    the money in lieu of tithes of hay was here regularly paid to the
+    incumbent of the church on Easter Monday. The grey coats of this part
+    of Westmorland assembled punctually as Easter Monday came round, and
+    there and then tendered to the vicar their respective quotas of
+    silver. Some agreement, oral or written, must have been made between
+    the parties, which does not now appear. The practice became the law of
+    custom. The payment was called a modus in lieu of hay tithe. I find
+    that when Lord Wharton purchased the advowson at the dissolution of
+    monasteries the tithes of corn and hay were excepted from the
+    conveyance, which points to this customary modus on the 'truppstone.'
+    If this reference be correct, the curious custom dates back to the
+    time of Henry the Eighth, and perhaps farther back, and gives it a
+    continuance of some 300 years.
+
+    "We don't know its origin, but we do know its extinction. When the
+    Rev. Thomas P. Williamson became vicar, in the first decade of this
+    century, a quarrel arose between him and the tithe-payers as to this
+    modus. Law proceedings were threatened, and some preliminaries were
+    taken. The parishioners, notwithstanding, attended on Easter Monday as
+    before, and tendered their doles. The vicar also attended, but
+    determinedly refused the money, until his death in 1835, which put a
+    stop to the custom. After his death, the vicar's widow set up a claim
+    for the arrears, which had been offered and refused, so she took
+    nothing by her motion. In 1836 all the tithes were commuted in
+    England, under the provision of the Tithes Commutation Act, carried
+    into execution by a Cumberland M.P., Mr. Aglionby, whom I knew very
+    well, in Lord John Russell's Ministry. These particulars of the
+    'truppstone' were furnished me by Mr. Matthew Thompson, Kirkby
+    Stephen, one of the county magistrates, who himself--and this clenches
+    it as a fact--yearly attended in the churchyard, with his quota, and
+    who was present on the very last occasion."
+
+An incident which in some respects has had at least one counterpart
+within recent years is recorded as happening at Little Salkeld towards the
+end of the fourteenth century. The little chapel there was "desecrated and
+polluted by the shedding of blood," and as the parish church of Addingham
+was a considerable distance, the vicar was allowed to officiate in his own
+vicarage-house "till the interdict should be taken off from the chapel."
+
+There is a curious story attaching to some of the wood-work of Greystoke
+Church. The misereres under the choir stalls are very quaintly carved, and
+one of them, "the pelican in her piety," was for many years used as the
+sign of an inn near the church. From this circumstance the hostelry lost
+its old name, the "Masons' Arms," and acquired the modern one of the
+"Pelican."
+
+Although schools in churches were very common, the holding of Courts in
+such buildings could not have been frequent. At Ravenstonedale, where
+numerous customs peculiar to the parish or immediate district prevailed,
+the people had a strong belief in home rule, and insisted on having it. In
+the old church there were two rows of seats below the Communion table,
+where the steward of the manor and jury sat in their Court of Judicature
+in the sixteenth century. The malefactors were imprisoned in a hollow
+arched vault, the ruins of which were to be seen not much more than a
+quarter of a century ago on the north side of the church. There was so
+much wrangling over cases, and the manifestation of such a bad spirit,
+which the parishioners felt was unbecoming and unsuited to such an
+edifice, that they petitioned Lord Wharton, the lord of the manor, to have
+the trying of cases removed to a house belonging to him which stood near
+the church. This was granted, and subsequently the Court was held in the
+village inn and other places.
+
+"A gentleman who carries out archidiaconal functions," is the familiar,
+though vague, definition of an archdeacon in our own time, but a couple of
+centuries ago that church official had very definite duties and powers. As
+Mr. G. E. Moser, solicitor, Kendal, once reminded the members of the two
+counties' Archæological Society, the visits of the Archdeacon of Richmond
+to Kendal--where he sentenced offenders from his chair of state erected in
+the High Quire--were looked forward to with awe and reverence. The
+churchwardens' books contain the following among other entries:--"Paid for
+bent to strawe in the High Quire against Sir Joseph [Cradock] came."
+"Paid to the Churchwardens, which they laid out when they delivered their
+presentments to Sir Joseph Cradock." "Paid for washing and sweeping the
+Church against Sir Joseph's coming to sitt his Court of Correction, which
+was the 7 July, 1664." "At the peremptory day, being the 18th day of
+October, 1664, the general meeting of the churchwardens, whose names are
+herunder written doth order that Geo. Wilkinson shall keep the clock and
+chimes in better order, and shall keep swine out of the churchyard, and
+whip the dogs out of the church in time of divine service and sermon, and
+remove the dunghill and the stable-door which opens into the churchyard
+before the next peremptory day, and reform all abuses belonging to his
+office, or else the Churchwardens will make complaint so that it shall be
+referred to the ordinary."
+
+Chancellor Ferguson told the members that he had found in some documents,
+relating to an unnamed Cumberland church, an order that no swine should be
+allowed in the churchyard unless they had rings in their noses! There are
+many reminders available of the days when rushes or other growths were put
+on church floors, by such entries as that in Waberthwaite registers,
+dated 1755:--"Bent bought, 12d." At Millom there are charges for dressing
+the church. Between 1720 and 1783 there are several entries in the
+Hawkshead registers with reference to "strawing the church"--meaning the
+covering of the floor with rushes. There are also here, as at Penrith and
+some other places, allusions to payments for collecting moss, with which
+the rain was often kept out of the churches.
+
+It was, even within the last half century, a common occurrence for dogs to
+accompany their owners to church, but the officials did not appreciate the
+custom. Mr. John Knotts, in 1734, left an estate at Maulds Meaburn for the
+use of the poor of the township, from which five shillings yearly had to
+be paid for keeping dogs out of Crosby Ravensworth Church. The legality of
+the will was disputed on a technicality, and the heir-at-law paid a sum of
+money instead, which was invested, but how long the crown was paid for
+anti-dog purposes is not known. The Rev. J. Wilson wrote in his parochial
+magazine a few years ago:--"In the olden days in Dalston there was an
+officer whose duty it was to whip dogs out of church during service time,
+and, strange as it may seem, the custom under another name and in
+somewhat altered guise existed till the old church was demolished in 1890.
+The parish dog-whipper had £1 a year for his salary during the latter
+portion of the 18th century, when the duties of the office were extended
+to other matters. In the parish accounts the following entry occurs: 'May
+3, 1753 John Gate for whipping the Dogs out of church, opening and
+shutting ye sashes, sweeping ye church &c. for one year, £01 00 00.' The
+same entry occurs regularly every year till 1764, when his widow
+undertakes the job: 'May 6th 1764 Wid: Gate for whipping ye Dogs out of ye
+church, opening and shutting ye sashes, sweeping ye church £01 00 00.' The
+office of dog-whipper continues to be mentioned every year till 1774, when
+it disappears, and the entry is changed to: 'May 1, 1774, Wid: Gate for
+cleaning ye church £01 00 00.'" The church records show that at Penrith an
+annual payment of two shillings was made for many years to the
+dog-whipper. Among the items bearing on church expenses contained in the
+Torpenhow registers in 1759, was an annual allowance of 5s. to the sexton
+for whipping dogs out of the church, and that he might the more
+efficiently do his work he was granted an extra allowance of 3d. for a
+whip and 2d. for a thong. There is an item in the Waberthwaite records
+which runs:--"According to the canons laitly sett down, four sydmen
+[synodsmen] are to be appointed every year, one of whose duties is to
+keepe the dogges out of the chirche, 1605." At Hawkshead a dog-whipper was
+provided from 1723 to 1784. If the following paragraph, which appeared in
+the _Cumberland Pacquet_, in January, 1817, may be believed, there was at
+least one dog which would not incur the wrath of either parson or
+dog-whipper:--"Mr. William Wood of Asby, parish of Arlecdon, has a cur dog
+which for these four years past has regularly attended church, if within
+hearing of the bells; and what is more singular, the animal never misses
+going to his master's seat whether any of the family attend or not."
+
+
+
+
+Manorial Laws and Curiosities of Tenures.
+
+
+No doubt because of the proximity of the district to the Border, the
+tenures by which certain properties were held in Cumberland and
+Westmorland must be regarded as quite local in their character. The
+observances are, of course, all the more interesting on that account, and
+even in cases for which parallels are to be found in other parts of the
+kingdom, little peculiarities may sometimes be seen in local instances
+which throw light on the former habits of the people. Lords of manors were
+once individuals possessed of great powers. The lords of Millom held their
+property for hundreds of years, and had _jura regalia_ within the
+seignory, in memory of which a modern stone erected at Gallow, half a mile
+below Millom Castle, has the inscription,
+
+  "Here the Lords of Millom exercised jura regalia."
+
+The lord of the manor of Troutbeck, Windermere, is also believed to have
+formerly exercised a jurisdiction over capital offences.
+
+Where such powers existed, it is by no means surprising that the homage
+exacted from tenants and servitors on various occasions was of a character
+that in modern days would be regarded as extremely degrading. Thus when a
+free tenant went to his lord's residence to do homage according to custom
+and duty, he was ushered into the presence of his superior without sword
+or other arms, and with his head uncovered. The lord remained seated, and
+the tenant with profound reverence knelt before the great man. With his
+clasped or joined hands placed between those of the lord, the homager
+repeated the following vow, which seems to have been in practically the
+same terms in various manors:--"I become your man from this day forward,
+for life, for member, and for worldly honour, and unto you shall be true
+and faithful, and bear you faith for the lands that I hold of you, saving
+the faith that I owe to our Sovereign Lord the King." The lord, still
+sitting, then kissed the tenant, as a token of his approbation. In
+Cumberland and Westmorland there are several villages named Carleton, this
+being one of the reminders of the days of serfdom. The carls were simply
+the basest sort of servants--practically slaves.
+
+The former servile condition of the poor in the neighbourhood of barons'
+houses is also preserved in such names as Bongate, or as it was always
+written in old documents, Bondgate, at Appleby. In the great trial between
+the Cliffords and the burghers, when the former claimed the services of
+the freemen, it was decided that neither Robert de Vetripont nor any of
+his heirs ever had seizin of the borough, where the burgesses lived, but
+that King John gave to him "_Vetus Apilbi ubi villani manent_"--"Old
+Appleby, where the bondmen dwell." The bondmen, or villeins, were probably
+of the same social standing as those known as drenges, the Cliffords
+having very many drengage tenements in various parts of their Sheriffwick.
+"The drenges were pure villeins--doubtless Saxons kept in a state of the
+vilest slavery, being granted by the lords of the manor, with a piece of
+land, like so many oxen. In fact they were as much the property of the
+lord of the manor as the negroes in the West Indian Colonies were formerly
+the property of the sugar planters. It is probable that the drenges were
+employed to perform all the servile and laborious offices at Brougham
+Castle; for in 1359, Engayne, lord of Clifton, granted to Roger de
+Clifford, by indenture, the service of John Richardson, and several
+others mentioned by name, with their bodies and all that belonged to
+them."[8]
+
+In the reign of Richard the First there was given to the church of
+Carlisle, "lands in Lorton, with a mill there, and all its rights and
+appendages, and namely the miller, his wife, and children"--apparently
+clear evidence of the servitors being regarded as part of the property.
+
+Several manorial lords claimed for their tenants the right to go toll-free
+throughout England. This was the case with Armathwaite, while the
+privilege also pertained to the prioress and nuns at Nunnery. The manor of
+Acorn Bank, near Temple Sowerby, used to have the right, or rather the
+privilege was claimed. In the time of the late Mr. John Boazman (the
+immediate predecessor of Mr. Henry Boazman, the present owner), the
+following was written:--"The lords of this manor can still claim and
+exercise for themselves and tenants all the privileges granted to the
+Knights Templars, the most important of which is exemption from toll
+throughout England. The tenants when travelling carry a certificate,
+signed and sealed by the lord of the manor. This certificate, after
+reciting part of the old charter, concludes as follows:--'Which charter
+[that of Henry the Second] was confirmed by King Charles of England,
+Scotland, and Ireland, in the fourth year of his reign, in witness whereof
+I, the said John Boazman, as lord of the manor, have executed and set my
+manorial seal.'" The burgesses of Appleby also possessed under their early
+charters privileges of a like character, and these would doubtless be of
+very appreciable value.
+
+The ancient family of Hoton, or Hutton, were by Edward the Third, in
+consideration of the service rendered to him by Thomas de Hoton in the
+wars against Scotland, restored to the bailiwick and office of keeping the
+King's land or forest in Plumpton, which was first bestowed upon them
+prior to the time of Edward the First. It is believed that this led to the
+family taking a horn as their badge. Besides the monetary payment of
+something under £2 yearly, it was found in the reign of Henry the Seventh
+that the lands were also held by the service of holding the stirrup of the
+King's saddle while his Majesty mounted his horse in the Castle of
+Carlisle. The adjoining manor of Newton Reigny was held in the early days
+of the Lowthers by the service of finding for the King in his wars against
+Scotland one horseman with a horse of the value of forty shillings, armed
+with a coat of mail, an iron helmet, a lance, and a sword, abiding in the
+war for forty days with the King's person. At a later date the terms were
+varied; there was then the paying of two shillings per annum for cornage,
+and the providing, for the King's army, "one horseman with habiliments,
+one lance, and one long sword." Penrith and five other manors were once
+held by the Kings of Scotland by paying one soar-hawk yearly to the
+constable of the Castle of Carlisle, with some privileges concerning
+rights in Inglewood Forest. The manor of Cargo, near Carlisle, was held
+for many generations by the family of de Ross, by the rendering of a hawk
+or a mark of silver yearly. When the same manor was the property of the
+Lacys, it was held by cornage, and afterwards by the Vescys for a mew'd
+hawk yearly in lieu of all services.
+
+In the manor of Gaitsgill and Raughton were twenty-two freehold tenants in
+1777, who paid 28s. 8-3/4d. yearly free rent, did suit and service at the
+lord's court when called upon, and paid yearly to the Duke of Portland as
+chief lord of the Forest of Inglewood £2 13s. 2d., besides sending a man
+to appear for them at the Forest Court at Hesket every St. Barnabas's
+Day, and that representative was to be on the inquest. This manor was at
+the Conquest "all forest and waste ground," and was enclosed by one
+Ughtred, who held of the King "for keeping the eyries of hawks which bred
+in the Forest of Inglewood." The posterity of Ughtred took their surname
+from Gatesgill, and adopted the sparhawk for their cognisance. The
+neighbouring manor of High Head (Higheved) was held of Edward the Third by
+William English by the service of one rose yearly. Later, in the time of
+Henry the Eighth, it was held by William Restwold as an approvement of the
+forest by fealty and the service of rendering at the King's exchequer of
+Carlisle one red rose yearly at the feast of St. John the Baptist.
+
+In the reign of Philip and Mary, Alexander Armstrong was granted a
+considerable amount of property, including a mill, in the parish of
+Gilcrux, at a very low rental, on condition of finding and maintaining
+five horsemen "ready and well-furnished, whenever the King and Queen and
+the successors of the Queen shall summon them within the county." In
+documents belonging to the abbey of Holme Cultram, whereby Flemingby (now
+known as Flimby, between Maryport and Workington) was handed over to the
+monks, Gospatric, the donor, inserted a clause that he would himself do
+for the monastery "noutegeld and the like due to the King; and also to the
+lord of Allerdale of seawake, castleward, pleas, aids, and other
+services." The nutgeld tax--an impost apparently peculiar to the Border
+counties--was even last century frequently enforced in Cumberland and
+Westmorland.
+
+The custom of providing for gilt spurs was of a practical kind, the
+articles being peculiarly useful to the grantor. "Every knight (who served
+on horseback) was obliged to wear gilt spurs; hence they were called
+_equites aurati_." The reservation, by Gospatrick, of homage to be
+performed by William de Lancastre has provided some interesting questions
+for past generations of historians and antiquaries. William de Lancastre
+the second gave thirty marks to the King that he might have the privilege
+of fighting a duel with Gospatrick, and the theory propounded was that
+this contest was caused because "the tenant's proud spirit could not brook
+such a humiliation as that of doing homage." Remembering the conditions of
+life, the supposition is not at all improbable, for what man of good birth
+would care to submit to perform the service described in the second
+paragraph of this chapter? In the same parish of Kirkby Lonsdale, William
+de Pickering had the manor of Killington granted to him for the yearly
+payment of a pair of gilt spurs, or sixpence, at the feast of Pentecost,
+and the service of the twentieth part of one knight's service when
+occasion should require.
+
+Alice Lucy, a member of the once very powerful family of that name,
+reserved out of Wythop a penny rent service, or a pair of gloves; and a
+long time afterwards it was found that Sir John Lowther, knight, held the
+same manor "by homage, fealty, and suit of court at Cockermouth ... and
+the free rent of one penny or one red rose." The manor, now held by Sir
+Henry R. Vane, Bart., Hutton-in-the-Forest, was subsequently sold to the
+Fletchers under the services just mentioned. In addition to a heavy fine,
+and a rental of £10 yearly, Thomas de Multon paid "one palfrey for the
+office of forester of Cumberland," granted to the family by King John. One
+of Multon's ancestors, Richard de Lucy, also gave money and a palfrey in
+order to obtain the grant and other privileges.
+
+At Hesket, yearly, on St. Barnabas's Day, by the highway side under a
+thorn tree (according to the very ancient manner of holding assemblies in
+the open air), wrote Nicolson in 1777, was kept the Court for the whole
+forest of Inglewood, to which Court the manors within that vast
+circumference (above twenty in number), owed suit and service; and a jury
+was there impannelled and sworn for the whole forest. It is a shadow or
+relic of the ancient Forest Courts; and here they pay their compositions
+for improvements, purprestures, agistments, and puture of the foresters,
+and the jurors being obliged to attend from the several manors, seems to
+be part of that service which was called _witnesman_. "Improvements" in
+this case means permission to take up open lands belonging to the manorial
+lord.
+
+Horn tenures, locally known as cornage, were common. At Brougham Hall is
+preserved the old and quaintly fashioned horn which was sounded by the
+former owners of the estates in complying with the requirement to blow a
+horn in the van of the King and his army, when the monarch went into
+Scotland, or at other times when the Scots made incursions to the southern
+side of the Border. An interesting relic of the same description is
+possessed at Carlisle--the "Horn of the Altar." The Charter Horn has thus
+been described by Archdeacon Prescott:--"In the year 1290 a claim was made
+by the King, Edward the First, and by others, to the tithes on certain
+lands lately brought under cultivation in the Forest of Inglewood. The
+Prior of Carlisle appeared on behalf of his convent, and urged their right
+to the property on the ground that the tithes had been granted to them by
+a former King, who had enfeoffed them by a certain ivory horn which he
+gave to the Church of Carlisle, and which they possessed at that time. The
+Cathedral of Carlisle has had in its possession for a great number of
+years, two fine walrus tusks, with a portion of the skull. They appear in
+ancient inventories of the goods of the cathedral as 'one horn of the
+altar in two parts,' or 'two horns of the altar' (1674), together with
+other articles of the altar furniture. But antiquaries came to the
+conclusion that these were identical with the 'ivory horn' referred to
+above.... Such Charter Horns were not uncommon in ancient days."
+
+Blackmail used to bear a significance not fully understood by the modern
+use of the word. In the north of England it signified, especially in
+Cumberland, a certain rent of money, corn, or other things, anciently paid
+to persons inhabiting upon or near the Border, being men of name and
+power, allied with certain robbers within those counties, to be freed and
+protected from the devastations of those depredators. By 43 Elizabeth,
+cap. 13, it was provided that to take any such money or contribution,
+called blackmail, to secure goods from rapine, was made capital felony, as
+well as the offences such contribution was meant to guard against. Tenants
+in those old times had nearly all the privileges of paying; their
+opportunities for getting anything without cash or labour were few. One
+such concession which they enjoyed was "plowbote," being the right of
+tenants to take wood to repair their ploughs, carts, and harrows; and for
+the making of such articles of husbandry as rakes and forks. Fire-bote was
+the term applied to a right enjoyed by many tenants, being the fuel for
+firing, and obtainable out of the lands granted to them. Timber-lode was a
+service by which tenants were to carry to the lord's house timber felled
+in his woods. The Dean and Chapter of Carlisle were formerly obliged to
+provide the tenants of the manor of Morland with wood for the reparation
+of their houses. This was released by an endowment of £16 per annum,
+being given by the Dean and Chapter to the school.
+
+Boon services of all kinds were common in all the manors along what is
+known as the eastern fell side--the base of Cross Fell, and north and
+south thereof. Before they were enfranchised by Sir Michael le Fleming,
+the tenants of Skirwith had to supply such boons as reaping, mowing,
+ploughing, harrowing, carrying coals, and spinning a stipulated number of
+hanks of yarn. Up to the latter half of last century each tenant of the
+manor of Threlkeld was obliged to find half a draught for one day's
+ploughing; give one day mowing, one day shearing, one day clipping, and
+one day salving sheep; one carriage load once in two years, but not to go
+above ten miles; and to dig and lead two loads of peats every year, the
+tenants to have sufficient meat and drink when they performed these
+services. The cottagers were to perform the same services, only instead of
+half a plough they were to find one horse with a harrow, and a footman
+instead of a carriage load. The tenants were also bound to the lord's
+mill, pay the fortieth corn, and to maintain the wall and thatch of the
+mill. The tenants had house-boot (wood for repairing their houses) as set
+out by the lord's bailiff; peats, turves, ling, whins, limestone, and
+marl, with stones and slate for building. About 1764, half the tenants
+bought off these services at a cost of five guineas each, the mill service
+only excepted. The tenements paid twopence each yearly as greenhue rent,
+an impost which was once a common payment by Cumberland and Westmorland
+manorial tenants; along with it in the Eskdale and Mitredale manors of the
+Earls of Egremont was a due called "door-toll." What may have been the
+origin of the latter seems to be now unknown.
+
+At Parsonby, near Aspatria, the tenants had to give to the parson each one
+boon day yearly at reaping. In the neighbouring parish of Blennerhasset
+the tenants, besides being subjected to heriots, each provided one day at
+mowing, shearing, ploughing, and meadows dressing, and two days leading
+coals. Higher up the fells the score of tenants at High Ireby and
+Ruthwaite, under Mr. Fletcher, had to give one day a year, or pay
+threepence; one would suppose the most economical alternative was to pay
+cash. At Egremont the burgesses who had ploughs were obliged to till the
+lord's demesne one day in the year, but every burgess was required to
+find a reaper. In one of the manors of the parish of Wetheral, the
+tenants, in addition to their monetary payments, had to render to the
+Aglionby family, of Nunnery, boon days shearing and leading corn, with a
+certain quantity of oats called foster oats, six pecks being equal to four
+of Carlisle measure. Various attempts have been made within recent years
+to ascertain definitely what was the origin and meaning of the term.
+Nicolson says it was "perhaps heretofore for the use of the foresters,
+this part being within the forest of Inglewood." That this was probable is
+also shown by a rule which existed in the barony of Greystoke, which was
+held of the King _in capite_ by the service of one entire barony,
+rendering £4 yearly at the fairs of Carlisle, suit at the County Court
+monthly, and serving the King in person against Scotland. The lord's
+tenants, of whom there were some hundreds early in this century, had to
+pay "a 20d. fine on the death of lord or tenant, and a 30d. fine upon
+alienation; also to pay foster rents, foster corn, mill rents, greenhue,
+peat silver, and boons for mowing and leading peats."
+
+There are many curious regulations bearing upon local tenures, but there
+is not lacking evidence that some of a still more noteworthy character
+have either been allowed to drop out of recognition, or the duties have
+been compounded for. Silver-penny fines are still enforced occasionally.
+In Mr. J. E. Hasell's manor of Dacre, when a mortgagee of real estate is
+admitted to the court roll, he has to pay a fine of a silver penny for
+each. Heriots is a manorial impost about which some curious information
+has at various times been published. Many lords of manors and landlords
+have during the last half century allowed many of their rights in this
+direction to drop, while others have put on small money payments in lieu
+both of heriots and services. All customary property in the barony of
+Greystoke, except in the manor of Watermillock, is subject to heriots.
+
+A curious custom obtains in Mr. H. C. Howard's manor of Newbiggin (Dacre),
+as shown by a case which arose about thirty years ago. A married woman,
+seized in fee of customary lands, died, leaving a husband and child. The
+query was raised whether the husband was entitled to the estate for his
+own life "as tenant by the curtesy." It was decided that by the custom of
+the manor, there being no will, the child or heir at law of a deceased
+married woman should take the property absolutely, to the exclusion of the
+husband. In the adjoining manor of Barton there is another interesting
+rule. A Pooley Bridge man, who held certain property of the manor by
+payment of a rent of a shilling per annum, died intestate and a bachelor.
+His nearest relatives were two nieces, daughters of a deceased brother.
+The question was asked whether the two women would be co-heiresses, as in
+some other manors, but the eldest was found to take all, to the exclusion
+of her sister. The custom of the manor of Inglewood is to the same effect,
+the eldest daughter, sister, or other female descendant inheriting.
+
+A question arose some forty-five years ago as to a peculiar custom
+existing in the barony of Greystoke. Mr. William Bleaymire, the then
+steward, stated that by custom of that barony a customary tenant might
+convey such tenement without concurrence of his wife, as no widow was
+entitled to free bench in lands disposed of by her husband in his
+lifetime, he not dying seized thereof. Three or four years later a very
+similar question arose in the manor of Glassonby, the particular point
+being whether an owner could devise his customary land to his children so
+as to deprive his wife (to whom he was married prior to 1834) of her dower
+or free bench therein. The late Mr. Lawrence Harrison, the steward of the
+manor, decided that "the man dies seized of the customary tenement;
+therefore, notwithstanding his will, she is entitled to free bench
+according to the custom. The Dower Act in nowise affects the custom." It
+is a well-known fact that the manorial customs in one village may be
+exactly contrary to those obtaining in an adjoining one. In some manors
+daughters are practically unnoticed, and in this connection an interesting
+point connected with the manor of Watermillock once came up. Mr. Bleaymire
+decided that an eldest daughter would be entitled to certain property in
+that manor, subject to her mother's free bench, which was one half.
+
+A fruitful source of litigation, and of disputes of a less costly
+character, may be found in the demands made even in quite recent times,
+that purchasers should personally attend the Manorial Court in order to
+have admittance. In some local cases such attendance is rigidly enforced,
+but in others--the manor of Edenhall for instance--the purchaser is
+admitted on production of deed of bargain and sale. The law books contain
+many cases in which this point has been stubbornly fought. In the manor of
+Cumwhitton no admittances are granted, but the property passes by deed of
+bargain and sale with the licence of the steward endorsed on the deed, and
+a simple enrolment of the purchaser. In the manors of Morland, Plumpton,
+and Croglin, the parties seeking to be admitted must attend in person or
+by attorney.
+
+In the manor of Renwick, by an indenture mutually agreed upon in 1676, the
+tenants, in addition to a variety of financial payments, were obliged to
+scour and cleanse the water course to the lord's mill from the bottom up
+to the mill trough head, and maintain the mill with wall and thatch; bring
+millstones thereto, and grind their corn thereat, paying a twenty-fourth
+multure. They were entitled to such house-boot as the steward might be
+pleased to allot. Some of the mills were of considerable value, a fact
+which will be readily understood when it is remembered how tenaciously
+lords of manors clung to the right almost down to our own time. The lord
+of Drigg had a mill, to which, as was so frequently the case, the tenants
+were bound. In these days, fortunately, this and other requirements are
+not enforced. The same manor had flotsam, jetsam, and lagan, "and so it
+was adjudged upon a trial at bar between Henry, Earl of Northumberland,
+and Sir Nicholas Curwen in Queen Elizabeth's time, and afterwards a decree
+in Chancery for conforming the said prescription and securing that right
+to the sea against the lord paramount."
+
+The rector of Caldbeck is, or was, entitled to claim a God's penny upon
+the change of tenant by death, in his manor in the lower part of the
+parish. Multure ("mooter") was formerly a common form of tax in
+Cumberland; very many instances of its imposition by lords of manors might
+be quoted, but sometimes it extended to the markets. The following is a
+copy of a bill relating to a revolt on the part of the inhabitants of
+Cockermouth, but the writer has not been able to discover to what extent,
+and whether immediately, the residents in the old borough succeeded in
+their protest:--
+
+    COCKERMOUTH TOLLS.
+
+    At a Meeting of the INHABITANTS of COCKERMOUTH, holden at the COURT
+    HOUSE, on SATURDAY the 13th Instant, to take into consideration the
+    unjust and illegal manner in which
+
+        The TOLL of GRAIN,
+
+    brought into Cockermouth Market, has for some years past been taken;
+    and it having been admitted by the Lord of the Manor, that the Toll of
+    Corn is
+
+        ONE HANDFUL
+        _Out of each Sack sold in the
+        Market, and no more_;
+
+    It was unanimously resolved, that the undermentioned Gentlemen be
+    appointed to attend the Corn Market, for the purpose of observing the
+    mode in which the Toll is taken in future; also that the Landowners,
+    Farmers, and others, be requested to give information to them, if more
+    than the Legal Toll be hereafter required or taken by the Lessees of
+    the Tolls, or if they take it from Grain _not actually sold_, in order
+    that such measures may be pursued by and for the Parties aggrieved as
+    the Law allows.
+
+        Messrs. JOSEPH STEEL,  | Messrs. JOSHUA SIM,
+                WILLIAM WOOD,  |         JOHN FISHER,
+                JOHN HODGSON,  |         THOMAS WILSON.
+
+    THAT a Meeting of the Inhabitants of Cockermouth, together with the
+    Landowners and Farmers of its Vicinity, be holden in the Court House,
+
+        On MONDAY the 22d Inst. at Two o'Clock
+        IN THE AFTERNOON,
+
+    to form an ASSOCIATION for the purpose of PROSECUTING any Person or
+    Persons TAKING MORE TOLL than is allowed by the Ancient Prescription.
+
+    _Cockermouth, March 15th, 1830._
+
+The lordship of Millom was anciently exempted from the jurisdiction of the
+Sheriff of Cumberland; the lords had power to licence their own
+ale-houses, and wreck of the sea was enjoyed until a comparatively recent
+period--certainly up to near the end of last century--"whereof," says
+Nicolson, "much benefit is frequently made, it being almost surrounded by
+the sea."
+
+A very unusual tenure has been noted as being in existence in the township
+of Kirkland, a few miles from Wigton. It was stated thus a century and a
+quarter ago:--"The tenants have a lease granted to them generally by Mr.
+Lancelot Salkeld, father of Sir Francis, for 999 years, paying a certain
+yearly rent for every tenement, amounting in the whole to £6 15s. 1d.
+yearly, and every twenty-one years they are to pay a fine to the lord,
+viz., a twenty-penny fine, which they call a running gressom, and then
+take new leases, but pay no general fine upon the lord's death, nor upon
+change of tenant, but they pay a heriot upon the death of every tenant."
+Tenures of cumin do not appear to have been common in the two counties.
+The best known of the kind was in the time of Henry the Eighth, when a
+yearly rent of 2-1/2d., and one pound of cumin and services was paid by
+the heirs of John Reede to Fountains Abbey, for the fish garths in
+Crosthwaite, Keswick.
+
+By the custom of some places a parson might be obliged to keep a bull and
+a boar, for the use of the parishioners, in consideration of his having
+tithes of calves and pigs. Such a condition held in certain parishes in
+Cumberland, but as the stipulation said nothing as to the quality of the
+animals to be maintained, many farmers, with the progress of agriculture
+and education, began to keep their own, and the requirement gradually
+became a dead letter.
+
+A peculiar obligation concerning Sparket Mill was laid on the tenants in
+the hamlet of Thackthwaite, in Watermillock parish, as is explained in the
+following "Verdict of the Head Jurie of Weathermelock, May 9th,
+1709":--"As for the controversie betwixt the Tennents of Thackthwaite and
+ye miller of Sparkhead Mill concerning the repairing of the Mill Dam and
+the race, we find upon Oath and upon notice given by ye miller the
+tennents of Thackthwaite are to make ye race sufficient to carry water
+from the Dam to the Trough Head, upon condition that the miller give them
+every time they meet to work it a Pott of ale and a pennyworth of tobacco
+as they have had formerly. And as for the Dam we likewise find upon Oath
+that the repairing of the same belongs to the Lord of ye Mannor."
+
+What would owners of dogs in these days think and say were such
+regulations in force as used to be enforced at the ancient Cumberland town
+of Egremont? The old ordinances of Richard Lucy for the government of the
+borough declared that "those who hold burgage tenure in Egremont shall
+find armed men for the defence of the fortress forty days at their own
+charge; shall find twelve men for the lord's military array, and be bound
+to aids for his redemption from captivity, and hold watch and ward; and
+that they shall not enter the forest with bow and arrow, nor cut off their
+dogs' feet within the borough." The explanation of the last item is that
+the inhabitants of the forest, who kept dogs to defend their dwellings,
+were obliged to cut off one foot to prevent their chasing the game, but
+the precaution was not considered necessary in the town.
+
+Among the local peppercorn rents the following is interesting. The Gill
+estate, in the parish of Bromfield, is said to have belonged to the Reays
+"as long as any other estate in the kingdom has been in one family." The
+tradition is that the head of the family had the then extensive lands of
+Gill granted to him and his heirs by William the Lion, King of Scotland in
+the twelfth century, not only in reward for his fidelity to his prince,
+but as a memorial of his extraordinary swiftness of foot in pursuing the
+deer; outstripping in fleetness most of the horsemen and dogs. The
+conditions of the grant were that he should pay a peppercorn yearly, and
+that the name of William should, if possible, be perpetuated in the
+family. There were several eminent men among the descendants, but the
+distinctive Christian name is no longer strictly adhered to.
+
+An estate enjoying exemption from payments of tithes is that of Scale
+Houses, in the parish of Renwick. This arose, declared a writer early in
+the present century, "owing to an ancient owner of the land having slain a
+noxious cockatrice, which the vulgar at this day call a crack-a-Christ as
+they rehearse the simple fable." The document which gives this exemption
+is believed to be still in existence. Among the dues to which the abbot
+and convent of Shap could claim were services and money payments from
+Bampton as "alms corn," and there was a similar tribute from Mauld's
+Meaburn and Hoff. Burn mentions in his chapter on Bewcastle a tenant's
+duty not publicly noted in any other local manor, the people having to pay
+yearly customary rent, quit rents for improvements, and £2 1s. 4d.
+_carriage money_, whatever that may have been.
+
+There was a curious regulation in one of the divisions of Windermere
+parish, which lasted up to about 1780:--"It was anciently customary in the
+township of Applethwaite for every tenant's wife who lived below the
+highway to pay 5d. yearly rent to the lord of the manor, and every other
+woman above 16 years of age 2d., above the road every tenant's wife paid
+3d., and every other woman above 16, a penny. How this custom originated,
+or why the ladies on the low side of the road were rated higher than their
+contemporaries in the opposite division, we are unable to say."[9]
+
+Among the old manorial officers at Cockermouth chosen at the Michaelmas
+Courts were a bailiff, assessors, assessors of bread and ale,
+mill-lookers, moor-lookers, hedge-lookers, leather searchers,
+swine-ringers, and appraisers. The jury of the Leet formed the special
+jury for the government of the borough, and the bailiff was the returning
+officer for elections, as well as clerk of the market. At Egremont the
+officers chosen annually were a borough serjeant, two bailiffs, four
+constables, two hedge and corn-viewers, and assessors of damages. Most of
+the old manors, indeed, would furnish examples of quaint offices, whose
+purpose is now scarcely known. A good deal might be written concerning the
+old manorial and other Courts of the two counties. Occasionally these
+still afford interesting proceedings, but the real purpose for holding
+them has ceased to exist. The Courts of Pie Poudre, at Appleby and several
+other places; the Court of Conscience, or, as it was commonly called, the
+Wapentake Court, and the Court of Record at Kendal; and the many Court
+Leets, are now merely matters of local history.
+
+
+
+
+Old-Time Punishments.
+
+
+If one feature is more prominent than another in connection with former
+methods of repressing crime, or of punishing those who had been declared
+guilty of breaches of the law, it is that of brutality. Refinement, even
+in retribution, is perhaps not to be expected, having regard to the habits
+of the people and the conditions under which they lived. In the
+neighbourhood of the Border, "Jeddart justice"--to hang a man first and
+try him afterwards--was doubtless often found a convenient arrangement for
+dealing with those who were supposed to be delinquents. There is at least
+one case on record, too, of the drowning of a supposed witch at Carlisle,
+though the unfortunate woman was probably guilty of no more serious
+offence than being insane.
+
+One of the most remarkable executions on record was that of Sir Andrew de
+Harcla, whose place in North-Country history is too well known to need
+further reference. He offended Edward the Second--whether he was as guilty
+as some historians have endeavoured to show is certainly a matter of
+opinion--and that monarch sent commissioners to Carlisle to seize de
+Harcla for treason. "The law" in those days was merely another name for
+the caprice of the King, and de Harcla had no trial. The cedula, or
+judgment, ran that Sir Andrew de Harcla, Earl of Carlisle, should be
+stripped of his Earl's robes and ensigns of knighthood, his sword broken
+over his head, his gilt spurs hacked from his heels, and that he should be
+drawn to the place of execution, and there hanged by the neck; his heart
+and bowels taken out of his body, burnt to ashes and winnowed, his body
+cut into four quarters, one to be set upon the principal tower of Carlisle
+Castle, another on the tower of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a third upon the
+bridge at York, and the fourth at Shrewsbury, and his head upon London
+Bridge.
+
+There has been doubt thrown upon the extent to which this revolting
+sentence was obeyed. Dr. Burn says "it was performed accordingly," while
+the monks of Lanercost record that de Harcla "suffered in the ordinary
+place of execution with great fortitude, affirming to the end that in his
+transactions with the King of Scotland he had meant no hurt to his own
+King or country." On the scaffold, they add, he said, "You have disposed
+of my body at your pleasure; my soul, which is above your disposal, I give
+to God." It was customary to allow a sledge or hurdle on which persons
+condemned for high treason were dragged to the gallows; there is nothing
+in local records to show in what way the Earl was conveyed to the place of
+execution.
+
+A question which has occupied a good deal of the attention of local
+antiquaries at various times is whether the body was dismembered and the
+parts dispersed as ordered. De Harcla's sister petitioned Edward the Third
+for the restitution of her brother's body for burial, and the order
+addressed to de Lucy, who had been de Harcla's executioner, is still in
+existence. It runs thus:--"The King to his faithful and beloved Anthony de
+Lucy, Warden of Carlisle Castle, greeting. We command that you cause to be
+delivered without delay the quarter of the body of Andrew de Harcla, which
+hangs by the command of the Lord Edward, late King of England, our father,
+upon the walls of the said Castle, to our beloved Sarah, formerly the wife
+of Robert de Leyburn, sister to the aforesaid Andrew, to whom we of our
+grace have granted that she may collect together the bones of the same
+Andrew, and commit them to holy sepulture, whenever she wishes or her
+attorney. And this you shall in no wise omit. Witness the King at York,
+the 10th of August (1337), by the King himself." A portion of the body is
+believed to have been buried in Kirkby Stephen Church; the tradition was
+strengthened by the discovery of part of the bones of a man under peculiar
+conditions when the church was rebuilt half a century ago.
+
+Although there are several Gallows Hills in Cumberland and Westmorland,
+there only seems to be one place which has retained any particular story,
+and it is thus told in Mr. William Andrews' third book relating to
+punishments[10]:--"It has been asserted by more than one local chronicler
+that John Whitfield, of Cotehill, a notorious North-Country highwayman,
+about 1768 was gibbeted alive on Barrock. He kept the countryside in a
+state of terror, and few would venture out after nightfall for fear of
+encountering him. He shot a man on horseback in open daylight; a boy saw
+him commit the crime, and was the means of his identification and
+conviction. It is the belief in the district that Whitfield was gibbeted
+alive, that he hung for several days in agony, and that his cries were
+heartrending, until a mail coachman passing that way put him out of his
+misery by shooting him."
+
+There is a contemporary record of the execution to be found in the _St.
+James's Chronicle_, for August 12th, 1768, as follows:--"Wednesday, John
+Whitfield, for murdering William Cockburn on the Highway, near
+Armithwaite, was executed at Carlisle, and afterwards hung in Chains near
+the Place where the Fact was committed." It will be seen that the record
+makes no mention of the culprit having been put into his iron cage when
+alive, and one can only hope that there is nothing beyond tradition to
+support the assertion.
+
+Next we come to the gibbeting of a Threlkeld man, one of the earliest
+recorded instances of that punishment being imposed in the County
+Palatine. The facts are contained in the Rydal papers, published in 1890
+by the Historical Manuscripts Commission. Writing from Rydal on November
+24th, 1671, to Sir Joseph Williamson, Sir Daniel Fleming said:--
+
+    "Being lately in Lancashire I received there--as a justice of the
+    peace of that county--an information against one Thomas Lancaster,
+    late of Threlkeld in Cumberland, who, it is very probable, hath
+    committed the most horrid act that hath been heard of in this
+    countrey. He marryed the 30th of January last a wife in Lancashire,
+    who was agreed to be marryed that very day, or soon after, to another;
+    and her father afterwards conveyed all his reall estate to this
+    Lancaster upon his giveing security to pay severall sums of money to
+    himselfe and his other daughters. And through covetousness to pay
+    these and other payments it is very probable that Lancaster hath
+    lately poysoned--with white arsenic--his wife, her father, her three
+    sisters, her aunt, her cosin-german, and a servant boy, besides poyson
+    given to severall of his neighbours who are and have been sick, that
+    people--as it is presumed--might think the rest dead of a violent
+    fevor. I have committed him prisoner unto Lancaster Castle and shall
+    take what more evidence I can meet with against the next assizes, that
+    he may there have a fair triall, and--if he be found guilty--such a
+    punishment as the law shall inflict upon such like offenders."
+
+On April 3rd, of the following year, Sir Daniel, writing to Sir George
+Fletcher, at Hutton, returned to the subject, after he had discussed
+private affairs and the action of the Judges with regard to the Papists.
+At the Lent Assizes at Lancaster, he said, "Thomas Lancaster has been
+found guilty of poisoning eight persons, and is to be hanged in chains."
+Three weeks later in a letter to Sir William Wilde, Justice of the Common
+Pleas, the same gossip recorded that "Thomas Lancaster has confessed that
+he poisoned the old woman with arsenic, for a bribe of £24 from the heir
+to her estate, worth £16 per annum." It is, however, to the church
+registers of Hawkshead that we must turn for an account of the final
+proceedings, the entry being under date April 8th, 1672:--
+
+    "Thomas Lancaster, who for poysonninge his owne family was adjudgt att
+    the assizes att Lancaster to be carried back to his owne house att
+    Hye-Wrey, where he liv'd, was there hanged before his owne doore till
+    he was dead for that very facte, and then was brought with a horse and
+    carr into the Coulthouse meadows and forthwithe hunge upp in iron
+    chaynes on a gibbett, which was set up for that very purpose on the
+    South syde, of Sawrey Casey, neare unto the Poole Stang, and there
+    continued until such tymes as he rotted every bone from the other."
+
+There are records of wholesale executions in Cumberland for what may be
+called political offences. When the authorities were subduing Aske's
+rebellion, for instance, little was thought of hanging a score of men, and
+many readers will no doubt remember the bravery of the victims' wives on
+some of those occasions, for at the risk of their own necks they removed
+their executed husbands from the gallows and buried the bodies by night.
+At Appleby in former days doubtless many executed men were subjected to
+the further indignity of being drawn and quartered. In 1664 three of the
+men who supported Captain Atkinson, of Mallerstang, were, at a special
+assize in the county town, convicted of high treason for their share in
+the Kaber Rigg rising, and all were hanged, drawn, and quartered. It was
+not until the autumn of 1675 that Captain Atkinson was sentenced to die
+the death of a traitor, and pursuant to sentence was hanged, drawn, and
+quartered on September 1st. It was once common to hand over the bodies of
+those who had suffered on the gallows to surgeons for dissection. Probably
+the last Gallows Hill victim thus dealt with was George Mackereth, of
+Kendal, who was hanged in 1748 for the murder of his sweetheart.
+
+A more interesting study is to be found in the methods adopted by the
+clergy when dealing with refractory individuals. Of excommunication, as
+imposed in the diocese of Carlisle, much might be written from the records
+preserved in the registry, for not only were poor folks put under the ban.
+Bishops and priors were declared "excommunicate," while rectors, vicars,
+and less important people by the score seem to have offended.
+
+One case of post-mortem punishment at Penrith, by way of appeasing the
+wrath of a former Bishop, may be quoted. The latter required the
+Archdeacon of Carlisle to seek out and summon certain malefactors who had
+insulted him while on a visit to the town. Three years seem to have passed
+before anything was done, and by that time one of the culprits had died
+and been buried. The Bishop ordered the body to be dug up, and to lie
+unburied until the form of absolution had been gone through. In
+connection, apparently, with the same affair, the Bishop "signified" to
+the Court of King's Bench that John de Agliunby, who had been
+excommunicated for assaulting and wounding a priest, "after the term of
+forty days still remains impenitent and unabsolved," and so the aid of the
+secular arm was invoked to coerce him. What the result may have been does
+not appear.
+
+There is a peculiar case, perhaps less known than any--that of the priest
+or friar who officiated at the Brunskill conventicle, and made a good
+harvest from the "miraculous" cures wrought by the strong iron water at
+the Holy Well, Brough. The vicar obtained the Pope's authority, and the
+offender was duly excommunicated.
+
+In the Ven. Archdeacon Prescott's recently edited transcript of the
+"Register of Wetherhall" may be read the full terms of a somewhat peculiar
+Cumberland case of excommunication and penance. Robert Highmore, Lord of
+Bewaldeth, had taken a mare, the property of John Overhouse of that place,
+as a heriot, before the church of Torpenhow had got the mortuary, and he
+was promptly punished in the orthodox way. Having quickly asked
+absolution, and restored the mare to Sir Robert Ellargill (for the parsons
+were always styled "Sir" in those days), vicar of Torpenhow, and by way of
+penance given the six best oaks in his wood, the Bishop absolved him. In
+some parts of the country the second best horse was due to the Church,
+and, says an old historian, "was carried, by the name of mortuary, or
+corse present, before the corpse, and delivered to the priest at the place
+of sepulture." But in the diocese of Carlisle the Church was first served,
+and the lord only got the second best. Bishop Barrow, who ascended the
+episcopal throne at Carlisle in 1423, anathematized all men who took the
+heriot before "the Holy Kirke" got the mortuary. The punishment of
+excommunicating was far from being reserved for the lower orders. Quite a
+long story might be made of the part taken in this way, in the thirteenth
+century, by the Bishop of Carlisle, who excommunicated the Bishop of
+Dunkeld for refusing to pay the Pope's tenth for the Holy Land.
+
+When it became a matter of cursing wrong-doers, there was generally no
+tendency towards mincing words. Christian, Bishop of Glasgow, who became a
+professor of the Cistercian order, gave to the Abbey of Holme Cultram the
+grange of Kirkwinny. In this grant, quoted in Dugdale's "Monasticon," the
+Bishop charged all men to protect and defend the grange, as they valued
+the blessing of God and of himself; threatening, if they did otherwise,
+that they should incur the papal excommunication, the curses of Almighty
+God and of himself, and the pains of eternal fire.
+
+In 1361 several persons being accused of shedding blood in the church and
+churchyard of Bridekirk, were decreed to be excommunicated by the greater
+excommunication, and the incumbents of all the churches of the deanery of
+Allerdale were ordered to publish the sentence against them on every
+Sunday and holiday at high mass, when the largest number of people should
+be gathered together, the bells ringing, the candles lighted and put out,
+and the cross erected. The mother church of Greystoke being much out of
+repair, the belfry fallen, and the wooden shingles on the roof mostly
+scattered, and the inhabitants of Threlkeld and Watermillock refusing to
+contribute their proportion of the charge, the Bishop, at his visitation
+in 1382, issued his injunction "to all and every of them," under pain of
+the greater excommunication--a proceeding which in those superstitious
+times no doubt quickly had the desired effect. Indeed no great provocation
+would seem to have been needed to bring the punishment of excommunication.
+Complaint having been made of some unknown persons riotously breaking into
+the houses and grange at Wet Sleddale, and committing disorders, a former
+Bishop issued his mandate to the Dean of Westmorland, and the local
+clergy, to denounce the greater excommunication at the time of high mass,
+the bells to ring, and the candles to be put out, against the rioters.
+
+One of the vicars of Appleby St. Lawrence, Thomas de Burnley, was cited to
+York for neglecting to serve the chantry in Appleby Castle--doubtless the
+action was taken at the instigation of the Hereditary High Sheriff. On
+Burnley not appearing before the Judge of the Prerogative Court of the
+abbot and convent, he was excommunicated. The sentence was ordered to be
+read in the parish churches of St. Lawrence and St. Michael, Appleby, and
+in other churches and public places in the dioceses of Carlisle and York,
+every Sunday and holiday, so long as the abbot and convent required, or
+until he should comply and make satisfaction to the judge and parties.
+Burnley was not the only holder of his office who objected to the castle
+service, as Sir Walter Colwyn, who was appointed vicar of the parish forty
+years previously, was also sentenced (doubtless to be excommunicated) for
+"having endeavoured to throw the charges of serving the chantry in the
+castle upon the prior and convent of Wetheral."
+
+About the middle of the fourteenth century, Bishop Welton sent out his
+mandate to the rector of Brougham and another cleric to denounce the
+sentence of greater excommunication against certain unknown persons who
+had broken up a paved way and done some other outrages in the churchyard
+of Penrith, reserving to himself the sole power of absolution. Thereupon
+several of the inhabitants made a pilgrimage across country to Rose,
+confessed themselves guilty, and prayed for a remission of the heavy
+sentence. That was granted on condition of each man offering, by way of
+penance, a wax candle of three pounds weight, before the image of St.
+Mary in the parish church of Penrith on the following Sunday. In the same
+year the vicar of Penrith had a licence granted to him, to continue from
+March 8th to the Easter following, to hear the confessions of all his
+parishioners, and to give absolution upon the performance of penance
+injoined. Some exceptionally bad cases were, however, specially reserved
+by the Bishop. Persons who suffered from the ecclesiastical ban were
+deprived of the right of burial in the churchyard. Two cases of the kind
+are recorded in the Penrith registers for 1623. "August 29th, Lanc. Wood,
+being excommunicate, buried on the Fell. September 5th, Richd. Gibbon,
+being excommunicate, buried on the Fell."
+
+The most noteworthy instance of a man of any eminence in the Church being
+visited with excommunication during the last two centuries is probably
+that of Dr. Todd, who was vicar of Penrith in the first quarter of the
+eighteenth century. He and Bishop Nicolson had a long and bitter quarrel
+as to the rights of the prelate in local Church affairs. The diocesan at
+length suspended the vicar _ab officio et beneficio_, and then
+excommunicated him. The story throughout is not of a particularly
+edifying character; Dr. Todd took his punishment very lightly, and
+afterwards he and the Bishop seem to have been very good friends again.
+
+Still later there are to be found records in various parish registers of
+ecclesiastical pressure being brought to bear on parishioners. Without any
+reason being shown in the register, Jane Curry was declared excommunicate,
+December 10th, 1732, by Hugh Brown, curate of Hayton. At
+Kirkandrews-on-Esk the churchwardens' book shows a list of presentments
+for not bringing children to be baptised; for clandestine marriages,
+fornication, and contumacy. The parties were either excommunicated, or did
+penance, in the church on Sunday. One man did his penance in 1711 after
+having for fornication been excommunicated for thirty years; another man
+was excommunicated for refusing to be churchwarden. In 1785 two couples
+were publicly rebuked in church for clandestine marriage, and Sir James
+Graham, on the application of the curate, Mr. Nichol, ordered all his
+tenants to pay their fees properly. Clandestine marriages of course
+deprived the rector or the curate of the fees, hence the landlord's
+reproof and caution.
+
+The power of excommunication, which during the time of Charles the First
+had been chiefly exercised against the Romanists, was at the commencement
+of the reign of James the Second turned against the Protestant
+Nonconformists, with, in some districts, results sometimes curious but
+almost always sad. The names of forty-four persons were set out in the
+Greystoke register on March 29th, 1685, with this announcement following
+them: "Were these persons whose names and sirnames are here under written
+denounced excommunicate for their offences, and other their contumacy in
+not appearing at Consistorye Court for the reformation of their lives and
+manners." Some of the offenders seem to have had only indifferent moral
+characters, but the majority were Quakers. Quakerism had been spreading
+for many years in the two counties, and during the time Dr. Gilpin was
+rector of Greystoke, the Nonconformists, while holding him personally in
+the deepest respect, gave him some hard puzzles to solve. "Such were their
+novel phrases and cross questions and answers that the doctor seemed
+sometimes at a loss what to say to them." Among those who went over to the
+Quakers was a noted yeoman in his day--Henry Winder, of Green Close, who
+was appointed by the "Friends" to be the Receiver of all their collections
+in Cumberland. He, however, afterwards returned to the Presbyterians, and
+wrote some noteworthy pamphlets on religious topics. His many quarrels did
+not help to wear out his frame, for we read: "Feb. 9th, 1716/7 if was
+buried Henry Winder, sen., of Hutton Soyle; who dyed of a dropsy in the
+hundredth and first year of his age."
+
+The registers of Bampton contain many curious entries, especially about
+people who did not go regularly to church. One, which may be taken as an
+example of other reports by the churchwardens, reads:--"We have no
+presentments to make but what has been formerly presented, viz., we have
+Thomas Braidley and Margret his wife, Richard Simpson, John Hottblacke,
+and Syth Gibson, quakers, and noe other we have in our parish, but doe
+duely resort to church, nor any other offence presentable to our
+knowledge." In other cases it was further noted that "the parties stand
+excommunicated." The churchwardens were evidently strict about enforcing
+order, and on one occasion reported "William Stephenson for violent
+beating of John Wilkinson of Shap upon the sabbath and within the
+churchyard." In other ways the churchwardens exercised care; and a woman
+got into trouble with them for acting as a midwife "without licence to the
+prejudice of several persons." Again, "Lancelot Hogarth is presented to us
+by information of Richard Brown for loading corn on the sabbath in time of
+divine service." Sometimes the parish clerk had a share in the work; one
+of these presented. "James Hayes of Banton, for reading two sale notices,
+without leave on the Sabbath day, one in the church, the other in ye
+churchyard."
+
+Possibly even Dissenters were not thought to be entirely bad, so long as
+they paid their tithes, and in presenting William Simpson once more the
+Bampton churchwardens vouched that albeit he was a Quaker he was "a very
+moderate one; tho' he absent the church yett he payes his tythes." The
+Church authorities seem to have carried out their unpleasant duties with a
+due amount of consideration; there is a tone of sympathy about some of the
+entries; in others indifference may be noted, as where Richard Simpson and
+Margaret Braidley (the latter "very old, not able to go abroad, scarcely
+help herself,") are presented along with William Wilson, younger, a
+Dissenter--what sort we know not, but he never comes to church. Although
+the Howards of Naworth at one time owned the manor of Thornthwaite, and
+lived at the Hall, the only entry in which the name is found is the
+following: "We have none to present but who have been formerly presented
+and doe stand excommunicated, viz., Mr. William Howard and Jane his wife,
+papists, Richard Simpson and Margret Braidley, widow, quakers, all that we
+have."
+
+Although the sentence of excommunication was frequently used by the
+Nonconformist bodies, in this case the proclamation had no such serious
+results as followed the sentence in earlier days. Among the records of the
+Penrith Presbyterian Church are many allusions to excommunication; one
+instance will suffice to illustrate the rest. In 1818, Robert McCreery, a
+member of the church, had left the town in company with a woman who was
+not his wife, but returning three months afterwards, he petitioned to be
+re-admitted to the Presbyterian Society. Before the formalities could be
+concluded McCreery seems to have changed his mind and withdrawn his
+application, and he was therefore declared from the pulpit to be
+excommunicate.
+
+At Ravenstonedale, in the days of Philip Lord Wharton, there was a ready
+method of dealing with slanderers and other transgressors. The "town" was
+governed by twenty-four of the principal inhabitants, called the grand
+jury, and the oath which they were required to take included a promise
+that--
+
+    "Every person or persons within this lordship which shall be convicted
+    before the grand jury for the time being and by them be found to have
+    offended against any person or persons within this lordship, either by
+    slanderous words or other unlawful speech or report, that the same
+    offender or offenders shall, upon such a Sabbath Day, before the
+    celebration of the general Communion then next following the
+    conviction, and in such manner before the people assembled in the
+    church ... appoint the said offender or offenders in penitent manner
+    to confess their fault, and to ask the party aggrieved forgiveness for
+    the same, upon pain of every such offender or offenders to forfeit to
+    the lord of this manor, so often as they shall contemptuously or
+    obstinately deny or defer to make their reconcilements, 3s. 4d.: and
+    the men in charge of the church not to fail in execution hereof upon
+    pain to forfeit to the lord 12d."
+
+Though paying 3s. 4d. seems a small punishment, it was a large sum towards
+the end of the reign of Queen Bess, and would be equal to fully £3 now,
+while three years after the rule was instituted the fine was doubled. Mr.
+Nicholls, in a series of lectures which he delivered in the village some
+twenty-four years ago, remarked:--
+
+    "Such a law as this one would expect to be a very wholesome check
+    against slander. There is a tradition that the culprit was compelled
+    to stand up, wrapt in a white sheet, and confess his fault; but,
+    whether this were so or no, the confession must have been a terrible
+    ordeal, and I can understand that the fine was often paid. It would
+    seem that notwithstanding the fine or penalty, the vice was a
+    prevalent one, as its mention is followed by a homily against the sin
+    of slander, in which many passages of Scripture are cleverly and
+    skilfully incorporated."
+
+The long-since dismantled Abbey of Lanercost had its origin in a tragedy.
+Gils Beuth laid claim to a part of Gilsland, and Robert de Vallibus, lord
+of Gilsland, slew him at a meeting for agreement appointed between them
+under trust and assurance of safety. In consequence of that action
+Vallibus laid down arms and began to study law with such good effect that
+in time he became a judge. The murder still preyed on his mind until he
+made satisfaction to Mother Church by building Lanercost Abbey, and
+endowing it with the very lands which had brought about the murder.
+
+Dr. Burn in one instance shows that not only were people allowed "the
+option," in some cases, but that the money was put to good use. A silver
+communion chalice belonging to Beetham Parish Church "was purchased by the
+late Commissary Stratford with money paid in commutation of penance for
+adultery and fornication;" its inscription being "OB POEN. MULCT.
+DEDICAT. HUIC. ECCLESIÆ, 1716." Slanderers had occasionally to pay not
+only a monetary penalty for the free use of their tongues, but to satisfy
+the ecclesiastical authorities as well. Chancellor Paley had such a case
+before him in November, 1789, where a man had "uttered words of a shameful
+nature and unbecoming a Christian, in prejudice to the complainant and his
+daughter." The Chancellor "decreed the defendant to do public penance in
+the parish church, and to be condemned in all costs." The _Pacquet_ which
+thus records the decision, is silent as to the method in which the
+punishment was carried out. Penance in connection with illegitimacy was
+not uncommon; therefore the following entry which occurs in the Kirby
+Thore register, dated June 27th, 1779, after the baptism of an
+illegitimate child, must be taken only as an example: "William Bowness, of
+Bolton B[achelor]: Frances Spooner, widow, of this Parish, the parents,
+underwent a public penance in this church."
+
+The Millom records under date March 27th, 1595, say that Jenet Benson was
+"to be sorye for her sins by order of Mr. Commissorye at Botle;" and in
+1608 "Barnard Benson did his penance in the parishe chirche of Millom the
+19th of March and payed to the poor of the chirche x{s.} which was openly
+delivered in the pulpit, vi{s.} viii{d.} at Millom and iii{s.} iv{d.} at
+Ulfall." The Bensons would seem to have been a troublesome lot, for
+another entry is that "Myles Benson p{d} xii{d.} for sleepinge and not
+goinge orderly to church." The wardens at that time could fine any
+parishioners a shilling for neglecting to attend church. Insults to the
+clergy were visited with such punishments as could be imposed, and the
+doing of penance was perhaps the most suitable consequence of such an
+action. This paragraph appears in the Greystoke register:--"1608/9
+February 12th. This daye two Sermons by Mr. P'son one afforenone, and the
+other afternone, and Edward Dawson taylyor did openlye conffess before the
+Congregation that he had abused the mynister Sr. Matthew Gibson upon the
+Sabboth daye at Evenynge prayer." Sacrilege has always been very properly
+looked upon as one of the worst crimes, but instances must be
+comparatively rare of an estate being forfeited through such an act.
+Barwise Hall, near Appleby, descended from the family of Berewyse to that
+of Ross, and the last of these is said to have forfeited his domain for
+stealing a silver chalice out of the church.
+
+Before the privilege was abolished by Parliament in the reign of James the
+First, there were several places in the two counties at which sanctuary
+could be obtained. One was at Ravenstonedale. The Rev. W. Nicholls, Dr.
+Simpson, Mr. A. Fothergill, the Rev. R. W. Metcalfe, and others have
+brought the history of that parish to an unusually complete stage, and the
+first-named gentleman has told the story.[11] The tower, according to
+tradition--the structure was demolished about a century and a half
+ago--stood apart from the church, on the road side, and rested on pillars,
+leaving openings at equal distances on each side, while from the centre
+hung the rope of the refuge bell. Any person who had committed any offence
+worthy of death--once a very easy matter, there being many such crimes
+besides murder--after ringing the bell could not be seized by the Sheriff
+or any other King's officer, but must be tried by the lord's Court at
+Ravenstonedale, which doubtless at first consisted of the monks. Mr.
+Fothergill recorded that in his time if a murderer fled to the church and
+tolled the holy bell, he was free, and that if a stranger came within the
+precincts of the manor he was safe from the pursuer. He added:--"Of our
+own knowledge, and within our own memory, no felon, though a murderer, was
+to be carried out of the parish for trial, and one Holme, a murderer,
+lived and died in Ravenstonedale; his posterity continued there for two
+generations, when the family became extinct." Some doubt has been thrown
+on the local tradition that the privilege of sanctuary was possessed by
+the Nunnery, on the banks of the Eden, in Ainstable parish. There is still
+an upright pillar, having on one side of it a cross, round which is
+inscribed "Sanctuarium, 1088." There is also near to Greystoke Church what
+is called a sanctuary stone.
+
+In the Museum at Kendal is preserved a good specimen of the scolds'
+bridle, which may have come down from the days, three centuries ago, when
+the Corporation set about reforming the conduct of the inhabitants. The
+contents of the "Boke of Recorde" are very interesting in this connection.
+Gambling in its varied forms was put down rigorously. It was ordered that
+any inhabitant allowing any play at cards, dice tables, bowls, or any
+other unlawful game should be fined for the first offence 6s. 8d., and
+for the second offence 13s. 4d., while the players escaped with half those
+penalties. These and other fines which were provided for were "over and
+beside such other punishment as shall be thought mete and requisite
+according to the quality of the offence."
+
+Among the punishments provided for may be noted the following as a
+specimen, there being several of the kind. Henry Wilson, a burgess and
+Justice of the Peace for the borough, having been living incontinently
+with Jennet Eskrigge, a married woman, "as is notoriouslye knowen to the
+sclannder and offence of the magistrats off the sayd boroughe, and evil
+example of the residewe off the inhabitannts heare, wherbye he is thoughte
+nott mete to contynewe in the sayd roweme and offyce," it was ordered that
+he should be expelled from his offices. As to the woman, it was decreed
+that she should be carted through the town, "to the terror and fear of
+other persons of evil disposition for the committing of the like offence
+in time to come," and she was not to be permitted to remain within the
+borough unless she was reconciled to and dwelt with her husband. The
+punishment did not act as a warning to the woman, and further orders are
+to be found in the minute-book showing how she was made liable to heavy
+fines and forbidden to enter the town "otherwise than as a stranger coming
+to the church or market only," while the inhabitants who gave her shelter
+were liable to fines of ten shillings each.
+
+There is a very long and verbose order passed by the Corporation in
+December, 1589:--"For punishinge of a mayd servant for speakinge
+slanderouse speeches of her master." They found that "Mabel Atkinson, late
+servant unto Mr. Henry Dickson, and Sybell Dyckson, his wife, inhabitants
+of this borough, forgetting her duty to Almighty God and the fear and awe
+she ought to have had to the threatening menaces and punishments
+pronounced out of His Holy Word and Commandments against such persons as
+shall openly or privily unjustly slander, hurt, or impair their neighbours
+in body, goods, name or report, and also that servile regard and honest,
+and true favour and love she ought to have borne towards her said master
+and mistress in all manner of behaviours and reports by the instigation of
+our mortal enemy the Devil, the author of all falsehood and lying, hath of
+late, even within this borough of Kirkbiekendall, most maliciously,
+falsely, and untruly imposed, devised, framed, and brought a very
+horrible, unjust, and feigned slander and misreport of and against her
+master and mistress."
+
+The punishment is worth describing in full, but the following extract will
+suffice as a specimen of the whole order thereon:--"For condign punishment
+in this behalf and for a terror and fear to be wrought in all others for
+committing the like offence, it is ordained and constituted that Mabel
+Atkinson shall be attached and taken on Monday, in the morning, next, by
+the two Serjeants at Mace and ministers of this borough, where and in what
+place she may be found, and shall forthwith be had, carried, and conveyed
+unto the common prison or ward of the same borough, and there shall remain
+and continue without any bail or delivery until Thursday then next
+following, in the afternoon, having only for diet every day in the
+meanwhile one slender and spare repast of meat and drink, and only two
+coverlets nightly to lie in, at which time on the said Thursday, in the
+afternoon, being openly called forth of prison to the bar in the Mootehall
+of the same borough, if she will and do in very penitent, humble, and
+sorrowful manner, unfeignedly and truly upon her knees, in the open
+presence of the people then and there assembled, and before her said
+master and mistress, ask and pray at God His hands mercy and forgiveness
+for her said false and untrue report and slander, and pardon also of her
+said master and mistress for the said offence, then she to be delivered
+out of the said prison or ward, paying such fees and duties as may
+appertain, and if she shall the same refuse, in whole or part, or in doing
+the same not performing it with such true penitence as in such case is
+requisite, and as all the people assembled may and shall therewith be
+fully satisfied and resolved, that she be banished from being, tarrying,
+or remaining within this borough, or the liberties or precincts of the
+same, for and by the space of one whole year then next coming, and that no
+person or persons during the same year shall take her into service or
+suffer her to dwell in house under or with any such person or persons
+(except it be in lawful wedlock) upon pain to lose and forfeit to, and for
+the common use of all the inhabitants of the same for every month as much
+as ten shillings, to be levied as above."
+
+The poor drunkards met with none too considerate treatment from the
+justices of the time. Here is a curious "Order against common drunkards,
+how to be punished, and for common scolds":--"Whereas sundry persons
+inhabiting this borough and others (of their insatiable minds without any
+regard to common honesty, modesty, or fear of God, or His severe
+punishment either in this life or the life to come) do give up their
+bodies (which Almighty God hath ordained to honour) unto all manner of
+dishonour and dissolute kind of life in quaffing immoderate and
+superfluous devouring of strong ale at very many needless and unfit times,
+continuing the same most foul and detestable vice so long till at length
+they be so far overtaken and gone that they become beast-like and
+insensible, without reason or any good understanding (besides the great
+loss of time and waste of their goods, and miserable want of their
+families at home, and their own beggaring at length, and lamentable grief
+to all other good Christians, their neighbours, detesting and loathing
+that vice) for redress whereof and preventing of sundry mischiefs which
+else might happen by this occasion (besides great danger to their souls)
+if the same enormity should not in time be speedily foreseen; it is
+therefore ordained and constituted by the Aldermen and burgesses of this
+borough that at all times hereafter when and so often as any person or
+persons whatsoever shall be seen or known ... to have been or at any time
+to be so far overtaken, besotted or drunken with immeasurable devouring of
+strong drink that then it shall be lawful to or for any Alderman, Justice,
+or Alderman's Deputy all and every such misordered person and persons to
+cause to be imprisoned within the same borough, there to remain at such
+diet and during the pleasure of him that committed him, to the end thereby
+to reclaim and warn every one of them from lewdness and detestable
+offences of drinking; and also that every such magistrate aforesaid shall
+or may commit and command to be set on the cuckstool every common scold,
+railer, or of notorious misdemeanour, at the like pleasure of the
+Commander or Magistrate."
+
+The turning of Thirlmere into a huge reservoir, and the necessary increase
+of its depth, hid for ever a number of land-marks. There are, however,
+numerous others of an interesting character left. A reminder of the days
+when the manorial lord was a king in a small way is supplied by the
+Steading Stone. This is supposed to mark the site where the manor court
+of Wythburn was held, and its pains and penalties imposed. The Rev. S.
+Barber has supplied[12] an explanation of a term which has puzzled many a
+tourist as well as not a few dwellers in Lakeland:--"The City, as has been
+suggested by one who is no mean scholar, is neither more nor less than a
+corruption of 'Sitting,' that is, the place of session of the early
+judges, when they met to adjudicate in criminal cases. We can then picture
+the white bearded patriarchs seated in solemn conclave upon the
+semi-circle of boulders facing the central rock, and after the giving of
+sentence sternly watching the miserable captive led away to be decapitated
+on that very rock, before the assembled witnesses."
+
+Life in the old gaols for any extended period must have been a very
+dreadful experience. The buildings were generally crowded; that they would
+be in a perpetually insanitary condition goes without saying, and gaol
+fevers were frequent. The prisoners were not treated any better in the
+local gaols than in other places. They were chiefly dependent on the
+charity of outsiders for subsistence, and the old Carlisle and Whitehaven
+newspapers contain hundreds of paragraphs recording the gratitude of the
+prisoners to the local gentry for gifts of from £1 to £20. In these days
+when it is unlawful to send any tobacco or liquors into a prison, the
+reader notes with particular interest the announcements of presents of
+barrels of ale, prayer-books, bread, coals, and other articles to the
+debtors, as well as to those who had been convicted of serious offences.
+
+Those, too, were "the hanging days." Note the items in this concise report
+of Carlisle Assizes in August, 1790:--"On Friday afternoon the Judges were
+met at the usual place, near Carlisle, by Wm. Brown, High Sheriff of the
+county, attended by a most respectable and numerous company of gentlemen,
+in carriages and on horseback. On their arrival in the city, their
+lordships proceeded to the Hall, where His Majesty's Commission being
+opened in due form, the Courts were adjourned to eight o'clock the next
+morning--when the business of assize proceeded. The Hon. Sir John Wilson
+at the Crown End; and the Hon. Sir Alex. Thomson, in the court of _nisi
+prius_. When our account left Carlisle, Wm. Bleddy, for breaking open the
+shop of Miss Crossthwaite, at Keswick; and John Thompson, for horse
+stealing, were found guilty--death. Bella Ramsay, for stealing wearing
+apparel, to be transported. Leonard Falshea, for stealing six sheep, found
+guilty--death, but ordered for transportation. Ann Wilson and Elizabeth
+White, for stealing a purse, etc., to be transported."
+
+There are no stocks standing now on the village greens of Cumberland and
+Westmorland, but in Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, are local examples of
+both pillory and stocks. Among the records of Greystoke, some seventy
+years ago, it was stated that the village then possessed a neat cross,
+"the stones of which remain piled together, and also the foot-stocks for
+the punishment of evil doers." Whipping in public was so general in most
+towns as to occasion no great amount of notice, and often the punishment
+must have seemed out of all proportion to the offence. Thus at the assizes
+of 1790, just mentioned, Walter Smith, who was convicted of stealing a
+game-cock, was sentenced to be imprisoned six months and publicly whipped
+in Whitehaven.
+
+
+[Illustration: GIANT'S THUMB, PENRITH.]
+
+
+There is a tradition among some of the old folks of Penrith that the holes
+at the top of the ancient cross, known as the Giant's Thumb, in the
+churchyard, were at one time used for a pillory. The only authority for
+the assertion seems to have been the late Mr. William Grisenthwaite,
+builder, who had quite a store of local traditions. It was on his
+statement that Mr. George Watson included the information in his
+"Notabilia of Old Penrith." Mr. Grisenthwaite said the last time the cross
+was used for that corrective purpose was for the whipping of a young
+woman, who died of a broken heart in consequence of her shameful exposure.
+It is but fair to say that other old people of great intelligence declare
+that they never heard of such an event, and that they do not believe it.
+Moreover, Penrith possessed stocks, and doubtless a pillory also, not far
+from where the Monument now stands; hence the statement as to the Thumb
+being put to such a secular purpose as being used for a whipping-post is
+greatly in need of confirmation. The stocks at Penrith had not ceased to
+be used in 1781, having been repaired by Thomas Langhorne in that year, at
+a cost of £1 14s. Those at Ravenstonedale stood outside the churchyard
+wall, and near the Grammar School. The stocks at Orton were near the
+church gate; those at St. Michael's, Appleby, at Bongate Cross. An iron,
+with the letters "R. V. T." ("rogue, vagabond, thief"), was attached to
+the dock in the Crown Court at Appleby, until the Shire Hall was improved
+about 1848.
+
+It is recorded that whipping was formerly practised in Appleby to a
+considerable extent. On October 26th, 1743, it was ordered by the Mayor
+and Aldermen that the stocks and pillory, then opposite to the house which
+had recently belonged to a person named Knotts, should be immediately
+removed to the end of the open Hall, facing the Low Cross, "that being
+deemed the proper place for the same, and that there be a whipping-post,
+and a convenient place for burning criminals in the hand, erected there
+also." The late Mr. M. Cussons, shortly before his death early this year,
+told the writer that he particularly remembered the stocks at Appleby.
+They were placed at the north end of the old Moot Hall, and were removed
+before 1835, in which year the Corporation fixed the present weighing
+machine on the site. The stocks were so placed that the culprit undergoing
+punishment had his back to the building, and faced the church. When they
+were last used has not been ascertained. There were stocks also at Bongate
+Cross, but these were removed about thirty years ago by the late Mr.
+Richardson, the Bongate parish clerk, and given by him to the late Mr. G.
+R. Thompson, Bongate Hall. From the Appleby Corporation records, Mr. W.
+Hewitson, Town Clerk, finds that in 1767 the grand jury set out to William
+Bewsher on a lease for 999 years a piece of ground on which to build a
+smith's shop, at the north corner of Bridge End, near where the
+ducking-stool stood.
+
+The last person flogged through the Appleby streets was a man named
+Johnnie Copeland, a notorious character in his time. This happened about
+1819. The crime for which he suffered this punishment was a criminal
+assault. Mrs. Jane Brunskill, Appleby, now in her ninetieth year, who was
+an eye witness of the punishment, informed the writer a few months ago
+that she remembered the occurrence perfectly. The offender was fastened by
+two ropes, placed round his body, one being held by a man who walked in
+front, and the other by a man walking behind the culprit. The punishment
+was inflicted by a prisoner under confinement in Appleby Gaol. They
+started from the High Cross and proceeded to the Gaol, the man being
+flogged all the way. This took place on a market day, and the streets were
+crowded. The governor of the gaol at that time was named James Bewsher,
+and he combined with that office the business of blacksmith, which he
+carried on in the premises already referred to as being near the place
+where the ducking-stool stood.
+
+Dishonest workmen also got a taste of the lash occasionally, as witness
+this newspaper paragraph of January, 1789: "A fancy-weaver, belonging to
+Messrs. Foster and Sons' manufactory in Carlisle, was publicly whipped a
+few days ago, for stealing several of his masters' patterns, and sending
+them to a manufactory in Glasgow."
+
+There is believed to have been no example of riding the stang in
+Cumberland or Westmorland during the last half century. Previously,
+however, it would seem to have been an unpleasantly frequent punishment.
+In the _Westmorland Gazette_ for December 19th, 1835, a long description
+was given of "the old but now almost neglected custom." In this case an
+Ambleside woman had left her husband and family, and gone with a married
+man to America. After an absence of eight months she returned, and, said
+the local journalistic chronicler of the period, "the young men of
+Ambleside, with that manly and proper spirit which ought to actuate the
+breast of every noble mind who values propriety of conduct, and that
+which is decent and of good report, on Monday procured, instead of a pole,
+a cart, in which were placed two of their companions, and accompanied by a
+party of both young and old, proceeded through the town repeating at
+certain places the following lines:--
+
+  'It is not for my part I _ride the stang_,
+  But it is for the American----just come hame.'
+
+The fun was continued to the amusement of hundreds for about an hour, but
+not being satisfied with one night's frolic, the same party, on Tuesday
+evening, procured an effigy of the frail lady, and after exhibiting it in
+every part of the town, publicly burnt it at the Market Cross, amidst the
+loud hurras of the assembled crowd who had met to witness the sight, and
+who took that opportunity of testifying their hatred and detestation of
+such base and abominable conduct as the parties had been guilty of."
+
+
+
+
+Some Legends and Superstitions.
+
+
+The title of this chapter sufficiently indicates that the legends and
+superstitions intended to be dealt with are far from including all which
+might be mentioned; indeed not a tithe of those which are still well known
+in the two counties can here be touched upon. Mr. Whitfield, M.P., in an
+address in West Cumberland over thirty years ago,[13] said that the
+superstitions in the Border country concerning fairies and brownies were
+more developed, and the belief in spells and enchantments more common than
+in many other parts of the country. The various circumstances attending
+the growth of those beliefs led to the conclusion that in the Middle Ages
+religion as then taught did not exercise any great influence on the
+Border. Though monasteries were founded on each side of the Border as some
+protection against the desolations of war, the English did not scruple to
+ravage the Scottish monasteries during an invasion, and the Scotch treated
+with corresponding violence the English foundations. At the time of the
+Reformation the Border was probably the most ignorant and barbarous
+district in England.
+
+There is a pretty legend pertaining to St. Bees, which is supposed to have
+derived its name from St. Bega, an Irish nun, who came to Cumberland about
+the middle of the seventh century, and, with her sisters, was wrecked near
+to the headland. "In her distress she went to the Lady of Egremont Castle
+for relief, and obtained a place of residence at St. Bees. Afterwards she
+asked Lady Egremont to beg of her lord to build them a house, and they
+with others would lead a religious life together. With this the Lady
+Egremont was well pleased, and she asked the lord to grant them some land.
+The lord laughed at the lady, and said he would give them as much land as
+snow fell upon 'the next morning in Midsummer Day.' On the next morning he
+looked out from the castle towards the sea, and all the land for about
+three miles was covered with snow."[14]
+
+Another tradition associated with West Cumberland is that at Kirksanton.
+There is a basin, or hollow, in the surface of the ground, assigned as a
+place where once stood a church that was swallowed up by the earth
+opening, and then closing over it bodily. It used to be believed by the
+country people that on Sunday mornings the bells could be heard far down
+in the earth, by the simple expedient of placing the ear to the ground. A
+very similar legend was, in a magazine in 1883, recorded of Fisherty Brow,
+Kirkby Lonsdale:--"There is a curious kind of natural hollow scooped out,
+where, ages ago, a church, parson, and congregation were swallowed up by
+the earth. Ever since this terrible affair it is asserted that the church
+bells have been regularly heard to ring every Sunday morning."
+
+If an old tradition is to be believed, one of the most conspicuous
+land-marks in the north of England should be regarded as a memorial, so
+far as its name goes. The story is that the cross was planted, by pious
+hands, in the early days of Christianity, on the summit or table land of
+the chain of mountains which bounds the eastern side of Cumberland,
+separately known by different names along their range, but collectively
+called Cross Fell. At any rate, whether or not it takes its name from its
+transverse situation to the common run of the immense ridge, this
+tradition, as the Rev. B. Porteus has remarked, "is preferable to another
+which traces its derivative to a cross erected for the purpose of
+dislodging the aërial demons which were once thought to possess these
+desolate regions, and gave it the name of the Fiend's Fell." But the
+cyclone (the Helm Wind) and the sending for holy men to Canterbury to
+exorcise "the demon" supports the derivation. Alston Church is dedicated
+to St. Augustine. Some say the bodies of Christians who had died in the
+heathen eastern districts were brought "Cross t' Fell" to be buried in the
+consecrated land of the primitive Christians of Cumberland and
+Westmorland.
+
+There is a tradition that an attempt was made time after time to build a
+church in what is known as Jackson's Park, Arlecdon, but as often as begun
+in the day it was destroyed in the night by some unknown and invisible
+hand. Eventually the attempt was abandoned, and the church built in its
+present position. Then there is the familiar legend connected with the
+building of the Devil's Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale. There are several
+versions of the erection of this structure, and as one is just as likely
+to be wrong as another, the story told by Mr. Speight[15] may be quoted:
+"The bridge was built by his Satanic Majesty, according to a compact made
+between himself and a poor woman who wished to recover her cow which had
+strayed at low water to the opposite side of the river, but could not do
+so without the convenient means of a bridge. And so the King of Evil
+agreed to erect a bridge on condition that he should have the first living
+thing that crossed. He knew very well of her husband's coming home from
+market, and hoped to make good booty. But the cunning woman was equal to
+the occasion. Seeing the approach of her husband on the opposite hill, she
+concealed a scraggy, half-starved dog under her apron, and letting it
+sniff a bone, suddenly tossed the latter over the fine, new made viaduct,
+and the dog at once bounding after it, she stepped back, and raising her
+fingers in a vindictive, and certainly most unbecoming manner, lustily
+exclaimed,
+
+  'Now, crafty Sir, the bargain was
+  That you should have what first did pass
+  Across the bridge--so now, alas!
+      The dog's your right.
+
+  The Cheater cheated, struck with shame,
+  Squinted and grinned, then in a flame
+      He vanished quite.'"
+
+At least two legends have come down to us of the days of the wolves. A
+lady belonging to the Lucy family--the great territorial lords of West
+Cumberland--was one evening walking near to Egremont Castle when she was
+devoured by a wolf at a place afterwards marked by a stone cairn, and
+known as Woful Bank. The name of Wotobank is given to a place in the
+parish of Beckermet. The story here is that Edgar, a lord of Beckermet,
+and his lady, Edwina, and servants, were at one time hunting the wolf.
+"During the chase the lord missed his lady, and after a long and painful
+search the party at last found her body lying on the hill, or bank, slain
+by a wolf, with the ravenous beast still in the act of tearing it to
+pieces. In the first transports of his grief, the words that the
+distressed husband first uttered were, 'Woe to this Bank'--a phrase since
+altered and applied to the place as 'Wotobank.'" Another wolf legend of a
+somewhat similar character is attached to a well called Lady's Dub, at
+Ulpha.
+
+What can only be described as legends--for as to their authenticity it
+would perhaps not be wise to inquire too closely--belong to the fortunes
+of several estates in the two counties. One of the owners of Warthell (or
+Warthol) Hall, in the parish of Plumbland, was notorious for his passion
+for card-playing--a form of amusement, by the way, which probably for more
+than two hundred years has been a favourite among all classes in the two
+counties. The Lord of Warthell, Mr. Dykes, one evening lost a large sum,
+and was face to face with ruin. Growing desperate, he determined to risk
+all on a single game of putt, and at the last deal cried,
+
+  "Up, now deuce, or else a tray,
+  Or Warthell's gone for ever and aye."
+
+While it would perhaps be unjust even to suggest that the people of
+Cumberland and Westmorland are now more superstitious than those of other
+counties, it is nevertheless a fact that many curious beliefs prevailed in
+the country districts long after they had ceased in other places. The
+faith in the efficacy of charms has even yet not died away. Toothache has
+long been a favourite medium for testing the skill of the charmer and the
+faith of the sufferer. The Rev. H. J. Bulkeley, then rector of Lanercost,
+who spent much time in collecting records of the old and fleeting beliefs,
+told in 1885 how the toothache charm was worked. "A boy suffering from
+toothache was taken to an old blacksmith, who prodded the decayed tooth
+with a rusty nail; blindfolded the boy, led him into a wood, and, taking
+the bandage off his eyes, made him hammer the nail into a young oak;
+blindfolded him again, and led him out, making him promise not to try and
+find the tree or tell anyone of it. And that tooth never ached any more!"
+Another method was to rub, with a stone, the part affected, the operation
+taking place soon after sunset. While performing the rubbing, the charmer
+muttered an incantation which does not seem to have been preserved in
+print, although it is doubtless well known in the country districts.
+
+Fairies have given place to more material creations, but the faith in the
+"little folk" has not died out, and even yet occasionally the dairy-maid
+may be seen furtively to put a pinch of salt in the fire at churning time,
+"so that t' fairies mayn't stop t' butter frae comin'." The rowan-tree
+branch used to be placed above doorways to keep away evil influences
+throughout the north of England, and in the Lake Country the stick used
+for stirring the cream to counteract the bewitching of the churn is still
+frequently made of rowan or mountain ash wood.
+
+Among the old superstitions is that of the death strokes:--
+
+  "As with three strokes above the testered bed
+  The parting spirit of its tenant fled."
+
+The opinion once very commonly prevailed that shortly before the coming of
+the last summons three distinct raps were heard on the wall immediately
+over the bed head. This, of course, was nothing more than the noise made
+by a small worm when trying to bore itself a passage through the decayed
+woodwork where it had been bred.
+
+"Telling the bees" is a custom in several parts of the country, and is
+still believed in by some of the old people of these counties. When a
+death occurred in a household where bees were kept it was deemed desirable
+for some one to acquaint the occupants of the hives with the fact, and
+also to tell them on the day of the funeral that the corpse was about to
+be lifted. The late Mr. W. Dickinson, who by his "Cumbriana,"
+"Reminiscences," and "Glossary," did much to preserve a knowledge of
+old-time life in the county, said the last case of "telling the bees"
+which came to his knowledge was at Asby, near Arlecdon, in 1855. To miss
+taking the doleful news to the bees was held to be a certain way of
+bringing ill-luck to the house.
+
+Supposed miracle workers have not been lacking. About the middle of the
+fourteenth century the abbot and canons of Shap had licence from Bishop
+Kirkby to remove the body of Isabella, wife of William Langley, their
+parishioner, famed for having miracles done by it, to some proper place
+within the church or churchyard of Shap, that the reliques might be
+reverenced by the people with freer and greater devotion.
+
+"Boggles" have been common in all parts of the two counties; needless to
+say the dreadful apparitions when inquired about in a careful manner have
+invariably proved to be very commonplace and harmless creatures or
+articles. "Boggle" is a Norse word, sometimes equal to personification of
+diety or saint. Natural phenomena, as _ignis fatuus_, account for some;
+the mist-mirage explains others. The mist is still called "the haut" (the
+haunt). Witches, too, have abounded--according to report,--and some were
+drowned, or otherwise persecuted because of their evil repute. Mary
+Baynes, the witch of Tebay, died in 1811, aged ninety. She has been
+described as a repulsive looking woman, with a big pocket tied upon her
+back, and she was blamed for witching people's churns, geese, and
+goslings, so that on account of her witchcraft she became a terror to her
+neighbours. Many strange things which happened were laid to her charge,
+and thoroughly believed by the people. Ned Sisson, of the "Cross Keys
+Inn," had a mastiff which worried old Mary's favourite cat. The owner
+decided to have the grimalkin respectably buried in her garden, and a man
+named Willan dug a grave for it. Old Mary handed Willan an open book, and
+pointed to something he was to read. But Willan, not thinking it worth
+while to read anything over a cat, took pussy by the leg, and said:
+
+  "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
+  Here's a hole, and in thou must."
+
+Mary grew angry, and warned her companion that he would fare no better for
+his levity. Soon afterwards Willan was ploughing in his field when the
+implement suddenly bounded up, and the handle struck one of his eyes,
+causing blindness. Immediately Mary Baynes was given the credit for having
+bewitched the plough. The old lady seems to have tried her hand also at
+prophesy. Once when the scholars of Tebay School were out playing, Mary
+predicted to them that some day carriages would run over Loupsfell without
+the aid of horses. The railway now goes over a portion of the land to
+which she referred, which was then a large stinted pasture. The best
+known other "witch" was "Lizzie o' Branton," otherwise Lizzy Batty, a
+remarkable woman, who, in the early years of this century, occupied a
+cottage on the roadside between Brampton and Talkin. She acted in a
+peculiar manner, dressed curiously, and generally "acted the part," with
+the consequence that she was credited with many supernatural powers. She
+died in 1817, at the age of eighty-eight. The date of her funeral in
+Brampton was for long years remembered as the stormiest day the town had
+ever seen. Although it was in March, yet darkness came on so suddenly that
+lanterns were lighted at the grave-side, only to be again and again
+extinguished by the fury of the tempest. A tradition still lingers that
+those who bore the coffin to the grave solemnly affirmed that it was empty
+and the body gone.
+
+The belief in the "barguest," now practically gone, was in comparatively
+recent times common enough to excite but little notice. The term was
+generally used to denote any kind of ghostly visitant, but referred more
+particularly to a fearsome creation which was supposed to haunt the fells
+and dales, and make a horrible noise. Mr. B. Kirkby, in his "Lakeland
+Words" (1899), gives the definition as known in North Westmorland: "One
+who has the power of foretelling the demise of others; or one who makes a
+great din." Mr. Anthony Whitehead says, "A barguest is a spirit known only
+through the sense of hearing, being a something which, during the dark
+hours of night, disturbed the last generations of Westmorland with its
+awful howling."
+
+There is no lack of ghostly traditions in connection with families.
+Perhaps the best known is that belonging to the ancient family of Machell,
+of Crackenthorpe Hall, near Appleby. Lancelot Machell--the same who in
+open court tore to pieces Cromwell's new charter for Appleby--married
+Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Sleddall, of Penrith. Her portrait was found
+on a panel in Penrith some years ago. She was executrix of her husband's
+will, and for some alleged injury to her interest in the estate it used to
+be said that she paid the Machells ghostly visitations whenever the head
+of the family was about to die. The country folk used to say that she is
+laid under the big stone called Peg's Stone, just below Crackenthorpe
+Hall, her term of incarceration being 999 years. They also say she has
+been seen driving along the Appleby road at a great pace with "amber
+leets" in the carriage, and disappear suddenly in Machell Wood, near the
+spot called Peg Sneddle's Trough. Indeed, there is extant a most graphic
+and brilliant account of her passage of the Tollbar at Crackenthorpe,
+narrated by one "Brockham Dick" (Richard Atkinson, of the "Elephant Inn"),
+now many years deceased, who kept the gate in his youth, and who used to
+stick to it with much detail of thrilling circumstance, how one night in
+each year, when the "helm" wind was blowing, Mrs. Machell made her
+appearance and passed this gate in offended state. When storms come on
+upon the fell, Peg is said to be angry, and _vice versâ_ in fine weather.
+An old tree in the neighbourhood of Crackenthorpe called Sleddall's Oak,
+is also associated with Mrs. Machell's name, and here a female figure is
+supposed to be seen to sit and weep when any misfortune is about to befall
+any member of the Machell family.
+
+When farmers find disease among their cattle, whether it be tuberculosis,
+pleuro-pneumonia, or other undesirable visitation, they no longer pin
+their faith to the old-time observances. The progress of science has shown
+better methods of dealing with the disease, and now the stock owners of
+the northern counties would be the first to ridicule the means taken by
+their grandfathers for stopping an outbreak. The "needfire," which has
+been witnessed by many people who are not yet old, was probably the last
+remnant of fire-worship in this country. "It was once," says Mr. Sullivan,
+"an annual observance, and is still occasionally employed in the dales and
+some other localities as a charm for the various diseases to which cattle
+are liable. All the fires in the village are carefully put out--a
+deputation going round to each house to see that not a spark remains. Two
+pieces of wood are then ignited by friction, and within the influence of
+the fire thus kindled, the cattle are brought. The scene is one of dire
+bellowing and confusion: but the owner is especially anxious that his
+animals should get 'plenty of the reek.' The charm being ended in one
+village, may be transferred to the next, and thus propagated as far as it
+is required."
+
+Miss Martineau, in her "Guide to the Lakes," tells a story of a certain
+farmer who, "When all his cattle had been passed through the fire,
+subjected an ailing wife to the same potent charm." The last time the
+"needfire" was used in the Keswick neighbourhood, Mr. William Wilson
+says, was in 1841. In some parts of Cumberland and Westmorland there was
+then an epidemic amongst the cattle. It was brought over the Raise and
+transferred from farm to farm through the vales. But, at one farm a few
+miles out of Keswick, the sacred fire was allowed to become extinct, the
+owner, a well-known statesman, not having sufficient faith in its virtue
+to take the trouble to transmit it, or even to keep it alight. He told Mr.
+Wilson that he was severely rated at the time for his lack of faith. That,
+however, served to kill the popular belief in needfire, and even when the
+terrible ravages of the rinderpest, foot and mouth disease, and
+pleuro-pneumonia, were emptying the pockets and breaking the hearts of the
+farmers, not one of them thought of reviving the old "cure." The last
+time, so far as the writer can find, the practice was reported in the
+newspapers was this paragraph in the _Patriot_ of July 25th, 1834:--"A
+sort of murrain, or pestilential fever, is at present prevalent in the
+county of Westmorland, the popular remedy for which is the fumigation of
+the infected animals with the smoke of needfire, accompanied by certain
+mystic signs." The Rev. J. Wharton, however, well remembers the fire
+being made at Long Marton about 1843-4, during a murrain. The term
+"needfire" seems to be a corruption of "neatfire," neat cattle being an
+old and common term.
+
+Among the legends relating to North-Country residences, an interesting one
+is concerning Corby Castle and its "Radiant Boy." This--which corresponds
+to the "corpse lichten" of other countries--has been described as a
+luminous apparition which made its appearance with dire results, the
+tradition being that the member of the family who saw the "Radiant Boy"
+would rise to great power, and afterwards die a violent death. The only
+example in proof of the tradition so far made known, however, was that of
+Lord Castlereagh. That statesman was given a wide margin of time after
+seeing the spectre, as that was supposed to have happened when he was a
+young man, and he did not commit suicide until 1822.
+
+The superstition as to the skulls at Calgarth, Windermere, has several
+parallels. Those two skulls formerly occupied a niche in Calgarth Hall,
+from which they could not be kept for any long time, though they were
+reputed to attend the banquets at Armboth Hall, Thirlmere, of their own
+accord! Above all, "they were buried, burned, reduced to powder, dispersed
+by the wind, sunk in the well, and thrown into the lake several times, all
+to no purpose"--truly wonderful skulls!
+
+The superstition concerning "first-foot" has not yet died out; but the
+observance is not regarded with that seriousness which ruled half a
+century ago, and to the next generation, probably, this ancient New Year's
+custom and belief will have become part of the history of the bygone.
+
+
+
+
+Four Lucks.
+
+
+Closely associated with the legends of Cumberland and Westmorland, dealt
+with in the preceding chapter, are the stories of four "Lucks." The best
+known is that of Eden Hall, which has been made the theme for poems and
+innumerable descriptive articles. The most popular version of the origin
+of the Luck is that when a servant was going for water one night to the
+Fairy Well, in front of the hall he surprised a number of fairies at their
+revels, with the goblet in the centre of the ring around which they were
+dancing. The servant seized the Luck, while the fairies gave the ominous
+warning that
+
+  "If this cup should break or fall,
+  Farewell the luck of Eden Hall."
+
+Numerous poets have woven pretty stories out of the tradition, without
+attempting to seek the real origin of the treasured possession. The Luck
+is an ancient glass vessel widening by an easy curve, and terminating in a
+graceful lip. Its colour is green, with enamel of red, yellow, and blue;
+one theory is that its origin was Saracenic, and that it was brought
+from Palestine by a member of the family during the Crusades. Dr. Todd,
+when Vicar of Penrith, supposed it to have "been used as a chalice, at a
+time when it was unsafe to have those sacred vessels made of costlier
+metals, on account of the predatory habits which prevailed on the
+Borders." If absolute care can preserve it, the Luck is safe, for along
+with its leathern case, adorned with vine leaves, and having the sacred
+monogram "I.H.S." on the top, the Luck is rarely taken from its place of
+security--said to be one of the strong rooms of the Bank of England.
+Whenever the Luck is exhibited to privileged visitors at the hall, the
+utmost precautions are taken to prevent even the slightest accident.
+
+
+[Illustration: 1.--ANCIENT GLASS VESSEL CALLED THE LUCK OF EDEN HALL.
+
+2.--ITS LEATHER CASE.
+
+3.--INSCRIPTION ON THE TOP OF THE CASE.]
+
+
+"The Luck of Muncaster" is reputed to have been the gift of Henry the
+Sixth, who stayed for a brief space with the Penningtons, either in 1461
+or 1464. The King was in sore straits, for death had robbed him of the
+service of many of his most powerful adherents; howbeit he still held the
+affections of large numbers of people in Cumberland and Westmorland. The
+owner of Muncaster was one of those able and willing to stand by Henry in
+his necessity, and kept the King in safety. The room in which the monarch
+slept is still preserved with great care; he rested in a carved oak
+bedstead, which bears his initials and a crown. At parting Henry gave to
+Sir John Pennington a glass cup or basin, about seven inches in diameter,
+ornamented with some gold and white enamelled mouldings, with--according
+to tradition--the assurance that "the family shall prosper so long as they
+preserve this cup unbroken." It is unnecessary to do more than mention
+that this Luck has been celebrated in verse, by way of illustrating the
+evil designs of a kinsman who desired to destroy both the cup and the
+fortunes of the Penningtons.
+
+That such a treasured relic should have more than normal risks of
+misfortune can be well understood. Mr. Roby has mentioned[16] one of its
+escapes. "The benediction attaching to its security being then uppermost
+in the recollection of the family, it was considered essential to the
+prosperity of the house, at the time of the usurpation, that the Luck of
+Muncaster should be deposited in a safe place. It was consequently buried
+till the cessation of hostilities had rendered all further care and
+concealment unnecessary." The box was allowed to fall when being brought
+again to the surface, which so scared the owners that they fancied that
+there would be a sudden end to their prosperity. The fright must have been
+of long duration, for the story is that forty years elapsed ere one daring
+member of the family, having seen no ill effects from the fall, had the
+box opened, and experienced the keen delight of finding the Luck
+uninjured. In the castle are two paintings, one representing the King
+giving the cup to Sir John Pennington, and another allowing the King with
+the Luck in his hand. On an old freestone slab in Muncaster Church is the
+inscription, "Holie Kynge Harrye gave Sir John a brauve workyd glass cuppe
+... whyllys the famylie shold keep hit unbrecken thei shold gretelye
+thrif."
+
+"The Luck of Burrell Green," near Great Salkeld, seems to have passed into
+the possession of various owners. It is an ancient brass dish of early
+embossed work, sixteen and a quarter inches in diameter, and one and a
+half inches deep. Mr. J. Lamb, formerly of Burrell Green, read a paper on
+the subject two or three years ago to the members of the Archæological
+Society, and also exhibited the dish. It is circular in form, and at one
+time appears to have borne two inscriptions, one in large old English
+letters in an inner circle around its central ornament, and the other in
+an outer circle, probably in the same style of lettering. Neither
+inscription is now legible, although on close examination certain letters
+may still be discerned, this being due, no doubt, to the amount of
+cleaning and rubbing it has undergone during late years. Thirty years ago,
+when greater care was taken of the Luck than has since been the case, and
+the inscription on the inner circle was rather more distinct than it now
+is, Mr. R. M. Bailey, a London antiquary, tried to decipher it, and was of
+opinion that it was in Latin, of which the following is a rendering:
+"Hail, Mary, Mother of Jesus, Saviour of Men." Like the two other Lucks in
+Cumberland, the Luck of Burrell Green has its legend and couplet. This is
+that it was given to the family residing there long ago by a "Nob i' th'
+hurst," or by a witch, a soothsayer, to whom kindness had been shown, with
+the injunction that
+
+  "If e'er this dish be sold or gi'en
+  Farewell the Luck of Burrell Green."
+
+The Luck has been in the possession of the respective families residing at
+Burrell Green for many generations, but its existence has not been
+brought very much before the public. In 1879 the late Mr. Jacob Thompson,
+of Hackthorpe, made a painting of the Luck. Mr. Lamb added:
+
+    "Apart from the value of the Luck as an example of ancient art, it may
+    be said to be still more valuable from the mysterious tradition
+    associated with it, and also as appears very probable from the
+    rendering of the supposed inscription in the sacred use to which in
+    all probability it has at some time been applied. From the style of
+    the inscriptions it appears to be of as early a date as the
+    commencement of the sixteenth century, or probably earlier. On the day
+    Burrell Green last changed owners the Luck fell down three times in
+    succession from its usual position, a circumstance which at that time
+    had not been known to have occurred before, it always having been kept
+    in a secure place."
+
+"The Luck of Levens" is of a kind quite different from the three already
+mentioned. Levens Hall has attached to it one of the oldest deer parks in
+England, and within its borders are some peculiarly dark fallow deer. The
+local people have come to believe that whenever a white fawn is born in
+the herd the event portends some change of importance in the House of
+Levens. Four such cases have occurred within living memory--when Lord
+Templetown came to Levens after the Crimean War, after General Upton's
+death in 1883, on the day after Captain and Mrs. Bagot's wedding in 1885,
+and in February, 1896, when Mrs. Bagot bore to Levens a male heir. Mr.
+Curwen, in his monograph on the house, mentions the following "to
+illustrate the superstition that had gathered round the white deer so
+early as Lord Templetown's residence at Levens, between 1850 and 1860":--
+
+    "A white buck which had appeared in the herd was ordered to be shot,
+    but the keeper was so horrified with the deed, which he thought to be
+    'waur ner robbin' a church,' that he actually went so far as to
+    remonstrate with the Crimean veteran. Persuasion being of no use, he
+    at last refused point blank to do the deed himself, and another man
+    had to do it for him. In a few months great troubles came over the
+    house. In quick succession it changed hands twice; the stewards,
+    servants, and gardeners all lost their places; and the keeper firmly
+    held to the belief that all was due to the shooting of this white
+    deer."
+
+
+
+
+Some Old Trading Laws and Customs.
+
+
+While some of the quaint laws connected with markets and fairs in other
+parts of the country are unknown in Cumberland and Westmorland, others not
+less interesting may be found in these counties. The searcher after such
+old-time lore may find a good deal of it in the standard histories, but
+still more in those byways of local literature which are too much
+neglected. In this chapter no attempt can be made to do more than touch
+the fringe of the subject.
+
+There is in existence in the Dean and Chapter Library at Carlisle a
+monition probably dated towards the end of the fourteenth century
+addressed to the clergy of the diocese, requiring them to see the
+constitution of Otho strictly carried out--all fairs being banished from
+churchyards and suspended on Sundays and solemn feasts. Churchyard fairs
+were for the emolument of the churches, and were styled by the name of the
+saint whose example is inculcated by the church's name. The late Canon
+Simpson, one of the most eminent antiquaries in the two counties, proved
+that, in England at least, no church was ever dedicated literally to a
+saint. Fairs, especially "pot fairs," still prevail in church cloisters in
+Germany.
+
+Meat selling at church doors was common in the fifteenth and sixteenth
+centuries, and even so late as the time of Charles the Second. The only
+instance of such a thing occurring in Cumberland of which there is record
+now was at Wigton. In one of the old local histories appears the following
+note:--"The Rev. Thomas Warcup, who erected his monument in the churchyard
+long before his death, was obliged to fly from Wigton on account of his
+loyalty during the Civil Wars. After the restoration of King Charles he
+returned to the Vicarage, and tradition says that the butcher market was
+then held upon the Sunday. The butchers hung up carcases at the church
+door, to attract the notice of customers as they went in and came out of
+church, and it was not unusual to see people who made their bargains
+before prayer began, hang their joints of meat over the backs of the
+seats, until the pious clergyman had finished the service. The zealous
+priest, after having long but ineffectually endeavoured to make his
+congregation sensible of the indecency of such practices, undertook a
+journey to London on foot, for the purpose of petitioning the King to
+have the market day established on the Tuesday, and which he had interest
+enough to obtain."
+
+Warcup became Vicar of Wigton in 1612, and possibly on the principle that
+he was the best qualified to write his own epitaph because he knew himself
+better than was possible for another to know him, he prepared the
+following, which he had put on a headstone many years before his death:--
+
+  "Thomas Warcup prepar'd this stone,
+  To mind him of his best home.
+  Little but sin & misery here,
+  Till we be carried on our bier.
+  Out of the grave & earth's dust,
+  The Lord will raise me up I trust;
+  To live with Christ eternallie,
+  Who, me to save, himself did die."
+
+There was a keen rivalry between Crosthwaite and Cockermouth at the
+beginning of the fourteenth century. The townsmen sent a petition to
+Parliament in 1306, stating that owing to the sale of corn, flour, beans,
+flesh, fish, and other kinds of merchandise at Crosthwaite Church on
+Sundays, their market was declining so fast that the persons who farmed
+the tolls from the King were unable to pay the rent. An order was soon
+afterwards issued stopping the Sunday trading at Crosthwaite. But the
+fairs and markets in churchyards on week-days were not prohibited by
+statute for two hundred and eighty years after the Cockermothians sought
+protection. The orders thus issued were not long recognised, but
+collectors of scraps of local history in all parts of the county have
+added to the general knowledge on this point.
+
+The announcing of sales in churchyards was in the early part of this
+century a common custom. At Crosby Ravensworth the clerk hurried from his
+desk immediately the service was concluded, followed by the congregation,
+and mounting the steps he announced when a person's sale by auction would
+take place, and read out any notice given to him, for which service he
+received a fee of fourpence. The custom has long since become obsolete;
+old William Richardson called the last notice in 1837. It has been
+asserted, with what amount of truth need not be too closely inquired into,
+that when this method of advertising public events was forbidden, the
+attendance of the parishioners at public worship showed a rapid
+falling-off. The custom of churchyard proclamations prevailed at Orton in
+the early part of the century, and the inscriptions on certain horizontal
+tombstones have been obliterated by the hob-nails in the clerk's boots.
+While necessarily there must have been a great diversity in the articles
+announced in the churches or churchyards as likely to be submitted for
+public competition, it would be difficult to find a parallel for this
+paragraph, which appeared in the _Pacquet_ for March 8th, 1791:--"A few
+months ago a person in very good circumstance at no great distance from
+Ravenglass buried his wife. His son, a few days since, also became a
+widower, and on Sunday, 27th ult., a sale of their wearing apparel was
+published at all the neighbouring parish churches! Whether motives of
+economy suggested the measure, or a wish to remove whatever could remind
+the disconsolate survivors of their loss, can only be guessed at."
+
+Among the relics treasured by Lord Hothfield at Appleby Castle, is an
+article reminding the visitor of the days when free trading was unknown.
+This is the principal corn measure which was used in the market at Kirkby
+Stephen more than two hundred years ago; its purpose and record are stated
+in the raised letters which run around the copper measure a little below
+the rim:--
+
+    "The measure of Thomas, Earle of Thanet Island, Lord Tufton, Lord
+    Clifford, Westmorland, and Vescy, for the use of his Lopps
+    [lordship's] market at Kirkby Stephen in Westmorland, 1685."
+
+In the same building are two other corn measures, smaller than the Kirkby
+Stephen measure just mentioned. One bears only the word "Thanet," and a
+coronet. The other measure, of different design, with the monogram, "A.
+P." in raised characters, indicates approximately its age, as it was
+obviously the property of the Countess Anne of Pembroke. The measures,
+made of bell metal, formerly in use in Sir Richard Musgrave's manor at
+Kirkoswald, are still carefully preserved by Mr. John Longrigg, the last
+steward.
+
+How long the proclamation has been read at the St. Luke's Fair at Kirkby
+Stephen is unknown; certainly for a couple of centuries the practice has
+been observed, and possibly for a much longer period. Although some of the
+terms have now no effect, nor the cautions any value, the proclamation is
+still made, the following being the terms of a recent one:--
+
+    "O yes, O yes, O yes, The Right Honourable Henry James Baron
+    Hothfield, of Hothfield, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Westmorland,
+    Lord of the Manor of Skipton in Craven, and Lord and Owner of this
+    Fair, Doth strictly Charge and Command in Her Majesty's name that all
+    persons keep Her Majesty's Peace, and not to presume to ride or go
+    armed during the time of this Fair to the disturbance of Her Majesty's
+    Peace, in pain to be punished according to the Statute in that case
+    made and provided; and also that all persons bargain and sell lawful
+    and sound goods and merchandise, and pay their due and accustomed
+    tolls and stallages, use lawful weights and measures, upon pain to
+    forfeit the value of their wares and merchandise; and also that buy,
+    sell, or exchange any horse, mare, or gelding, that the sellers and
+    buyers thereof repair to the Clerk of the Tolls, and there enter their
+    names, surnames, and places of abode of all such persons as shall buy,
+    sell, or exchange any such horse, mare, or gelding, together with the
+    price, marks, and vouchers at their perils; and lastly if any person
+    have any injury or wrong done by reason of any bargain or contract,
+    during the time of this Fair, let them give information thereof, and
+    the same shall be tried by a Court of Pie Poudre, according to law.
+
+    "God save the Queen, and the Right Honourable Henry James Baron
+    Hothfield."
+
+Needless to say, the Court of Pie Poudre has not sat for many years now.
+
+Many curious and interesting customs were once connected with the holding
+of markets and fairs; a few of these survive, though not in the form once
+known. The practice a little over a century ago at Ravenglass, where a
+fair was held on "the eve, day, and morrow of St. James," has been thus
+described: "On the first of these days in the morning, the lord's
+officer, at proclaiming the fair, is attended by the serjeants of the Lord
+of Egremont, with the insignia belonging thereto; and all the tenants of
+the Forest of Copeland owe a customary service to meet the lord's officer
+at Ravenglass to proclaim the fair, and abide with him during the
+continuance thereof; and for sustentation of their horses they have two
+swaiths of grass in the common field of Ravenglass in a place set out for
+that purpose. On the third day at noon, the Earl's officer discharges the
+fair by proclamation; immediately whereupon the Penningtons and their
+tenants take possession of the town, and have races and other
+divertisements during the remainder of that day."
+
+The laws of the old Corporations at Kendal, Carlisle, and Appleby, and the
+guilds and societies at other places, were very stringent, and far
+surpassed the most exacting rules of the trades unions in our own day.
+This statement may speedily be verified by a reference to the reprinted
+Kendal "Boke of Recorde." The "shoddy cloth man" appears to have
+flourished almost as much three hundred years ago as he does to-day; at
+any rate he was sufficiently in evidence to cause the Corporation to pass
+a very stringent order in regard to "Clothe Dightinge." The excuse for
+the imposition of the regulation was that "Sundry great complaints have
+been made in open Court of the insufficient and deceitful dressing and
+dighting of clothes uttered and sold within the town, as well by the
+inhabitants as foreigners coming to the same, therefore it is ordered by
+the Alderman and head burgesses of the borough with the full assent of the
+most part of the fellowship of Shearmen now dwelling within the borough,
+that if any person or persons either now resident in the town or shall
+hereafter be resident here or in the country adjoining, shall from
+henceforth have or bring any pieces of cloth to sell or utter within this
+borough to any person, not being well and sufficiently dight and dressed
+throughout in all points alike, as well one place as another, in cotton,
+nop, or frieze as it ought to be; the same being so found by the four
+sworn men of the same occupation from time to time appointed, shall
+forfeit and lose for every such piece 2s. 4d., the half thereof to the
+Chamber of this borough, and the other half to the takers of the same."
+
+A further order provided that if any piece of cloth was not "well, truly,
+and sufficiently made in all places alike, and all parts thereof of like
+stuff as it ought to be, or which shall not be clean washed and clean
+without blemish left in it, upon the like pain of 2s. 4d., to be forwarded
+by the maker to those before limited for the first fault, and for every
+fault then after committed and duly proved, the fine and penalty to be
+doubled." Factory and workshop inspectors, of a sort, were not unknown
+three hundred years ago. The Corporation ordered the appointment of four
+members of the "Company and fellowship of tayllers" to be known as
+searchers or overseers, having power to have the oversight of all faults,
+wrongs, and misusages happening or done in the trade. The order did not
+long remain in force before the Corporation decided to repeal them, but
+two or three years later they were revived by common consent, and ordered
+to continue during pleasure. In still later times travelling tailors were
+a brotherhood, and within the last fifty years when on their journeys
+levied money on the resident fraternity.
+
+Cordwainers, when the "Boke of Recorde" was compiled, were only allowed to
+do certain kinds of work, and were forbidden to "spetche," or patch boots.
+Tailors, too, could not employ any man who might apply for work, there
+being a very strict law about the employment of freemen in preference to
+those not free; nor could the shearmen enjoy any greater liberty in their
+trading operations. One rule ran: "No countryman or person not free shall
+be permitted to bargain, buy, exchange, trade, sell, or utter within this
+borough or the precincts hereof, any clothes for outside as a shearman,
+save only such as be occupiers now of the same trade, or such as shall
+purchase their freedom, upon pain to lose ten shillings, whereof to the
+Chamber 5s., and Company 5s."
+
+There was a salutary rule about the selling of meat on Sundays: "From
+henceforth no butcher, or other his servant, or factor shall sell or utter
+any flesh or other victuals or meat out of any shop or stall within the
+borough or liberties, or the precincts of the same, or keep any his or
+their shop or warehouses open or unshut up after the ending of the third
+peal or bells ringing to morning or evening prayer on any Sunday or other
+festival day, upon pain to lose to the Chamber of this borough 12d."
+
+The laws against forestalling, regrating, ingrossing, and otherwise
+interfering with the due course of trade, were very strict in the markets
+held under manors and also in those otherwise regulated. The practice
+was, however, not peculiar to Cumberland and Westmorland. One other rule
+from Kendal may be mentioned as showing the steps taken for preventing
+skins being hoarded up, until prices became high: "It shall not be lawful
+for any butcher or other person dwelling out of this borough or the
+liberties of the same from henceforth to bring into the borough to be
+sold, either on the market day or in the week-day any sheepskin (except
+the same skin--having the ears upon it--be cleaving unto the head or
+carcase of such flesh where upon it did grow) being so brought to be sold,
+nor that they nor any of them shall sell, or offer, or put to sale, any
+such skin on any market day so brought to be sold unto the borough before
+ten o'clock before noon, upon pain to lose and forfeit as much as 2s."
+
+The penalty for buying victuals before they arrived at the market was
+forfeiture, while it was further ordered that "no man or woman shall
+suffer any corn to be sold or measured in their houses upon pain of 6s.
+8d., but that all corn shall be bargained, bought, and measured in open
+market only."
+
+An old native of the borough not long ago assured the writer that when he
+was a boy, in the old coaching days, the suspicion of "poaching" extended
+even to the lawyers, for, said he, "At the Assizes at Appleby the Bar had
+all to enter the borough together, or not before a certain hour, lest one
+individual might secure more than a fair share of the briefs."
+
+Market-bells are still rung at various places in the two counties. That in
+St. Andrew's Church, Penrith, is sounded every Tuesday morning at ten
+o'clock, before which hour business is supposed to be forbidden. The same
+rule prevails at Appleby, where the bell hangs in a campanile over the
+Moot Hall. This, of course, is a survival of the days when forestalling
+was a very serious offence--and properly so. The archives of the
+Corporation of Carlisle contain documents bearing on the connection of the
+bells with trading. Mention of the market-bell appears in the bye-laws of
+1561, thus: "Itm that noe outman shall sell any corn to any fore nor to
+such tym as the market bell be rounge on payn of forfitor." Happily it is
+not possible to apply to all the saying used with reference to one old
+market in West Cumberland--that "it opens at twelve o'clock and closes at
+noon," the meaning, of course, being that there is little or no market
+left. It was recorded by Mr. Green, the noted artist, that at Ambleside
+the market was crowded by small merchants, "who were called together by
+the tinkling of a small bell. Then all was bustle and animation; joy
+beamed in every countenance, for all the traffic was for ready money, and
+every individual lived upon the produce of his labour."
+
+
+
+
+Old-Time Home Life
+
+
+There is a very great store of gossip and anecdote in existence which
+might be utilised to illustrate the picturesqueness of old-time life in
+Cumberland and Westmorland. Whether the lack of sanitary comforts,
+intellectual facilities, and of opportunities of seeing the world or of
+knowing of its doings, were counterbalanced by the freedom from care and
+the quiet humdrum lives, which were led by the majority of the people in
+the two counties, is an open question. An anecdote told in a book
+published well-nigh a century since, well illustrates the simplicity of
+life among Lakeland folk generations ago. A foreign physician, eminent in
+his profession, practiced in the neighbourhood of Keswick. He was one day
+asked by another medical man how he liked his position. "My situation," he
+replied, "is a very eligible one as a gentleman; I can enjoy every species
+of country amusement in the greatest perfection; I can hunt, shoot, and
+fish among a profusion of game of every kind; the neighbouring gentlemen,
+too, seem to vie with each other in acts of politeness. But as a
+physician I cannot say that it is so alluring to me, for the natives have
+got the art of preserving their healths and prolonging their lives without
+boluses or electuaries, by a plaster taken inwardly, called thick poddish.
+This preserves them from the various diseases which shake the human
+fabric, and makes them slide into the grave without pain by the gradual
+decay of nature."
+
+As might be supposed, a people possessing so many primitive habits, and
+whose lives were so circumscribed, had numerous peculiar contrivances in
+their homes. Some of these have been so long out of use that their purpose
+has almost passed from memory. Before the days of mineral oils, the
+general means of illumination, both in mansion and cottage, was the
+rushlight. These candles were made of the pith of rushes, dipped in melted
+tallow. They were fixed for use in an arrangement known as a "Tom
+Candlestick," which in the early years of this century were common objects
+in every village home. Mr. Anthony Whitehead, in the last edition of his
+Westmorland poems (1896), mentions a curious belief in this
+connection--that the rushes were not considered fit for use unless pulled
+at the full moon.
+
+A love of finery has seldom been a failing with the residents in the
+country districts of Cumberland and Westmorland, and especially was this
+the case before travel became easy. In the days when at the most the
+ordinary folk only saw the shops of a town on "term day"--and in a vast
+number of instances that would only occur on a few occasions in a
+lifetime--dress was of the most homely and substantial sort. "Hodden grey"
+for the men and correspondingly good wear for the females--most of it home
+made--were the ordinary fabrics. Clogs were worn at one time by all
+classes, from parson down to the poorest labourer, and even on Sundays the
+wearing of boots or shoes was often an indication of the owner being a
+person of some local consequence. The housewives had a curious method of
+preserving the stocking heels, which was probably more efficacious than
+cleanly. They took care to "smear the heels of the family's new stockings
+with melted pitch, and dipped them immediately in the ashes of turf. The
+glutinous mixture incorporated with the woollen, and altogether formed a
+compound both hard and flexible, which was well adapted to resist the
+united friction of wood and leather." The utility of clogs for certain
+purposes is undoubted, but this useful kind of footgear is apparently
+losing its popularity.
+
+There have been plenty of descriptions left--by old-time tourists and home
+historians--at various periods of the methods of life of the people, and
+they generally agree that the costumes, especially of the dales-folk, were
+picturesque. The homespun material was frequently undyed, black and white
+fleeces being mixed to save the expense of dyeing. This homely material,
+which is still made in some parts of Scotland and Ireland, has in recent
+years been pronounced by fashion to be superior, for country wear, to the
+most finished products of the steam loom; so that now the most elegant
+ladies do not disdain to wear dresses of the self-same homespun of which
+our ancestors made their "kelt coats." These coats were ornamented with
+brass buttons, as were the waistcoats, which were made open in front for
+best, in order to show a frilled shirt breast. Knee breeches were the
+fashion for centuries. They were buttoned tight round the body above the
+haunches, so as to keep up without braces. Those used for best had a knot
+of ribbon and four or five bright buttons at the knee, and those who could
+afford it, had them made of buckskin. Their stockings, which were a
+conspicuous part of the dress, were also made from their own wool, the
+colour being generally blue or grey. On their feet they wore clogs on
+ordinary occasions, but when dressed in holiday costume, they had low
+shoes fastened with buckles which were sometimes of silver.
+
+That picture is a pleasant one; the life in the home was less picturesque.
+Churches and farm houses (especially the bedrooms) had next to no
+ventilation. The sanitary--or rather insanitary--state of country places
+was deplorable, and fevers of a very fatal character were common. The
+records of the desolation wrought by some of them is melancholy. Open
+drains and sewers in immediate proximity to farm houses were very usual.
+Bedrooms very often communicated through the length of a house. This was
+economy! A passage or corridor was not required. A leading clergyman, not
+finding a casement which would open in a church where he was officiating,
+extemporized ventilation by smashing a pane of glass. In the country
+cottages and farm houses, as well as in many habitations in the towns, the
+chimneys had no flues, and were funnel-shaped, being very wide at the
+bottom and gradually contracting to the top, where they had an aperture
+of the size of an ordinary chimney, through which the smoke escaped. In
+these open chimneys, hams, legs of beef, flitches of bacon, and whole
+carcases of mutton were hung to dry for winter consumption. Clarke, in his
+"Survey," mentions having seen as many as seven carcases of mutton hanging
+in one chimney in Borrowdale, and was told that some chimneys in the vale
+contained more. Few of these old-fashioned chimneys are now to be found in
+the country.
+
+Wheat has never been grown in large quantities in Cumberland and
+Westmorland; hence the necessity in former days for oat, rye, or barley
+bread being the staple foodstuffs. Certainly the Westmorland oatmeal,
+which required to pass through many processes, and to be stored with very
+great care, was the staff of the rural households. It was used in a
+variety of ways. There was the porridge for breakfast and supper, the thin
+oatcake serving the main purposes of white bread in these days, and the
+"crowdy"--an excellent and invigorating species of soup, made by pouring
+the liquor in which beef was boiling, over oatmeal in a basin. Oatmeal
+also entered into the composition of pie-crusts and gingerbread, like the
+famous Kendal "piggin bottoms"--snaps stamped out of rolled dough by the
+iron rim which formed the external base of the wooden "piggin" or
+"biggin," a diminutive wooden tub used as a receptacle for various
+household requisites. Many good houses had either no oven or a very small
+one, and pies were baked in a huge iron pan covered all round and above
+the massive lid, too, with burning peats. Hence the contents were equally
+cooked on all sides.
+
+The extent to which flesh meat, both fresh and cured, was used two or
+three centuries ago, must have been much less per individual than is now
+the case. Leaving out of account the cost to the poor--and the mere fact
+that meat was sold for a very few pence per pound does not necessarily
+indicate that it was therefore low-priced--there was not a great quantity
+available. The art of winter fattening of sheep and cattle was unknown,
+and so artificially preserved meat had to be depended upon after
+Martinmas, or at the best between Christmas and spring. One old chronicler
+wrote:--"The supply of animal food proved inadequate to the demands of the
+community, for the fat stock, fed in autumn, being killed off by
+Christmas, very little fresh meat appeared in the markets before the
+ensuing midsummer, except veal. The substantial yeomen, as well as the
+manufacturers, provided against this inconvenience by curing a quantity of
+beef at Martinmas, the greatest part of which they pickled in brine, and
+the rest was dried in the smoke. Every family boiled a sufficient piece of
+their salt provisions on Sunday morning, and had it hot to dinner,
+frequently with the addition of an oatmeal pudding. The cold meat came day
+after day to the table so long as any of it remained, and was as often
+eaten with oat-bread alone. At the same time a wooden can, full of the
+briny liquor in which the beef had been cooked, was placed, warm and
+thickened with a little meal, before each person by way of broth. The
+stomach was encouraged in the better sort of houses to digest these
+stubborn materials by a supply of pickled red cabbage, which was prepared
+for the purpose in October or November. Hogs were slaughtered between
+Christmas and Candlemas, and converted principally into bacon, which, with
+dried beef and dried mutton, afforded a change of salt meat in the spring.
+The fresh provisions of winter consisted of eggs, poultry, geese, and
+ill-fed veal."
+
+In this connection it would be very interesting to know whether the
+provisions of the will made by Thomas Williamson on December 14th, 1674,
+are in any way carried out, or what has become of the charity. He
+bequeathed the sum of £20 to be laid out in land to be bestowed upon poor
+people, born within St. John's Chapelry, or Castlerigg, Cumberland, in
+mutton or veal, at Martinmas yearly, when flesh might be thought cheapest,
+to be by them pickled or hung up and dried, that they might have something
+to keep them within doors during stormy days.
+
+If animal flesh was dear, despite its small cost, there was some
+compensation in another way. After the salmon season commenced, great
+quantities of this modern luxury were brought from Carlisle and West
+Cumberland, and sold in other markets in the two counties. The price was
+frequently as low as a penny, and not often higher than twopence per
+pound, the lack of carriages and roads of a decent character rendering
+conveyance for long distances anything but an easy task. Then the poverty
+of the people further south offered the owners of the fish no inducements
+to carry the commodity into Lancashire. The abundance and cheapness of
+salmon seem to have been proverbial. How far the story may be true the
+writer cannot say, but it is worth while noting that a condition
+concerning apprentices in some west of England towns, is also recorded as
+applying to the Charity School at Kendal. The boys apprenticed from that
+institution were not to be compelled to dine on salmon, or on fish in
+general, oftener than three days in the week.
+
+Much worse was the condition of the labouring folk of the lower class, who
+are said to have "subsisted chiefly on porridge made of oatmeal or dressed
+barley, boiled in milk, with the addition of oat-bread, butter, onions,
+and a little salted meat occasionally." This meagre diet was probably the
+cause of the agues which were once very common, especially in the country
+districts. The disorder, to a large extent, disappeared when the culture
+of vegetables became more general, and salted provisions less essential.
+Up to 1730 potatoes were very sparingly used, and were chiefly grown near
+Kirkby Lonsdale.
+
+Many of the old stories of the curious methods of dealing with tea, before
+it became a common and indispensable article on the tables of all classes
+in this country, are obviously either untrue or exaggerated. Hence the
+veracity of the following statements, which appeared in print in
+Westmorland in the first decade of this century, is not vouched for:--"Not
+long after the introduction of potatoes, tea became a favourite beverage
+with the women, in spite of a steady opposition from the men; perhaps it
+found its way into the north in form of presents. From the method of
+preparing this foreign luxury not being generally understood, these
+presents were sometimes turned to ridiculous uses. One old lady received a
+pound of tea from her son in London, which she smoked instead of tobacco,
+and did not hesitate to prefer the weed of Virginia to the herb of China.
+Another mother converted a present of the same sort and magnitude into a
+herb pudding; that is, she boiled the tea with dressed barley, and after
+straining off the water, buttered the compound, which she endeavoured to
+render palatable with salt, but in vain, for the bitter taste was not to
+be subdued."
+
+How unfavourably the introduction of tea was regarded, by some writers at
+any rate, may be gathered from the following paragraph, which appeared in
+the _Pacquet_ of October 23rd, 1792:--"A correspondent says that in the
+neighbourhood of Greystoke, during the late harvest, added to an increase
+of wages, the female reapers had regularly their tea every afternoon, and
+the men, toast and ale. How different is this from the beef-steak
+breakfasts of old! How degenerate is the present age, and how debilitated
+may the next be!"
+
+Oat-cake and brown bread are less favoured in the two counties than was
+formerly the case, a fact which was often deplored by the late Bishop of
+Carlisle, Dr. Goodwin. It is not a little curious that two articles which
+formed the staple portions of the diet of the people from sixty to a
+hundred years ago, should now be regarded more in the nature of luxuries.
+As an example of the sparing way in which "white flour" was used, an old
+Appleby native tells a story concerning what happened at a good hostelry
+in the borough, sixty years ago, at a time when wheaten flour was very
+scarce, but butcher meat very plentiful. Among other good substantial
+things on the table was a huge meat pie, at the shilling ordinary. Just,
+however, as the "head of the table" was about to cut the crust, the waiter
+whispered to him, "Please, sir, missis says flour is so dear, ye must run
+t' knife round t' crust and lift it clean off on to my tray to do another
+time."
+
+From the remains of ancient structures it is still possible to draw good
+pictures of the way the old inhabitants passed their lives therein. The
+late Dr. M. W. Taylor by that means elaborated the story of the daily
+doings of the people, from lord to vassal, who inhabited Yanwath Hall. A
+similar picture has been presented by Mr. J. F. Curwen in his monograph on
+Levens Hall "in the bygone":--
+
+"Just within would be the raised dais, with its flanking window bay, and
+the long table, at the higher side of which the lord with his family and
+any distinguished guests took their meals, whilst on the floor below those
+of an inferior rank were seated at tables ranging along each side of the
+room. At the opposite, or western, end, the oaken screens, nine and a half
+feet high, extended across the full width, dividing off the heck or
+passage, from which opened out the kitchen, buttery, and other offices,
+and from over which the musicians in the minstrels' gallery would on all
+occasions of more than ordinary importance enliven the feast with their
+melody. This hall was also used for the transaction of business between
+the lord and his vassals, for here he would hold his royalty court,
+receiving their suit and service, and administer justice according to the
+powers granted to him by the Crown. At night time the retainers would
+huddle together on the thickly strewn rushes in the middle of the floor,
+around the fire and its convolving wreaths of smoke ascending to the open
+lantern in the roof. For it must be remembered that chimneys were not
+introduced into England, except to a few castles, until the fifteenth
+century, about the time when the Redemans would be transferring Levens to
+Alan Bellingham."
+
+With chimneys came new taxes, and some of them were not only keenly
+resented, but evaded as openly as was possible. The people seem to have
+had a special dislike to the tax of two shillings a year which was passed
+in the twelfth year of Charles the Second, for that was a heavy sum,
+having regard to the value of money then. Among the manuscripts preserved
+at Rydal Hall, Westmorland, by the le Flemings, are a great many
+references to this tax. There were schemes for substituting other imposts,
+as appears by a sentence contained in a letter (May 10th, 1669) by Daniel
+Fleming, Rydal, to Joseph Williamson, who had just purchased the estate of
+Winderwath, near Temple Sowerby:--"There are rumours one while that the
+Scots are up in armes, another while that bishops and dean and chapter
+lands will be sold, or annext to the crowne in the place of the excise and
+hearth money, and bishops to be maintained by sallaries out of the
+exchequer."
+
+Another document is from the Lords Commissioners to the justices of the
+peace in the Barony of Kendal, concerning the collection of the hearth
+tax, and an item in a news-letter of April, 1671, says, "This day the Lord
+Treasurer received proposals for the farm of the hearth money; those who
+propose to keep it as it was, advancing only £100,000, are to make a new
+offer." During the following summer another came "from the Court at
+Whitehall" to the justices of the peace for Westmorland, "Cautioning them
+against allowing exemptions from hearth money too readily. They should
+consider firstly who are they whom the law intends to be exempted. Then
+they should appoint petty sessions for the signing of certificates at such
+times and places that the royal officers may attend and be heard. It
+cannot be supposed that the law intends to oblige the justices to allow
+whatsoever shall be offered them without examining the truth thereof." A
+news-letter of April 23rd, 1674, gives an idea of the extent of the tax
+in the following sentence:--"This day the farm of the hearth money was
+made and let to Mr. Anslem, Mr. Perry, and Mr. Buckley, at £151,000 per
+annum, and £25,000 advance, commencing at Michaelmas next."
+
+Some of the entries are of special interest to Cumberland and Westmorland.
+Thus in a letter to Daniel Fleming on January 8th, 1674-5, Robert Joplin,
+writing from Kendal, "apologises for writing as he had not been able to
+wait upon him. Has been seven weeks in the country, and surveyed and taken
+account of all the hearths in most of the market towns of this county, and
+in Cumberland. Had always behaved with all civility. If he will have the
+duplicates of the surveys made they will be handed in at the next
+sessions." A week later Robert Joplin and Richard Bell, the collectors of
+the hearth tax, report to the justices of Kendal: "Have surveyed most of
+the market towns in the two counties, levying the tax of 2s. on every fire
+hearth. Would not proceed to distrain without the justices' permission.
+Some refuse to pay because they were not charged before. All kitchens and
+beerhouses refuse on the same pretence. Many hearths have been made up,
+most of them lately. We trust that the justices will be very careful in
+giving certificates."
+
+A few days afterwards Nathaniel Johnson, another collector of the tax,
+writes from Newcastle to Daniel Fleming that he "does not think the
+determination of the justices to proceed in the matter of the hearth money
+under the old survey, until the new is perfected, is consistent with the
+law; nevertheless he will yield to their opinion." Johnson proves to be a
+difficult official with whom to deal, and he writes to Fleming in July,
+"Remonstrating against the conduct of the Kendal magistrates in the matter
+of the hearth money. It has been already decided that smiths' hearths are
+liable. The practice of walling up hearths in a temporary manner is
+plainly fraudulent. The magistrates ought not to countenance such things,
+nor refuse the evidence of officials engaged in this business, for of
+course none other can be made. May reluctantly be compelled to appeal
+against their proceedings."
+
+These and similar protests did not appear to have much effect, though
+frequently repeated, and ten years later came an order from the Lord High
+Treasurer to the Clerk of the Peace of the county of Lancaster, to be
+communicated to the justices, in view of the difficulties raised by them
+in the collection of the hearth money: "The duty is to be levied on empty
+houses, smiths' forges, innkeepers' and bakers' ovens, on landlords for
+tenements let to persons exempt on account of poverty, on private persons
+where there is a hearth and oven in one chimney. The duty may be levied on
+the goods of landlords and tenants which are not on the premises whereon
+the duty arises."
+
+There is a rather amusing reference to the subject in a letter sent by
+William Fleming to his brother Roger Fleming, at Coniston Hall: "Tell the
+constable the same hearth man is coming again. Tell him to be as kind as
+his conscience will permit to his neighbours, and play the fool no more.
+The priest and he doth not know how happy they are."
+
+The means available, in bygone days, for quenching fire were, everywhere
+in the two counties, of a most primitive character. In March, 1657, the
+Corporation of Kendal decreed, as there had "happened of late within this
+borough great loss and damage by fire," and the Corporation had not fit
+instruments and materials for speedy subduing of the flames, that the
+Mayor and Alderman should each provide two leathern buckets, and each
+burgess one such bucket, before May 1st following, the penalty being a
+fine of 6s. 8d. in the case of the leading men, and half that amount for
+default on the part of others.
+
+
+
+
+Sports and Festivities.
+
+
+It is almost impossible to separate the sports of the Cumberland and
+Westmorland people from the festivals, inasmuch as some of the pastimes
+were prominent items in gatherings even of a semi-religious character.
+Wrestling, that finest of North-Country exercises, has been practically
+killed by the competition of other athletic games, but more than all by
+the "barneying" so often practised by the wrestlers. To this cause must be
+ascribed the fall of the "mother ring" at Carlisle, and the disfavour into
+which the sport has dropped in all parts of the two counties, albeit the
+Grasmere exhibitions are still kept up to a fair standard of honesty. For
+centuries it was the greatest amusement of fellsider, dalesman, and town
+dweller, and it was no uncommon thing for men to walk, in the pre-railway
+days, twenty miles to a wrestling meeting. Pure love of sport must have
+been the motive, because the prize usually consisted only of a belt of the
+value of from ten shillings to a sovereign--often much less--and a small
+sum of money which would now be looked at with contempt even when offered
+by way of "expenses." The men whose prowess gained them more than local
+fame were often almost perfect specimens of what athletes should be at
+their respective weights, and their skill cannot be approached by any of
+the medium and light weights now in the ring. For several other reasons
+the sport is entitled--unfortunately so--to be classed among things
+belonging to the bygone, and to the next generation wrestling, as
+understood at the Melmerby and Langwathby Rounds fifty years ago, will be
+unknown.
+
+Clergymen have often been included among the best wrestlers of their time,
+especially in West Cumberland, though some who as young men were noted for
+their prowess in this direction gave up this sport when they took holy
+orders. William Litt, whose name will always have a place in local
+sporting annals through his book, "Wrestliana," was intended for the
+Church. His tastes were so obviously in other directions that the plan had
+to be abandoned, and he developed into one of the finest wrestlers of his
+time. The Rev. G. Wilkinson, Vicar of Arlecdon, and the Rev. O. Littleton,
+Vicar of Buttermere, were also ardent followers of the sport; while the
+Rev. A. Brown, Egremont, and the inventor of the "chip" known as
+buttocking, was described as one of the best exponents of the old game to
+be found in the north of England.
+
+A sporting custom peculiar to the two counties--for the nobleman most
+concerned has immense possessions in each--is the race for the Burgh
+Barony Cup. The meeting has been well described as "a singular old-world
+institution, one of a number of antiquated customs mixed up with the land
+laws." The races are held to celebrate the "reign" of a new Lord Lonsdale,
+consequently no earl ever sees more than one--at least when he is the head
+of the family. The last meeting on Burgh Marsh was in March, 1883, when
+the arrangements were on a royal scale, thousands of persons being
+present, an enormous number of them as the guests of his lordship.
+Wrestling formed an important part of the proceedings during the two days,
+but the central item was the race for the cup. The competitors were
+confined to animals owned by free or customary tenants within the Barony,
+and the winner of the hundred guineas trophy was greeted with frantic
+cheering.
+
+Carlisle possesses a unique racing relic. The "horse courses" were
+formerly held on Kingmoor, and the "Carlisle bells" were doubtless prized
+as much in their day as the stakes for £10,000 are now. The articles
+frequently figure in the Municipal Records as the Horse and Nage Bells,
+and were for a long time lost, being ultimately found in an old box in the
+Town Clerk's office. Mr. Llewellyn Jewitt, F.S.A., some twenty years ago
+gave this description of the relics: "The racing bells are globular in
+form, with slits at the bottom, as is usual in bells of that class. The
+loose ball which would originally lie in the inside, so as to produce the
+sound, has disappeared. The largest, which is two and a quarter inches in
+diameter, is of silver gilt, and bears on a band round its centre the
+inscription [each word being separated by a cross]:
+
+  + THE + SWEFTES + HORSE + THES +
+            BEL + TO + TAK
+  + FOR + MI + LADE + DAKER + SAKE
+
+This lady was probably Elizabeth, daughter of George Talbot, fourth Earl
+of Shrewsbury, and wife of William, Lord Dacre of Gilsland, who was
+Governor of Carlisle in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The other bell, also
+of silver, is smaller in size, and bears the initials H.B.M.C. (Henry
+Baines, Mayor of Carlisle), 1559. On Shrove Tuesday Kingmoor became a
+busy scene, and the contests created much excitement among the freemen and
+others. The bell was not an uncommon prize, either in horse-racing or
+cock-fighting, and was held by the victor, as challenge cups and shields
+are at the present day, from one year to another, or from one race to
+another. To win this race was of course a mark of honour, and gave rise to
+the popular expression of 'to bear away the bell.' At York the racing
+prize in 1607 was a small golden bell, and the Corporation Records of
+Chester about 1600 show that in that city a silver bell was given to be
+raced for on the Roodee; but I am not aware that any of them are now in
+existence. Probably the Carlisle examples are unique."
+
+
+[Illustration: CARLISLE RACING BELLS.]
+
+
+There are many other evidences that racing has for several centuries been
+a favourite pastime with the people of Cumberland and Westmorland. The
+race meetings seem to have been made occasions for county gatherings of
+other kinds, and especially for cock-fights--a sport which has not yet
+entirely died out. The following advertisement of Penrith races in 1769,
+which appeared in the _St. James's Chronicle_ for that year, may be quoted
+as an example of many others, relating not only to Penrith but to other
+towns in the two counties:--
+
+    _Penrith Races, 1769._
+
+    To be run for, on Wednesday, the 24th of May, 1769, on the new Race
+    Ground at Penrith, Cumberland.
+
+    Fifty Pounds, by any four Years old Horse, Mare, or Gelding, carrying
+    8st. 7lb. Two-mile Heats.
+
+    On Thursday, the 25th, Fifty Pounds, by any Horse, &c., five Years
+    old, carrying 9st. Three-mile Heats.
+
+    On Friday, the 26th, Fifty Pounds, by any five, six Years old, and
+    Aged Horse, &c. Five-year Olds to carry 8st. 3lb. Six-year Olds 9st.,
+    and Aged 9st 8lb. Four-mile Heats.
+
+    All Horses, etc., that run for the above Plates, to be entered at the
+    Market Cross on Saturday, the 20th Day of May, between the Hours of
+    Three and Six o'Clock in the Afternoon. The Owner of each Horse, &c.,
+    to subscribe and pay Three Guineas at the Time of Enterance towards
+    the Races, and Two Shillings and Six-pence for the Clerk of the Race.
+
+    Certificates of each Horse, &c., to be produced at the Time of
+    Enterance. Three reputed running Horses, &c., to enter and start for
+    each of the above Plates, or no Race.
+
+    If only one Horse, &c., enters, to receive Ten Pounds, if two Fifteen
+    between them, and their Subscription paid at the time of Enterance
+    returned.
+
+    All the above Plates to be run for in the royal Manner, and any
+    Dispute that may arise to be determined by the Stewards, or whom they
+    shall appoint.
+
+    The several Plates will be paid without any Deduction or Perquisite.
+
+                 {CHARLES HOWARD, jun., Esq.
+        Stewards.{
+                 {ANDREW WHELPDALE, Esq.
+
+    [pointing hand] A Cock Main, Ordinaries, and Assemblies, as usual.
+
+Not less interesting than the foregoing announcement is the report of the
+event. There was never much attempt at descriptions, either of races or
+cock-fights, though one would like to know the names of the gentlemen
+indicated in this closing paragraph of the report: "At this Meeting a Main
+of Cocks was fought between the Gentlemen of Cumberland, David Smith,
+Feeder, and the Gentlemen of Westmoreland, Thomas Bownas, Feeder, which
+consisted of 21 Battles, 16 whereof were won by the former, and 5 by the
+latter; and of the 15 Bye-Battles Smith won 6, and Bownas 9."
+
+Dalston was long the headquarters of cock-fighting in Cumberland--"Dalston
+Black-reeds" are still spoken of as the best birds of the kind in the
+world. There is a tradition to the effect that cock-fighting was once
+carried on at Rose Castle, in the parish of Dalston, but the Rev. J.
+Wilson[17] took particular pains to disprove the assertion. Against that
+must be put the following sentence which appeared in _Good Words_ for
+December, 1894: "One curious adjunct to an episcopal residence, speaking
+loudly of the change of manners and the amelioration of tastes, is the
+cock-pit, where matches are said to have been at one time fought for the
+amusement of the Bishop and his friends." The favourite day for
+cock-fights was Shrove Tuesday.
+
+Cock-fighting was far from being the only barbarous sport enjoyed by the
+people of the northern counties. Bull-baiting and badger-baiting were
+probably never more popular than at the time when they were prohibited by
+law in 1835. There is still the bull ring at Appleby, and the spectators'
+gallery was removed within living memory. At Kirkoswald and several other
+market-places in the two counties the rings are still firmly fixed to
+which the bulls were tethered during the baiting process. Mr. W. Wilson,
+in his brochure on "Old Social Life in Cumberland," says: "In Keswick a
+large iron ring was formerly fixed in a stone block in the market-place;
+this was called the bull ring, and to this a bull, previous to being
+slaughtered, was fastened by the ring in its nose, and then baited and
+bitten by savage dogs amid dreadful bellowing till the poor beast was
+almost covered with foam, and quite exhausted. Great excitement prevailed
+when a bull was being baited, and large numbers assembled to witness the
+sport. On such occasions the market-place at Keswick was crowded, and
+many in order to obtain a good view, might be seen sitting on the roofs of
+the adjoining houses. Beyond the excitement which the exhibition produced
+among the spectators, the system was thought to be of great value in
+improving the quality of the beef, an aged bull being especially tough
+unless well baited before slaughtering. When the flesh of a bull was
+exposed for sale, it was the rule in Keswick and probably elsewhere, to
+burn candles during the day on the stall on which the meat was exposed for
+sale, in order that customers might be aware of the quality of the meat
+sold there." In some other places in the two counties the penalty for
+killing and selling an unbaited bull was 6s. 8d.
+
+For a very long period archery was practised in Cumberland and Westmorland
+not only as a means of defence and attack, but also as a recreation. The
+numerous places called "Butts," or bearing synonymous names, indicate that
+few towns neglected to set apart a shooting ground. In his "Survey of the
+Lakes" Clarke blamed the severity of the game laws for keeping up skill in
+archery amongst the poachers in the forests of the north-western counties.
+He added: "It was this that produced so many noted archers and outlaws in
+the forest of Englewood as well as that of Sherwood. For not to mention
+Adam Bell and his partners, tradition still preserves the names of Watty
+of Croglin, Woodhead Andrew, Robin O'th'Moor's Gruff Elleck (Alexander),
+and of several others as of persons distinguished in that line even
+amongst the people who were almost to a man of the same stamp. Besides, as
+their squabbles and the subsequent maraudings made the skill thus acquired
+at times absolutely necessary to the inhabitants on each side of the
+boundary, we may easily conclude that a necessity of this kind,
+continually kept alive, must produce no small degree of dexterity.
+
+"Whoever will consider the circumstances of the battles which were then
+fought, will find that wherever the ground or circumstances favoured the
+archer for a number of regular discharges, they generally produced such a
+confusion, particularly amongst the enemy's horse, as gave the men-at-arms
+of their own party an opportunity of easily completing it. I need cite no
+further particulars of this than the battle of Homildon, when the forces
+of the Northern Marches encountered the gallant Archibald, Earl of
+Douglas; the men-at-arms stood still that day, and the bowmen had the
+whole business upon their hands. It is recorded that no armour could
+resist their arrows, though that of Earl Douglas and his associates had
+been three years in making. It would seem, indeed, that the Scots excelled
+in the use of the spear, and (excepting the Borderers) neglecting the bow;
+since one of their own kings is thought to have recommended its more
+general use by ridiculing their imperfect management of it."
+
+The Kendal bowmen celebrated the prowess of their fore-elders of the same
+name by establishing a competition and festival for September 9th in each
+year. It was on that day in 1513 that the Kendal bowmen were particularly
+distinguished in the battle of Flodden Field. The prizes shot for every
+year were a silver arrow and a medal, the members appearing in a uniform
+of green, with arrow buttons; the cape green velvet with silver arrow; the
+waistcoat and breeches buff, and the shooting jacket was of green and
+white striped cotton.
+
+Whitehaven also had its Society of Archers, and in 1790 had a medal
+designed by Smirke as a trophy for competition. On one side were the
+bugle-horn, quiver, and bow, above them being the words, "Per Has
+Victoriam," and underneath the three place-names, "Poictiers," "Cressy,"
+and "Agincourt." On the reverse was the name of the shooting ground,
+Parton Green, and the date, while round the edge were the words,
+"Captain's Medal, Cumberland Archers."
+
+The Kendal "Boke of Recorde" contains several references to the pastimes
+of Westmerians from two to three centuries ago. On one occasion it was
+ordered by the Corporation "That whosoever do play at the football in the
+street and break any windows, shall forfeit upon view thereof by the Mayor
+or one of the Aldermen in the ward where the fault is committed the sum of
+12d. for every time every party, and 3s. 4d. for every window by the same
+broken, and to be committed till it be paid, the constable looke to it to
+present it presently at every Court day." That knur and spell, the game so
+popular still in Yorkshire, was once a favourite pastime in Kendal is
+attested by the following entry, dated April, 1657: "It is ordered by the
+Court that all such persons, inhabitants within this borough, above the
+age of twelve years, that hereafter shall play in the streets at a game
+commonly called Kattstick and Bullvett shall forfeit and incur the penalty
+of 12d. for every offence, to be levied of their goods, and where they
+have no goods to be imprisoned two hours."
+
+The somewhat questionable glories of Workington Easter football play have
+passed away, partly in consequence of the occupation of a portion of the
+playing ground by railways and works, and not less because of a change of
+feeling. How long these Easter Tuesday matches between "Uppies" and
+"Downeys" have gone on no man can tell. Half a century ago it was reported
+in the _Pacquet_ that the game in 1849 "was played with all the vigour of
+former days, from times beyond 'the memory of the oldest inhabitant.'" The
+goals are about a mile apart, one being a capstan at the harbour, and the
+other the park wall of Workingham Hall. There are no rules except those
+suggested by cunning and skill, while brute force is of the greatest
+importance. If the ball is "haled" over the park wall a sovereign is given
+by the owner of the estate to the winners, and of course it is spent in
+liquor. The players sometimes number hundreds, and thousands of people
+attend as spectators.
+
+In several places in the two counties "mock mayors" were annually elected,
+and the occasion at Wreay was marked by somewhat uncommon festivities.
+The Rev. A. R. Hall, Vicar of the parish, in a lecture delivered some time
+ago, gave an account of these Shrovetide observances, which made the
+village famous in its way. Up to 1790 the chief feature was a great
+cock-fight, managed by the boys at school. A hunt of harriers subsequently
+took the place of the cock-fight, this being followed by a public dinner,
+and the election of the mayor. Sometimes this functionary belonged to
+Wreay, and sometimes came from Carlisle; in the latter case, those who
+wished to keep up the due dignity of the office chartered a coach-and-four
+for the accommodation of their friends. Racing and jumping were features
+in the sports, the prizes for which were hats. The old silver bell used to
+ornament the mayor's wand of office. In 1872, unfortunately, the bell was
+stolen, and Wreay lost this relic, which had been connected for 217 years
+with its Shrovetide festivities. In 1880 the hunt and the election of
+mayor both came to an end.
+
+Befitting its importance in the calendar, Christmas seems to have always
+held the first place in popularity among the holidays and festivals of the
+year. In the summer season Whitsuntide--which marks the end of one term of
+farm service--was the most popular. At Christmas "the treat circulated
+from house to house, and every table was decorated in succession with a
+profusion of dishes, including all the pies and puddings then in use. Ale
+possets also constituted a favourite part of the festive suppers, and were
+given to strangers for breakfast before the introduction of tea. They were
+served in bowls, called doublers, into which the company dipped their
+spoons promiscuously; for the simplicity of the times had not yet seen the
+necessity of accommodating each guest with a basin or soup plate. The
+posset cup shone as an article of finery in the better sort of houses; it
+consisted of pewter, and was furnished with two, three, or more lateral
+pipes, through which the liquid part of the compound might be sucked by
+those who did not choose the bread. This plentiful repast was moistened
+with a copious supply of malt liquor, which the guests drank out of horns
+and the wooden cans already mentioned. The aged sat down to cards and
+conversation for the better part of the night, while the young men amused
+the company with exhibitions of maskers, amongst whom the clown was the
+conspicuous character; or parties of rapier-dancers displayed their
+dexterity in the sportive use of the small-sword. In the meantime the
+youth of both sexes romped and gambolled promiscuously, or sat down not
+unfrequently to hunt the rolling-pin."
+
+The Gowrie Plot is brought to mind by a record in the Greystoke books that
+is unusually quaint in its style: "1603, August, ffrydaye the v{th} day
+was comnded for to be keapt holy daye yearely from cessation of laybour
+w{th} gyvinge of thanks for the kyngs most excelent matye for his ma{tyes}
+p'servation and deliverance from the Crewell Conspiracie practized against
+his mat{ies} pson in Scotland that v{th} daye of August, 1600." Three
+years sufficed for this celebration; then Gunpowder Plot came in for
+notice, as is seen from an item dated November 5th, 1606: "The sayde daye
+was Kenges holy day, and one sermon by M{r} pson the xi Isaie 2 verse."
+The chronicler followed this registration of his text by a list of the
+names of the chief people in the parish who attended the service.
+
+The shearing days used to be high festivals on the fells and in the dales
+of both counties. Now the gatherings have been deprived of some of their
+most characteristic features; and even the chairing is almost forgotten.
+Richardson's chapter on "Auld Fashint Clippins and Sec Like," in
+"Stwories at Ganny uset to Tell," relates how the chairing used to be
+done. The song, once an indispensable item in the programme, may now and
+again be heard, lustily shouted by the dalesmen. After declaring that "the
+shepherd's health--it shall go round," the chorus continues:
+
+  "Heigh O! Heigh O! Heigh O!
+  And he that doth this health deny,
+  Before his face I him defy.
+  He's fit for no good company,
+  So let this health go round."
+
+The coronation of a monarch was invariably made the occasion for
+merry-making by the consumption of much ale by the common folk, especially
+by bell-ringers and others who could have the score discharged by the
+churchwardens. There is such an entry in the Crosthwaite books relating to
+the coronation of George the First. In 1821, November 5th, there was
+"spent in ale at Nicholas Graves 5s." This worthy who was parish clerk at
+Crosthwaite for fifty-six years, was also the owner of a public-house in
+the town, and among his other qualifications was that of being will-maker
+for many of the inhabitants. At Penrith, Kendal, Carlisle, and many other
+places the church bells were set ringing, bonfires lighted, and ale
+barrels tapped--usually at the expense of the churchwardens--on very small
+provocation.
+
+Among other festivals now no longer observed, and probably forgotten, was
+that known as Brough Holly Night. In a little pamphlet published between
+thirty and forty years ago the following note on the subject was printed,
+but the writer has been unable to ascertain when the custom was last seen
+in the old Westmorland town: "On Twelfth Night, at Brough, the very
+ancient custom of carrying the holly-tree through the town is observed.
+There are two or three inns in the town which provide for the ceremony
+alternately, though the townspeople lend a hand to prepare the tree, to
+every branch of which a torch composed of greased rushes is affixed. About
+eight o'clock in the evening the tree is taken to a convenient part of the
+town, where the torches are lighted, the town band accompanying and
+playing till all is completed, when it is carried up and down the town,
+preceded by the band and the crowd who have now formed in procession. Many
+of the inhabitants carry lighted branches and flambeaus, and rockets,
+squibs, etc., are discharged on the occasion. After the tree has been thus
+paraded, and the torches are nearly burnt out, it is taken to the middle
+of the town, where, amidst the cheers and shouts of the multitude, it is
+thrown among them. Then begins a scene of noise and confusion, for the
+crowd, watching the opportunity, rush in and cling to the branches, the
+contention being to bear it to the rival inns, 'sides' having been formed
+for that purpose; the reward being an ample allowance of ale, etc., to the
+successful competitors. The landlord derives his benefit from the numbers
+the victory attracts, and a fiddler being all ready, a merry night, as it
+is called here, is got up, the lads and lasses dancing away till morning."
+
+There were once many wells and springs in the two counties which were held
+in more than common regard by the inhabitants, and corresponded to the
+Holy Wells of other districts. Between sixty and seventy years ago this
+was written of a custom once common at Skirsgill, about a mile from
+Penrith: "Upon the sloping lawn is a remarkably fine spring; its water is
+pure and sparkling, and was formerly held in such veneration that the
+peasantry resorted to it, and held an annual fair round its margin. In
+descending a flight of stone steps, you perceive inside a drinking cup,
+and over the door-top, neatly cut in stone, the form of a water jug."
+Cumberland is said to have had nearly thirty Holy Wells, and of one of
+these Mr. Hope tells us[18] that "The Holy Well near Dalston, Cumberland,
+was the scene of religious rites on stipulated occasions, usually Sundays.
+The villagers assembled and sought out the good spirit of the well, who
+was 'supposed to teach its votaries the virtues of temperance, health,
+cleanliness, simplicity, and love.'"
+
+The various well festivals in the Penrith district have all passed away,
+as has a once popular gathering of another kind, known as Giant's Cave
+Sunday. The assemblies were at "the hoary caves of Eamont," about three
+miles from Penrith, and the late Rev. B. Porteus, then Vicar of Edenhall,
+wrote of them nearly forty years ago: "The picnics are of frequent
+occurrence at this picturesque and romantic spot; and have been
+occasionally patronised by special culinary demonstrations by the
+hospitable proprietor of the estate. Giant's Cave Sunday is still
+observed, but the custom has dwindled into insignificance, the 'shaking
+bottles' carried by the children at that season being the only remains of
+what it has been. But it affords a pleasant walk to the people of
+Penrith, as it has probably done since the time when the caves were the
+residence of a holy man."
+
+Among the festivities now to be numbered among bygone things must be
+mentioned the Levens Radish Feast, which had much more than a local fame.
+In the time of Colonel Grahme there was great rivalry between the houses
+of Dallam Tower and Levens. The former once invited every person who
+attended Milnthorpe Fair to partake of the good cheer provided in the
+park, a piece of hospitality which irritated the Colonel very much. As a
+consequence, the following year when the Mayor and Corporation of Kendal
+went to proclaim the fair, he took them to Levens, and provided such a
+royal entertainment that the civic fathers gladly accepted the invitation
+for succeeding years. The fair sex were rigidly excluded. Long tables were
+placed on the bowling green, and spread with oat bread, butter, radishes,
+and "morocco," a kind of strong beer, for which the Hall was famed. After
+the feast came the "colting" of new visitors, and various amusements that
+are better to read about than witness.
+
+
+[Illustration: LEVENS HALL.--_Front View._]
+
+
+
+
+On the Road.
+
+
+Few parts of England could have been so inaccessible as were Cumberland
+and Westmorland prior to the middle of the last century. Roads were
+scarce, unless the dignity of the name be given to the rough tracks which
+served for the passage of pack-horses, and even these did not reach a
+great number, having regard to the area which they served. There was
+little to call the people away from home, to London and other great
+centres of industry. The journey from the north to the Metropolis was such
+a great undertaking that men who had any possessions to leave behind them
+almost invariably made their wills before starting out. The richer sort,
+of course, rode their horses, and an interesting account of the journey
+was left by Henry Curwen, of Workington Hall, as to his trip to London in
+1726. The most accessible route was very roundabout--by Penrith,
+Stainmore, Barnard Castle, York, and so through the eastern counties. This
+journey on horseback occupied thirteen days, including four which were
+utilised for visiting friends on the way. The roads he described as being
+very bad, and a ride of thirty-two miles he declared to be equal to fifty
+measured miles.
+
+People with fewer guineas to spare had of necessity to walk.
+"Manufacturers made their wills, and settled their worldly affairs, before
+taking a long journey, and many of them travelled on foot to London and
+other places, to sell their goods, which were conveyed on the backs of
+pack-horses."[19] Even more recently pedestrian excursions from Mid
+Cumberland to London have been undertaken; there was the well-known case
+of Mally Messenger, who died in August, 1856, at the age of ninety-three
+years. Several times before she attained middle age Mally walked to London
+and back to Keswick, a distance of 286 miles in each direction. On one
+occasion she was passed by a Keswick man on horseback, who by way of a
+parting message remarked, "Good-day, Mally; I'll tell them in Keswick
+you're coming." The pedestrian, however, was the better traveller, for she
+often used to boast afterwards that she reached Keswick first.
+
+When old-time Bamptonians wanted to see the Metropolis they could not go
+to Shap or Penrith and thence be carried by excursions for considerably
+under a sovereign. This is how the vicar went on foot in 1697, as recorded
+in the parish registers: "Feb. the 7 did Mr. Knott set forward for London,
+got to Barking to Mr. Blamyres, Friday, March the fourth, to London March
+the seaventh, remained there 8 weekes and 2 dayes, came out May the 5,
+1698, gott to Bampton Grainge, May the 20, at night."
+
+Even apart from the perils which beset travellers during the times of the
+Border forays, there were many things which must have restrained the
+average Cumbrian and Westmerian from wandering far abroad. To those who
+were obliged to walk or ride far, the old hospitals must have been very
+welcome institutions. One of these, of which all traces have long been
+lost, was the hospital on the desolate and remote fells of Caldbeck. "Out
+of Westmorland and the east parts of Cumberland there lying an highway
+through Caldbeck into the west of Cumberland, it was anciently very
+dangerous for passengers to travel through it, who were often robbed by
+thieves that haunted those woody parts and mountains. Thereupon Ranulph
+Engain, the chief forester of Englewood, granted licence to the Prior of
+Carlisle to build an hospital for the relief of distressed travellers who
+might happen to be troubled by those thieves, or prejudiced by the snows
+or storms in winter." The Prior made the enclosure, and doubtless the
+hospice was a boon to many a wayfarer; the population increased, a church
+was established, and in the time of King John, the hospital being
+dissolved, the property of the secular institution was handed over to the
+Church, and to this day the manor is known as Kirkland. The need for
+former protection of the kind is still preserved in a landmark in the
+parish, "the Hawk," or as the local pronunciation has it, "Howk." This
+grotto was a noted meeting-place for thieves.
+
+Even the King's Judges were not exempted from the perils of the road.
+Hutchinson's description of Brampton says that "The judges, with the whole
+body of barristers, attorneys, clerks, and serving men, rode on horseback
+from Newcastle to Carlisle, armed and escorted by a strong guard under the
+command of the sheriffs. It was necessary to carry provisions, for the
+country was a wilderness which afforded no supplies. The spot where the
+cavalcade halted to dine, under an immense oak, is not yet forgotten. The
+irregular vigour with which criminal justice was administered shocked
+observers whose lives had been passed in more tranquil districts. Juries,
+animated by hatred, and by a sense of common danger, convicted
+house-breakers and cattle-stealers with the promptitude of a court-martial
+in a mutiny; and convicts were hurried by scores to the gallows."
+
+Even taxes did not, it is to be feared, prevent some of the Cumbrians
+occasionally throwing in their lot with, or assisting, the vagabonds who
+were the cause of all the trouble. "It was often found impossible to track
+the robbers to their retreats among the hills and morasses, for the
+geography of that wild country was very imperfectly known. Even after the
+accession of George the Third, the path over the fells from Borrowdale to
+Ravenglass was still a secret carefully kept by the dalesman, some of whom
+had probably in their youth escaped from justice by the road." Such is the
+record which may be gathered from Gray's "Journal of a Tour in the Lakes"
+in 1769.
+
+Coach travelling was an expensive luxury, and those who undertook the
+journeys between London and the north did not do so solely for pleasure.
+From an advertisement, nearly a column in length, which appeared in the
+London _Star_ at the end of 1795 the following is taken:--
+
+        SARACEN'S HEAD INN.
+        SNOW-HILL, LONDON.
+        SAFE, EASY, AND EXPEDITIOUS TRAVELLING.
+        With every accommodation that can lessen the fatigue,
+        or add to the pleasure of the Journey, to
+        most parts of England and the
+        Principal Towns in Scotland,
+        by the following
+        NEW AND ELEGANT COACHES:
+
+    Carlisle and Penrith rapid Post Coach, goes with four horses, and a
+    guard all the way, passes through Brough, Appleby, Gretabridge,
+    Richmond, Catterick, Boroughbridge, Wetherby, Alberford, Doncaster,
+    and Grantham (the nearest way by 18 miles) sets out every morning, and
+    performs the journey with the greatest ease and convenience.
+    Passengers desirous to stop on the road, have the advantage of their
+    seats being secured in the next Coach (with only six Coachmen).
+
+    WILLIAM MOUNTAIN and CO. respectfully acquaint their Friends and the
+    Public that, still emulous to deserve as well as preserve their
+    invaluable esteem, they have provided Lamps and Guards, that travel
+    throughout with all the above Coaches.
+
+    N.B. The Proprietors of the above Coaches from the above inn, will not
+    be accountable for any Parcel, Luggage, Goods, &c., of more value than
+    Five Pounds (if lost) unless entered as such and paid for accordingly.
+
+An earlier advertisement which appeared in the Cumberland newspapers of
+1775 shows that the journey to London was done in three days, at a cost
+of £3 10s. per passenger. The notice ran:--
+
+    "Carlisle Post Coach.--In Three Days for London.--Sets out from the
+    Bush Inn, Carlisle, every Sunday evening, at seven o'clock precisely,
+    by way of Burrowbridge, being well known to the public to be the
+    nearest and best road to London (and is also calculated for more ease
+    and satisfaction to the passengers than any other coach). It also sets
+    out from the Bell and Crown, Holborn, every Wednesday evening, at
+    eight o'clock. Each inside passenger from Carlisle to London to pay £3
+    10s. From the George Inn, Penrith, £3 7s. 6d., and threepence per mile
+    for all passengers taken up on the road. Each passenger to be allowed
+    14lb. luggage; all above to pay 4d. per pound; small parcels at 3s.
+    each.... Performed by J. Garthwaite and Co."
+
+Locomotion was still more difficult and costly in the early part of the
+seventeenth century. In the Household Books of Naworth, extending from
+1612 to 1640, are found such significant entries as the following:--"March
+22, 1626. Hewing a way for the coach beyond Gelt Bridge, 2s. 3d." On one
+occasion, Sir Francis Howard, being sick, hired a coach for his journey
+from London to Bowes, which cost £18. Lord William Howard's journeys to
+London were always taken on horseback, and he was generally ten or twelve
+days on the road, the travelling expenses varying, according to the number
+of his retinue and the direction of the route taken. A journey by way of
+Shiffnal and Lydney occupied eleven days, and cost £30 7s. 1d.; whilst the
+expenses of another, from Thornthwaite to London with twenty-four men and
+twelve horses in his train, came to £20 15s. 4d.
+
+In addition to the coaches, people often travelled by what were termed
+"expeditious wagons," which carried goods. One notice dated November 24th,
+1790, concerning these vehicles may be quoted:--
+
+    "In ten days from Carlisle to London, and the same in return by way of
+    York every week. Messrs. Handleys respectfully inform their friends
+    and the public in general that they have erected stage waggons which
+    leave Carlisle early on Tuesday morning and arrive at York on Thursday
+    night, and Leeds on Saturday morning (where goods for all parts in the
+    south are regularly forwarded by the respective carriers), arrive at
+    the White Bear, Bassinghall Street, on Friday night, and set out every
+    Monday morning, and arrive at and leave York on Tuesday morning,
+    Bedal, Richmond, Barnard Castle, Burgh, Appleby, Penrith, and arrive
+    at Carlisle on Friday evening, where goods are immediately forwarded
+    to Wigton, Cockermouth, Workington, Whitehaven, and any other place in
+    Cumberland; also to Annan, Dumfries, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and
+    all other principal towns in Scotland. They hope by their attention
+    to business to merit the favours of all those who please to employ
+    them. N.B.--Their waggon leaves Sheffield on Saturday, and Leeds on
+    Monday. For further particulars apply to Robert Wilson, book-keeper,
+    or J. Birkett, innkeeper, Carlisle."
+
+A writer in 1812, on the manners and customs of the people of Westmorland
+during the preceding century, stated that wheel carriages were very little
+used for private intercourse or trade; for persons of both sexes made
+short journeys on horseback, the women being commonly seated on pillions
+behind the men. Very few made long excursions from home, except the
+manufacturers of Kendal, many of whom travelled on foot in quest of orders
+for their worsted stockings and linsey-woolsey. Carriers did not employ
+wagons, but drove gangs of pack-horses, each gang being preceded by a
+bell-horse, and the owners reckoned a young woman equivalent to half a
+pack in loading their beasts of burden. The predilection for transporting
+all kinds of commodities on horseback was so general, that the fuel
+consumed in Kendal came to the town in this manner. Coals were brought in
+sacks upon galloways from Ingleton, and the turf or peat was conveyed from
+the mosses in halts. These were a pair of strong wicker hampers, which
+were joined by a pack-saddle, and hung across a horse's back. They were
+put to various uses in husbandry, which offices are now performed by
+carts. Halts gave way to carts in the progress of general improvement.
+These vehicles were ill-contrived, particularly the wheels, which
+consisted of two circular boards fixed without spokes immovably to the
+ends of a cylinderical axle. The injudicious nature of the construction
+required the axle itself to revolve beneath the cart, where it was kept in
+its place by two pairs of parallel wooden pins, that projected downward
+from the frame of the bottom.
+
+A question concerning these old "tummel wheel'd cars" was asked in the
+_Carlisle Journal_ a few months ago, and a correspondent supplied this
+answer:--"I have seen at least two of these old-time machines of
+locomotion. They had then been many years out of use. I speak now of a
+date say 58 years gone past. One of them was stored in an open shed in the
+farmyard of its venerable owner--the other had less respect shown to its
+remains, for it stood in a neglected and unsheltered corner. Of course, I
+never saw either of them in use. The wheels were funny, not to say clumsy,
+looking affairs. Without spokes or felloes, they consisted of three
+segment-shaped blocks of wood, fastened together rudely but strongly with
+'dowels' of the same material, so as to form a circle. The wheels again
+were similarly fastened to the axle, and the whole revolved in one solid
+mass. The harness consisted mostly of ropes or girthing with loops at the
+ends, and having cleets like the modern 'coo-tee' to hold them in
+position. Very little leather was used, and but few buckles. Here is Mr.
+Dickinson's description, 'In old times the horse was yoked to the cart by
+a rope from the shoulders, and an iron ring sliding on the shaft held by a
+pin. This was hammerband yoking. The tummel wheelers referred to were seen
+by me in the Lake District (Ullswater) in the early forties.'"
+
+Before turnpike roads were made, or wagons came into use, the merchandise
+of Kendal was transported by the following pack-horses:--
+
+  One gang of pack-horses to and from London
+    every week, of about                                20
+
+  One gang from Wigan weekly, about                     18
+
+  One gang from Whitehaven, about                       20
+
+  From Cockermouth                                      15
+
+  Two gangs from Barnard Castle                         26
+
+  Two gangs from Penrith twice a week, about 15 each    60
+
+  One gang from Settle twice a week, about 15 each      30
+
+  From York weekly, about                               10
+
+  From Ulverston                                         5
+
+  From Hawkeshead twice a week, about 6                 12
+
+  From Appleby twice a week, about 6                    12
+
+  From Cartmel                                           6
+
+  Carriages three or four times a week to and
+    from Milnthorpe, computed at 40 horse load          40
+
+  From Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale, Orton, Dent,
+    and other neighbouring villages, about              20
+                                                      ----
+                                   Total               294
+
+  Besides 24 every six weeks for Glasgow.
+
+Less than sixty years ago the pillion was in constant use in the two
+counties, and only the well-to-do yeomen thought of taking their wives and
+daughters frequently to market in the "shandry cart." It is only a quarter
+of a century since the old pack-horses ceased to traverse some parts of
+Westmorland and its borders. Mr. H. Speight, in one of his books,[20]
+deals with a state of things which existed, not only in the Hawes
+district, but considerably northward of that place. Handloom weaving was
+an old local industry, and when a sufficient number of pieces were ready,
+they were gathered up and conveyed by teams of pack-horses over the
+mountains to the various West Riding towns. Discharging their loads they
+would return laden with warp, weft, size, and other articles. When the
+traffic ceased, hundreds of these sonorous pack-horse bells were sold for
+old metal, and the brokers' shops for a time were full of them. Each bell
+weighed from 1lb. to 2lbs. An old resident in North Westmorland not long
+ago recalled very vividly the scenes to be witnessed, and confirmed the
+accuracy of the following description from Mr. Speight's volume: "In the
+old pack-horse days it was a sight worth remembering to witness the
+procession of men and horses with miscellaneous goods, making their way
+out of the Yorkshire dales, to Kirkby Stephen and the north. The drivers
+from Garsdale and Grisedale came over the moor to Shaw Paddock, and thence
+on to Aisgill, and to the old Thrang Bridge in Mallerstang, where they
+were met by strings of pack-horses and men coming from the east country by
+Hell Gill. It was a busy and picturesque scene, and the Thrang Bridge was
+well named. Sometimes on special occasions, as during Brough Hill Fair,
+the thrifty wives and daughters of the dales used to go up to Hell Gill
+Bridge, and spread out stalls and baskets, stored with cakes, nuts,
+apples, and bottles of home-made herb beer, and other non-intoxicants, to
+sell to passing travellers. And a good business they did too, for there
+was a continuous stream of wayfarers, who were glad, particularly if the
+day were hot, to linger awhile and hear the gossip of the country-side,
+cracking many a joke along with many a nut bought from the buxom stall
+women. Occasionally herds of Highland cattle passed this way, and when the
+far-travelled animals showed signs of fatigue, it was no uncommon thing to
+see one of the men who carried a bagpipe play some lively air as he
+marched in front of the drove. The animals seemed to enjoy the music, and
+evidently appreciated this relief to the tediousness of the journey, by
+walking, as they often would, with a brisker step, while some of them that
+had lain down in the road would quickly rise at the novel far-sounding
+strains, which brought many a cottager also to his feet from his home in
+the echoing glen."
+
+
+
+
+Old Customs.
+
+
+Possibly the custom associated with Westmorland which can claim to be at
+once among the oldest, as well as having been the most carefully followed,
+is that connected with the familiar Countess's Pillar in the parish of
+Brougham. The famous Countess Anne of Pembroke erected this structure in
+1656, as the still perfect legible inscription on the southern side tells
+us, for a laudable purpose: "This pillar was erected in 1656 by Anne,
+Countess Dowager of Pembroke, etc., for a memorial of her last parting in
+this place with her good and pious mother, Margaret, Countess Dowager of
+Cumberland, the 2nd day of April, 1616, in memory whereof she has left an
+annuity of £4, to be distributed to the poor of the parish of Brougham
+every second day of April for ever, upon the stone placed hard by. _Laus
+Deo._" The custom is scrupulously observed, the money being distributed on
+April 2nd as directed, except when that day falls, as this year, on a
+Sunday, and then the little ceremony is conducted on the following day.
+When asked as to the regularity of the observance shortly before this
+year's distribution, the Rev. W. S. Salman, the venerable Rector of
+Brougham, said the details were carefully attended to; and, he added, "we
+should soon hear about it if they were not."
+
+How far the custom of rush-bearing goes back there is nothing in local
+records to show, but there are some very old entries in the registers
+concerning the practice. In spite of the Puritans the villagers were
+keeping up the festival at Kirkby Lonsdale; there is this item among the
+churchwardens' accounts for 1680: "Paid at the rush-bearing in drink, 3s."
+Although the ceremony had in each place the same general features,
+different parishes varied the proceedings. Flowers as well as rushes were
+carried by the children, many of the blooms being made into garlands.
+After the sermon, the roses and rushes brought the preceding year were
+taken out, and the fresh ones put in their places. An old writer made the
+following suggestion as to the origin of the custom: "That our forefathers
+appointed a day on which they rendered public thanks to the Almighty for
+His kindness in causing the earth to bring forth fruit for the sustenance
+of man and beast, and that on these occasions they brought rushes, or
+other productions of the soil, to the sanctuary, which they spread out as
+a memorial before the lord." The theory is doubtless correct, as is proved
+by the fact that at Warcop and other places where "rush-bearings"--minus
+the rushes--are still kept up every summer, the service and other
+proceedings are in the nature of a public thanksgiving.
+
+
+[Illustration: COUNTESS'S PILLAR, BROUGHAM.
+
+_From a Photo by Mr. John Bolton, Penrith._]
+
+
+Nut Monday has passed into the region of forgotten things, even at such
+places as the schools, where it was once a popular observance. It was,
+however, kept so recently as 1861, when September 12th was held in Kendal
+as a general holiday, almost every shop being closed. Possibly the failure
+of the nut crop in several successive years was a factor in changing the
+holiday to another time, and thus the day losing its distinctive
+character. This, it will be noted, had nothing in common with another
+custom observed in some other parts of the country--Crack Nut Sunday. The
+latter was simply a desecrating practice, without a single good feature.
+
+"Sunday observance" had more than a nominal meaning in bygone days, though
+there is nothing to indicate that the people of the two counties had any
+particular liking for the restrictions imposed. It was the practice in
+nearly every town and village for the churchwardens to leave the church
+during service time and walk through the town in search of people who
+ought to have been at church, and special attention was paid to licensed
+premises. Possibly, by the time the hostelries were reached, the
+churchwardens felt the need of liquid refreshment; at any rate, they
+frequently obtained it. Carlisle, in 1788, was divided into districts,
+through each of which two constables and two of the principal inhabitants,
+who took it in rotation, patrolled the streets from ten in the morning
+till one, and from three to five in the afternoon, during which hours the
+doors of all the public-houses were kept shut, the patrol having first
+visited them to see that no person was tippling in them. "So much respect
+is paid to this regulation," wrote a chronicler of the period, "that
+during these hours no person is seen in the streets but those who are
+going to or returning from some place of worship." Fines were occasionally
+imposed for non-attendance at church; that does not seem to have been the
+rule, moral suasion apparently sufficing to meet most requirements. The
+Corporation of Kendal took powers to inflict what were then--three
+hundred years ago--heavy fines for selling ale during service hours.
+
+Among the customs and beliefs noted as prevalent at Whitbeck, in West
+Cumberland, in 1794, were these: "Newly-married persons beg corn to sow
+their first crop with, and are called corn-laiters. People always keep
+wake with the dead. The labouring ox is said to kneel at twelve o'clock at
+night, preceding the day of the Nativity; the bees are heard to sing at
+the same hour. On the morn of Christmas Day breakfast early on
+hack-pudding, a mess made of sheep's heart mixed with suet and sweet
+fruits. To whichever quarter a bull faces in lying on All Hallows' Eve,
+from thence the wind will blow the greater part of the winter." It has
+been surmised that the hack-pudding resembles sweet-pie, which is not
+unlike a mince-pie on a large scale, mutton being used instead of beef,
+and the ingredients not finely chopped.
+
+Here, as in other parts of the country, beating the bounds, both of
+parishes and manors, was a popular, though oft-times toilsome, observance.
+In a few registers, records have been preserved of the old-time landmarks,
+a precaution of special value in days before the Ordnance Survey was
+thought of. Dalston registers not only supply this information, but a
+description of the ceremony of perambulation. Curiosities of divisions are
+not lacking. An old man, once a parishioner of Dalston, told the Rev. J.
+Wilson[21] that he had a vivid recollection of taking part in the ritual
+of beating the bounds many years ago, and throwing a rope over a house,
+part of which stands in Castle Sowerby, in order to mark the division of
+the contiguous parishes. The walls of the house exist still, though
+unroofed, where the inhabitants were wont to say, half a century ago, that
+they always slept in Dalston and breakfasted in Castle Sowerby.
+
+"Furth" was a word used by the inhabitants of Orton long ago. In those
+days, before the era of coal burning, most of the houses had what were
+called hearth fire-places, with big open chimneys but no fire-grates.
+Householders had the privilege of getting turf on the moors, and during
+the winter nights neighbours used to assemble in one another's houses in
+succession. Orton and Ravenstonedale were famous places for knitting, and
+the folks all sat round the blazing turf fire knitting away at top speed.
+Both men and women were thus occupied, and made a peculiar rattling noise
+with so many needles working at once. The conversations at these Furth
+Neets were very amusing, the talk ranging from the state of the crops,
+such as they were in those days of what would be called low farming, to
+the prices of produce and the latest doings of Mary Baynes, the local
+witch.
+
+Formerly some of the inhabitants of Orton had what were called penthouses
+in front of their dwellings. It was a custom on Candlemas Day for those
+who had money to lend to appear under the sheds or penthouses, with
+neckcloths tied round their heads, and if the weather was cold, while the
+money-lenders were shivering beneath the scanty shelter, the borrowers
+frequented the public-houses, where there was much carousing. This curious
+custom has long been discouraged, and only one penthouse is now standing.
+
+Reminders of Border service remained in the two counties long after the
+Act of Union had been passed. Thus the secluded hamlet of Kentmere was
+divided into sixty tenements for the maintenance of as many soldiers, and
+so recently as the middle of this century it was written: "The vestiges of
+this ancient regulation still remain, for the township is divided into
+four parts, and each of these parts into fifteen tenements. For each
+tenement a man serves the office of constable, and pays 2s. per annum to
+the curate."
+
+Public affairs in the village of Torpenhow used to be managed by "the
+sixteen men," elected by the householders in the four quarters into which
+the parish was divided, the vicar and churchwardens being apparently _ex
+officio_ members of this early Parish Council. The last nomination of the
+sixteen took place about 1807; they had a great variety of duties,
+carrying out functions that are now discharged by School Boards, Parish,
+District, and County Councils. So far as is known, the most detailed
+information concerning the duties of the "sworn men" is given in the Orton
+(Westmorland) registers, where, following the fourteen names of "the
+sworne men of Orto' anno d'ni 1596," is this statement, so far as it can
+be deciphered:--
+
+    "_Imprimis_ that thes be diligent and careful to see and provide that
+    the people be ... and behave the'selves honestlie ... feare of God
+    according to the Holie word of God and the Good and wholesome laws of
+    this land. _Secondlie_ to see that the Churchwardens be careful and
+    diligent in executinge their office, ioyne with thes in suppressing of
+    sinne and such as behave the'selves inordinatlie to reprove and
+    rebuke those who be found offenders, and if they will not amend to
+    p{e}sent the' to be punished. _Thirdlie_ to se that the Church and
+    Churchy{d} be decentlie repaired and mainteyned. Also we as agreed
+    y{t} everie p'sonnis beinge found faultie by the Churchwardens and
+    p'sented to the sworn me' shall paie xij{d.} to the poor ma's box. And
+    that whosoever doth not come p'sent the'selves lawfull warning being
+    given either of the xij or Churchwardens to the place appointed shall
+    lose xij to the poore ma's box without a sufficient cause to the
+    contrarie whereof thes are to certifie the rest assembled at ...
+    appointed to their meetinge. Lastly that the Churchwardes ... and take
+    the sam forfat ... p'sent the offenders."
+
+Another kind of Parish Council existed at Helton, near Lowther, about a
+century ago. A chronicler of seventy years since gives this account of
+it:--"At Helton, at the end of the Tythe Barn, was formerly a stone seat,
+where the inhabitants met for the purpose of transacting their parochial
+affairs. He who came first waited till he was joined by the rest; and it
+was considered a mark of great rudeness for anyone to absent himself from
+the meeting. After conferring on such matters as related to the parish
+they separated, and each returned home."
+
+There was a very noteworthy Council at Watermillock, called the Head
+Jurie, and Mr. W. Hodgson, a former schoolmaster in the parish, did good
+service some years ago by transcribing the records of that body, from 1610
+to more than a century later. They performed all the duties--and more--now
+delegated to Parish Councils; indeed they seem to have had control of
+everything pertaining to the government of the parish. Among the contents
+of the book on "Paines and Penalties laid by the Head Jurie" is this entry
+concerning a Court held in 1629:--
+
+    "We find for a good amongst ourselves that all the inhabitants within
+    the hamlet of Weathermelock shall amend all the church ways and all
+    other ways yearly, and every year, upon the first work day in
+    Christmas, if the day be seasonable, at ye sight of ye Constables and
+    Churchwardens for the time being upon paine of sixpence of everyone
+    that maketh default. And alsoe all as aforesaid shall meet and mend
+    the peat way always upon Whitsun Wednesday, and everyone to meet where
+    his way lyeth, and everyone to send a sufficient man to the sight of
+    the Constable for the time being upon paine of sixpence of everyone
+    that maketh default. And that the Constable be there upon paine of
+    sixpence to see who make default."
+
+In the old manorial halls fools or jesters were frequently to be found
+among the members of the households. The late Dr. Taylor suggested that
+when Yanwath Hall was a very important link in the chain of Border
+defences, such a servant was kept; and Mr. R. S. Ferguson once reminded
+the members of the Archæological Society that, in 1601, both the Mayor of
+Carlisle and Sir Wilfred Lawson kept fools, as probably did also the
+Bishop of Carlisle. The Mayor's fool got a coat for Christmas, while Sir
+Wilfred's appears in the accounts of the Corporation as being "tipped" for
+bringing messages to Carlisle. A fool was also kept at Muncaster Castle.
+
+There was a custom very common in connection with the apprenticeship
+system at the beginning of the century. In a pamphlet written by John S.
+Lough, a former Penrith printer, appeared this paragraph:--"Burying the
+Old Wife is a custom still prevalent among the operatives in the north at
+the expiration of the term of apprenticeship. The late apprentice is taken
+into a room adjoining that where the party is met to celebrate the
+loosening, and after an old woman's cap is put on his head, the body is
+enveloped in a white sheet. He is then taken upon the shoulders of his
+comrades into the banqueting room, round which he is carried a few times,
+in not very solemn procession, and finally placed upon the boards whereon
+the figure of a grave is chalked. A kind of funeral service is gone
+through, and the old wife is buried."
+
+"The simple annals of the poor" in the two counties contain many pathetic
+accounts of their condition and treatment ere the public conscience was
+awakened to the necessity of a more humane method. Here, as in many other
+parts of the country, the poor were often let out to contractors. Among
+the churchwardens' accounts at Hayton for 1773 there is a copy of a
+contract between the churchwardens and Thomas Wharton, of The Faugh, "for
+letting the poor for a year" to the latter. The Rev. R. W. Dixon, vicar of
+the parish, about twenty years ago went into the history of this
+transaction. A vestry meeting was called for the purpose, and conditions
+were entered into between the churchwardens and the overseers on the one
+part, and Thomas Wharton on the other. The parish overseers were to find
+bedding and apparel for the paupers, but Wharton was to mend their clothes
+and stockings, and be allowed 5s. for the purpose. A child not a year old
+was to be counted as one person with the mother, and be fed and clothed by
+the parish; and if a pauper died in the house he was to be buried at the
+expense of the parish. Wharton was to find sufficient meat, drink,
+washing, lodging, and firing for the paupers, to the satisfaction of the
+parish officers, who had authority to visit the house as often as they
+pleased. He was to receive a yearly salary of £12 10s., and a weekly
+allowance of 1s. 2d. for each pauper, but if a pauper stayed under a week
+a deduction was to be made accordingly. On these terms Wharton was
+declared master of the workhouse.
+
+The children who used to attend the ancient Robinson's School at Penrith
+were sent out each day to beg, and that there might be no mistake as to
+their identity, each was obliged to wear what was locally called "the
+badge of poverty."
+
+It is decidedly an unfortunate thing, from the point of view of the
+antiquary, that so many of the old plague stones which used to be found in
+different places should have disappeared. Penrith had two; and one of them
+remains, but from observations occasionally heard it is to be feared that
+only a small proportion of the townspeople have an idea of the use of the
+old font-like erection. It is interesting to quote the account given by a
+Penrith land surveyor and innkeeper, who wrote more than a century ago[22]
+on this subject:--"Nearly half-way between Eamont Bridge and Penrith
+stands an house, called from its situation Half-way House, but formerly
+_Mill_ or _Meal Cross_, from the following circumstance. During the
+dreadful plague which visited this country in the year 1598, and almost
+depopulated Penrith (no less than 2,260 in the town falling victims to
+this merciless disease), the Millers and Villagers refused to bring their
+commodities into the town to market for fear of infection. The
+inhabitants, therefore, were under the necessity of meeting them here, and
+performing a kind of quarantine before they were allowed to buy anything.
+This was said to be almost at the option of the country people. This much
+is certain: No man was allowed to touch the money made use of on these
+occasions, it being put into a vessel of water, whence they had a method
+of taking it without touching it with their fingers. For this purpose they
+erected a cross which remains to this day. For greater conveniences they
+erected a cross at the town's-head, and erected shambles, etc.; the place
+still retains the name of the Cross-green: they built a third cross near
+the Carlisle road a little above the second, where black cattle, sheep,
+hoggs, and goats were sold; and it retains yet the name of the Nolt-Fair
+[Nolt: Oxen, cows, etc.], and continues to be the market for cattle."
+
+
+[Illustration: PLAGUE STONE, PENRITH.]
+
+
+The road was widened and improved in 1834, when the water trough was
+found, and afterwards placed where it now stands. There was a somewhat
+similar structure in the park at Eden Hall, and is said to mark the site
+of the former village. The base is still retained, but some decades ago
+there was put a memorial cross upon it. Going over the border of
+Westmorland a short distance are other reminders of these old-time
+epidemics. In the parish registers of Hawkshead it is stated that in 1721
+the sum of 1s. 6d. was paid to the apparitor for a book concerning the
+plague. Here is material for several queries. Was there an outbreak of
+some disease which obtained that name so late as 1720, or was the volume
+meant for a record of what had gone before? Again, if the book was ever
+written, what became of it? The records of the le Flemings, the Earls of
+Lonsdale, the Earls of Westmorland, and others published by the Historical
+Manuscripts Commission abound in references to the plague.
+
+A stone in the remote hamlet of Armboth, above what is now the great
+reservoir of the Manchester Corporation, marks the place where the local
+commerce was carried on when personal intercourse was dangerous on account
+of the plague. The custom existed after the epidemic had passed away, the
+people from the fells and dales continuing to take their webs and yarn to
+what is still known as "the Webstone."
+
+The registers of Dalston are particularly valuable for purposes of local
+history, partly owing to the fact that Rose Castle, the residence of the
+Bishops of Carlisle, is in that parish. There are also many other ways in
+which they are interesting. One of the earliest houses mentioned in the
+books is Bell Gate or Bellyeat. Miss Kupar, who closely studied the
+records of this and some other parishes, wrote a few years ago with regard
+to this house: "The people will have it that a bell hung here to announce
+the arrival of the pack-horses _en route_ for Keswick, and some maintain
+that it served to warn the neighbourhood of the approach of the
+moss-troopers."
+
+Although the old custom of ringing the curfew is gradually dying out, in
+several places in Cumberland and Westmorland the practice is kept up
+still. In the hall at Appleby Castle there is an interesting reminder of
+the custom. This is the curfew-bell which was found in the tower at the
+Castle, and it finds an honoured place now among the family possessions.
+When swung to and fro the bell is found to have a very sweet tone, but
+while it was vigorously rung in the evenings long ago the burgesses would
+not have any difficulty in hearing its loud and peculiar warning note. The
+inscription is not very easy to decipher, but it appears to run thus:--
+
+  "Soli Deo Gloria. Pax Homibus, S.S. Fecit, 1661. W.S."
+
+Nothing is known at the Castle as to the maker, though it is possible that
+experts in bell-lore might be able to trace its record from the
+inscription.
+
+
+
+
+Old School Customs.
+
+
+The chequered histories of the old schools at Appleby, Kirkby Stephen,
+Kendal, Crosthwaite, Carlisle, Penrith, and several other towns in the two
+counties, would suffice to make a large book of an interesting character.
+Some of the rules which governed the institutions in bygone days were
+decidedly quaint. The nineteen long paragraphs which make up the
+"Constitutions, Ordinances, and Statutes for the Free Grammar School at
+Kirkby Stephen," as drawn up in 1568 by Lord Wharton, included this
+curious stipulation:--
+
+    "I will that the said Schoolmaster shall have and receive yearly £12
+    as his Hire and Wages, at two Terms of the year, if he teach in manner
+    and form following, viz., At the Feast of Pentecost and St. Martin, by
+    equal portions, by the hands of my Son, Heir, and Heirs, and the
+    Governours. And the said Schoolmaster shall, within ten dayes after he
+    hath taken upon him and be installed in the said Office, before the
+    said Governours, or two of them, and before my Son and Heir, or Heirs
+    of my House of Wharton, for the time being, and in presence of the
+    Churchwardens and Twelve men of Kirkby-Stephen Parish, or six of them,
+    in the Parish Church there, make this Oath following: 'I do swear by
+    the holy Contents of this Book that I will freely, without exacting
+    any money, diligently teach and instruct the Children of this parish,
+    and all others that resort to me, in Grammar and other Humane
+    Doctrine, according to the Statutes thereof made; And shall read to
+    them no corrupt or reprobate Book, or Works set forth at any time
+    contrary to the Determination of the Universal Catholic Church,
+    whereby they might be infected in their youth with any kind of Heresy
+    or corrupt Doctrine, or else be induced to an insolent manner of
+    Liveing; And further shall observe all the Statutes and Ordinances of
+    this School, now made or that hereafter shall be made, which concern
+    me; and shall do nothing in prejudice thereof, but help to maintain
+    the same, from time to time, dureing my abode herein, to the best of
+    my power. So Help me God, and the Contents of this book.'"
+
+At six o'clock in the morning, and at the same hour in the evening, master
+and scholars had to march from school to church, for prayers, afterwards
+going to the tomb which Lord Wharton had erected in the quire and sing one
+of fifteen psalms. This was the order for working hours:--"And the same
+Scholemr., every Work-day at the least, shall begin to teach from Six a
+Clock in ye morning in Summer, and from Seven a Clock in Winter; and so
+shall continue in teaching until Eleven a Clock. The self same thing shall
+he diligently do after Dinner, from One of the Clock till Six in Summer
+and five in Winter."
+
+The history of Appleby School extends over nearly four and a quarter
+centuries. In 1478 Thomas Whinfell, one of the chantry priests, was bound
+"to keep yearly a sufficient Grammar School, taking of the scholars of the
+said school _scolagia et custumaria secundum antiquam consuetudinem scoloe
+prædictæ_." Old school-boys living within the present decade remember that
+the _scolagia et custumaria_ included a cockpenny, which had to be paid by
+each boy on Easter Tuesday, for the purpose of enabling the master to
+provide the pupils with a cock-fight. One of the regulations for Kendal
+School was that it should be "free to all boys resident in the parish of
+Kendal, for classics alone, excepting a voluntary payment of a cockpenny
+as aforetime at Shrovetide." The "Literary Rambler," who contributed a
+series of papers to the _Kendal Chronicle_ in 1812 (when the custom was
+commonly observed), remarked:--"A stranger to the customs of the country
+will suspect something whimsical in this name, but it has its foundation
+in reason; for the boys of every school were divided into parties every
+Shrovetide, headed by their respective captains, whom the master chose
+from amongst his pupils. This was probably done in imitation of the
+Romans, who appointed the _principes pivenum_ on certain occasions. These
+juvenile competitors contended in a match at football, and fought a
+cock-battle, called the captains' battle, in both which contests the
+youthful rivals were not more interested than their parents." Though the
+barbarous sport had disappeared, the payment of a cockpenny survived
+certainly until the middle of this century. This is shown by Mr. W. Sayer,
+who, in his History (1847), says that the endowments of Bowness
+(Westmorland) School, "together with a cockpenny given by each scholar on
+Shrove Tuesday," amounted to about £60 per annum.
+
+George Smith, a relative of Dr. Smith who became Bishop of London, built
+and endowed the school at Asby, and left £10, the interest of which (about
+12s.) was to be disposed of on St. George's Day yearly for ever in the
+following manner: 6s. to the poor of the parish; 5s. to be spent in ale by
+the feofees of the school; and the remaining shilling to purchase a
+football for the scholars. A custom which seems to have been peculiar to
+Appleby was for each pupil leaving to pay half-a-guinea towards the
+library, and Mr. R. E. Leach, the headmaster, some years ago compiled a
+most interesting list of these donations. It was also an occasional
+occurrence that "old boys" gave money when they were married.
+
+It was by the ancient Parochial Council of Sixteen that the first attempt
+to supply elementary education in Torpenhow was made, it being recorded
+that on May 12th, 1686, a resolution was passed in favour of founding a
+free school for the Bothel district. The "sixteen" from time to time drew
+up various rules for the conduct of the school, one of which would greatly
+astonish the present generation of certificated masters, because, in 1689,
+the master of the institution at Bothel (locally pronounced "Bohl") was
+ordered to "keep school from 6 in the morning till 11, and from 1 till 6
+from Lady Day till Michaelmas," practically the same rule as was enforced
+by Lord Wharton at Kirkby Stephen.
+
+An instance of the uncertain position occupied by the village schoolmaster
+in former days may be found among the records of Holme Cultram. In 1607
+there being some controversy concerning the payment of the parish clerk or
+sexton, which previously had been paid in no regular manner, and the clerk
+claiming to be paid in meal, though no certain measure of it had been
+ascertained, it was agreed and ordered by the sixteen men, with the
+consent of the other parishioners, that for the future there should be one
+person who should be both parish clerk and schoolmaster, and that he
+should have for his wages for every copyhold tenement and lease within the
+parish paying above 18d. rent, fourpence, and for every cottager and
+under-tenant twopence, to be collected yearly at Easter by the clerk, who
+was to be chosen by the sixteen men and approved by the ordinary. In
+addition, the schoolmaster was to have a quarterly sum for each scholar as
+the sixteen men from time to time directed. That scheme was recorded in
+1777 as being still in operation.
+
+In another place it has been shown how the sworn men had often a great
+share in the selection of the churchwardens and other officials. Their
+duties also extended to the procuring of money for educational purposes.
+It was ordered by Commissioners in the thirteenth year of Elizabeth,
+concerning the endowed school at Keswick, "that whereas two pence for
+every fire-house hath been paid to the parish clerk yearly, and also
+certain ordinary fees for night-watch, burials, weddings, and, moreover,
+certain benevolences of lamb wool, eggs, and such like, which seem to grow
+up to a greater sum than is competent for a parish clerk; the eight men
+shall herafter take up the said two pence a house for the use of a
+schoolmaster, paying thereout to the parish clerk yearly 46s. 8d." In the
+time of King James it was found on inquiry by a Commission of Pious Uses,
+"that the eighteen sworn men had from time immemorial laid a tax for the
+maintenance of the schoolmaster, and other occasions of the parish, and
+appointed the schoolmaster, and made orders for the government of the
+school, and that the inhabitants had by a voluntary contribution raised a
+school stock of £148 2s. 3-1/2d., nevertheless that Dr. Henry Robinson,
+Bishop of Carlisle, Henry Woodward, his Chancellor, and Giles Robinson,
+brother of the said Bishop, and Vicar of Crosthwaite, had intermeddled,
+and that the said Bishop, sometimes by authority of the High Commission
+for Ecclesiastical Causes, sometimes as a justice of the peace for the
+county, and sometimes by his power as ordinary, had interrupted the orders
+of the eighteen men, and had committed thirteen of them to prison.
+Therefore the commissioners restore the eighteen men to their authority
+concerning the appointing of a schoolmaster, and the government of the
+school."
+
+Among the curious bequests known to have been made at various times by
+residents in the two counties, not the least noteworthy was that of the
+Vicar of Raughton Head, Mr. Sevithwaite, who, at his death in 1762, left
+£20 to the school; and another £20, the interest whereof, after the death
+of his widow, was to be laid out yearly in purchasing Bishop Beveridge's
+"Thoughts upon Religion," and the Bishop of Man's "Essay for the
+Instruction of the Indians," to be given to the poor housekeepers of the
+parish.
+
+Among the curiosities of tenure in addition to those already mentioned in
+a previous chapter, was that of surrendering by the rod. In the summer of
+1750 "John Sowerby surrendered to the lord of the manor (of Castle
+Sowerby) by the hands of his steward _by the rod_ a messuage at Sowerby
+Row ... to the use and behoof of Joseph Robinson and his assigns according
+to the custom of the manor; conditioned to pay yearly to three trustees £5
+for the use of a schoolmaster within the liberty of Row Bound to be chosen
+by the trustees." As in most other places, the schoolmaster had to teach
+certain children for a very small sum per quarter, and the parents in
+better circumstances had to pay 2s. 6d. per quarter for each child.
+
+How faithfully some of the clerical schoolmasters performed their duties
+during long periods may be proved from numerous sources. One entry, a
+burial, will suffice--from the Mardale register of 1799:--
+
+    "Richard Hebson, in ye 75th year of his age. He was 53 years master of
+    the Free School at Measand, and 51 years the pastor of this Chapelry.
+    Singularly remarkable for his faithful, assiduous, and conscientious
+    discharge of the duties of both these stations."
+
+At the beginning of the eighteenth century there were in the diocese of
+Carlisle few schools other than those held in the all too frequently
+dilapidated parish churches. In most cases the curates were the only
+schoolmasters, and it was as an encouragement to those clerics that the
+parishioners took it in turn to provide the curate with a "whittlegate."
+Much interesting information about the old-time schools and schoolmasters
+may be found in Bishop Nicolson's Visitation Miscellany. One man, who
+afterwards became examining chaplain to Bishop Law, used to keep school at
+Sebergham in a mud hut. Of another cleric, the Rev. T. Baxter, who was
+incumbent of Arlecdon in the first half of last century, it is recorded,
+in Mr. W. Dickinson's "Reminiscences of West Cumberland," that he "taught
+the parish school in the chancel of the parish church, on an earthern
+floor, without fire either in summer or winter." Bishop Nicolson's
+descriptions speak eloquently of the poverty of some parishes:--"The quire
+at Warwick, as in many other places, is shamefully abused by the children
+that are taught in it. Their present master is Thomas Allanson, a poor
+cripple, remov'd hither from Rockliff, who has no settled salary, only
+12d. per quarter and his diet, and would be thankful for ye commendum of
+ye clerk's place; which, he saies, would bring him an addition of about
+six shillings p. an."
+
+Of Irthington he wrote:--"The quire is here (as before) miserably spoil'd,
+on the floor, by the school boyes; and so vilely out of repair in the roof
+that 'tis hazardous comeing in it."
+
+Crosby-on-Eden was a little better than the former place:--"Mr. Pearson,
+the school master, has no certain and fixed salary. He teaches the
+children in the quire; where the boys and girls sit on good Wainscot
+Benches, and write on the communion table, too good (were it not appointed
+to a higher use) for such a service." Here is a picture with regard to
+Cumwhitton, not calculated to make people really wish for the old days
+about which some grow enthusiastic:--"The south window is unglazed and
+starves the whole congregation as well as the poor children; who are here
+taught (for the present) by the parish clerk, a man of very moderate
+qualification. Mr. Robley, their new curate, is not yet resident among
+them; but will shortly come, and take the office of teaching out of this
+illiterate man's hand."
+
+In a parish not far from the Cumberland border--Allendale--the curates of
+West Allen High and St. Peter's Chapels were certainly as recently as
+1835, and probably still later, obliged to teach the miners' children for
+1s. 6d. per quarter each, in consideration of certain annual payments.
+These were five shillings from each miner of one description, and
+half-a-crown from those of another, which they, in common with the
+incumbent of Allenheads Chapel, received as ministers of the respective
+chapels.
+
+It was certified in 1717 that while at that time there was no divine
+service performed in the parish of Clifton, some three miles from
+Workington, "formerly every family in the two hamlets [of Great and Little
+Clifton], being about forty in number, paid 6d. each to one that read
+prayers, and taught the children to read, and the rector gave £2 a year,
+and officiated there every sixth Sunday, but that these payments had then
+ceased for above 40 years last past."
+
+Reference was made in a previous paragraph to the custom of whittlegate as
+applying to schoolmasters. From the former chapter on church curiosities
+it will have been noted that the clergy occasionally had recourse to that
+method of supplementing their scanty incomes. As it often happened that
+the schoolmaster and parson were one and the same individual, difficulties
+were thereby removed. At any rate the following extract from Clarke's
+"Survey" of over a century ago has an interesting bearing on the subject.
+Writing of Ambleside, of which the Rev. Isaac Knipe, M.A., was curate and
+schoolmaster, he remarks:--
+
+    "The chapel is a low, mean building, and stands in the parish of
+    Grassmere. The inhabitants (who are land owners), as well as those in
+    the parish of Winandermere, as those in the parish of Grassmere, have
+    the right of nominating and presenting the curate. The rector of
+    Grassmere usually nominated the curate, but the inhabitants of this
+    and many other perpetual curacies in the north have, by custom, gotten
+    it from the rectors of vicars; the reason is this: before the death
+    of Queen Anne, many of the chapelries were not worth above three
+    pounds a year, and the donees could not get persons properly qualified
+    to serve them, so they left them to the inhabitants, who raised
+    voluntary contributions for them in addition to their salary, with
+    clothes yearly and whittlegate. Whittlegate is to have two or three
+    weeks' victuals at each house, according to the ability of the
+    inhabitants, which was settled amongst them so as that he should go
+    his course as regular as the sun, and compleat it as annually."
+
+The custom prevailed so late as 1858 in some country parishes; it is not a
+little curious that it has not been found to exist in any counties except
+Cumberland and Westmorland, though the Rev. J. Wharton, Stainmore, has
+informed the writer that it is recognised still in some parts of the
+United States.
+
+The custom of barring out is probably unknown to the present generation of
+Cumbrian and Westmerian school-boys--at any rate in the sense in which it
+used to be observed. There exist numerous stories of the thoroughness with
+which the boys formerly maintained their supposed rights in this
+direction. The Rev. E. H. Sugden's sketch of the history of Arlecdon and
+Frizington shows how the observance was followed there every
+Christmas:--"The old men of the parish tell with delight their experiences
+and adventures in carrying out this old custom. One says he remembers the
+master entering the school by creeping down the chimney. Another tells of
+a boy hiding himself in the chimney when the master had forced the door
+open. It appears that during this period of expulsion the doors of the
+school were strongly barricaded within, and the boys who defended it like
+a besieged city were armed in general with elder pop-guns. In the meantime
+the master would make several efforts, both by force and stratagem, to
+regain his lost authority. If he succeeded, heavy tasks were imposed, and
+the business of the school went on as usual; but it more commonly happened
+that he was repulsed and defeated. The siege was continued three days,
+after which the terms of capitulation were proposed by the master, who
+usually pushed them under the door, and as a rule the boys accepted. These
+terms stipulated what hours and times should for the ensuing year be
+allotted to study, and what to relaxation and play. Securities were given
+by each side for the due performance of these stipulations, and the paper
+was then solemnly signed by both master and pupils.
+
+"Mr. Sibson, of Whitehaven, formerly of this parish, relates the two
+following incidents in connection with this custom. On one occasion, Mr.
+C. Mossop endeavoured to enter the school. As soon as he put his hand on
+the window sill, intending to enter that way, a boy hit his hand with a
+red-hot poker, so that for many days he went about with it in a sling. On
+another occasion, Mr. Hughes, the master, took some slates off the roof,
+and succeeded in getting his legs and part of his body past the rafters,
+but he could get no further, and the boys with red-hot pokers burnt him
+severely before he could be rescued by his friends. In those days many
+young men attended the school during the winter time."
+
+At Appleby, the "barring out" sometimes lasted for days, and the scholars
+slept in the schoolrooms. In most places the mutiny was apt to break out
+early on the morning of the day fixed for breaking up for the holidays.
+They defied the master by means of sundry cries, that at Kendal being:--
+
+  "Liberty, liberty, under a pin,
+  Six weeks' holiday or _nivver_ come in."
+
+Apparently the custom was killed in the old grey town at the beginning of
+this century by the then master, Mr. Towers meeting with a distressing
+mishap. He was contending with them, apparently for admittance, when his
+eye was accidentally destroyed, and the disaster served to bring about the
+abolition of the old custom.
+
+Fine warm days of that Indian summer so often experienced in the two
+counties in September and October were devoted to "going a nutting," and
+the headmaster of Appleby Grammar School never refused a holiday at that
+season, provided that each scholar brought him a quart of "leamers"--nuts
+sufficiently ripe to leave the husks without compulsory treatment. As
+Christmas approached, the schoolmaster was "barred out" in orthodox
+fashion, until he agreed (and he only pretended to be loth to make the
+contract) to extend the coming holidays as long as his pupils demanded.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+Index.
+
+
+  Acorn Bank, Privileges of tenants of, 67
+
+  Ale possets, 202
+
+  Allendale, Old school-days at, 250
+
+  Alms corn, Payments of, 88
+
+  Altar, Horn of the, at Carlisle, 74
+
+  Ambleside--curious church tradition, 49
+
+  Appleby, Privileges of burgesses of, 69;
+    Barring out custom at, 254-255;
+    Curious assize incident at, 7;
+    Bull-baiting at, 195;
+    Excommunication at, 102;
+    Grammar School, 242;
+    Public whipping at, 126-128;
+    Stocks at, 125
+
+  Appleby Castle, Old corn measures at, 159-160;
+    Curfew bell at, 238
+
+  Applethwaite (Windermere), Curious regulations at, 89
+
+  Apprentices and salmon, 178
+
+  Apprenticeship custom, An, 233
+
+  Archdeacon's Court, 59-60
+
+  Archery, 196-199
+
+  Arlecdon, Rector of, chasing a parishioner, 42;
+    Church font used as water-trough, 50;
+    Church, Dogs in, 63;
+    Tradition concerning buried church, 133;
+    An old school at, 249;
+    Barring out custom at, 252
+
+  Armathwaite, Gibbeting of Whitfield at, 94
+
+  Armboth Hall, Skulls at, 147
+
+    "   Web-stone at, 237
+
+  Armour in churches, 13, 34
+
+  Assessors of bread and ale, 89
+
+  Assize incident, A curious, 7
+
+  Atkinson, Execution of Captain, 97
+
+
+  Bampton, Arrangement of families in church, 53;
+    Punishment of Quakers, 107-109
+
+  Barguest, The, 141
+
+  Barring out custom at school, 252-255
+
+  Barton, Probable fortified church at, 34;
+    Curious manorial custom at, 80
+
+  Beacons, 10-13
+
+  Beating the bounds, 227
+
+  Bees, Telling the, 138
+
+  Beetham Church, Penance at, 111
+
+  Bell-gate at Dalston, 238
+
+  Bell-horses, 217, 238
+
+  Bell legends, 132
+
+  Bell, Mayor of Wreay's old silver, 201
+
+  Bells, Carlisle racing, 191
+
+  Bishop of Carlisle and cock-fighting, 195
+
+  Bishops excommunicated, 100
+
+  Bishops, Fighting, 22-28
+
+  Blackmail rent, 75
+
+  Bode, bodesmen, bodeword, bode-hill, 14
+
+  Boggles, 139
+
+  Bongate--A reminder of serfdom, 66
+
+  Boon services, 76-79
+
+  Bootle, Beacon at, 15
+
+  Border service, 9-16, 68-70, 229
+
+  Bridekirk, Excommunication at, 101
+
+  Brigham, Fortified church at, 33
+
+  Brough, Probable fortified church at, 34;
+    Church font in private grounds, 50;
+    Holly Night at, 205
+
+  Brougham, Curious horn at, 73;
+    Countess's Pillar at, 223
+
+  Bull and boar, Obligation to keep, 87
+
+  Bull-baiting, 195
+
+  Burgh Barony Cup, Races for, 190
+
+  Burgh-by-Sands, Fortified church at, 30
+
+  Burrell Green, Luck of, 151
+
+  Burton, Curious dispute at, 40
+
+  "Burying the old wife" custom, 233
+
+
+  Calgarth skulls, 146
+
+  Caldbeck, Manorial customs at, 83
+
+  Carleton--A reminder of serfdom, 65
+
+  Carlisle, Watch and ward at, 19;
+    Cathedral, Rioting in, 37;
+    Cathedral used as a prison, 37;
+    Charter Horn at, 74;
+    Pillory and stocks at, 124;
+    Racing Bells, 191
+
+  Cartmell Church, Troops quartered in, 37
+
+  Carriage money service, 89
+
+  Castleward, Service of, 71
+
+  Charms, 136
+
+  Charter Horn at Carlisle, 74
+
+  Chimney and hearth tax, 182-186
+
+  Church curiosities, 38-63;
+    Stock, 51, 52;
+    Holding manorial courts in, 58;
+    Dog-whippers in, 60-63;
+    Legends, 131-133, 139;
+    Fined for not going to, 226
+
+  Churchwardens' duties, 51, 52, 107, 108, 226;
+    Selection of, 245
+
+  Churchyards, Keeping swine out of, 60;
+    Announcing sales in, 158
+
+  Churches, Fortified, 28-37;
+    Armour in, 13, 34;
+    Division of sexes in, 53;
+    Seating arrangements in, 51;
+    Swallowed by the earth, 131-132
+
+  Churning, Superstitions about, 137
+
+  Christmas festivals, 202
+
+  Clergy, Old-time, 40-46
+
+  Clergymen as publicans, 41;
+    as schoolmasters, 248-252
+
+  Cliburn, A probable fortified church at, 34
+
+  Clifton, Old school-days at, 251
+
+  Clogs, 171
+
+  Cloth searchers, 164
+
+  "Clothe Dightinge," 163
+
+  Coaching days, The old, 213-216
+
+  Coals carried on horse-back, 217
+
+  Cockermouth tolls dispute, 83;
+    Old manorial officers at, 90
+
+  Cock-fighting, 192-195, 201, 242
+
+  Cockpenny, 242, 243
+
+  Corby Castle, Radiant Boy of, 146
+
+  Cordwainers, Rules for, 164
+
+  Cornage, Service of, 15, 69, 70, 73
+
+  Coronation festivities, 205
+
+  Corryhole at Great Salkeld Church, 32
+
+  Councils, Old Parish, 230-232
+
+  Countess's Pillar at Brougham, 223
+
+  County guinea incident near Penrith, 20
+
+  Courts in church, Holding, 58
+
+  Courts, Old, 58, 90, 181
+
+  Crack Nut Sunday, 225
+
+  Croglin, Manorial customs at, 82
+
+  Crosby Garrett, A probable fortified church at, 33
+
+  Crosby-on-Eden, Old school-days at, 249
+
+  Crosby Ravensworth Church, Keeping dogs out of, 61
+
+  Cross Fell, Legend of, 132
+
+  Crosthwaite, Rivalry between Cockermouth and, 157
+
+  "Culyet," 52
+
+  Cumin tenure, 85
+
+  Cumwhitton, Manorial customs at, 82
+
+  Curfew Bell, Ringing the, 238
+
+  Customs, Old, 223-239;
+    Old School, 240-255
+
+
+  Dacre Church, Curious custom at, 55
+
+  Dalston Church, Whipping dogs from, 61-62;
+    Holy well at, 207
+
+  "Dalston Black-reeds," 194
+
+  Dearham Church tower used as a beacon, 32
+
+  Death stroke superstition, 137
+
+  Dissenters, Punishment of, 107-109
+
+  Dog-laws at Egremont, Old, 87
+
+  Dog-whippers in church, 60-63
+
+  Downies and Uppies at Workington, 200
+
+  Drengage tenements, 66
+
+  Drenges, 66
+
+  Dress, Old-time, 171-173
+
+  Drigg, Manorial customs at, 82
+
+  Drunkards, Punishment of, 119-121
+
+
+  Edenhall, Church tower used as a beacon, 13;
+    Manorial customs at, 81;
+    A possible plague stone at, 237
+
+  Eden Hall, Luck of, 148
+
+  Egremont, Manorial customs at, 77, 87, 90
+
+  Epidemics, Old-time, 235-238
+
+  Excommunication and penance, 98-119
+
+  Executions, Wholesale, for political offences, 97
+
+  Expeditious wagons, 216
+
+
+  Fairies, 137
+
+  Fairs, Old laws concerning, 155;
+    Churchyard, 155-158
+
+  Farleton Knott beacon, 13
+
+  Festivities and sports, Old, 188-208
+
+  Fighting Bishops and Fortified Churches, 22-37
+
+  Firebote, 75
+
+  Fire, Old methods for quenching, 186
+
+  "First-foot" superstition, 147
+
+  Flimby, Old tenure at, 71
+
+  Fonts in private grounds, 50-51
+
+  Food-stuffs, Old-time, 174-178
+
+  Fools, Old-time, 232
+
+  Football, 199-200, 243
+
+  Forest Court at Hesket, 69, 73
+
+  Forestalling and regrating, Laws against, 165-167, 169
+
+  Fortified churches, 28-37
+
+  Foster-oats, An old manorial rent, 78
+
+  Free-bench, 81
+
+  Furth-neets at Orton and Ravenstonedale, 228-229
+
+
+  Gallows Hills, 94, 98
+
+  Gambling, Punishment for, 115
+
+  Gaol-life, Old-time, 122
+
+  Ghosts, 142-143
+
+  Giant's Cave Sunday, 207
+
+  Giant's Thumb at Penrith, 124
+
+  Gibbeting of criminals, 94-97
+
+  Gilcrux, Old tenure at, 70
+
+  Glassonby, Manorial customs at, 80
+
+  Glove service, 72
+
+  God's penny custom, 83
+
+  "Gospel side" of a church, 54
+
+  Gowrie Plot celebration, 203
+
+  Great Salkeld, Fortified church at, 31
+
+  Greenhue rent, 77
+
+  Greystoke, Anchorites at, 46;
+    Sanctuary stone at, 115;
+    "Pelican in her piety" at, 58;
+    Church miserere used as church sign at, 58;
+    Manorial customs at, 78, 80;
+    Penance at, 113;
+    Excommunication at, 101;
+    Foot stocks at, 124;
+    Gowrie Plot celebration at, 203;
+    Gunpowder Plot celebration at, 203
+
+  Guilds and old trade societies, 162-4
+
+  Gunpowder Plot celebration, 203
+
+
+  Hack-pudding, 227
+
+  Halts, 218
+
+  "Hanging days," The, 123
+
+  Hanging, drawing, and quartering, 91, 97, 98
+
+  Harcla, The execution of Sir Andrew de, 91
+
+  Hawk service, The, 69, 70
+
+  Hawkshead, Dog-whippers at, 63
+
+  Hayton paupers hired to contractors, 234
+
+  Hedge-lookers, 89
+
+  Helton, Old Council at, 231
+
+  Heriots, 79, 85, 100
+
+  Hesket Thorn Court, 70, 73
+
+  Holme Cultram, Abbey of, also a fortress, 29;
+    Petition of inhabitants to Cromwell, 29;
+    Curious dispute at, 39;
+    Old-time school life at, 244
+
+  Holy bell at Ravenstonedale, 114
+
+  Holy wells, 206-208
+
+  Holly Night at Brough, 205
+
+  Homage, Service of, 15, 65
+
+  Horn tenures, 73
+
+  Hospitals, Old-time, 211, 212
+
+  House-boot, 76, 82
+
+  House in two parishes, 228
+
+
+  Inglewood Forest, 70, 73, 74, 197, 212
+
+  Ireby, Manorial customs at, 77
+
+  Irthington, Old school-days at, 249
+
+
+  Jesters, Old-time, 232
+
+  Journeys, Some noteworthy old-time, 209-221
+
+  Judges, Perils of the King's, 212
+
+
+  Kaber Rigg Rising, The, 98
+
+  Kattstick and Bullvett, 199
+
+  Kendal, Scolds' bridle at, 115;
+    Punishments at, 115-121;
+    Watch and ward at, 17-19;
+    Parson of moiety of church of, 38;
+    Church incident at, 35-37;
+    Bowmen, 198;
+    Barring out custom at, 254
+
+  Kentmere, Reminders of Border service at, 229
+
+  Keswick, Bull-baiting at, 195;
+    endowed school, 245
+
+  Kirkby Lonsdale, Church inscription at, 47;
+    Bridge legend, 133;
+    Sale of church font, 51
+
+  Kirkby Stephen, Curious tithe custom at, 56;
+    A probable fortified church at, 34;
+    Burial of Sir Andrew de Harcla at, 94;
+    Fair, Proclamation at, 160;
+    School ordinances, 240
+
+  Kirkby Thore, Penance at, 112
+
+  Kirkland, Unusual tenure at, 85
+
+  Kirkoswald, Curious church tower at, 47;
+    Bull-baiting at, 195;
+    Old manorial measures at, 160
+
+  Knitters, Famous, 228
+
+  Knur and spell, 199
+
+
+  Lancaster, Execution and gibbeting of Thomas, 95
+
+  Lanercost Abbey, Tragic origin of, 111
+
+  Langdale, Curate of, as alehouse keeper, 41
+
+  Langwathby Church, Armour in, 13, 34
+
+  Lawyers, Restrictions upon, 167
+
+  Leather searchers, 89
+
+  Legend of St. Bega, 131;
+    Kirksanton, 131;
+    Fisherty Brow, 132;
+    Arlecdon, 133;
+    Kirkby Lonsdale Bridge, 133;
+    Concerning wolves, 135;
+    Warthol Hall, 135;
+    Calgarth skulls, 146;
+    Armboth Hall, 147;
+    Machell family, 142;
+    Radiant Boy of Corby, 146
+
+  Legends and Superstitions, Some, 131-147
+
+  Leper windows, 45-46;
+    Hospitals, 46
+
+  Lepers in Cumberland and Westmorland, 45-46
+
+  Levens, Luck of, 153
+
+  Levens Radish Feast, 208
+
+  Life in the old gaols, 122
+
+  Little Salkeld, Desecration of church at, 58
+
+  Long Marton, An infant rector of, 39
+
+  Lucks, 148-154
+
+
+  Manorial laws, 64-90
+
+  Market bells, 167
+
+  Markets and fairs customs, 155-168
+
+  Maskers, 202
+
+  Meat selling at church doors, 156;
+    On Sundays, 165;
+    Bequest, A, 177
+
+  Milling laws, Old, 76, 82, 83
+
+  Mill lookers, 89
+
+  Millom, Manorial jurisdiction at, 64;
+    Penance at, 112
+
+  Minstrel galleries, Old, 181
+
+  Miracle workers, Supposed, 138
+
+  Mock Mayors, 200
+
+  Moor lookers, 89
+
+  Moota, Beacon at, 14
+
+  Morland, Manorial custom at, 75, 82
+
+  Mortuary rights of the Church, 100
+
+  Multuring, 83, 84
+
+  Muncaster, Luck of, 149
+
+  Musgrave Church font in private grounds, 50
+
+
+  Needfire superstition, 143-146
+
+  Newbiggin (Dacre), Curious custom at, 79
+
+  Newton Arlosh, Fortified church at, 30
+
+  Night watch, 245
+
+  Nunnery, Privileges of prioress and nuns of, 67
+
+  Nutgeld service, 71
+
+  Nut Monday, 225
+
+  Nutting days, School, 255
+
+
+  Old-time Home Life, 169-187
+
+  Old-time school life, 240-255
+
+  "Orders of the Watch," 11
+
+  Ormside, A probable fortified church at, 33
+
+  Orton, Probable fortified church at, 33;
+    Sworn men at, 230;
+    Stocks, 125
+
+
+  Pack-horses, 209, 210, 217, 219, 220, 221, 238
+
+  Parsonby, Manorial customs at, 77
+
+  Paupers hired to contractors, 234
+
+  Peat silver, 78
+
+  Peculiar contrivances, 171
+
+  Penance, Excommunication and, 98-119
+
+  Penrith Beacon, 12, 13
+
+  Penrith Church font in private grounds, 50;
+    Plague-stones at, 235-237;
+    Excommunication at, 103;
+    Stocks and pillory at, 124;
+    Races, 192-194;
+    Badge of poverty at, 235
+
+  Penrith Fell, Ludicrous incident on, 27;
+    Burial of excommunicates on, 104
+
+  Penthouses at Orton, 229
+
+  Peppercorn rents, 87
+
+  Pie Poudre Court at Kirkby Stephen, 161
+
+  Pillar, Countess's, 223
+
+  Pillions, Riding on, 217, 220
+
+  Pillory and stocks, 124, 125
+
+  Plague-stones, Old, 235-238
+
+  Plumpton, Manorial custom at, 82
+
+  Plowbote, 75
+
+  Poor people let out to contractors, 234
+
+  Porridge, A tribute to the value of, 169
+
+  Posset cups, 202
+
+  Pot fairs, 156
+
+  Poverty, The badge of, 235
+
+  Proclamations at fairs, 160-162
+
+  Punishments, Old-time, 91-129
+
+
+  Quakers, Punishment of, 107-109
+
+
+  Racing, Curiosities in horse, 190-193
+
+  Radiant Boy of Corby Castle, 146
+
+  Radish Feast at Levens, 208
+
+  Rapier dancers, 202
+
+  Ravenglass, Proclamation of fair at, 161
+
+  Ravenstonedale, Holding a Court in church at, 58;
+    Sanctuary bell at, 114;
+    Penance at, 110;
+    Stocks at, 125
+
+  Rebel's Cap at Kendal, 35
+
+  Rector, An infant, 39
+
+  Refuge bell at Ravenstonedale, 114
+
+  Renwick tithe exemption, Curious, 88
+
+  Riding the stang at Ambleside, 128
+
+  Road, On the, 209-222
+
+  "Robin the Devil's" escapade, 35-37
+
+  Rod, Surrendering by the, 247
+
+  Rose tenure, 70, 72
+
+  Rowan tree superstition, 137
+
+  Running Gressom, 85
+
+  Rush-bearing custom, 224
+
+  Rushes and bents for churches, 59-61
+
+  Rushes, Curious belief about, 170
+
+  Rushlights, Old-time, 170
+
+
+  Sacrilege, Punishment at Appleby for, 113
+
+  Sales in churchyards, Announcing, 158
+
+  Salmon, Abundance and cheapness of, 177;
+    as apprentices' food, 178
+
+  Sanctuary at Ravenstonedale, 114;
+    Nunnery, 115;
+    Greystoke, 115
+
+  Scale Houses, Peculiar tithe exemption at, 88
+
+  Scholars' badge of poverty at Penrith, 235
+
+  School customs, Old, 240-255
+
+  Schools in churches, 248-251
+
+  Schoolmasters, Old-time, 240-255
+
+  Scolds' bridles, 115
+
+  Seawake, Service of, 15, 71
+
+  Sebergham, A protest in rhyme at, 48;
+    School in a mud hut at, 248
+
+  Sexton, A female, 45
+
+  Shearing days, 203
+
+  Sheriffesses of Westmorland, 2-4
+
+  Sheriffs' law suits with Appleby burgesses, 6
+
+  Sheriffwick, An Unparalleled, 1-8
+
+  Shrovetide festival at Wreay, 201
+
+  Silver-penny fines, 79
+
+  Skirsgill well custom, An old, 206
+
+  Skirwith, Manorial customs at, 76
+
+  Snow on Midsummer's Day, Legend of, 131
+
+  Soar-hawk tenure, 69
+
+  Sparket Mill, Peculiar obligation at, 86
+
+  Sports and Festivities, Old, 188-208
+
+  Spur service, 71, 72
+
+  Stang, Riding the, at Ambleside, 128
+
+  St. Bega, Legend of, 131
+
+  Steading stone at Thirlmere, 121
+
+  Stirrup tenure, 68
+
+  Stocks, 124, 125
+
+  Stockings, Curious method of treating, 171
+
+  Sunday markets, 156-158
+
+  Sunday observance, 225-226
+
+  Superstitions and Legends, 131-147
+
+  Surrendering by the rod, 247
+
+  Swine in churchyards, 60;
+    Ringers, 89
+
+
+  Tailors, Rules for, 164
+
+  Tea, Curious methods of dealing with, 178
+
+  Telling the bees, 138
+
+  Tenures, Curiosities of, 64-90, 247
+
+  Thirlmere, Steading stone at, 121
+
+  Threlkeld, Manorial customs at, 76
+
+  Timber-lode, 75
+
+  Tithe exemption, Curious, 88
+
+  Toll-free, Rights of tenants and burgesses to go, 67
+
+  Tolls, An old dispute about, 83
+
+  "Tom Candlestick," 170
+
+  Toothache, Charm for, 136
+
+  Torpenhow, Old Council at, 230-244
+
+  Town and village watch and ward, 16-21
+
+  Trading Laws and Customs, Old 155-168
+
+  Traditions, 131-147
+
+  Troutbeck dole custom at Dacre, 55
+
+  Troutbeck (Windermere), Manorial jurisdiction at, 64
+
+  Tummel wheel'd carts, 218
+
+
+  Uppies and Downies at Workington, 200
+
+
+  Village schoolmasters, Old-time, 244-253
+
+
+  Waberthwaite Church, Dog-whippers at, 63
+
+  Warthol, Watching station at, 14
+
+    "  Hall, Legend concerning, 135
+
+  Warwick, Old school-days at, 249
+
+  Watch and Ward, 9-21
+
+  Watch, Orders of the, 11
+
+  Watermillock, Manorial custom at, 81;
+    Head Jurie, 51, 231
+
+  Webstone at Armboth, The, 238
+
+  Well festivals, 206-208
+
+  Wetheral, Manorial customs at, 78
+
+  Whipping of criminals, Public, 124-128
+
+  Whitbeck, Old customs at, 227
+
+  Whitehaven, Society of Archers, 198;
+    Watch and ward at, 19;
+    Public whipping at, 125
+
+  Whittlegate, The old custom of, 43, 44, 251
+
+  Wigton, Curious epitaph at, 157;
+    Selling meat at parish church, 156
+
+  Wine, Curiosities concerning church, 54-55
+
+  Witch, Drowning of a supposed, 91;
+    Mary Baynes, the Orton, 139;
+    Lizzy Batty, the Brampton, 141
+
+  Witness man, Service of, 15
+
+  Woful Bank, Legend concerning, 135
+
+  Women as judges, 2
+
+  Workington Easter football play, 200
+
+  Wotobank, Legend concerning, 135
+
+  Wreay, Mock mayoral festivities at, 201
+
+  Wreck of the sea privilege at Millom, 84
+
+  Wrestling, 188-190
+
+
+WILLIAM ANDREWS & CO., PRINTERS, HULL.
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[1] Paper communicated by Sir G. Duckett, July, 1879.
+
+[2] "Sir Ewain; or, the Giant's Cave." Penrith, 1860.
+
+[3] Historical Manuscripts Commissioners' Ninth Report.
+
+[4] At Kirkby Stephen, September, 1871.
+
+[5] "Annals of Kendal," 1832.
+
+[6] 8th series, vol. 9, 1896.
+
+[7] "Survey of the Lakes," 1789.
+
+[8] Sayer.
+
+[9] Sayer.
+
+[10] "Bygone Punishments," 1898.
+
+[11] "History and Traditions of Ravenstononedale," 1877.
+
+[12] "Beneath Helvellyn's Shade," 1892.
+
+[13] At Cockermouth, October 10th, 1867.
+
+[14] The Rev. E. H. Sugden's "History of Arlecdon and Frizington," 1897.
+
+[15] "Craven and North-West Yorkshire Highlands."
+
+[16] "Traditions of Lancashire."
+
+[17] _Carlisle Journal_, May, 1895.
+
+[18] "Church Treasury of History, Custom, and Folk Lore," 1897.
+
+[19] "The Manners and Customs of Westmorland, etc., in the Former Part of
+the Eighteenth Century."
+
+[20] "Romantic Richmondshire," 1897.
+
+[21] "The Parish Registers of Dalston," 1893.
+
+[22] "Survey of the Lakes," by James Clarke. Penrith, 1789.
+
+
+
+
+  LIST OF PUBLICATIONS OF
+  WILLIAM ANDREWS & CO.,
+  5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, LONDON.
+
+
+"Valuable and interesting."--_Times._
+
+"Readable as well as instructive."--_The Globe._
+
+"A valuable addition to any library."--_Derbyshire Times._
+
+"There is a charm about the chapters seldom found in works dealing with
+antiquarian lore, for they are never dry and always entertaining. The
+illustrations are a splendid feature. These county histories call for
+appreciation and deserve every success."--_Birmingham Daily Gazette._
+
+
+The Bygone Series.
+
+In this series the following volumes are included, and issued at 7s. 6d.
+each. Demy 8vo, cloth gilt.
+
+These books have been favourably reviewed in the leading critical journals
+of England and America.
+
+Carefully written articles by recognised authorities are included on
+history, castles, abbeys, biography, romantic episodes, legendary lore,
+traditional stories, curious customs, folk-lore, etc., etc.
+
+The works are illustrated by eminent artists, and by the reproduction of
+quaint pictures of the olden time.
+
+  BYGONE BERKSHIRE, edited by Rev. P. H. Ditchfield, M.A., F.S.A.
+  BYGONE CHESHIRE, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND, by Daniel Scott.
+  BYGONE DURHAM, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE GLOUCESTERSHIRE, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE HAMPSHIRE, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE HERTFORDSHIRE, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE LINCOLNSHIRE (2 vols), edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE MIDDLESEX, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE NORFOLK, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE NORTHUMBERLAND, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, by William Stevenson.
+  BYGONE SCOTLAND, by David Maxwell, C.E.
+  BYGONE SOMERSETSHIRE, edited by Cuming Walters.
+  BYGONE SOUTHWARK, by Mrs. E. Boger.
+  BYGONE STAFFORDSHIRE, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE SUFFOLK, edited by Cuming Walters.
+  BYGONE SURREY, edited by George Clinch and S. W. Kershaw, F.S.A.
+  BYGONE SUSSEX, by W. E. A. Axon.
+  BYGONE YORKSHIRE, edited by William Andrews.
+
+
+England in the Days of Old.
+
+BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth extra, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations._
+
+CONTENTS:--When Wigs were Worn--Powdering the Hair--Men Wearing
+Muffs-Concerning Corporation Customs--Bribes for the Palate--Rebel Heads
+on City Gates--Burials at Cross Roads--Detaining the Dead for Debt--A
+Nobleman's Household in Tudor Times--Bread and Baking in Bygone
+Days--Arise, Mistress, Arise!--The Turnspit--A Gossip about the
+Goose--Bells as Time-Tellers--The Age of Snuffing--State
+Lotteries--Bear-Baiting--Morris Dancers-The Folk-Lore of Midsummer
+Eve--Harvest Home--Curious Charities--An Old-Time Chronicler--Index.
+
+    "A most delightful work."--_Leeds Mercury._
+
+    "Mr. Andrews has the true art of narration, and contrives to give us
+    the results of his learning with considerable freshness of style,
+    whilst his subjects are always interesting and
+    picturesque."--_Manchester Courier._
+
+    "The old customs, domestic habits, and dress of our forefathers
+    described in these chapters are too much neglected by historians, and
+    a study of them will while away a leisure hour very pleasantly."--_The
+    Times._
+
+
+Bygone Punishments.
+
+BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth gilt, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations._
+
+CONTENTS:--Hanging--Hanging in Chains--Hanging, Drawing, and
+Quartering--Pressing to Death--Drowning--Burning to Death--Boiling to
+Death--Beheading--The Halifax Gibbet--The Scottish
+Maiden--Mutilation--Branding--The Pillory--Punishing Authors and Burning
+Books--Finger Pillory--The Jougs--The Stocks--The Drunkard's
+Cloak--Whipping and Whipping-Posts--Public Penance--The Repentance
+Stool--The Ducking Stool--The Brank, or Scold's Bridle--Riding the
+Stang--Index.
+
+    "A book of great interest."--_Manchester Courier._
+
+    "Full of curious lore, sought out and arranged with much
+    industry."--_The Scotsman._
+
+    "Mr. Andrews has produced a most entertaining book, without departing
+    from authenticated facts, there is no moralising, and the writer never
+    obtrudes himself. The result is a work well worth a place on a
+    bookshelf, and readable to a degree."--_Eastern Morning News._
+
+
+Literary Byways.
+
+BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth gilt, 7s. 6d._
+
+CONTENTS:--Authors at work--The Earnings of Authors--"Declined with
+Thanks"--Epigrams on Authors--Poetical Graces--Poetry on Panes--English
+Folk Rhymes--The Poetry of Toast Lists and Menu Cards--Toasts and
+Toasting--Curious American Old-Time Gleanings--The Earliest American
+Poetess: Anne Bradstreet--A Playful Poet: Miss Catharine Fanshawe--A
+Popular Song Writer: Mrs. John Hunter--A Poet of the Poor: Mary Pyper--The
+Poet of the Fisher-Folk: Mrs. Susan K. Phillips--A Poet and Novelist of
+the People: Thomas Miller--The Cottage Countess--The Compiler of "Old
+Moore's Almanack": Henry Andrews--James Nayler, the Mad Quaker, who
+claimed to be the Messiah--A Biographical Romance: Swan's Strange
+Story--Short Letters--Index.
+
+    "Readable and entertaining."--_Notes and Queries._
+
+    "Turn where you will, there is information and entertainment in this
+    book."--_Birmingham Daily Gazette._
+
+
+Curious Epitaphs.
+
+COLLECTED AND EDITED WITH NOTES
+
+BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth extra, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations._
+
+CONTENTS:--Epitaphs on Tradesmen--Typographical Epitaphs--Epitaphs on Good
+and Faithful Servants--Epitaphs on Soldiers and Sailors--Epitaphs on
+Musicians and Actors--Epitaphs on Sportsmen--Bacchanalian
+Epitaphs--Epitaphs on Parish Clerks and Sextons--Punning
+Epitaphs--Manxland Epitaphs--Epitaphs on Notable Persons--Miscellaneous
+Epitaphs--Index.
+
+    "A most entertaining collection."--_Newcastle Daily Chronicle._
+
+    "A book that is sure to be widely read and appreciated."--_People's
+    Journal._
+
+    "It is an entertaining and instructive work, it may fairly be regarded
+    as the best on its subject, and it will take a permanent place in our
+    literature."--_Hull Critic._
+
+
+Curious Church Customs.
+
+EDITED BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth extra, 7s. 6d._
+
+CONTENTS:--Sports in Churches--Holy Day Customs--Church Bells: When and
+Why They were Rung--Inscriptions on Bells--Laws of the Belfry--Ringers'
+Jugs--Customs and Superstitions of Baptism--Marriage Customs--Burial
+Customs--Concerning the Churchyard--Altars in Churches--The Rood Loft and
+its Uses--Armour in Churches--Beating the Bounds--The Story of the
+Crosier--Bishops in Battle--The Cloister and its Story--Shorthand in
+Church--Reminiscences of our Village Church--Index.
+
+    "A thoroughly excellent volume."--_Publishers' Circular._
+
+    "A handsomely got up and interesting volume."--_The Fireside._
+
+    "We are indebted to Mr. Andrews for an invaluable addition to our
+    library of folk-lore, and we do not think that many who take it up
+    will slip a single page."--_Dundee Advertiser._
+
+
+Ecclesiastical Curiosities.
+
+EDITED BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth gilt, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations._
+
+CONTENTS:--The Church Door--Sacrificial Foundations--The Building of the
+English Cathedrals--Ye Chapell of Oure Ladye--Some Famous Spires--The Five
+of Spades and the Church of Ashton-under-Lyne--Bells and their
+Messages--Stories about Bells--Concerning Font-Lore--Watching Chambers in
+Churches--Church Chests--An Antiquarian Problem: The Leper
+Window--Mazes--Churchyard Superstitions--Curious Announcements in the
+Church--Big Bones Preserved in Churches--Samuel Pepys at Church--Index.
+
+    "An interesting and engrossing volume."--_Church Bells._
+
+    "It consists of studies by various writers in the history, customs,
+    and folk-lore of the Church of England. Whilst it will appeal most
+    strongly to those who are given to antiquarian and ecclesiological
+    inquiry, it contains much that should prove of interest to any
+    intelligent reader. The various contributions give evidence of
+    diligent and discriminating research, and embody much old-world lore
+    that is curious and instructive."--_Aberdeen Free Press._
+
+
+The Church Treasury of History, Custom, Folk-Lore, etc.
+
+EDITED BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations._
+
+CONTENTS:--Stave-Kirks--Curious Churches of Cornwall--Holy Wells--Hermit
+and Hermit Cells--Church Wakes--Fortified Church Towers--The Knight
+Templars: Their Churches and their Privileges--English Mediæval
+Pilgrimages--Pilgrims' Signs--Human Skin on Church Doors--Animals of the
+Church in Wood, Stone, and Bronze--Queries in Stones--Pictures in
+Churches--Flowers and Rites of the Church--Ghost Layers and Ghost
+Laying--Church Walks--Westminster Waxworks--Index.
+
+    "The book will be welcome to every lover of archæological
+    lore."--_Liverpool Daily Post._
+
+    "It is a work that will prove interesting to the clergy and churchmen
+    generally, and to all others who have an antiquarian turn of mind, or
+    like to be regaled occasionally by reading old-world customs and
+    anecdotes."--_Church Family Newspaper._
+
+
+Bygone Church Life in Scotland.
+
+EDITED BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth gilt, 7s. 6d._
+
+CONTENTS:--The Cross in Scotland--Bell Lore--Saints and Holy Wells--Life
+in the Pre-Reformation Cathedrals--Public Worship in Olden Times--Church
+Music--Discipline in the Kirk--Curiosities of Church Finance--Witchcraft
+and the Kirk--Birth and Baptisms, Customs and Superstitions--Marriage Laws
+and Customs--Gretna Green Gossip--Death and Burial Customs and
+Superstitions--The Story of a Stool--The Martyrs' Monument,
+Edinburgh--Index.
+
+    "The volume is certain to receive a welcome from Scotsmen at home and
+    abroad."--_Daily Chronicle._
+
+    "Every sentence in the book is either instructive or amusing, and it
+    should consequently find many appreciative readers. It contains a vast
+    amount of traditional and historical lore referring almost to every
+    district of Scotland. There are some artistic illustrations,
+    especially those of Glasgow Cathedral and views of ancient portions of
+    that city from the pencil of David Small."--_Dundee Advertiser._
+
+
+Lore and Legend of the English Church.
+
+BY THE REV. GEO. S. TYACK, B.A.
+
+_Crown, Cloth extra, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations._
+
+CONTENTS:--Introduction--The Building of the Church--The Church
+Steeple--The Churchyard--Graves and Funerals--The Nave--The Pulpit and the
+Lectern--The Font--Folk-Lore and Customs of Marriage--The Chancel and the
+Choir--Alms and Offerings--Conclusion--Index.
+
+    "A work that will be read with much interest."--_Somerset Herald._
+
+    "A handsome and substantial volume."--_Birmingham Daily Gazette._
+
+    "The volume could scarcely be too warmly commended."--_Staffordshire
+    Advertiser._
+
+    "A valuable addition to the splendid series of books on church
+    curiosities published by Messrs. William Andrews & Co."--_Church
+    Family Newspaper._
+
+
+A Book About Bells.
+
+BY THE REV. GEO. S. TYACK, B.A.
+
+_Crown, Cloth extra, 3s. 6d._
+
+CONTENTS:--Invention of Bells--Bell Founding and Bell Founders--Dates and
+Names of Bells--The Decoration of Bells--Some Noteworthy Bells--The Loss
+of Old Bells--Towers and Campaniles--Bell-Ringing and Bell-Ringers--The
+Church-Going Bell--Bells at Christian Festivals and Fasts--The Epochs of
+Man's Life Marked by the Bells--The Blessings and the Cursings of the
+Bells--Bells as Time-Markers--Secular Uses of Church and other
+Bells--Small Bells, Secular and Sacred--Carillons--Belfry Rhymes and
+Legends--Index of Subjects, Index of Places.
+
+    "Covers the whole field of bell-lore."--_Scotsman._
+
+    "'A Book About Bells' can be heartily commended."--_Pall Mall
+    Gazette._
+
+    "A most useful and interesting book.... All who are interested in
+    bells will, we feel confident, read it with pleasure and
+    profit."--_Church Family Newspaper._
+
+
+The Grotesque in Church Art.
+
+BY T. TINDALL WILDRIDGE.
+
+ONLY 400 COPIES PRINTED, AND EACH COPY NUMBERED.
+
+_Quarto Cloth extra, 16s. 6d. Many illustrations._
+
+CONTENTS:--Introduction--Definitions of the Grotesque--The Carvers--The
+Artistic Quality of Church Grotesques--Gothic Ornament not
+Didactic--Ingrained Paganism--Mythic Origin of Church Carvings--Hell's
+Mouth--Satanic Representations--The Devil and the Vices--Ale and the
+Alewife--Satires without Satan--Scriptural Illustrations--Masks and
+Faces--The Domestic and Popular--Animal Musicians--Compound
+Forms--Nondescripts--Rebuses--Trinities--The Fox in Church Art--Situations
+of Grotesque Ornament in Church Art--Index.
+
+    "The book is one which will appeal strongly to book-lovers; for the
+    edition is a handsome one, exquisitely printed and profusely
+    illustrated, and the edition is strictly limited to four hundred
+    copies."--_Sheffield Daily Telegraph._
+
+
+The Miracle Play in England.
+
+An Account of the Early Religious Drama.
+
+BY SIDNEY W. CLARKE, BARRISTER-AT-LAW.
+
+_Crown, 2s. 0d. Illustrated._
+
+CONTENTS:--The Origin of Drama--The Beginnings of English Drama--The York
+Plays--The Wakefield Plays--The Chester Plays--The Coventry Plays--Other
+English Miracle Plays--The Production of a Miracle Play--The Scenery,
+Properties, and Dresses--Appendix--The Order of the York Plays--Extract
+from City Register of York, 1426--The Order of the Wakefield Plays--The
+Order of the Chester Plays--The Order of the Grey Friars' Plays at
+Coventry--A Miracle Play in a Puppet Show--Index.
+
+    "An admirable work."--_Eastern Morning News._
+
+    "Mr. Clarke has chosen a most interesting subject, one that is
+    attractive alike to the student, the historian, and the general
+    reader.... A most interesting volume, and a number of quaint
+    illustrations add to its value."--_Birmingham Daily Gazette._
+
+
+Legal Lore: Curiosities of Law and Lawyers.
+
+EDITED BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth extra, 7s. 6d._
+
+CONTENTS:--Bible Law--Sanctuaries--Trials in Superstitious Ages--On
+Symbols--Law under the Feudal System--The Manor and Manor Law--Ancient
+Tenures--Laws of the Forest--Trial by Jury in Old Times--Barbarous
+Punishments--Trials of Animals--Devices of the Sixteenth Century
+Debtors--Laws Relating to the Gipsies--Commonwealth Law and
+Lawyers--Cock-Fighting in Scotland--Cockieleerie Law--Fatal
+Links--Post-Mortem Trials--Island Laws--The Little Inns of
+Court--Obiter--Index.
+
+    "There are some very amusing and curious facts concerning law and
+    lawyers. We have read with much interest the articles on Sanctuaries,
+    Trials in Superstitious Ages, Ancient Tenures, Trials by Jury in Old
+    Times, Barbarous Punishments, and Trials of Animals, and can heartily
+    recommend the volume to those who wish for a few hours' profitable
+    diversion in the study of what may be called the light literature of
+    the law."--_Daily Mail._
+
+
+Divine Song in its Human Echo.
+
+Or, SONG AND SERVICE.
+
+A Series of Short, Plain Sermons on Old-Fashioned Hymns.
+
+BY THE REV. J. GEORGE GIBSON.
+
+_Crown, Cloth gilt, 7s. 6d._
+
+"This volume contains thirty-seven sermons on old-fashioned hymns, and
+when we say that each discourse averages about ten octavo pages, printed
+in good-sized type, it will be seen that they are entitled to be called
+short. The Rector of Ebchester is an adept at the production of short
+sermons, and the line he has adopted in this instance is an extremely
+happy one. It is a conception that appeals to a great multitude, and the
+hymns which give the cue to the reflections form a large variety of
+well-known spiritual songs, the favourites, indeed, in communities of
+every name. Some of the sermons, indeed, most of them, have been prepared
+for anniversaries and special occasions, and all are such as might be
+expected from a man who is an undoubted lover of hymns. Their brevity
+excludes prolixity, and terse summaries of facts, sharp statements of
+doctrine, succinctness of argument, and directness of appeal characterise
+the whole."--_Newcastle Daily Leader._
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Passages in italics are indicated by _italics_.
+
+Superscripted characters are indicated by {superscript}.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland, by Daniel Scott
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BYGONE CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND ***
+
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+      Bygone Cumberland And Westmorland, by Daniel Scott&mdash;A Project Gutenberg eBook
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+Project Gutenberg's Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland, by Daniel Scott
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+Title: Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland
+
+Author: Daniel Scott
+
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+
+<h1>BYGONE CUMBERLAND AND<br />WESTMORLAND.</h1>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/frontis.jpg" alt="" /></div>
+<p class="caption">THE LEPERS&#8217; SQUINT, ST. MICHAEL&#8217;S CHURCH, BROUGH-UNDER-STAINMORE.<br />
+<i>From a Photo by Mr. George Arkwright, Beatrice, Nebraska, U.S.A.</i></p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="giant">Bygone Cumberland</span><br /><span class="large">and</span><br /><span class="giant">Westmorland</span></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="large">By Daniel Scott</span></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/title.jpg" alt="" /></div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center">LONDON:<br />
+<small>WILLIAM ANDREWS &amp; CO., 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, E.C.</small><br />
+1899.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/printer.jpg" alt="" /></div>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center">TO EMMA.</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<div class="note">
+<h2>Preface.</h2>
+
+<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">The</span> information contained in the following pages has been derived from
+many sources during the last twenty years, and in a considerable number of
+cases I have examined old registers and other documents without being then
+aware that some of their contents had already been published.</p>
+
+<p>Few districts in the United Kingdom have been more thoroughly &#8220;worked&#8221; for
+antiquarian and arch&aelig;ological purposes than have Cumberland and
+Westmorland. The Antiquarian Society and the numerous Literary and
+Scientific Societies have, during the last thirty years, been responsible
+for a great amount of research. I have endeavoured to acknowledge each
+source&mdash;not only as a token of my own obligation, but as a means of
+directing others wishing further information on the various points.</p>
+
+<p>I also desire to acknowledge the help received in various ways from
+numerous friends in the two counties.</p>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Daniel Scott.</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Penrith</span>, <i>June 1st, 1899</i>.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<h2>Contents.</h2>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table">
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td align="right"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">An Unparalleled Sheriffwick</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Watch and Ward</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Fighting Bishops and Fortified Churches</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Some Church Curiosities</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_38">38</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Manorial Laws and Curiosities of Tenures</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Old-Time Punishments</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Some Legends and Superstitions</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_130">130</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Four Lucks</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_148">148</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Some Old Trading Laws and Customs</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_155">155</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Old-Time Home Life</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_169">169</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Sports and Festivities</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_188">188</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">On the Road</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_209">209</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Old Customs</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_223">223</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Old School Customs</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_240">240</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Index</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_257">257</a></td></tr></table>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p>
+<p class="center"><span class="giant">Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland.</span></p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h2>An Unparalleled Sheriffwick.</h2>
+
+<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">For</span> a period of 645 years&mdash;from 1204 to 1849&mdash;Westmorland, unlike other
+counties in England (excluding, of course, the counties Palatine), had no
+Sheriff other than the one who held the office by hereditary right. The
+first Sheriff of the county is mentioned in 1160, and nine or ten other
+names occur at subsequent periods, until in 1202, the fourth year of the
+reign of King John, came Robert de Vetripont. Very soon afterwards the
+office was made hereditary in his family &#8220;to have and to hold of the King
+and his heirs.&#8221; The honour and privileges were possessed by no less than
+twenty-two of Robert&#8217;s descendants. Their occupation of the office covers
+some very exciting periods of county history, the tasks committed to the
+Sheriffs in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> former centuries being frequently of an arduous as well as
+dangerous character.</p>
+
+<p>The Sheriff had very important duties of a military character to carry
+out. Thus in the sixth year of Henry the Third we have the command from
+the King to the Sheriff of Westmorland that without any delay he should
+summon the earls, barons, knights, and freeholders of his bailiwick, and
+that he should hasten to Cockermouth and besiege the castle there,
+afterwards destroying it to its very foundations. This order was a
+duplicate of one sent to the Sheriff of Yorkshire concerning Skipton
+Castle and other places. It is not known, however, whether the
+instructions respecting Cockermouth were carried out or not.</p>
+
+<p>The powers of Sheriff not being confined to the male members of the
+family, the histories of Westmorland contain the unusual information that
+at least two women occupied, by right of office, seats on the bench
+alongside the Judges. The first of these was Isabella de Clifford, widow
+of Robert, and, wrote the historian Machell, &#8220;She sate as is said in
+person at Apelby as Sheriff of the county, and died about 20 of Edward I.&#8221;
+The other case was that of the still more powerful, strenuous, and gifted
+woman, Anne, Countess<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> of Pembroke. Of her it is recorded that she not
+only took her seat on the bench, but &#8220;rode on a white charger as
+Sheriffess of Westmorland, before the Judges to open the Assizes.&#8221; It will
+not be forgotten that territorial lords and ladies in bygone times held
+Courts of their own in connection with their manors and castles. The Rev.
+John Wharton, Vicar of South Stainmore, in a communication to the writer
+some time ago said: &#8220;From documents shown me by the late John Hill, Esq.,
+Castle Bank, Appleby, the great but somewhat masculine Anne, Countess of
+Pembroke and Montgomery, seemed partial to Courts of her own. She sat upon
+many offenders as a judge, and it is handed down that she executed divers
+persons for treasonous designs and plotting against her estate.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Memoranda Rolls belonging to the Lord Treasurer&#8217;s Remembrancer, show
+the mode of presenting or nominating the Sheriff for Westmorland in the
+time of the Cliffords, his admittance to the office by the Barons of the
+Exchequer, and his warrant for executing it. From the Rolls of the 15th,
+19th, and 23rd years of Edward the First, when the Sheriffwick passed into
+the family of the Cliffords, it seems that the right of appointment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> was
+the subject of litigation between the two daughters and heiresses of the
+last of the Vetriponts. This ended in an agreement that the elder sister
+should &#8220;present&#8221; to, and the younger should &#8220;approve&#8221; the appointment. In
+this way Robert de Moreville was admitted to the office of Sheriff in the
+fifteenth year of Edward&#8217;s reign, Gilbert de Burneshead three years later,
+and Ralph de Manneby in 1295, each swearing faithfully to execute his
+office and answer to both daughters. On the death of the sisters the
+Sheriffwick became vested in Robert de Clifford, son and heir of the
+eldest, and continued in the possession of his descendants until the
+attainder in 1461.</p>
+
+<p>The list of Sheriffs is, of course, a very long one, and even allowing for
+the large number of individuals who have left nothing more than their
+names, there is much material for interesting study in the histories of
+the others. The actual work was rarely done by the holders of the office.
+&#8220;The functionaries who performed the duties were simply deputies for the
+Sheriff, and although we find them attesting many ancient charters and
+grants relating to the county, recording themselves as Vice-Comites (or
+Sheriffs), they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> simply executed the office as Pro-Vice-Comites (or
+Under-Sheriffs). The attainder of the Cliffords during the Wars of the
+Roses, until its reversal in the first year of Henry the Sixth, causes a
+void as regards their family, their places being filled from among the
+supporters of the House of York.&#8221;<a name='fna_1' id='fna_1' href='#f_1'><small>[1]</small></a> For a considerable period Westmorland
+was treated as part of Yorkshire, the Sheriff of the latter county
+rendering an account of the two places jointly. From the time of John,
+however, the accounts rendered for Westmorland by Yorkshire Sheriffs would
+have been as Sub-Vice-Comites for the Vetriponts.</p>
+
+<p>The High Sheriffs and their connections lived in considerable state when
+the country was sufficiently peaceable to permit of it. This is proved by
+the arrangement and size of their castles, while Sir Lancelot Threlkeld,
+half-brother of Henry Clifford, used to boast that he had three noble
+houses. One, at Crosby Ravensworth, where there was a park full of deer,
+was for pleasure; one for profit and warmth wherein to reside in winter,
+was the house at Yanwath; and the estate at Threlkeld was &#8220;well stocked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>
+with tenants ready to go with him to the wars.&#8221; The various &#8220;progresses&#8221;
+of the Countess Anne also afford evidence of the state kept up, for she
+frequently speaks of her journeys from one castle to another &#8220;escorted by
+my gentlemen and yeomen.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Among the numerous pieces of patronage which became the prerogative of the
+High Sheriffs of Westmorland, was that of the Abbey of Shap, but there
+does not appear to be any record when this and other privileges passed
+from them, the property being granted by Henry the Eighth to the Whartons.
+Where so much power lay in the hands of one person, or of one family,
+differences with other authorities was perhaps inevitable. The interests
+of the burgesses of Appleby would seem to have clashed at times with those
+of the Sheriff, and for very many years the parties kept up a crusade
+against each other, especially during the reigns of the first three
+Edwards. What the cost of those proceedings may have been to the Sheriff
+cannot be told, but on the other side the result was the forfeiture of
+rights for a considerable time, because the fee farm rent had got into
+arrear. The Hereditary High Sheriff had the privilege of appointing the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>
+governor of the gaol at Appleby, but he had to pay &pound;15 per annum towards
+the salary, while the magistrates appointed the other officials and made
+up from the county rates the remainder of the cost of the institution.</p>
+
+<p>The long period during which the holders of the Sheriffwick held the
+privilege is the more remarkable&mdash;as Sir G. Duckett, Bart., reminded the
+northern arch&aelig;ologists in 1879&mdash;because of the way in which ancient grants
+and statutes have in almost all cases become a dead letter and obsolete.</p>
+
+<p>A singular incident in connection with the Sheriffwick happened about
+seventy years ago, and is recorded in the life of Baron Alderson, father
+of the Marchioness of Salisbury. The Baron went to Appleby to hold the
+half-yearly assizes, but on arriving there found that he could not carry
+out his work because Lord Thanet was in France, and had omitted to send
+the documents for obtaining juries. The Judge had therefore to spend his
+time as best he could for several days, until a messenger could see the
+High Sheriff in Paris and obtain the necessary papers.</p>
+
+<p>When the eleventh and last Earl of Thanet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> died in June, 1849, the male
+line of the family ceased, the estates passing by will to Sir Richard
+Tufton, father of the present Lord Hothfield. The office of Hereditary
+High Sheriff was claimed by the Rev. Charles Henry Barham, of Trecwn,
+nephew of the Earl, but a question arising as to the validity of a devise
+of the office, Mr. Barham relinquished his claim in favour of the Crown.
+An Act was afterwards passed&mdash;in July, 1850&mdash;making the Shrievalty in
+Westmorland the same as in other counties.</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Watch and Ward.</h2>
+
+<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">The</span> geographical position of the two counties rendered an extensive system
+of watching essential for the safety of the residents. In the northern
+parts of Cumberland, along the Border, this was particularly the case; but
+there watch and ward was more of a military character than was necessary
+elsewhere, while as it was a part of the national defence it passed into
+the care of the Government for the time being. From the necessity for
+&#8220;watching and warding&#8221; against the northern incursions, came the name of
+the divisions of the two counties. Cumberland had for centuries five
+wards; more recently for purposes of local government these were increased
+to seven; and Westmorland also has four wards.</p>
+
+<p>The regulations of the barony of Gilsland, in a manuscript volume
+belonging to the Earl of Lonsdale, are very explicit as to what was
+required of the tenants in the way of Border service. These stipulated for
+good horses, efficient armour and weapons for the bailiffs, and a rigid
+supervision of those of lower rank. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> tenants&#8217; nags were ordered to be
+&#8220;able at anye tyme to beare a manne twentie or four-and-twentie houres
+without a baite, or at the leaste is able sufficientlye to beare a manne
+twentie miles within Scotlande and backe againe withoute a baite.&#8221; Every
+tenant, moreover, had to provide himself with &#8220;a jacke, steale-cape,
+sworde, bowe, or speare, such weapons as shall be thought meatest for him
+to weare by the seyght of the baylife where he dwelleth or by the
+land-serjeante.&#8221; The rules as to the watch required that every tenant
+should keep his night watch as he should be appointed by the bailiff, the
+tenant breaking his watch forfeiting two shillings, which in those days
+was a formidable amount. The tenants had to go to their watch before ten
+o&#8217;clock, and not to return to a house till after cock-crow; they were also
+required to call twice to all their neighbours within their watches, once
+about midnight, and &#8220;ones after the cockes have crowen.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Detailed instructions were drawn up for the guidance of the men during
+their watches. These were even less emphatic, however, than those which
+referred to the maintenance and keeping of the beacons, of which fourteen
+public<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> ones (including Penrith and Skiddaw) are named in Nicolson and
+Burn&#8217;s History. Modernising the spelling, one of the paragraphs runs as
+follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;The watchers of a windy night shall watch well of beacons, because in
+a wind the fray cannot be heard, and therefore it is ordered that of a
+windy night (if a fray rise) beacons shall be burnt in every lordship
+by the watchers. One watcher shall keep the beacon burning and the
+other make speed to the next warner, to warn all the lordships, and so
+to set forwards. And if the watchers through their own default do not
+see the beacons burn, or do not burn their own beacons, as appointed,
+they shall each forfeit two shillings. If the warners have sufficient
+warning by the watchers, and do not warn all within their warning with
+great speed, if any fault be proved of the warner he shall forfeit 18d.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The &#8220;Orders of the Watch&#8221; made by Lord Wharton in October, 1553, are of
+considerable local interest in connection with this subject, and the
+following extracts may for that reason be quoted:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;Ainstable, Armathwhaite, Nunclose, and Flodelcruke to keep nightly
+Paytwath with four persons; William Skelton&#8217;s bailiffs and constables
+to appoint nightly to set and search the said watch. Four fords upon
+Raven, to be watched by Kirkoswald, Laisingby, Glassenby, Little
+Salkeld, Ullesby, Melmorby, Ranwyke, and Harskew: at every ford
+nightly four persons; and the searchers to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> appointed by the
+bailiffs and constables, upon the oversight of Christopher Threlkeld,
+the King&#8217;s Highness&#8217;s servant. Upon Blenkarn Beck are five fords, to
+be watched by Blenkarn, Culgaith, Skyrwath, Kirkland, Newbiggin,
+Sourby, Millburn, Dufton, Marton, Kirkbythore, Knock, and Milburn
+Grange; bailiffs and constables to appoint searchers: Overseers,
+Christopher Crackenthorp, and Gilbert Wharton, the King&#8217;s Highness&#8217;s
+servants. Upon the water of Pettrel: From Carlisle to Pettrelwray;
+bailiffs and constables there, with the oversight of the late Prior of
+Carlisle for the time being, or the steward of the lands. And from
+thence to Plompton; overseer of the search and watch nightly John
+Skelton of Appletreethwayt, and Thomas Herrington, Ednal and
+Dolphenby; Sir Richard Musgrave, knight, overseer, his deputy or
+deputies. Skelton and Hutton in the Forest; overseers thereof, William
+Hutton and John Suthake. Newton and Catterlen, John Vaux, overseer,
+nightly. For the search of the watches of all the King&#8217;s Highness&#8217;s
+lands, called the Queen&#8217;s Hames, the steward there, his deputy or
+deputies, nightly. From the barony of Graystock; the Lord Dacre, his
+steward, deputy or deputies, overseers. This watch to begin the first
+night of October, and to continue until the 16th day of March; and the
+sooner to begin, or longer to continue at the discretion of the Lord
+Warden General or his deputy for the time being. Also the night watch
+to be set at the day-going, and to continue until the day be light;
+and the day watch, when the same is, to begin at the day light, and to
+continue until the day be gone.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img1.jpg" alt="" /></div>
+<p class="caption">PENRITH BEACON.<br />
+<i>From a Photo by Mr. John Bolton, Penrith.</i></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Penrith Beacon had an important place in the system of watch and ward in
+the south-eastern <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>parts of Cumberland and North Westmorland. As a
+former local poet wrote:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Yon grey Beacon, like a watchman brave,<br />
+Warned of the dreaded night, and fire-fed, gave<br />
+Heed of the threatening Scot.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The hill before being planted as it now appears, was simply a bare fell,
+without enclosures of any kind. The late Rev. Beilby Porteus, Edenhall, in
+one of his books,<a name='fna_2' id='fna_2' href='#f_2'><small>[2]</small></a> after mentioning the uses of Penrith Beacon,
+added:&mdash;&#8220;Before these parts were enclosed, every parish church served as a
+means of communication with its neighbours; and, while the tower of
+Edenhall Church bears evident tokens of such utility, there yet exist at
+my other church at Langwathby, a morion, back, and breast-plate, which the
+parish were obliged to provide for a man, termed the &#8216;Jack,&#8217; whose
+business it was at a certain hour in the evening to keep watch, and report
+below, if he perceived any signs of alarm, or indications of incursions
+from the Border.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>South Westmorland had as its most important look-out station, Farleton
+Knott, where &#8220;a beacon was sustained in the days of Scottish invasion, the
+ruddy glow of which was responded to by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> the clang of arms and the war
+notes of the bugle.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Wardhole, now known as Warthol, near Aspatria, was once an important
+protection station, watch and ward being kept against the Scots; from this
+place &#8220;the watchmen gave warning to them who attended at the beacon on
+Moothay to fire the same.&#8221; The ancient beacon of Moota is about three
+miles from Cockermouth. Dealing with the natural position of Bothel,
+Nicolson wrote over a century ago:&mdash;&#8220;The town stands on the side of a
+hill, where in old time the watch was kept day and night for seawake,
+which service is performed by the country beneath Derwent at this place,
+and above Derwent, in Copeland, at Bothil, in Millom. It is called
+<i>servicium de bodis</i> in old evidences, whereupon this hill was named the
+<i>Bode-hill</i>, and the village at the foot of it <i>Bode-hill-ton</i> (Bolton),
+or <i>Bodorum Collis</i>. The common people used to call a lantern a <i>bowet</i>,
+which name and word was then in use for a light on the shore to direct
+sailors in the night, properly signifying a token, and not a light or
+lantern, as they call a message warranted by a token a <i>bodeword</i>, and the
+watchmen were called <i>bodesmen</i>, because they had a <i>bode</i>, or watchword
+given<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> them, to prevent the enemy&#8217;s fraud in the night season.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There was a noted beacon near Bootle, from which that town took its old
+name&mdash;&#8220;Bothill&#8221;&mdash;the beacon being fired, upon the discovery of any ships
+upon the Irish Sea which might threaten an invasion, by the watchmen who
+lay in <i>booths</i> by the beacon. For the support of this service the charge
+or payment of seawake was provided. This payment occurs in connection with
+various manors; thus on an inquisition of knights&#8217; fees in Cumberland it
+was found that Sir William Pennington held the manor of Muncaster &#8220;of the
+King as of his castle of Egremont, by the service of the sixth part of one
+knight&#8217;s fee rendering to the King yearly for seawake 12<sup>d</sup>, and the
+puture of two serjeants.&#8221; At the same inquiry it was certified that
+William Kirkby held the manor of Bolton, in the parish of Gosforth, of the
+King &#8220;by knight&#8217;s service, paying yearly 10/- cornage, and seawake,
+homage, suit of court, and witness-man.&#8221; He also paid two shillings
+seawake for other lands in the district. Many other instances of this tax
+for watch and ward in old days might be quoted, but diligent search and
+inquiry during the last few months have failed to show that it is now
+exacted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> in any form, or when the payments were allowed to lapse.</p>
+
+<p>Of watch and ward as applied to town and village life as distinct from
+Border service there may be found in Cumberland and Westmorland records
+many very interesting and suggestive reminders. By the famous statute of
+Winchester it was provided that from Ascension Day to Michaelmas in every
+city six men should keep watch at every gate, in every borough twelve men,
+and in every other town six or four, according to the number of the
+inhabitants, and that these should watch the town continually all night
+from the setting to the rising of the sun. This was but one of three kinds
+of watches, the others being kept by the town constable, and the other set
+by authority of the justices. Every inhabitant was bound to keep watch in
+his turn, or to find another. It was specially provided that the watching
+and warding should be by men able of body and sufficiently weaponed, and
+therefore a woman required to watch might procure one to watch for her.
+While the person thus chosen had to bear sundry punishments in default of
+carrying out a duty which was neither pleasant nor safe, there was the
+wise provision that if a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> watchman were killed in the execution of his
+duty, as in endeavouring to apprehend a burglar, his executors were
+entitled to a reward of &pound;40. In the standard work by Orton&#8217;s best known
+former Vicar may be found two copies of Westmorland warrants, one for the
+keeping of watch, and the other for the commitment of a person apprehended
+by the watch, while there is also a copy of an indictment for not
+watching. This was no mere matter of form; for hundreds of years after
+King Edward instituted the system it was the chief safeguard against
+robbery, and in a great many places against incursions of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>At Kendal watch and ward was strictly maintained, not for the purpose of
+keeping out marauding Scots or other undesirable characters, but for the
+maintenance of quiet and order in the streets. In 1575 the Mayor and
+burgesses of Kendal made the following order with reference to the
+watching of the borough:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;It is ordered and constituted by the Alderman and head burgesses of
+this borough of Kirkby Kendal, that from henceforth nightly in the
+same borough at all times in the year, there shall be kept and
+continued one sufficient watch, the same to begin at nine of the clock
+of the night, and to continue until four of the clock in the morning,
+in which watch always there shall be six persons, viz.,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> two for
+Sowtergate, two for Marketstead and Stricklandgate, and two for
+Stramagate, to be taken and going by course in every constablewick one
+after the other, and taking their charge and watchword nightly off the
+constables or their deputies, severally as in old times hath been
+accustomed; which six persons so appointed watchmen nightly shall be
+tall, manlike men, having and bearing with them in the same watch
+every one a halberd, ravenbill, axe, or other good and sufficient iron
+bound staff or weapon, sallett or scull upon every one his head,
+whereby the better made able to lay hands upon and apprehend the
+disordered night walkers, malefactors, and suspicious persons, and to
+prevent and stay other inconveniences, and shall continually use to go
+from place to place and through street and street within the borough
+during all the time appointed for their watch, upon pain to forfeit
+and lose to the Chamber of this borough for every default these pains
+ensuing, that is to say, every householder chargeable with the watch
+for his default 3s. 4d., and every watchman for his default such fine
+and punishment as shall be thought meet by the Alderman and head
+burgesses.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Shortly before the end of 1582 the foregoing order was repealed and
+another regulation substituted. The material part was in the following
+quaint terms, the original spelling being observed:</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;And shall contynnally goo and walk ffrome place to place in and
+throughe suche streete within the same boroughe as they shal be
+opoyntyd and assigned by the Constabull or his deputy then settinge
+the watch that is to say ij of them in everie suche streete in
+companye together<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> as they may be apoynted ffor their sayd watche vpon
+payne to forfeyte and losse to the Chamber of this Bourgh for everie
+fault dewly pved theis payns ensuinge that is to say everie
+householder and wedow and bachler Chargeable wth the watche for his
+default xijd and every watchman ffor his default such ffyne and
+punnyshmt as shal be thought mete by the Alderman or his deputye
+ffrome tyme to tyme beinge.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>At Carlisle and several other places the rules for the watch were among
+the most interesting and important items in the whole of the rules
+concerning local government. On the coast at times very vigorous action
+was both required and taken. At Whitehaven, in February, 1793, a meeting
+of the authorities was held &#8220;in consequence of the daring attempts made by
+the enemy in other places and the dangers to which the port was formerly
+exposed.&#8221; Orders were issued for mounting all the heavy guns, and for
+procuring ammunition and other stores. Thirty-six weapons were mounted in
+six batteries; governors of these batteries were appointed, with other
+officers. A nightly watch was set, and every precaution taken to prevent a
+surprise, or to resist any attack which might be made on the port.
+Fortunately the precautions were not put to the test.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>Coming down to a much later period, but still connected with the
+protection of the two counties, a curious incident may be recalled, if for
+no other reason than that it is impossible for such a contretemps ever to
+occur again. In 1807, after a ballot for the Cumberland Militia, Penrith
+being the headquarters, an order arrived for the recruits to be marched up
+to the regiment. They were, wrote an eye witness, accordingly mustered for
+that purpose in marching order, and, followed by many of the populace,
+arrived at Eamont Bridge, where the sister counties of Cumberland and
+Westmorland divide. Here there was a sudden halt. They would not cross the
+bridge without their county guinea. After some altercation, and promises
+by Colonel Lacy and other gentlemen that they should be paid on joining
+the regiment, which promises were of no avail, they were counter-marched
+to Penrith. For three successive days they were thus marched, and still
+halted at the division of the counties. The lower orders of the populace
+took part with the soldiers, and a riot ensued, in which Colonel Lacy, the
+commanding officer, was very roughly handled. The consequence was that a
+troop of Enniskillen Dragoons was sent for from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>
+arrived in Penrith on the morning of the third day. A hard black frost was
+set in at the time, and the horses being &#8220;slape shod,&#8221; they were falling
+in every direction. They were marched along with the recruits, who again
+stopped at the bridge. The populace was still unruly; the dragoons loaded
+their firepieces; the Riot Act was read, and the word &#8220;March&#8221; was given;
+but it was of no avail. A general cry was then raised that they would be
+satisfied with the promise of Colonel Hasell of Dalemain, but of no other
+man. Mr. Hasell came forward, and in a short, manly address, gave his
+promise that they should be paid on joining the regiment, and with cheers
+for the Colonel, they at once marched off.</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Fighting Bishops and Fortified Churches.</h2>
+
+<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">The</span> ecclesiastical history of Cumberland and Westmorland is curiously
+interwoven with that of secular affairs. This to a large extent arises
+from the geographical position of the diocese of Carlisle&mdash;and
+particularly of the diocese before its extension in 1856, up to which year
+it was the smallest in England. The Bishop of Carlisle in bygone centuries
+had always to take a leading part in fighting schemes, and as the churches
+would be the only substantial structures in some villages, they naturally
+came to be put to other uses than those of worship.</p>
+
+<p>The bishopric was indeed a unique district. Carlisle was the great Border
+fortress of the West Marches; the Bishop was invariably a Lord Marcher,
+and often Captain of the Castle. In copies which Halucton (Halton) caused
+to be extracted from the Great Roll of the Exchequer, frequent references
+are made to expenses incurred during a siege. These are believed to refer
+to 1295-6, when the Earl of Buchan and Wallace assailed the city, and when
+the Bishop was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> apparently Warden. The ecclesiasts during many hundreds of
+years must have been almost as familiar with the touch of armour as with
+that of their sacred robes. Writing on this subject over a century ago a
+Cumberland authority said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;As an example of the prevailing humour of those martial times, what
+sort of priest must we suppose Cressingham to have been, who never
+wore any coat that is accounted characteristic of a profession, but
+that in which he was killed, namely, an iron one. Beck, the fighting
+Bishop, was so turbulent a mortal that the English King, in order to
+keep him within bounds, was obliged to take from him a part of those
+possessions which he earned in battle, and in particular the livings
+of Penrith and Symond-Burne. But not to mention Thurstan, who fought
+the battle of the Standard, there are sufficient reasons for believing
+that most of the priests in the northern parts of England had a double
+profession, and they are so often mentioned as principals in these
+continual wars that one cannot help concluding that the martial one
+was more attended to. When the pastors are such, what must the people be?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There was a very interesting quarrel&mdash;the facts being too numerous to be
+stated here&mdash;concerning the manor of Penrith, and those in some other
+parts of East Cumberland. They were in the possession of John de Baliol,
+by virtue of an agreement come to between the Kings of England and
+Scotland, but afterwards Edward the First quarrelled with Baliol, seized
+his lands, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> granted them to Anthony Beck, the military Bishop of
+Durham already mentioned. That prelate had assisted the King at the battle
+of Falkirk, with a considerable number of soldiers, and was greatly
+instrumental in obtaining the victory. When the Parliament met at
+Carlisle, however, the grant was disapproved, and as the Bishop did not
+attend to show by what title he had taken the lands, they were adjudged to
+belong to the Crown.</p>
+
+<p>The manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of Carlisle contain many
+references to the knowledge of war required by the early Bishops. When
+Linstock was the episcopal residence, it lay exposed to the incursions of
+the Scots, whose respect of persons, as Mr. C. J. Ferguson has reminded
+us, was small. In April, 1309, Bishop Halton excused himself from obeying
+a summons to Parliament, pleading both fear of a Scots invasion and bad
+health as reasons. Later correspondence showed that the Bishop had been
+employed by the King as his deputy in suppressing outrages in the West
+March, and desired to be freed from some of his duties. The King therefore
+absolved the prelate from the duties to which he objected, but begged him
+to assume the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> remainder of the offices in his commission, so as to
+restrain the lawlessness prevailing on both sides of the Border.</p>
+
+<p>The difficulties of defence, or the constant annoyance, became so great
+that in 1318 Edward the Second obtained from the Pope the appropriation to
+the bishopric of Carlisle of the church of Horncastle, Lincolnshire, to be
+a place of refuge for the Bishop and his successors during the ravages of
+the northern enemy. Thomas de Lucy, upon the invasion of the Scots in
+1346, &#8220;joined his strength with the Bishop of Carlisle [Welton], and so
+alarmed the enemy in the night-time, by frequent entering into their
+quarters, that at length they fled into their own country. And a truce
+shortly after ensuing, he was again joined in commission with the same
+Bishop and others to see the same duly observed.&#8221; The Bishop was soon
+afterwards constituted one of the commissioners for the arraying of men in
+the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland for the defence of the Borders,
+the French then threatening an invasion. With the growth of these troubles
+from abroad, pressure was put upon those who could raise funds, of whom
+Bishop Appleby was not the least important. &#8220;<i>Brevia de privato sigillo</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>
+quickly succeed one another at this time,&#8221; wrote the Rev. J. Brigstocke
+Sheppard, in 1881,<a name='fna_3' id='fna_3' href='#f_3'><small>[3]</small></a> when he had gone carefully through the muniments of
+the Dean and Chapter. &#8220;The King, in an agony of apprehension, occasioned
+by the threat of invasion, backed by a large fleet collected in the
+northern ports of France, begs the Bishop again and again to raise a
+defensive militia, to cause prayers to be offered in all churches, and
+finally to advance him as much money as he can upon security of the
+clerical <i>disme</i> which would soon be due.&#8221; In a further letter, the King
+being determined to borrow from such of his subjects as could best afford
+to lend, ordered the Bishop to send for six of the richest clergy and six
+of the most affluent laymen in each county, and upon these twenty-four to
+impose a loan of fifty marks on an average&mdash;more upon those who could
+afford it, and less upon those less able to bear the tax. In 1373 Bishop
+Appleby was enjoined by the King to reside continually in his diocese upon
+the Marches, and to keep the inhabitants in a state of defence as a
+protection to the rest of the kingdom against the Scots.</p>
+
+<p>And so through all the long list of Border<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> troubles the Bishops had to
+take a conspicuous share in the proceedings, until the ludicrous incident
+on Penrith Fell, which was the last occasion on which a Bishop took part
+in fighting on English soil. Various local chroniclers have given
+different versions, but there seems to be no room for doubt that the one
+by Chancellor Ferguson is accurate. When in 1715 the Jacobites marched
+from Brampton to take Penrith, the people from all the country side
+(though whether the number was 4,000 or 14,000, as variously stated, is
+not material), armed with guns, scythes, pitch-forks, and other handy if
+not always military weapons, went on to the fell to meet the rebels. The
+&#8220;<i>posse comitatus</i> were under Lord Lonsdale and Bishop Nicolson, the
+latter seated in his coach, drawn by six horses. So soon as the
+Highlanders appeared, the <i>posse comitatus</i> went away; in plain words they
+skedaddled, leaving the two commanders and a few of their servants. Lord
+Lonsdale presently galloped off to Appleby, and the Bishop&#8217;s coachman,
+whipping up his horses, carried off his master <i>willy nilly</i> to Rose
+Castle. It is said the prelate lost his wig, while shouting from the
+carriage window to his coachman to stop.&#8221; The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> result of this ignominious
+retreat was that the Jacobites took possession of Penrith for the time
+being, but behaved well, their most serious action being the proclamation
+of James the Third, and the capture of a lot of provisions.</p>
+
+<p>From fighting prelates to fortified churches is not a long step. Three or
+four of these structures have come in for more notice than the rest,
+although the latter cannot thereby be considered as lacking some of the
+most interesting features of the others. During the last thirty years the
+changes necessitated by restorations of churches have caused some of these
+relics of turbulent times to be somewhat altered; there are still,
+however, numerous village structures which tell their own story much more
+vividly, to the trained eye, than could be done by written record. When
+the late Mr. John Cory, county architect for Cumberland, read his paper on
+the subject at Carlisle a quarter of a century ago, he pointed out some of
+the characteristics of these ancient ecclesiastical strongholds: &#8220;The
+distance from each other tells of a scanty population; the deficiency of
+architectural decoration shows that the inhabitants of the district were
+otherwise engaged than in peaceful occupations; while traces of continual
+repairs in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> the fabric are evidently not to be attributed to the desire
+shown in the churches of many southern counties to make good buildings
+better, but have resulted from the necessity occasioned by the partial
+destruction of churches through hostile aggressions. In many instances it
+may be said that the church had been erected scarcely less for the safety
+of the body than for the benefit of the soul.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>That the abbey of Holme Cultram was once both a fortress and a church is
+shown to this day by the remains of earthworks which once served for its
+defence. Curious entries in the parish books also indicate the bitter
+hatred of the Cumbrians for those from over the Border. The value of the
+abbey is shown by a petition of the inhabitants of the lordship to
+Cromwell in 1538, when they asked &#8220;for the preservation and standynge of
+the Church of Holme Cultrane before saide; whiche is not onlye unto us our
+parish Churche, and little ynoughe to receyve all us, your poore Orators,
+but also a great ayde, socor, and defence for us agenst our neghbours the
+Scots, witheaut the whiche, few or none of your Lordshipp&#8217;s supplyants are
+able to pay the King his saide Highness our bounden dutye and service,
+ande<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> wee shall not onelye praye for his graciouse noble estate, but also
+your Lordshipp&#8217;s prosperitie with increase of honour long to endure.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The tower of Burgh-by-Sands Church, close to the Solway, was built at the
+west end of the structure, with walls six feet to seven feet in thickness.
+A further indication of the desire for security is found in the bottoms of
+the windows of the church, which were placed eight feet from the ground.
+Entrance to the fortified tower could only be obtained through a ponderous
+iron door six feet eight inches high, with two massive bolts, and
+constructed of thick bars crossing each other, and boarded over with oak
+planks. As only one person at a time could gain access to the vaulted
+chamber, there was every possibility of offering effective opposition to
+attacks, while the ringing of the bells would be the signal for bringing
+any available help. What was true of one side of the Solway was equally
+true of the other, there being still traces of fortified churches on the
+Scottish side of the Firth.</p>
+
+<p>Newton Arlosh Church is another noteworthy example of a building</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Half house of God, half castle &#8217;gainst the Scots,&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>though here the bulk of the attention would seem<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> to have been paid to
+bodily danger. The doorway was made only two feet six inches wide, and as
+at Burgh the lowest parts of the windows were placed above the reach of a
+man&#8217;s hand&mdash;in this case the sills were seven feet from the ground. Light
+was of less consequence than security, and so the windows were only one
+foot wide, with a height of three feet four inches.</p>
+
+<p>Though further away from the Border than either of the other churches
+mentioned, that at Great Salkeld was peculiarly liable to attack by the
+Scottish raiders, as it occupies a strong position near the river Eden,
+whose banks seem to have been much used by the undesirable visitors. The
+tower is in a splendid state of preservation, although necessarily much
+altered, in detail, from its former condition. There were five floors,
+that on the ground level being a vaulted room, with a strong door of iron
+and oak leading into the church. Three small apertures afforded light and
+opportunities for watching from the first floor, and that room also
+contained a fireplace. In a footnote in their &#8220;Cumberland&#8221; volume of
+&#8220;Magna Britannia,&#8221; the brothers Lysons suggest that Great Salkeld Church
+might have been fortified about the time that Penrith Castle was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> built.
+There is, however, no direct evidence on the point. Dr. Todd, the former
+Vicar of Penrith, who was noted for his encounters with his superiors,
+says in his account of Great Salkeld Church, that in his time there was a
+place &#8220;called the Corryhole, for the correction and imprisonment of the
+clergy, while the Archdeacon had any power within the diocese.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Prior to the restoration of Dearham Church, the structure possessed
+numerous features of interest to the antiquary, some of which have
+necessarily been removed or altered. The lower storey of the tower
+consisted of a barrel-vaulted chamber, originally enclosed from the
+church, and entered only by a small and strongly-barred doorway, similar
+to that at Burgh. When the Antiquarian Society visited Dearham some twenty
+years ago, the late Canon Simpson drew special attention to this part of
+the church. He said it had unquestionably &#8220;been one of the old massive
+fortified towers peculiar to the Border district: from it, whilst the
+parishioners were being besieged, a beacon fire at the top would alarm
+their friends in the surrounding country.&#8221; Some oak beams then seen in the
+tower showed signs of fire, one of them being charred half through.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> The
+lower part of the tower of Brigham Church, only a few miles from Dearham,
+is strongly vaulted with stone, access being obtained to the chamber above
+by means of a narrow door and winding stairs. From these features it has
+been concluded by arch&aelig;ologists that this was one of the old Border
+fortified churches.</p>
+
+<p>Further away from the Border, into Mid Westmorland, the searcher may still
+meet with evidences of old-time church builders having a much keener eye
+for the defensive qualities of their structures than for architectural
+beauty. Solidity was the first consideration, and although some of them
+were, after all, but ill adapted for the purpose, they must have been, as
+the Rev. J. F. Hodgson<a name='fna_4' id='fna_4' href='#f_4'><small>[4]</small></a> once pointed out, &#8220;much larger and stronger
+buildings than the wretched hovels of the common people. Their enclosures
+would very generally offer the best position for defence. Among the
+Westmorland churches, those of Crosby Garrett (or Gerard) and Ormside,
+though small, and not structurally fortified, seem unmistakably posted as
+citadels. Orton Church, too, both in structure and position, is admirably
+situated for defence. At Brough, the church, a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> massive and easily
+defensible building, is situated upon the precipitous bank of the
+Hellebeck, and forms a sort of outwork of the Castle.&#8221; The church at
+Kirkby Stephen certainly occupies a position which would give its
+occupants a strong hold on the Upper Eden Valley. The old church at
+Cliburn, on the banks of the Leath, was also probably placed there with
+some regard to defence. It is believed that the fine old church at Barton
+was used for a like purpose, and the vicar some time ago pointed out to
+the writer existing evidences of a large moat having probably been formed
+in case of necessity, the river Eamont being near enough to ensure an easy
+means of water supply.</p>
+
+<p>There are preserved in the church of Langwathby two specimens of old
+Cumberland armour&mdash;a helmet and a cuirass. The villagers have versions of
+their own as to the wearer of these articles, but obviously the stories
+rest on no better foundation than that of tradition; the real explanation
+is, doubtless, that given by the late Rev. B. Porteus, and already quoted
+in the chapter on &#8220;Watch and Ward.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Above the tomb of Sir Roger Bellingham (died 1533), in Kendal Church,
+there is an ancient<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> helmet suspended, but whether it was put there
+because the helmet belonged to the knight, or as a memorial of his having
+been created a knight banneret on the field of battle, there has nothing
+come to the knowledge of local historians to enable them to decide. The
+popular name for the helmet, however, is &#8220;the Rebel&#8217;s Cap,&#8221; and following
+the account of Machell, who was living at the time, various writers have
+given different versions of a story which, though doubtless correct in its
+main points, is open to question on others. The version given by the late
+Mr. Cornelius Nicholson<a name='fna_5' id='fna_5' href='#f_5'><small>[5]</small></a> may be quoted, as it is the briefest:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;In the Civil Wars of the Commonwealth, there resided in Kendal one
+Colonel Briggs, a leading magistrate, and an active commander in the
+Cromwellian army. At that time, also, Robert Philipson, surnamed from
+his bold and licentious character, <i>Robin the Devil</i>, inhabited the
+island on Windermere, called Belle Isle. Colonel Briggs besieged Belle
+Isle for eight or ten days, until the siege of Carlisle being raised,
+Mr. Huddleston Philipson, of Crook, hastened from Carlisle, and
+relieved his brother Robert. The next day, being Sunday, Robin, with a
+small troop of horse, rode to Kendal to make reprisals.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He stationed his men properly in the avenues, and himself rode
+directly into the church in search of Briggs, down one aisle and up
+another. In passing out at one of the upper doors, his head struck
+against the portal, when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> his helmet, unclasped by the blow, fell to
+the ground and was retained. By the confusion into which the
+congregation were thrown, he was suffered quietly to ride out. As he
+left the churchyard, however, he was assaulted; his girths were cut,
+and he himself was unhorsed. His party now returned upon the
+assailants; and the Major, killing with his own hands the man who had
+seized him, clapped the saddle upon his horse, and, ungirthed as it
+was, vaulted into it, and rode full speed through the streets, calling
+to his men to follow him; and with his party made a safe retreat to
+his asylum on the lake. The helmet was afterwards hung aloft, as a
+commemorating badge of sacrilegious temerity.&#8221;</p></div>
+
+<p>The episode was used by Sir Walter Scott for some particularly spirited
+lines in &#8220;Rokeby&#8221; (stanza 33, canto vi.), and in his notes Sir Walter
+explained that &#8220;This, and what follows, is taken from a real achievement
+of Major Robert Philipson, called from his desperate and adventurous
+courage <i>Robin the Devil</i>.&#8221; A reference to the poem will show that this,
+as dealing with fact, can only be applied to the first sixteen lines,
+which run:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;The outmost crowd have heard a sound<br />
+Like horse&#8217;s hoofs on hardened ground;<br />
+Nearer it came, and yet more near,&mdash;<br />
+The very death&#8217;s-men paused to hear.<br />
+&#8217;Tis in the churchyard now&mdash;the tread<br />
+Hath waked the dwelling of the dead!<br />
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>Fresh sod and old sepulchral stone<br />
+Return the tramp in varied tone.<br />
+All eyes upon the gateway hung,<br />
+When through the Gothic arch there sprung<br />
+A horseman armed, at headlong speed&mdash;<br />
+Sable his cloak, his plume, his steed.<br />
+Fire from the flinty floor was spurned;<br />
+The vaults unwonted clang returned!&mdash;<br />
+One instant&#8217;s glance around he threw,<br />
+From saddle-bow his pistol drew.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Stockdale, in his &#8220;Annals of Furness,&#8221; says there was a tradition in
+his time that the Parliamentarians in 1643 stabled three troops of horse
+in the nave of Cartmell Church; and there can be no doubt that to similar
+base uses other ecclesiastical structures in the diocese were occasionally
+put in turbulent times. Carlisle Cathedral was often used for purposes of
+war, and it was not free from other exciting scenes. During the
+Commonwealth it was the centre of much rioting. George Fox preached there,
+and files of musketeers had to be brought in to clear the place of the
+rioters. After the ill-fated rebellion of &#8217;45, the cathedral was still
+further degraded, being made into a prison for captured Highlanders.</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Some Church Curiosities.</h2>
+
+<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">Under</span> a great variety of divisions many curious facts connected with the
+old-time churches of the northern counties might be noted that cannot here
+be touched upon. Some of them&mdash;especially those associated with the
+personal aspect&mdash;had their origin solely in the circumstances of the time;
+others may be traced to personal idiosyncracies; while geographical
+reasons may be found for a third class. With a few exceptions it has not
+been deemed necessary in this chapter to go beyond the Reformation. Among
+the records concerning Kendal Church is a reference in the Patent Rolls of
+1295, in which Walter de Maydenestane is described as &#8220;parson of a moiety
+of the church of Kirkeby, in Kendale.&#8221; An inquiry in <i>Notes and
+Queries</i><a name='fna_6' id='fna_6' href='#f_6'><small>[6]</small></a> brought the suggestion that probably this was one of the
+places which used to have both a rector and a vicar, several instances of
+that arrangement having been in force being mentioned. No information was,
+however, forthcoming as to the Kendal case.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>Boy bishops are not unknown, and Westmorland affords an instance of an
+infant rector, the following appearing in the list for Long Marton, as
+compiled by Dr. Burn:&mdash;&#8220;1299. John de Medburn, an infant, was presented by
+Idonea de Leyburne, and the Bishop committed the custody of the said
+infant to a priest named William de Brampton, directing him to dispose of
+the profits of the rectory in such manner as to provide for the supply of
+the cure, and the education of the young rector in some public school of
+learning.&#8221; If John de Medburn ever took up the duties of his office, it
+could not have been for any extended period, as another rector was
+instituted in 1330.</p>
+
+<p>There was a curious dispute at Holme Cultram in 1636. The Rev. Charles
+Robson, who five years previously had become vicar, being a bachelor of
+divinity, demanded that the parish should provide him with a hood proper
+to his degree. The parishioners objected on the ground that such a claim
+had never been made before, the previous vicars having provided their own
+hoods, and that Mr. Robson had on all proper occasions, as required by the
+canons, worn a hood of his own until within half a year of the dispute
+arising. A<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> case was stated and a legal opinion taken; the result was
+entirely against the vicar, who made his position worse, inasmuch as it
+was laid down that while the churchwardens were not to provide the hood,
+they could be the means, through the ordinary, of compelling a priest who
+was a graduate to wear his hood, according to the 58th canon. Another
+instance of a clergyman going to law with his parishioners was that of the
+Rev. John Benison, vicar of Burton, who was dissatisfied with the payments
+of the vicarial revenues. The dispute found its way into Chancery, and
+Benison, in 1732, secured the following scale of payments:&mdash;&#8220;For burial in
+the church or churchyard shall be paid 1s., except for women who die in
+childbirth, for whom nothing is due. The modus for tithe lands shall be
+double for the two first years after the induction of a new vicar, and
+every person keeping a plough shall pay yearly 1d. in lieu and full
+satisfaction of agistment of barren cattle.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Bishop Nicolson has left some curious pictures of the parsons in the
+diocese of Carlisle at the time when he made his visitation in the early
+years of the eighteenth century. The clergy of that time were for the most
+part not remarkable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> for their learning, although there were some notable
+exceptions. These were the victims of circumstances; they lived in what
+was really a dark age, and no one can feel surprised that so many gave way
+to drinking and other unclerical habits. Several, either openly or in the
+names of their wives, kept ale-houses; there was one rather glaring
+instance of this kind on the western side of Cross Fell. Poverty was
+continually their share; an instance of the life some of them led is
+recorded by James Clarke,<a name='fna_7' id='fna_7' href='#f_7'><small>[7]</small></a> of Penrith:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;Langdale is as poor as any in these parts, except for the slate
+quarries, and the slaters (like the miners in Patterdale) debauch the
+natives so far that even the poor curate is obliged to sell ale to
+support himself and family. And at his house I have played &#8216;Barnaby&#8217;
+with him on the Sabbath Day morning, when he left us with the good old
+song&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8216;I&#8217;ll but preach, and be with you again.&#8217;&#8221;</p></div>
+
+<p>William Litt (1785-1847), the author of &#8220;Henry and Mary,&#8221; a story of West
+Cumberland life, which was very popular a generation ago, says:&mdash;&#8220;It is a
+well authenticated fact that a rector of Arlecdon left his pulpit for the
+purpose of bestowing manual correction on one of his parishioners, whom he
+conceived was then insulting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> him. The surplice, however, was such an
+impediment to his usual lightness of foot that his intended victim, after
+a severe chase, effected his escape, and for that time eluded the
+chastisement intended for him by his spiritual pastor.&#8221; Although nothing
+is known as to the identity of the cleric who thus endeavoured to deal
+with a supposed offender, possibly it was Thomas Baxter, who was incumbent
+for 62 years (1725 to 1787). He figures by name in &#8220;Henry and Mary,&#8221; and
+is represented as on one occasion reprimanding Squire Skelton, of Rowrah,
+very severely for swearing.</p>
+
+<p>In 1653 George Fox, the founder of the Society of Friends, visited
+Cumberland. One Sunday afternoon he entered the church, and standing on a
+seat, he preached three hours to an overflowing congregation; he says in
+his journal, &#8220;Many hundreds were convinced that day.&#8221; A short time
+afterwards he again visited the church on a Sunday morning, and entered
+into a long theological argument with Mr. Wilkinson, the vicar, who lost
+his dinner in consequence. The discussion continued almost to nightfall;
+the result seems to have been the conversion of the vicar and the majority
+of his congregation, as it is on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> record that Mr. Wilkinson afterwards
+became a distinguished minister of the Society of Friends.</p>
+
+<p>The old customs peculiar to Cumberland and Westmorland of &#8220;Whittlegate&#8221;
+and &#8220;Chapel Wage&#8221; have long since passed out of the list of obligations
+imposed, although the rector of Brougham might still, if he wished, claim
+whittlegate at Hornby Hall every Sunday. The parsons of the indifferently
+educated class already alluded to had to be content with correspondingly
+small stipends, which were eked out by the granting of a certain number of
+meals in the course of twelve months at each farm or other house above the
+rank of cottage, with, in some parishes, a suit of clothes, a couple of
+pairs of shoes, and a pair of clogs. Clarke gives the following
+explanation of the origin of the term:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;Whittlegate meant two or three weeks&#8217; victuals at each house,
+according to the ability of the inhabitants, which was settled among
+themselves; so that the minister could go his course as regularly as
+the sun, and complete it annually. Few houses having more knives than
+one or two, the pastor was often obliged to buy his own knife or
+&#8216;whittle.&#8217; Sometimes it was bought for him by the chapel wardens. He
+marched from house to house with his &#8216;whittle,&#8217; seeking &#8216;fresh fields
+and pastures new,&#8217; and as master of the herd, he had the elbow chair
+at the table head, which was often made of part of a hollow ash
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>tree&mdash;a kind of seat then common. The reader at Wythburn had for his
+salary three pounds yearly, a hempen sark or shirt, a whittlegate, and
+a goosegate, or right to depasture a flock of geese on Helvellyn. A
+story is still (1789) told in Wythburn of a minister who had but two
+sermons which he preached in turn. The walls of the chapel were at
+that time unplastered, and the sermons were usually placed in a hole
+in the wall behind the pulpit. One Sunday, before the service began,
+some mischievous person pushed the sermons so far into the hole that
+they could not be got out with the hand. When the time came for the
+sermon, the priest tried in vain to get them out. He then turned to
+the congregation, and told them what had happened. He could touch
+them, he said, with his forefinger, but could not get his thumb in to
+grasp them; &#8216;But, however,&#8217; said he, &#8216;I can read you a chapter out of
+Job that&#8217;s worth both of them put together!&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There may be other instances of the formal appointment of females to
+undertake church work usually performed by the other sex, but the writer
+has only met with one local example, which occurs thus in the Kendal
+churchwardens&#8217; accounts:&mdash;&#8220;1683, June 29. It is then agreed &amp; consented
+too by the major part of the churchwardens that Debora Wilkinson shall be
+continued saxton till next Easter, she keeping under her so sufficient a
+servant as shall please the Vicar &amp; whole p<sup>r</sup>ish &amp; she to give sufficient
+security to the churchwardens for her fidelity. As alsoe it was then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>
+granted by the major parte of church wardens that the said Debora
+Wilkinson for her paines herein shall have &amp; receive to her owne use for
+every coffin in the church 2s. 6d. (she or her deputy in takeing up of
+fflaggs in the church or lying them downe to place them leveally &amp; in good
+order, breaking none of them), and the said Debora or her servant shall
+make clean the church att all times according to the Vicar&#8217;s order, and to
+keepe the font w<sup>th</sup> faire water, changeing itt every fforthnigh or as
+often as the Vicar pleaseth.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The uses of some parts of ancient buildings have puzzled gentlemen
+thoroughly acquainted with church architecture, for the simple reason that
+certain of the arrangements might have been made for a variety of
+purposes. Leper windows are perhaps sufficiently numerous to show the
+intention of the builders, but there are instances where that is not at
+all easy to define. The side windows in Bolton Church, near Wigton, one of
+which has been described by the Rev. Hilderic Friend as a leper window,
+was suggested by the late Mr. Cory as being &#8220;for such a purpose as giving
+out alms or receiving confession,&#8221; as they always had hinges and bolts for
+shutters, but not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> glass. Chancellor Ferguson put forward the further
+theory that as lepers could not come into the church, they made confession
+at these windows. Dr. Simpson rejected these statements, and said that
+lamps were placed in the low side windows of some churches after funerals
+to scare away evil spirits&mdash;an interesting addition to North-Country
+folk-lore. Leprosy was apparently a serious trouble in the two counties
+five or six centuries ago. John de Vetripont gave to Shap Abbey the
+hospital of St. Nicholas, near Appleby, on condition that the abbot and
+convent should maintain three lepers in the hospital for ever. In 1356 Sir
+Adam, rector of Castlekayroke (Castle Carrock), was cited to show cause
+why, being seized with leprosy to such a degree that his parishioners dare
+not resort to divine service, he ought not to have a coadjutor assigned
+him.</p>
+
+<p>There are still to be found traces in some of the older churches of the
+rooms of anchorites. Experts have stated that the vestry at Greystoke
+seems to have been used as an anchor-hold or reclusorium. It is believed
+that two reclusi, or inclusi, sometimes dwelt together there, one living
+in the vestry and the other in the room above. The latter apartment may
+have been used for a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> chantry priest, a church watcher, or a sacristan.
+Among the architectural curiosities of the two counties may be noted the
+church tower of Kirkoswald. The parish church is built at the foot of a
+steep hill, facing the Eden, while the old market town is on the sharply
+rising ground at the rear. The parishioners would thus have but a small
+chance of hearing the bells when sounded for service if they occupied the
+ordinary place. Consequently for a very long time&mdash;certainly before the
+present church was built&mdash;the two bells have been placed in a detached
+tower on the top of the hill at the rear of the church, and over a hundred
+yards away from the building.</p>
+
+<p>Many ecclesiastical buildings, from the cathedral down to the humblest
+village chapel-of-ease, would seem to have had curious inscriptions or
+pictures upon their walls. Nearly all these have disappeared, and later
+comers are indebted for their knowledge of what has been to such
+industrious chroniclers as Machell, Burn, and others. The former put on
+paper in 1692 the following lines, which were on the walls of the south
+chapel of Kirkby Lonsdale Church:&mdash;</p>
+
+<table style="margin-left: 20%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table">
+<tr><td align="center">C.</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align="center">W.</td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td align="center">(<i>Arms</i>)</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">16</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align="center">68.</td></tr></table>
+
+<p class="poem"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>
+&#8220;This porch by ye Banes first builded was,<br />
+Of Heighholme Hall they weare;<br />
+And after sould to Christopher Wood,<br />
+By William Bains thereof last heyre;<br />
+And is repayred as you see,<br />
+And set in order good<br />
+By the true owner nowe thereof<br />
+The fore saide Christopher Wood.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>As in our own day the restoration or alteration of a church frequently
+caused much ill-feeling in a parish, and there are records of several such
+&#8220;scenes&#8221; in Cumberland and Westmorland in bygone days. One such was at
+Sebergham, where the church was rebuilt in 1825-6, and a tower built at
+the west end. On the first Sunday that the edifice was opened the
+following protest in rhyme was found nailed to the church door:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;The priest and the miller built the church steeple<br />
+Without the consent or good will of the people.<br />
+A tax to collect they tried to impose<br />
+In defiance of right and subversion of laws.<br />
+The matter remains in a state of suspension,<br />
+And likely to be a sad bone of contention.<br />
+If concession be made to agree with us all<br />
+Let the tax be applied to build the church wall.</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">Churchyard wall now in a ruinous state. Sebergham High Bound, July 12, 1826.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>While dealing with the architectural curiosities of North-Country
+churches, allusion should be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> made to a story connected with that at
+Ambleside. A piece of painted glass on the north side of the old church
+has a representation of what is locally known as the carrier&#8217;s arms&mdash;a
+rope, a wantey-hook, and five packing pricks, or skewers, these being the
+implements used by the carriers and wool staplers for fastening their
+packing sheets together. The tradition is that when the church needed
+rebuilding, together with the chapels of St. Mary Holm, Ambleside,
+Troutbeck, and Applethwaite, which were all destroyed or rendered unfit
+for divine worship, the parish was extremely poor; the parishioners at a
+general meeting agreed that one church would serve the whole. The next
+question was, where it should stand. The inhabitants of Undermillbeck were
+for having it at Bowness. The rest thought that as Troutbeck Bridge was
+about the centre of the parish, it should be built there. Several meetings
+in consequence were held, and many disputes and quarrels arose. At last a
+carrier proposed that who ever would make the largest donation towards the
+building should choose the situation of the church. An offer so reasonable
+could hardly be refused, and many gifts were immediately named. The
+carrier, who had acquired a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> fortune by his business, heard them all, and
+at last declared that he would cover the church with lead. This offer,
+which all the rest were either unable or unwilling to outdo, at once
+decided the affair. The carrier chose the situation, and his arms (or more
+properly his implements) were painted on the north window of the church.
+Tradition adds that this man obtained the name of Bellman, from the bells
+worn by the fore-horse, which he first introduced there.</p>
+
+<p>Several instances of fonts having found their way from churches to private
+grounds have been made known during recent years, one being at Penrith,
+and others at Musgrave and Brough-under-Stainmore. On the western side of
+the county, in the grounds of Mr. T. Dixon, Rheda, is the ancient font,
+dated 1578, belonging to Arlecdon Church. In the third decade of this
+century, says the Rev. H. Sugden in his notes on the history of the
+parish, it was acting at a farm-house as a trough to catch rain-water from
+the roof. Subsequently the font was found by Mr. Dixon in a stone wall at
+Rowrah Hall, and was removed to its present place of safety. It seems that
+the contractor who rebuilt the church in 1829, was allowed to use or
+dispose of any of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> the material or contents. The font and an ancient
+tombstone of the Dixons, were sold by him, and while the font was made
+into a water-catcher, the tombstone found its way to a farm at Kirkland,
+where it was utilised as a sconce in the dairy. Occasionally churchwardens
+were guilty of what would seem to have been vandalism. At Kirkby Lonsdale
+(1686), they recorded the last of a Norman font:&mdash;&#8220;Received for the old
+font stone, 6d.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Among the regulations made by the Head Jurie of Watermillock in 1627 was
+this:&mdash;&#8220;Item, It is ordered by the jurie that every tennent of this parish
+shall sitt in church in their own seats that hath formerly been set forth
+to their ancestors. And if any have a desire to sitt in the Lady Porch,
+besides such as have their ancient Rooms therein, they shall sitt there
+paying yearly for the same to the use of the Church ijd. p<sup>r</sup> Annum.&#8221; The
+churchwardens were evidently kept close to their duties by the same
+authority, as may be seen by this entry in the book:&mdash;&#8220;It is ordered that
+the Churchwardens of this Parish shall not be discharged of their office
+in any year before the Church Stock be fully answered at the sight and
+judgment of the Head Jury for the time being.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>This action probably had its origin in the losses of public funds which
+had to be deplored in many parishes in consequence of the money being lent
+out at interest. &#8220;Culyet&#8221; is not a word to be found in the standard
+dictionaries of our time, although it appears in the parochial records of
+Millom. Canon Knowles took the word to mean the free-will offerings made
+from house to house, being used at Christ Church, Oxford, as the
+equivalent of &#8220;collecta,&#8221; a collection. In some of the parishes which lent
+out church funds, rather heavy rates of security were exacted&mdash;at Millom
+the arrangement was seven and a half per cent. Hence there can be no room
+for surprise that so many parishes have had reason to deplore &#8220;lost
+stock.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Crosthwaite differed from other places in the manner of selecting and
+swearing the churchwardens and sidesmen, the form being settled by the
+Commissioners for Ecclesiastical Causes in Queen Elizabeth&#8217;s time. They
+decreed &#8220;That yearly, upon Ascension Day, the vicar, the eighteen sworn
+men, the churchwardens, the owner of Derwentwater estate, the sealer and
+receiver of the Queen&#8217;s portion at the mines, one of the chiefest of the
+company and fellowship of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> the partners and offices of the minerals, then
+resiant at Keswick, the bailiffs of Keswick, Wythburn, Borrowdale,
+Thornthwaite, Brundholme, and the forester of Derwent Fells, shall meet in
+the church of Crosthwaite, and so many of them as shall be there assembled
+shall chuse the eighteen men and churchwardens for the year ensuing, who
+shall on the Sunday following before the vicar take their oath of office.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The seating of the men and women on different sides of the church was a
+proceeding once so common as to almost remove it from the list of
+curiosities. The churchwardens&#8217; books of Crosthwaite contain very minute
+orders as to where every person in the parish should sit, and in other
+places a similar rule obtained. In these days of &#8220;free and open churches&#8221;
+it is interesting to read of the arrangements which the churchwardens and
+vicar made so as to allocate every seat in St. Patrick&#8217;s Church, Bampton,
+in 1726. The rule appears to have been based on the land tax, and the list
+begins with &#8220;The Lord Vis. Lonsdale,&#8221; who had one complete stall for the
+use of the tenants of Bampton Hall, another for Low Knipe, and other seats
+elsewhere. The whole of the inhabitants seem to have been provided for,
+the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> catalogue concluding with a statement of the accommodation set apart
+for the school-master of Measand and the school-dame at Roughill; the
+master at Bampton Grange, being an impropriator, found a place among the
+aristocracy on &#8220;the Gospel side&#8221; of the chancel.</p>
+
+<p>Some quaint entries concerning the provision and cost of wine for sacred
+purposes&mdash;and for other uses not always answering that description&mdash;are to
+be met with in several of the parochial records. In the vestry book of
+Cockermouth is this entry for June, 1764:&mdash;&#8220;Ordered that all the wine for
+the communicants be bought at one house where the Churchwardens can get it
+the best and cheapest. Ordered that no wine be given to any clergyman to
+carry home.&#8221; At one of the meetings of the Cumberland and Westmorland
+Antiquarian Society, the late Canon Simpson produced a paper which showed
+that very heavy sums, comparatively, had been spent at Kendal in providing
+Communion wine. One item was for &pound;6, another &pound;9, and again &pound;11, while
+opposite one of the entries was the remark: &#8220;That is exclusive of wine
+used at Easter.&#8221; It was customary for the vicar or rector to give the
+Easter Communion wine, receiving in return<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> Easter dues. On another
+occasion, when the Bishop of Chester was to visit the church, the wardens
+ordered a bottle of sack to be placed in the vestry.</p>
+
+<p>An interesting ceremony has long been gone through at Dacre Church in
+connection with the distribution of the Troutbeck Dole. The principal
+representative of the family now living is Dr. John Troutbeck, Precentor
+of Westminster. The Rev. Robert Troutbeck, in 1706, by his will gave to
+the poor of Dacre parish, the place of his nativity, a sum of money, the
+interest of which was ordered to be &#8220;distributed every year by the
+Troutbecks of Blencowe, if there should be any living, otherwise by the
+minister and churchwardens for the time being.&#8221; A more curious proviso was
+contained in the will of John Troutbeck, made in 1787. By that document
+&pound;200 was left to the poor of the testator&#8217;s native parish, and the
+interest was ordered to be &#8220;distributed every Easter Sunday, on the family
+tombstone in Dacre churchyard, provided the day should be fine, by the
+hands and at the discretion of a Troutbeck of Blencowe, if there should be
+any living, those next in descent having prior right of distribution. If
+none should be living that would distribute the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> money, then by a
+Troutbeck as long as one could be found that would take the trouble of it;
+otherwise by the minister and churchwardens of the parish for the time
+being; that not less than five shillings should be given to any
+individual, and that none should be entitled to it who received alms, or
+any support from the parish.&#8221; The custom was carried out in due form on
+the &#8220;through-stone&#8221; last Easter.</p>
+
+<p>Kirkby Stephen, up to about sixty years ago, had a very curious
+custom&mdash;the payment, on a fixed day every year, upon a tombstone still in
+the churchyard, of the parishioners&#8217; tithe. The late Mr. Cornelius
+Nicholson, in a now scarce pamphlet on Mallerstang Forest, gave the
+following account of the observance:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;The tombstone is unhewn millstone grit, covered with a limestone
+slab, whereon a heraldic shield was once traceable, supposed to
+indicate the ownership of the Whartons. Tradition says, however, that
+it is older than the tombs in the Wharton Chapel. Among the
+parishioners it went popularly by the name of the great &#8216;truppstone,&#8217;
+a corruption perhaps of &#8216;through-stone.&#8217; It is certain, however&mdash;and
+this is the gist of the story&mdash;that for generations, time out of mind,
+the money in lieu of tithes of hay was here regularly paid to the
+incumbent of the church on Easter Monday. The grey coats of this part
+of Westmorland assembled punctually as Easter Monday came round, and
+there and then tendered to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> vicar their respective quotas of
+silver. Some agreement, oral or written, must have been made between
+the parties, which does not now appear. The practice became the law of
+custom. The payment was called a modus in lieu of hay tithe. I find
+that when Lord Wharton purchased the advowson at the dissolution of
+monasteries the tithes of corn and hay were excepted from the
+conveyance, which points to this customary modus on the &#8216;truppstone.&#8217;
+If this reference be correct, the curious custom dates back to the
+time of Henry the Eighth, and perhaps farther back, and gives it a
+continuance of some 300 years.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t know its origin, but we do know its extinction. When the
+Rev. Thomas P. Williamson became vicar, in the first decade of this
+century, a quarrel arose between him and the tithe-payers as to this
+modus. Law proceedings were threatened, and some preliminaries were
+taken. The parishioners, notwithstanding, attended on Easter Monday as
+before, and tendered their doles. The vicar also attended, but
+determinedly refused the money, until his death in 1835, which put a
+stop to the custom. After his death, the vicar&#8217;s widow set up a claim
+for the arrears, which had been offered and refused, so she took
+nothing by her motion. In 1836 all the tithes were commuted in
+England, under the provision of the Tithes Commutation Act, carried
+into execution by a Cumberland M.P., Mr. Aglionby, whom I knew very
+well, in Lord John Russell&#8217;s Ministry. These particulars of the
+&#8216;truppstone&#8217; were furnished me by Mr. Matthew Thompson, Kirkby
+Stephen, one of the county magistrates, who himself&mdash;and this clenches
+it as a fact&mdash;yearly attended in the churchyard, with his quota, and
+who was present on the very last occasion.&#8221;</p></div>
+
+<p>An incident which in some respects has had at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> least one counterpart
+within recent years is recorded as happening at Little Salkeld towards the
+end of the fourteenth century. The little chapel there was &#8220;desecrated and
+polluted by the shedding of blood,&#8221; and as the parish church of Addingham
+was a considerable distance, the vicar was allowed to officiate in his own
+vicarage-house &#8220;till the interdict should be taken off from the chapel.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There is a curious story attaching to some of the wood-work of Greystoke
+Church. The misereres under the choir stalls are very quaintly carved, and
+one of them, &#8220;the pelican in her piety,&#8221; was for many years used as the
+sign of an inn near the church. From this circumstance the hostelry lost
+its old name, the &#8220;Masons&#8217; Arms,&#8221; and acquired the modern one of the
+&#8220;Pelican.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Although schools in churches were very common, the holding of Courts in
+such buildings could not have been frequent. At Ravenstonedale, where
+numerous customs peculiar to the parish or immediate district prevailed,
+the people had a strong belief in home rule, and insisted on having it. In
+the old church there were two rows of seats below the Communion table,
+where the steward of the manor and jury sat in their Court<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> of Judicature
+in the sixteenth century. The malefactors were imprisoned in a hollow
+arched vault, the ruins of which were to be seen not much more than a
+quarter of a century ago on the north side of the church. There was so
+much wrangling over cases, and the manifestation of such a bad spirit,
+which the parishioners felt was unbecoming and unsuited to such an
+edifice, that they petitioned Lord Wharton, the lord of the manor, to have
+the trying of cases removed to a house belonging to him which stood near
+the church. This was granted, and subsequently the Court was held in the
+village inn and other places.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A gentleman who carries out archidiaconal functions,&#8221; is the familiar,
+though vague, definition of an archdeacon in our own time, but a couple of
+centuries ago that church official had very definite duties and powers. As
+Mr. G. E. Moser, solicitor, Kendal, once reminded the members of the two
+counties&#8217; Arch&aelig;ological Society, the visits of the Archdeacon of Richmond
+to Kendal&mdash;where he sentenced offenders from his chair of state erected in
+the High Quire&mdash;were looked forward to with awe and reverence. The
+churchwardens&#8217; books contain the following among other entries:&mdash;&#8220;Paid for
+bent to strawe in the High<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> Quire against Sir Joseph [Cradock] came.&#8221;
+&#8220;Paid to the Churchwardens, which they laid out when they delivered their
+presentments to Sir Joseph Cradock.&#8221; &#8220;Paid for washing and sweeping the
+Church against Sir Joseph&#8217;s coming to sitt his Court of Correction, which
+was the 7 July, 1664.&#8221; &#8220;At the peremptory day, being the 18th day of
+October, 1664, the general meeting of the churchwardens, whose names are
+herunder written doth order that Geo. Wilkinson shall keep the clock and
+chimes in better order, and shall keep swine out of the churchyard, and
+whip the dogs out of the church in time of divine service and sermon, and
+remove the dunghill and the stable-door which opens into the churchyard
+before the next peremptory day, and reform all abuses belonging to his
+office, or else the Churchwardens will make complaint so that it shall be
+referred to the ordinary.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Chancellor Ferguson told the members that he had found in some documents,
+relating to an unnamed Cumberland church, an order that no swine should be
+allowed in the churchyard unless they had rings in their noses! There are
+many reminders available of the days when rushes or other growths were put
+on church floors, by such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> entries as that in Waberthwaite registers,
+dated 1755:&mdash;&#8220;Bent bought, 12d.&#8221; At Millom there are charges for dressing
+the church. Between 1720 and 1783 there are several entries in the
+Hawkshead registers with reference to &#8220;strawing the church&#8221;&mdash;meaning the
+covering of the floor with rushes. There are also here, as at Penrith and
+some other places, allusions to payments for collecting moss, with which
+the rain was often kept out of the churches.</p>
+
+<p>It was, even within the last half century, a common occurrence for dogs to
+accompany their owners to church, but the officials did not appreciate the
+custom. Mr. John Knotts, in 1734, left an estate at Maulds Meaburn for the
+use of the poor of the township, from which five shillings yearly had to
+be paid for keeping dogs out of Crosby Ravensworth Church. The legality of
+the will was disputed on a technicality, and the heir-at-law paid a sum of
+money instead, which was invested, but how long the crown was paid for
+anti-dog purposes is not known. The Rev. J. Wilson wrote in his parochial
+magazine a few years ago:&mdash;&#8220;In the olden days in Dalston there was an
+officer whose duty it was to whip dogs out of church during service time,
+and, strange as it may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> seem, the custom under another name and in
+somewhat altered guise existed till the old church was demolished in 1890.
+The parish dog-whipper had &pound;1 a year for his salary during the latter
+portion of the 18th century, when the duties of the office were extended
+to other matters. In the parish accounts the following entry occurs: &#8216;May
+3, 1753 John Gate for whipping the Dogs out of church, opening and
+shutting ye sashes, sweeping ye church &amp;c. for one year, &pound;01 00 00.&#8217; The
+same entry occurs regularly every year till 1764, when his widow
+undertakes the job: &#8216;May 6th 1764 Wid: Gate for whipping ye Dogs out of ye
+church, opening and shutting ye sashes, sweeping ye church &pound;01 00 00.&#8217; The
+office of dog-whipper continues to be mentioned every year till 1774, when
+it disappears, and the entry is changed to: &#8216;May 1, 1774, Wid: Gate for
+cleaning ye church &pound;01 00 00.&#8217;&#8221; The church records show that at Penrith an
+annual payment of two shillings was made for many years to the
+dog-whipper. Among the items bearing on church expenses contained in the
+Torpenhow registers in 1759, was an annual allowance of 5s. to the sexton
+for whipping dogs out of the church, and that he might the more
+efficiently do his work he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> granted an extra allowance of 3d. for a
+whip and 2d. for a thong. There is an item in the Waberthwaite records
+which runs:&mdash;&#8220;According to the canons laitly sett down, four sydmen
+[synodsmen] are to be appointed every year, one of whose duties is to
+keepe the dogges out of the chirche, 1605.&#8221; At Hawkshead a dog-whipper was
+provided from 1723 to 1784. If the following paragraph, which appeared in
+the <i>Cumberland Pacquet</i>, in January, 1817, may be believed, there was at
+least one dog which would not incur the wrath of either parson or
+dog-whipper:&mdash;&#8220;Mr. William Wood of Asby, parish of Arlecdon, has a cur dog
+which for these four years past has regularly attended church, if within
+hearing of the bells; and what is more singular, the animal never misses
+going to his master&#8217;s seat whether any of the family attend or not.&#8221;</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Manorial Laws and Curiosities of Tenures.</h2>
+
+<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">No</span> doubt because of the proximity of the district to the Border, the
+tenures by which certain properties were held in Cumberland and
+Westmorland must be regarded as quite local in their character. The
+observances are, of course, all the more interesting on that account, and
+even in cases for which parallels are to be found in other parts of the
+kingdom, little peculiarities may sometimes be seen in local instances
+which throw light on the former habits of the people. Lords of manors were
+once individuals possessed of great powers. The lords of Millom held their
+property for hundreds of years, and had <i>jura regalia</i> within the
+seignory, in memory of which a modern stone erected at Gallow, half a mile
+below Millom Castle, has the inscription,</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Here the Lords of Millom exercised jura regalia.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The lord of the manor of Troutbeck, Windermere, is also believed to have
+formerly exercised a jurisdiction over capital offences.</p>
+
+<p>Where such powers existed, it is by no means<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> surprising that the homage
+exacted from tenants and servitors on various occasions was of a character
+that in modern days would be regarded as extremely degrading. Thus when a
+free tenant went to his lord&#8217;s residence to do homage according to custom
+and duty, he was ushered into the presence of his superior without sword
+or other arms, and with his head uncovered. The lord remained seated, and
+the tenant with profound reverence knelt before the great man. With his
+clasped or joined hands placed between those of the lord, the homager
+repeated the following vow, which seems to have been in practically the
+same terms in various manors:&mdash;&#8220;I become your man from this day forward,
+for life, for member, and for worldly honour, and unto you shall be true
+and faithful, and bear you faith for the lands that I hold of you, saving
+the faith that I owe to our Sovereign Lord the King.&#8221; The lord, still
+sitting, then kissed the tenant, as a token of his approbation. In
+Cumberland and Westmorland there are several villages named Carleton, this
+being one of the reminders of the days of serfdom. The carls were simply
+the basest sort of servants&mdash;practically slaves.</p>
+
+<p>The former servile condition of the poor in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> neighbourhood of barons&#8217;
+houses is also preserved in such names as Bongate, or as it was always
+written in old documents, Bondgate, at Appleby. In the great trial between
+the Cliffords and the burghers, when the former claimed the services of
+the freemen, it was decided that neither Robert de Vetripont nor any of
+his heirs ever had seizin of the borough, where the burgesses lived, but
+that King John gave to him &#8220;<i>Vetus Apilbi ubi villani manent</i>&#8221;&mdash;&#8220;Old
+Appleby, where the bondmen dwell.&#8221; The bondmen, or villeins, were probably
+of the same social standing as those known as drenges, the Cliffords
+having very many drengage tenements in various parts of their Sheriffwick.
+&#8220;The drenges were pure villeins&mdash;doubtless Saxons kept in a state of the
+vilest slavery, being granted by the lords of the manor, with a piece of
+land, like so many oxen. In fact they were as much the property of the
+lord of the manor as the negroes in the West Indian Colonies were formerly
+the property of the sugar planters. It is probable that the drenges were
+employed to perform all the servile and laborious offices at Brougham
+Castle; for in 1359, Engayne, lord of Clifton, granted to Roger de
+Clifford, by indenture, the service of John Richardson, and several
+others<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> mentioned by name, with their bodies and all that belonged to
+them.&#8221;<a name='fna_8' id='fna_8' href='#f_8'><small>[8]</small></a></p>
+
+<p>In the reign of Richard the First there was given to the church of
+Carlisle, &#8220;lands in Lorton, with a mill there, and all its rights and
+appendages, and namely the miller, his wife, and children&#8221;&mdash;apparently
+clear evidence of the servitors being regarded as part of the property.</p>
+
+<p>Several manorial lords claimed for their tenants the right to go toll-free
+throughout England. This was the case with Armathwaite, while the
+privilege also pertained to the prioress and nuns at Nunnery. The manor of
+Acorn Bank, near Temple Sowerby, used to have the right, or rather the
+privilege was claimed. In the time of the late Mr. John Boazman (the
+immediate predecessor of Mr. Henry Boazman, the present owner), the
+following was written:&mdash;&#8220;The lords of this manor can still claim and
+exercise for themselves and tenants all the privileges granted to the
+Knights Templars, the most important of which is exemption from toll
+throughout England. The tenants when travelling carry a certificate,
+signed and sealed by the lord of the manor. This certificate, after
+reciting part of the old charter,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> concludes as follows:&mdash;&#8216;Which charter
+[that of Henry the Second] was confirmed by King Charles of England,
+Scotland, and Ireland, in the fourth year of his reign, in witness whereof
+I, the said John Boazman, as lord of the manor, have executed and set my
+manorial seal.&#8217;&#8221; The burgesses of Appleby also possessed under their early
+charters privileges of a like character, and these would doubtless be of
+very appreciable value.</p>
+
+<p>The ancient family of Hoton, or Hutton, were by Edward the Third, in
+consideration of the service rendered to him by Thomas de Hoton in the
+wars against Scotland, restored to the bailiwick and office of keeping the
+King&#8217;s land or forest in Plumpton, which was first bestowed upon them
+prior to the time of Edward the First. It is believed that this led to the
+family taking a horn as their badge. Besides the monetary payment of
+something under &pound;2 yearly, it was found in the reign of Henry the Seventh
+that the lands were also held by the service of holding the stirrup of the
+King&#8217;s saddle while his Majesty mounted his horse in the Castle of
+Carlisle. The adjoining manor of Newton Reigny was held in the early days
+of the Lowthers by the service of finding for the King in his wars against
+Scotland one horseman with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> a horse of the value of forty shillings, armed
+with a coat of mail, an iron helmet, a lance, and a sword, abiding in the
+war for forty days with the King&#8217;s person. At a later date the terms were
+varied; there was then the paying of two shillings per annum for cornage,
+and the providing, for the King&#8217;s army, &#8220;one horseman with habiliments,
+one lance, and one long sword.&#8221; Penrith and five other manors were once
+held by the Kings of Scotland by paying one soar-hawk yearly to the
+constable of the Castle of Carlisle, with some privileges concerning
+rights in Inglewood Forest. The manor of Cargo, near Carlisle, was held
+for many generations by the family of de Ross, by the rendering of a hawk
+or a mark of silver yearly. When the same manor was the property of the
+Lacys, it was held by cornage, and afterwards by the Vescys for a mew&#8217;d
+hawk yearly in lieu of all services.</p>
+
+<p>In the manor of Gaitsgill and Raughton were twenty-two freehold tenants in
+1777, who paid 28s. 8&#190;d. yearly free rent, did suit and service at the
+lord&#8217;s court when called upon, and paid yearly to the Duke of Portland as
+chief lord of the Forest of Inglewood &pound;2 13s. 2d., besides sending a man
+to appear for them at the Forest Court at Hesket<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> every St. Barnabas&#8217;s
+Day, and that representative was to be on the inquest. This manor was at
+the Conquest &#8220;all forest and waste ground,&#8221; and was enclosed by one
+Ughtred, who held of the King &#8220;for keeping the eyries of hawks which bred
+in the Forest of Inglewood.&#8221; The posterity of Ughtred took their surname
+from Gatesgill, and adopted the sparhawk for their cognisance. The
+neighbouring manor of High Head (Higheved) was held of Edward the Third by
+William English by the service of one rose yearly. Later, in the time of
+Henry the Eighth, it was held by William Restwold as an approvement of the
+forest by fealty and the service of rendering at the King&#8217;s exchequer of
+Carlisle one red rose yearly at the feast of St. John the Baptist.</p>
+
+<p>In the reign of Philip and Mary, Alexander Armstrong was granted a
+considerable amount of property, including a mill, in the parish of
+Gilcrux, at a very low rental, on condition of finding and maintaining
+five horsemen &#8220;ready and well-furnished, whenever the King and Queen and
+the successors of the Queen shall summon them within the county.&#8221; In
+documents belonging to the abbey of Holme Cultram, whereby Flemingby (now
+known as Flimby, between Maryport and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> Workington) was handed over to the
+monks, Gospatric, the donor, inserted a clause that he would himself do
+for the monastery &#8220;noutegeld and the like due to the King; and also to the
+lord of Allerdale of seawake, castleward, pleas, aids, and other
+services.&#8221; The nutgeld tax&mdash;an impost apparently peculiar to the Border
+counties&mdash;was even last century frequently enforced in Cumberland and
+Westmorland.</p>
+
+<p>The custom of providing for gilt spurs was of a practical kind, the
+articles being peculiarly useful to the grantor. &#8220;Every knight (who served
+on horseback) was obliged to wear gilt spurs; hence they were called
+<i>equites aurati</i>.&#8221; The reservation, by Gospatrick, of homage to be
+performed by William de Lancastre has provided some interesting questions
+for past generations of historians and antiquaries. William de Lancastre
+the second gave thirty marks to the King that he might have the privilege
+of fighting a duel with Gospatrick, and the theory propounded was that
+this contest was caused because &#8220;the tenant&#8217;s proud spirit could not brook
+such a humiliation as that of doing homage.&#8221; Remembering the conditions of
+life, the supposition is not at all improbable, for what man of good birth
+would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> care to submit to perform the service described in the second
+paragraph of this chapter? In the same parish of Kirkby Lonsdale, William
+de Pickering had the manor of Killington granted to him for the yearly
+payment of a pair of gilt spurs, or sixpence, at the feast of Pentecost,
+and the service of the twentieth part of one knight&#8217;s service when
+occasion should require.</p>
+
+<p>Alice Lucy, a member of the once very powerful family of that name,
+reserved out of Wythop a penny rent service, or a pair of gloves; and a
+long time afterwards it was found that Sir John Lowther, knight, held the
+same manor &#8220;by homage, fealty, and suit of court at Cockermouth ... and
+the free rent of one penny or one red rose.&#8221; The manor, now held by Sir
+Henry R. Vane, Bart., Hutton-in-the-Forest, was subsequently sold to the
+Fletchers under the services just mentioned. In addition to a heavy fine,
+and a rental of &pound;10 yearly, Thomas de Multon paid &#8220;one palfrey for the
+office of forester of Cumberland,&#8221; granted to the family by King John. One
+of Multon&#8217;s ancestors, Richard de Lucy, also gave money and a palfrey in
+order to obtain the grant and other privileges.</p>
+
+<p>At Hesket, yearly, on St. Barnabas&#8217;s Day, by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> the highway side under a
+thorn tree (according to the very ancient manner of holding assemblies in
+the open air), wrote Nicolson in 1777, was kept the Court for the whole
+forest of Inglewood, to which Court the manors within that vast
+circumference (above twenty in number), owed suit and service; and a jury
+was there impannelled and sworn for the whole forest. It is a shadow or
+relic of the ancient Forest Courts; and here they pay their compositions
+for improvements, purprestures, agistments, and puture of the foresters,
+and the jurors being obliged to attend from the several manors, seems to
+be part of that service which was called <i>witnesman</i>. &#8220;Improvements&#8221; in
+this case means permission to take up open lands belonging to the manorial
+lord.</p>
+
+<p>Horn tenures, locally known as cornage, were common. At Brougham Hall is
+preserved the old and quaintly fashioned horn which was sounded by the
+former owners of the estates in complying with the requirement to blow a
+horn in the van of the King and his army, when the monarch went into
+Scotland, or at other times when the Scots made incursions to the southern
+side of the Border. An interesting relic of the same description is
+possessed at Carlisle&mdash;the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> &#8220;Horn of the Altar.&#8221; The Charter Horn has thus
+been described by Archdeacon Prescott:&mdash;&#8220;In the year 1290 a claim was made
+by the King, Edward the First, and by others, to the tithes on certain
+lands lately brought under cultivation in the Forest of Inglewood. The
+Prior of Carlisle appeared on behalf of his convent, and urged their right
+to the property on the ground that the tithes had been granted to them by
+a former King, who had enfeoffed them by a certain ivory horn which he
+gave to the Church of Carlisle, and which they possessed at that time. The
+Cathedral of Carlisle has had in its possession for a great number of
+years, two fine walrus tusks, with a portion of the skull. They appear in
+ancient inventories of the goods of the cathedral as &#8216;one horn of the
+altar in two parts,&#8217; or &#8216;two horns of the altar&#8217; (1674), together with
+other articles of the altar furniture. But antiquaries came to the
+conclusion that these were identical with the &#8216;ivory horn&#8217; referred to
+above.... Such Charter Horns were not uncommon in ancient days.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Blackmail used to bear a significance not fully understood by the modern
+use of the word. In the north of England it signified, especially in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>
+Cumberland, a certain rent of money, corn, or other things, anciently paid
+to persons inhabiting upon or near the Border, being men of name and
+power, allied with certain robbers within those counties, to be freed and
+protected from the devastations of those depredators. By 43 Elizabeth,
+cap. 13, it was provided that to take any such money or contribution,
+called blackmail, to secure goods from rapine, was made capital felony, as
+well as the offences such contribution was meant to guard against. Tenants
+in those old times had nearly all the privileges of paying; their
+opportunities for getting anything without cash or labour were few. One
+such concession which they enjoyed was &#8220;plowbote,&#8221; being the right of
+tenants to take wood to repair their ploughs, carts, and harrows; and for
+the making of such articles of husbandry as rakes and forks. Fire-bote was
+the term applied to a right enjoyed by many tenants, being the fuel for
+firing, and obtainable out of the lands granted to them. Timber-lode was a
+service by which tenants were to carry to the lord&#8217;s house timber felled
+in his woods. The Dean and Chapter of Carlisle were formerly obliged to
+provide the tenants of the manor of Morland with wood for the reparation
+of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> their houses. This was released by an endowment of &pound;16 per annum,
+being given by the Dean and Chapter to the school.</p>
+
+<p>Boon services of all kinds were common in all the manors along what is
+known as the eastern fell side&mdash;the base of Cross Fell, and north and
+south thereof. Before they were enfranchised by Sir Michael le Fleming,
+the tenants of Skirwith had to supply such boons as reaping, mowing,
+ploughing, harrowing, carrying coals, and spinning a stipulated number of
+hanks of yarn. Up to the latter half of last century each tenant of the
+manor of Threlkeld was obliged to find half a draught for one day&#8217;s
+ploughing; give one day mowing, one day shearing, one day clipping, and
+one day salving sheep; one carriage load once in two years, but not to go
+above ten miles; and to dig and lead two loads of peats every year, the
+tenants to have sufficient meat and drink when they performed these
+services. The cottagers were to perform the same services, only instead of
+half a plough they were to find one horse with a harrow, and a footman
+instead of a carriage load. The tenants were also bound to the lord&#8217;s
+mill, pay the fortieth corn, and to maintain the wall and thatch of the
+mill. The tenants had house-boot (wood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> for repairing their houses) as set
+out by the lord&#8217;s bailiff; peats, turves, ling, whins, limestone, and
+marl, with stones and slate for building. About 1764, half the tenants
+bought off these services at a cost of five guineas each, the mill service
+only excepted. The tenements paid twopence each yearly as greenhue rent,
+an impost which was once a common payment by Cumberland and Westmorland
+manorial tenants; along with it in the Eskdale and Mitredale manors of the
+Earls of Egremont was a due called &#8220;door-toll.&#8221; What may have been the
+origin of the latter seems to be now unknown.</p>
+
+<p>At Parsonby, near Aspatria, the tenants had to give to the parson each one
+boon day yearly at reaping. In the neighbouring parish of Blennerhasset
+the tenants, besides being subjected to heriots, each provided one day at
+mowing, shearing, ploughing, and meadows dressing, and two days leading
+coals. Higher up the fells the score of tenants at High Ireby and
+Ruthwaite, under Mr. Fletcher, had to give one day a year, or pay
+threepence; one would suppose the most economical alternative was to pay
+cash. At Egremont the burgesses who had ploughs were obliged to till the
+lord&#8217;s demesne one day in the year, but every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> burgess was required to
+find a reaper. In one of the manors of the parish of Wetheral, the
+tenants, in addition to their monetary payments, had to render to the
+Aglionby family, of Nunnery, boon days shearing and leading corn, with a
+certain quantity of oats called foster oats, six pecks being equal to four
+of Carlisle measure. Various attempts have been made within recent years
+to ascertain definitely what was the origin and meaning of the term.
+Nicolson says it was &#8220;perhaps heretofore for the use of the foresters,
+this part being within the forest of Inglewood.&#8221; That this was probable is
+also shown by a rule which existed in the barony of Greystoke, which was
+held of the King <i>in capite</i> by the service of one entire barony,
+rendering &pound;4 yearly at the fairs of Carlisle, suit at the County Court
+monthly, and serving the King in person against Scotland. The lord&#8217;s
+tenants, of whom there were some hundreds early in this century, had to
+pay &#8220;a 20d. fine on the death of lord or tenant, and a 30d. fine upon
+alienation; also to pay foster rents, foster corn, mill rents, greenhue,
+peat silver, and boons for mowing and leading peats.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There are many curious regulations bearing upon local tenures, but there
+is not lacking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> evidence that some of a still more noteworthy character
+have either been allowed to drop out of recognition, or the duties have
+been compounded for. Silver-penny fines are still enforced occasionally.
+In Mr. J. E. Hasell&#8217;s manor of Dacre, when a mortgagee of real estate is
+admitted to the court roll, he has to pay a fine of a silver penny for
+each. Heriots is a manorial impost about which some curious information
+has at various times been published. Many lords of manors and landlords
+have during the last half century allowed many of their rights in this
+direction to drop, while others have put on small money payments in lieu
+both of heriots and services. All customary property in the barony of
+Greystoke, except in the manor of Watermillock, is subject to heriots.</p>
+
+<p>A curious custom obtains in Mr. H. C. Howard&#8217;s manor of Newbiggin (Dacre),
+as shown by a case which arose about thirty years ago. A married woman,
+seized in fee of customary lands, died, leaving a husband and child. The
+query was raised whether the husband was entitled to the estate for his
+own life &#8220;as tenant by the curtesy.&#8221; It was decided that by the custom of
+the manor, there being no will, the child or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> heir at law of a deceased
+married woman should take the property absolutely, to the exclusion of the
+husband. In the adjoining manor of Barton there is another interesting
+rule. A Pooley Bridge man, who held certain property of the manor by
+payment of a rent of a shilling per annum, died intestate and a bachelor.
+His nearest relatives were two nieces, daughters of a deceased brother.
+The question was asked whether the two women would be co-heiresses, as in
+some other manors, but the eldest was found to take all, to the exclusion
+of her sister. The custom of the manor of Inglewood is to the same effect,
+the eldest daughter, sister, or other female descendant inheriting.</p>
+
+<p>A question arose some forty-five years ago as to a peculiar custom
+existing in the barony of Greystoke. Mr. William Bleaymire, the then
+steward, stated that by custom of that barony a customary tenant might
+convey such tenement without concurrence of his wife, as no widow was
+entitled to free bench in lands disposed of by her husband in his
+lifetime, he not dying seized thereof. Three or four years later a very
+similar question arose in the manor of Glassonby, the particular point
+being whether an owner could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> devise his customary land to his children so
+as to deprive his wife (to whom he was married prior to 1834) of her dower
+or free bench therein. The late Mr. Lawrence Harrison, the steward of the
+manor, decided that &#8220;the man dies seized of the customary tenement;
+therefore, notwithstanding his will, she is entitled to free bench
+according to the custom. The Dower Act in nowise affects the custom.&#8221; It
+is a well-known fact that the manorial customs in one village may be
+exactly contrary to those obtaining in an adjoining one. In some manors
+daughters are practically unnoticed, and in this connection an interesting
+point connected with the manor of Watermillock once came up. Mr. Bleaymire
+decided that an eldest daughter would be entitled to certain property in
+that manor, subject to her mother&#8217;s free bench, which was one half.</p>
+
+<p>A fruitful source of litigation, and of disputes of a less costly
+character, may be found in the demands made even in quite recent times,
+that purchasers should personally attend the Manorial Court in order to
+have admittance. In some local cases such attendance is rigidly enforced,
+but in others&mdash;the manor of Edenhall for instance&mdash;the purchaser is
+admitted on production of deed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> of bargain and sale. The law books contain
+many cases in which this point has been stubbornly fought. In the manor of
+Cumwhitton no admittances are granted, but the property passes by deed of
+bargain and sale with the licence of the steward endorsed on the deed, and
+a simple enrolment of the purchaser. In the manors of Morland, Plumpton,
+and Croglin, the parties seeking to be admitted must attend in person or
+by attorney.</p>
+
+<p>In the manor of Renwick, by an indenture mutually agreed upon in 1676, the
+tenants, in addition to a variety of financial payments, were obliged to
+scour and cleanse the water course to the lord&#8217;s mill from the bottom up
+to the mill trough head, and maintain the mill with wall and thatch; bring
+millstones thereto, and grind their corn thereat, paying a twenty-fourth
+multure. They were entitled to such house-boot as the steward might be
+pleased to allot. Some of the mills were of considerable value, a fact
+which will be readily understood when it is remembered how tenaciously
+lords of manors clung to the right almost down to our own time. The lord
+of Drigg had a mill, to which, as was so frequently the case, the tenants
+were bound. In these days,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> fortunately, this and other requirements are
+not enforced. The same manor had flotsam, jetsam, and lagan, &#8220;and so it
+was adjudged upon a trial at bar between Henry, Earl of Northumberland,
+and Sir Nicholas Curwen in Queen Elizabeth&#8217;s time, and afterwards a decree
+in Chancery for conforming the said prescription and securing that right
+to the sea against the lord paramount.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The rector of Caldbeck is, or was, entitled to claim a God&#8217;s penny upon
+the change of tenant by death, in his manor in the lower part of the
+parish. Multure (&#8220;mooter&#8221;) was formerly a common form of tax in
+Cumberland; very many instances of its imposition by lords of manors might
+be quoted, but sometimes it extended to the markets. The following is a
+copy of a bill relating to a revolt on the part of the inhabitants of
+Cockermouth, but the writer has not been able to discover to what extent,
+and whether immediately, the residents in the old borough succeeded in
+their protest:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="center">COCKERMOUTH TOLLS.</p>
+
+<p>At a Meeting of the <span class="smcap">Inhabitants</span> of <span class="smcap">Cockermouth</span>, holden at the <span class="smcap">Court
+House</span>, on <span class="smcap">Saturday</span> the 13th Instant, to take into consideration the
+unjust and illegal manner in which</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>The TOLL of GRAIN,</p>
+
+<p>brought into Cockermouth Market, has for some years past been taken;
+and it having been admitted by the Lord of the Manor, that the Toll of
+Corn is</p>
+
+<p class="center">ONE HANDFUL<br />
+<i>Out of each Sack sold in the<br />
+Market, and no more</i>;</p>
+
+<p>It was unanimously resolved, that the undermentioned Gentlemen be
+appointed to attend the Corn Market, for the purpose of observing the
+mode in which the Toll is taken in future; also that the Landowners,
+Farmers, and others, be requested to give information to them, if more
+than the Legal Toll be hereafter required or taken by the Lessees of
+the Tolls, or if they take it from Grain <i>not actually sold</i>, in order
+that such measures may be pursued by and for the Parties aggrieved as
+the Law allows.</p>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table">
+<tr><td>Messrs.</td><td class="br"><span class="smcap">Joseph Steel</span>,</td><td>&nbsp; Messrs. &nbsp;</td><td><span class="smcap">Joshua Sim</span>,</td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td class="br"><span class="smcap">William Wood</span>,</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td><span class="smcap">John Fisher</span>,</td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td class="br"><span class="smcap">John Hodgson</span>,</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td><span class="smcap">Thomas Wilson</span>.</td></tr></table>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">That</span> a Meeting of the Inhabitants of Cockermouth, together with the
+Landowners and Farmers of its Vicinity, be holden in the Court House,</p>
+
+<p class="center">On <span class="smcap">Monday</span> the 22d Inst. at Two o&#8217;Clock<br />
+<span class="smcaplc">IN THE AFTERNOON</span>,</p>
+
+<p>to form an <span class="smcaplc">ASSOCIATION</span> for the purpose of <span class="smcap">Prosecuting</span> any Person or
+Persons <span class="smcaplc">TAKING MORE TOLL</span> than is allowed by the Ancient Prescription.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Cockermouth, March 15th, 1830.</i></span></p></div>
+
+<p>The lordship of Millom was anciently exempted from the jurisdiction of the
+Sheriff of Cumberland; the lords had power to licence their own
+ale-houses, and wreck of the sea was enjoyed until a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> comparatively recent
+period&mdash;certainly up to near the end of last century&mdash;&#8220;whereof,&#8221; says
+Nicolson, &#8220;much benefit is frequently made, it being almost surrounded by
+the sea.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>A very unusual tenure has been noted as being in existence in the township
+of Kirkland, a few miles from Wigton. It was stated thus a century and a
+quarter ago:&mdash;&#8220;The tenants have a lease granted to them generally by Mr.
+Lancelot Salkeld, father of Sir Francis, for 999 years, paying a certain
+yearly rent for every tenement, amounting in the whole to &pound;6 15s. 1d.
+yearly, and every twenty-one years they are to pay a fine to the lord,
+viz., a twenty-penny fine, which they call a running gressom, and then
+take new leases, but pay no general fine upon the lord&#8217;s death, nor upon
+change of tenant, but they pay a heriot upon the death of every tenant.&#8221;
+Tenures of cumin do not appear to have been common in the two counties.
+The best known of the kind was in the time of Henry the Eighth, when a
+yearly rent of 2&#189;d., and one pound of cumin and services was paid by
+the heirs of John Reede to Fountains Abbey, for the fish garths in
+Crosthwaite, Keswick.</p>
+
+<p>By the custom of some places a parson might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> be obliged to keep a bull and
+a boar, for the use of the parishioners, in consideration of his having
+tithes of calves and pigs. Such a condition held in certain parishes in
+Cumberland, but as the stipulation said nothing as to the quality of the
+animals to be maintained, many farmers, with the progress of agriculture
+and education, began to keep their own, and the requirement gradually
+became a dead letter.</p>
+
+<p>A peculiar obligation concerning Sparket Mill was laid on the tenants in
+the hamlet of Thackthwaite, in Watermillock parish, as is explained in the
+following &#8220;Verdict of the Head Jurie of Weathermelock, May 9th,
+1709&#8221;:&mdash;&#8220;As for the controversie betwixt the Tennents of Thackthwaite and
+ye miller of Sparkhead Mill concerning the repairing of the Mill Dam and
+the race, we find upon Oath and upon notice given by ye miller the
+tennents of Thackthwaite are to make ye race sufficient to carry water
+from the Dam to the Trough Head, upon condition that the miller give them
+every time they meet to work it a Pott of ale and a pennyworth of tobacco
+as they have had formerly. And as for the Dam we likewise find upon Oath
+that the repairing of the same belongs to the Lord of ye Mannor.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>What would owners of dogs in these days think and say were such
+regulations in force as used to be enforced at the ancient Cumberland town
+of Egremont? The old ordinances of Richard Lucy for the government of the
+borough declared that &#8220;those who hold burgage tenure in Egremont shall
+find armed men for the defence of the fortress forty days at their own
+charge; shall find twelve men for the lord&#8217;s military array, and be bound
+to aids for his redemption from captivity, and hold watch and ward; and
+that they shall not enter the forest with bow and arrow, nor cut off their
+dogs&#8217; feet within the borough.&#8221; The explanation of the last item is that
+the inhabitants of the forest, who kept dogs to defend their dwellings,
+were obliged to cut off one foot to prevent their chasing the game, but
+the precaution was not considered necessary in the town.</p>
+
+<p>Among the local peppercorn rents the following is interesting. The Gill
+estate, in the parish of Bromfield, is said to have belonged to the Reays
+&#8220;as long as any other estate in the kingdom has been in one family.&#8221; The
+tradition is that the head of the family had the then extensive lands of
+Gill granted to him and his heirs by William the Lion, King of Scotland in
+the twelfth century,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> not only in reward for his fidelity to his prince,
+but as a memorial of his extraordinary swiftness of foot in pursuing the
+deer; outstripping in fleetness most of the horsemen and dogs. The
+conditions of the grant were that he should pay a peppercorn yearly, and
+that the name of William should, if possible, be perpetuated in the
+family. There were several eminent men among the descendants, but the
+distinctive Christian name is no longer strictly adhered to.</p>
+
+<p>An estate enjoying exemption from payments of tithes is that of Scale
+Houses, in the parish of Renwick. This arose, declared a writer early in
+the present century, &#8220;owing to an ancient owner of the land having slain a
+noxious cockatrice, which the vulgar at this day call a crack-a-Christ as
+they rehearse the simple fable.&#8221; The document which gives this exemption
+is believed to be still in existence. Among the dues to which the abbot
+and convent of Shap could claim were services and money payments from
+Bampton as &#8220;alms corn,&#8221; and there was a similar tribute from Mauld&#8217;s
+Meaburn and Hoff. Burn mentions in his chapter on Bewcastle a tenant&#8217;s
+duty not publicly noted in any other local manor, the people having to pay
+yearly customary rent, quit rents<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> for improvements, and &pound;2 1s. 4d.
+<i>carriage money</i>, whatever that may have been.</p>
+
+<p>There was a curious regulation in one of the divisions of Windermere
+parish, which lasted up to about 1780:&mdash;&#8220;It was anciently customary in the
+township of Applethwaite for every tenant&#8217;s wife who lived below the
+highway to pay 5d. yearly rent to the lord of the manor, and every other
+woman above 16 years of age 2d., above the road every tenant&#8217;s wife paid
+3d., and every other woman above 16, a penny. How this custom originated,
+or why the ladies on the low side of the road were rated higher than their
+contemporaries in the opposite division, we are unable to say.&#8221;<a name='fna_9' id='fna_9' href='#f_9'><small>[9]</small></a></p>
+
+<p>Among the old manorial officers at Cockermouth chosen at the Michaelmas
+Courts were a bailiff, assessors, assessors of bread and ale,
+mill-lookers, moor-lookers, hedge-lookers, leather searchers,
+swine-ringers, and appraisers. The jury of the Leet formed the special
+jury for the government of the borough, and the bailiff was the returning
+officer for elections, as well as clerk of the market. At Egremont the
+officers chosen annually were a borough serjeant, two bailiffs,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> four
+constables, two hedge and corn-viewers, and assessors of damages. Most of
+the old manors, indeed, would furnish examples of quaint offices, whose
+purpose is now scarcely known. A good deal might be written concerning the
+old manorial and other Courts of the two counties. Occasionally these
+still afford interesting proceedings, but the real purpose for holding
+them has ceased to exist. The Courts of Pie Poudre, at Appleby and several
+other places; the Court of Conscience, or, as it was commonly called, the
+Wapentake Court, and the Court of Record at Kendal; and the many Court
+Leets, are now merely matters of local history.</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Old-Time Punishments.</h2>
+
+<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">If</span> one feature is more prominent than another in connection with former
+methods of repressing crime, or of punishing those who had been declared
+guilty of breaches of the law, it is that of brutality. Refinement, even
+in retribution, is perhaps not to be expected, having regard to the habits
+of the people and the conditions under which they lived. In the
+neighbourhood of the Border, &#8220;Jeddart justice&#8221;&mdash;to hang a man first and
+try him afterwards&mdash;was doubtless often found a convenient arrangement for
+dealing with those who were supposed to be delinquents. There is at least
+one case on record, too, of the drowning of a supposed witch at Carlisle,
+though the unfortunate woman was probably guilty of no more serious
+offence than being insane.</p>
+
+<p>One of the most remarkable executions on record was that of Sir Andrew de
+Harcla, whose place in North-Country history is too well known to need
+further reference. He offended Edward the Second&mdash;whether he was as guilty
+as some historians have endeavoured to show is certainly a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> matter of
+opinion&mdash;and that monarch sent commissioners to Carlisle to seize de
+Harcla for treason. &#8220;The law&#8221; in those days was merely another name for
+the caprice of the King, and de Harcla had no trial. The cedula, or
+judgment, ran that Sir Andrew de Harcla, Earl of Carlisle, should be
+stripped of his Earl&#8217;s robes and ensigns of knighthood, his sword broken
+over his head, his gilt spurs hacked from his heels, and that he should be
+drawn to the place of execution, and there hanged by the neck; his heart
+and bowels taken out of his body, burnt to ashes and winnowed, his body
+cut into four quarters, one to be set upon the principal tower of Carlisle
+Castle, another on the tower of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a third upon the
+bridge at York, and the fourth at Shrewsbury, and his head upon London
+Bridge.</p>
+
+<p>There has been doubt thrown upon the extent to which this revolting
+sentence was obeyed. Dr. Burn says &#8220;it was performed accordingly,&#8221; while
+the monks of Lanercost record that de Harcla &#8220;suffered in the ordinary
+place of execution with great fortitude, affirming to the end that in his
+transactions with the King of Scotland he had meant no hurt to his own
+King or country.&#8221; On the scaffold, they add, he said, &#8220;You have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> disposed
+of my body at your pleasure; my soul, which is above your disposal, I give
+to God.&#8221; It was customary to allow a sledge or hurdle on which persons
+condemned for high treason were dragged to the gallows; there is nothing
+in local records to show in what way the Earl was conveyed to the place of
+execution.</p>
+
+<p>A question which has occupied a good deal of the attention of local
+antiquaries at various times is whether the body was dismembered and the
+parts dispersed as ordered. De Harcla&#8217;s sister petitioned Edward the Third
+for the restitution of her brother&#8217;s body for burial, and the order
+addressed to de Lucy, who had been de Harcla&#8217;s executioner, is still in
+existence. It runs thus:&mdash;&#8220;The King to his faithful and beloved Anthony de
+Lucy, Warden of Carlisle Castle, greeting. We command that you cause to be
+delivered without delay the quarter of the body of Andrew de Harcla, which
+hangs by the command of the Lord Edward, late King of England, our father,
+upon the walls of the said Castle, to our beloved Sarah, formerly the wife
+of Robert de Leyburn, sister to the aforesaid Andrew, to whom we of our
+grace have granted that she may collect together the bones of the same
+Andrew, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> commit them to holy sepulture, whenever she wishes or her
+attorney. And this you shall in no wise omit. Witness the King at York,
+the 10th of August (1337), by the King himself.&#8221; A portion of the body is
+believed to have been buried in Kirkby Stephen Church; the tradition was
+strengthened by the discovery of part of the bones of a man under peculiar
+conditions when the church was rebuilt half a century ago.</p>
+
+<p>Although there are several Gallows Hills in Cumberland and Westmorland,
+there only seems to be one place which has retained any particular story,
+and it is thus told in Mr. William Andrews&#8217; third book relating to
+punishments<a name='fna_10' id='fna_10' href='#f_10'><small>[10]</small></a>:&mdash;&#8220;It has been asserted by more than one local chronicler
+that John Whitfield, of Cotehill, a notorious North-Country highwayman,
+about 1768 was gibbeted alive on Barrock. He kept the countryside in a
+state of terror, and few would venture out after nightfall for fear of
+encountering him. He shot a man on horseback in open daylight; a boy saw
+him commit the crime, and was the means of his identification and
+conviction. It is the belief in the district that Whitfield was gibbeted
+alive, that he hung for several days in agony, and that his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> cries were
+heartrending, until a mail coachman passing that way put him out of his
+misery by shooting him.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There is a contemporary record of the execution to be found in the <i>St.
+James&#8217;s Chronicle</i>, for August 12th, 1768, as follows:&mdash;&#8220;Wednesday, John
+Whitfield, for murdering William Cockburn on the Highway, near
+Armithwaite, was executed at Carlisle, and afterwards hung in Chains near
+the Place where the Fact was committed.&#8221; It will be seen that the record
+makes no mention of the culprit having been put into his iron cage when
+alive, and one can only hope that there is nothing beyond tradition to
+support the assertion.</p>
+
+<p>Next we come to the gibbeting of a Threlkeld man, one of the earliest
+recorded instances of that punishment being imposed in the County
+Palatine. The facts are contained in the Rydal papers, published in 1890
+by the Historical Manuscripts Commission. Writing from Rydal on November
+24th, 1671, to Sir Joseph Williamson, Sir Daniel Fleming said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;Being lately in Lancashire I received there&mdash;as a justice of the
+peace of that county&mdash;an information against one Thomas Lancaster,
+late of Threlkeld in Cumberland, who, it is very probable, hath
+committed the most horrid act that hath been heard of in this
+countrey. He marryed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> the 30th of January last a wife in Lancashire,
+who was agreed to be marryed that very day, or soon after, to another;
+and her father afterwards conveyed all his reall estate to this
+Lancaster upon his giveing security to pay severall sums of money to
+himselfe and his other daughters. And through covetousness to pay
+these and other payments it is very probable that Lancaster hath
+lately poysoned&mdash;with white arsenic&mdash;his wife, her father, her three
+sisters, her aunt, her cosin-german, and a servant boy, besides poyson
+given to severall of his neighbours who are and have been sick, that
+people&mdash;as it is presumed&mdash;might think the rest dead of a violent
+fevor. I have committed him prisoner unto Lancaster Castle and shall
+take what more evidence I can meet with against the next assizes, that
+he may there have a fair triall, and&mdash;if he be found guilty&mdash;such a
+punishment as the law shall inflict upon such like offenders.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>On April 3rd, of the following year, Sir Daniel, writing to Sir George
+Fletcher, at Hutton, returned to the subject, after he had discussed
+private affairs and the action of the Judges with regard to the Papists.
+At the Lent Assizes at Lancaster, he said, &#8220;Thomas Lancaster has been
+found guilty of poisoning eight persons, and is to be hanged in chains.&#8221;
+Three weeks later in a letter to Sir William Wilde, Justice of the Common
+Pleas, the same gossip recorded that &#8220;Thomas Lancaster has confessed that
+he poisoned the old woman with arsenic, for a bribe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> of &pound;24 from the heir
+to her estate, worth &pound;16 per annum.&#8221; It is, however, to the church
+registers of Hawkshead that we must turn for an account of the final
+proceedings, the entry being under date April 8th, 1672:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;Thomas Lancaster, who for poysonninge his owne family was adjudgt att
+the assizes att Lancaster to be carried back to his owne house att
+Hye-Wrey, where he liv&#8217;d, was there hanged before his owne doore till
+he was dead for that very facte, and then was brought with a horse and
+carr into the Coulthouse meadows and forthwithe hunge upp in iron
+chaynes on a gibbett, which was set up for that very purpose on the
+South syde, of Sawrey Casey, neare unto the Poole Stang, and there
+continued until such tymes as he rotted every bone from the other.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There are records of wholesale executions in Cumberland for what may be
+called political offences. When the authorities were subduing Aske&#8217;s
+rebellion, for instance, little was thought of hanging a score of men, and
+many readers will no doubt remember the bravery of the victims&#8217; wives on
+some of those occasions, for at the risk of their own necks they removed
+their executed husbands from the gallows and buried the bodies by night.
+At Appleby in former days doubtless many executed men were subjected to
+the further indignity of being drawn and quartered. In 1664 three of the
+men who supported Captain Atkinson, of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> Mallerstang, were, at a special
+assize in the county town, convicted of high treason for their share in
+the Kaber Rigg rising, and all were hanged, drawn, and quartered. It was
+not until the autumn of 1675 that Captain Atkinson was sentenced to die
+the death of a traitor, and pursuant to sentence was hanged, drawn, and
+quartered on September 1st. It was once common to hand over the bodies of
+those who had suffered on the gallows to surgeons for dissection. Probably
+the last Gallows Hill victim thus dealt with was George Mackereth, of
+Kendal, who was hanged in 1748 for the murder of his sweetheart.</p>
+
+<p>A more interesting study is to be found in the methods adopted by the
+clergy when dealing with refractory individuals. Of excommunication, as
+imposed in the diocese of Carlisle, much might be written from the records
+preserved in the registry, for not only were poor folks put under the ban.
+Bishops and priors were declared &#8220;excommunicate,&#8221; while rectors, vicars,
+and less important people by the score seem to have offended.</p>
+
+<p>One case of post-mortem punishment at Penrith, by way of appeasing the
+wrath of a former Bishop, may be quoted. The latter required the
+Archdeacon of Carlisle to seek out and summon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> certain malefactors who had
+insulted him while on a visit to the town. Three years seem to have passed
+before anything was done, and by that time one of the culprits had died
+and been buried. The Bishop ordered the body to be dug up, and to lie
+unburied until the form of absolution had been gone through. In
+connection, apparently, with the same affair, the Bishop &#8220;signified&#8221; to
+the Court of King&#8217;s Bench that John de Agliunby, who had been
+excommunicated for assaulting and wounding a priest, &#8220;after the term of
+forty days still remains impenitent and unabsolved,&#8221; and so the aid of the
+secular arm was invoked to coerce him. What the result may have been does
+not appear.</p>
+
+<p>There is a peculiar case, perhaps less known than any&mdash;that of the priest
+or friar who officiated at the Brunskill conventicle, and made a good
+harvest from the &#8220;miraculous&#8221; cures wrought by the strong iron water at
+the Holy Well, Brough. The vicar obtained the Pope&#8217;s authority, and the
+offender was duly excommunicated.</p>
+
+<p>In the Ven. Archdeacon Prescott&#8217;s recently edited transcript of the
+&#8220;Register of Wetherhall&#8221; may be read the full terms of a somewhat peculiar
+Cumberland case of excommunication and penance.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> Robert Highmore, Lord of
+Bewaldeth, had taken a mare, the property of John Overhouse of that place,
+as a heriot, before the church of Torpenhow had got the mortuary, and he
+was promptly punished in the orthodox way. Having quickly asked
+absolution, and restored the mare to Sir Robert Ellargill (for the parsons
+were always styled &#8220;Sir&#8221; in those days), vicar of Torpenhow, and by way of
+penance given the six best oaks in his wood, the Bishop absolved him. In
+some parts of the country the second best horse was due to the Church,
+and, says an old historian, &#8220;was carried, by the name of mortuary, or
+corse present, before the corpse, and delivered to the priest at the place
+of sepulture.&#8221; But in the diocese of Carlisle the Church was first served,
+and the lord only got the second best. Bishop Barrow, who ascended the
+episcopal throne at Carlisle in 1423, anathematized all men who took the
+heriot before &#8220;the Holy Kirke&#8221; got the mortuary. The punishment of
+excommunicating was far from being reserved for the lower orders. Quite a
+long story might be made of the part taken in this way, in the thirteenth
+century, by the Bishop of Carlisle, who excommunicated the Bishop of
+Dunkeld for refusing to pay the Pope&#8217;s tenth for the Holy Land.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>When it became a matter of cursing wrong-doers, there was generally no
+tendency towards mincing words. Christian, Bishop of Glasgow, who became a
+professor of the Cistercian order, gave to the Abbey of Holme Cultram the
+grange of Kirkwinny. In this grant, quoted in Dugdale&#8217;s &#8220;Monasticon,&#8221; the
+Bishop charged all men to protect and defend the grange, as they valued
+the blessing of God and of himself; threatening, if they did otherwise,
+that they should incur the papal excommunication, the curses of Almighty
+God and of himself, and the pains of eternal fire.</p>
+
+<p>In 1361 several persons being accused of shedding blood in the church and
+churchyard of Bridekirk, were decreed to be excommunicated by the greater
+excommunication, and the incumbents of all the churches of the deanery of
+Allerdale were ordered to publish the sentence against them on every
+Sunday and holiday at high mass, when the largest number of people should
+be gathered together, the bells ringing, the candles lighted and put out,
+and the cross erected. The mother church of Greystoke being much out of
+repair, the belfry fallen, and the wooden shingles on the roof mostly
+scattered, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> inhabitants of Threlkeld and Watermillock refusing to
+contribute their proportion of the charge, the Bishop, at his visitation
+in 1382, issued his injunction &#8220;to all and every of them,&#8221; under pain of
+the greater excommunication&mdash;a proceeding which in those superstitious
+times no doubt quickly had the desired effect. Indeed no great provocation
+would seem to have been needed to bring the punishment of excommunication.
+Complaint having been made of some unknown persons riotously breaking into
+the houses and grange at Wet Sleddale, and committing disorders, a former
+Bishop issued his mandate to the Dean of Westmorland, and the local
+clergy, to denounce the greater excommunication at the time of high mass,
+the bells to ring, and the candles to be put out, against the rioters.</p>
+
+<p>One of the vicars of Appleby St. Lawrence, Thomas de Burnley, was cited to
+York for neglecting to serve the chantry in Appleby Castle&mdash;doubtless the
+action was taken at the instigation of the Hereditary High Sheriff. On
+Burnley not appearing before the Judge of the Prerogative Court of the
+abbot and convent, he was excommunicated. The sentence was ordered to be
+read in the parish churches of St. Lawrence and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> St. Michael, Appleby, and
+in other churches and public places in the dioceses of Carlisle and York,
+every Sunday and holiday, so long as the abbot and convent required, or
+until he should comply and make satisfaction to the judge and parties.
+Burnley was not the only holder of his office who objected to the castle
+service, as Sir Walter Colwyn, who was appointed vicar of the parish forty
+years previously, was also sentenced (doubtless to be excommunicated) for
+&#8220;having endeavoured to throw the charges of serving the chantry in the
+castle upon the prior and convent of Wetheral.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>About the middle of the fourteenth century, Bishop Welton sent out his
+mandate to the rector of Brougham and another cleric to denounce the
+sentence of greater excommunication against certain unknown persons who
+had broken up a paved way and done some other outrages in the churchyard
+of Penrith, reserving to himself the sole power of absolution. Thereupon
+several of the inhabitants made a pilgrimage across country to Rose,
+confessed themselves guilty, and prayed for a remission of the heavy
+sentence. That was granted on condition of each man offering, by way of
+penance, a wax candle of three pounds weight,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> before the image of St.
+Mary in the parish church of Penrith on the following Sunday. In the same
+year the vicar of Penrith had a licence granted to him, to continue from
+March 8th to the Easter following, to hear the confessions of all his
+parishioners, and to give absolution upon the performance of penance
+injoined. Some exceptionally bad cases were, however, specially reserved
+by the Bishop. Persons who suffered from the ecclesiastical ban were
+deprived of the right of burial in the churchyard. Two cases of the kind
+are recorded in the Penrith registers for 1623. &#8220;August 29th, Lanc. Wood,
+being excommunicate, buried on the Fell. September 5th, Richd. Gibbon,
+being excommunicate, buried on the Fell.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The most noteworthy instance of a man of any eminence in the Church being
+visited with excommunication during the last two centuries is probably
+that of Dr. Todd, who was vicar of Penrith in the first quarter of the
+eighteenth century. He and Bishop Nicolson had a long and bitter quarrel
+as to the rights of the prelate in local Church affairs. The diocesan at
+length suspended the vicar <i>ab officio et beneficio</i>, and then
+excommunicated him. The story throughout is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> not of a particularly
+edifying character; Dr. Todd took his punishment very lightly, and
+afterwards he and the Bishop seem to have been very good friends again.</p>
+
+<p>Still later there are to be found records in various parish registers of
+ecclesiastical pressure being brought to bear on parishioners. Without any
+reason being shown in the register, Jane Curry was declared excommunicate,
+December 10th, 1732, by Hugh Brown, curate of Hayton. At
+Kirkandrews-on-Esk the churchwardens&#8217; book shows a list of presentments
+for not bringing children to be baptised; for clandestine marriages,
+fornication, and contumacy. The parties were either excommunicated, or did
+penance, in the church on Sunday. One man did his penance in 1711 after
+having for fornication been excommunicated for thirty years; another man
+was excommunicated for refusing to be churchwarden. In 1785 two couples
+were publicly rebuked in church for clandestine marriage, and Sir James
+Graham, on the application of the curate, Mr. Nichol, ordered all his
+tenants to pay their fees properly. Clandestine marriages of course
+deprived the rector or the curate of the fees, hence the landlord&#8217;s
+reproof and caution.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>The power of excommunication, which during the time of Charles the First
+had been chiefly exercised against the Romanists, was at the commencement
+of the reign of James the Second turned against the Protestant
+Nonconformists, with, in some districts, results sometimes curious but
+almost always sad. The names of forty-four persons were set out in the
+Greystoke register on March 29th, 1685, with this announcement following
+them: &#8220;Were these persons whose names and sirnames are here under written
+denounced excommunicate for their offences, and other their contumacy in
+not appearing at Consistorye Court for the reformation of their lives and
+manners.&#8221; Some of the offenders seem to have had only indifferent moral
+characters, but the majority were Quakers. Quakerism had been spreading
+for many years in the two counties, and during the time Dr. Gilpin was
+rector of Greystoke, the Nonconformists, while holding him personally in
+the deepest respect, gave him some hard puzzles to solve. &#8220;Such were their
+novel phrases and cross questions and answers that the doctor seemed
+sometimes at a loss what to say to them.&#8221; Among those who went over to the
+Quakers was a noted yeoman in his day&mdash;Henry Winder, of Green<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> Close, who
+was appointed by the &#8220;Friends&#8221; to be the Receiver of all their collections
+in Cumberland. He, however, afterwards returned to the Presbyterians, and
+wrote some noteworthy pamphlets on religious topics. His many quarrels did
+not help to wear out his frame, for we read: &#8220;Feb. 9th, 1716/7 if was
+buried Henry Winder, sen., of Hutton Soyle; who dyed of a dropsy in the
+hundredth and first year of his age.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The registers of Bampton contain many curious entries, especially about
+people who did not go regularly to church. One, which may be taken as an
+example of other reports by the churchwardens, reads:&mdash;&#8220;We have no
+presentments to make but what has been formerly presented, viz., we have
+Thomas Braidley and Margret his wife, Richard Simpson, John Hottblacke,
+and Syth Gibson, quakers, and noe other we have in our parish, but doe
+duely resort to church, nor any other offence presentable to our
+knowledge.&#8221; In other cases it was further noted that &#8220;the parties stand
+excommunicated.&#8221; The churchwardens were evidently strict about enforcing
+order, and on one occasion reported &#8220;William Stephenson for violent
+beating of John Wilkinson of Shap upon the sabbath and within the
+churchyard.&#8221; In other ways the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>churchwardens exercised care; and a woman
+got into trouble with them for acting as a midwife &#8220;without licence to the
+prejudice of several persons.&#8221; Again, &#8220;Lancelot Hogarth is presented to us
+by information of Richard Brown for loading corn on the sabbath in time of
+divine service.&#8221; Sometimes the parish clerk had a share in the work; one
+of these presented. &#8220;James Hayes of Banton, for reading two sale notices,
+without leave on the Sabbath day, one in the church, the other in ye
+churchyard.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Possibly even Dissenters were not thought to be entirely bad, so long as
+they paid their tithes, and in presenting William Simpson once more the
+Bampton churchwardens vouched that albeit he was a Quaker he was &#8220;a very
+moderate one; tho&#8217; he absent the church yett he payes his tythes.&#8221; The
+Church authorities seem to have carried out their unpleasant duties with a
+due amount of consideration; there is a tone of sympathy about some of the
+entries; in others indifference may be noted, as where Richard Simpson and
+Margaret Braidley (the latter &#8220;very old, not able to go abroad, scarcely
+help herself,&#8221;) are presented along with William Wilson, younger, a
+Dissenter&mdash;what sort we know not, but he never comes to church.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> Although
+the Howards of Naworth at one time owned the manor of Thornthwaite, and
+lived at the Hall, the only entry in which the name is found is the
+following: &#8220;We have none to present but who have been formerly presented
+and doe stand excommunicated, viz., Mr. William Howard and Jane his wife,
+papists, Richard Simpson and Margret Braidley, widow, quakers, all that we
+have.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Although the sentence of excommunication was frequently used by the
+Nonconformist bodies, in this case the proclamation had no such serious
+results as followed the sentence in earlier days. Among the records of the
+Penrith Presbyterian Church are many allusions to excommunication; one
+instance will suffice to illustrate the rest. In 1818, Robert McCreery, a
+member of the church, had left the town in company with a woman who was
+not his wife, but returning three months afterwards, he petitioned to be
+re-admitted to the Presbyterian Society. Before the formalities could be
+concluded McCreery seems to have changed his mind and withdrawn his
+application, and he was therefore declared from the pulpit to be
+excommunicate.</p>
+
+<p>At Ravenstonedale, in the days of Philip Lord<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> Wharton, there was a ready
+method of dealing with slanderers and other transgressors. The &#8220;town&#8221; was
+governed by twenty-four of the principal inhabitants, called the grand
+jury, and the oath which they were required to take included a promise
+that&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;Every person or persons within this lordship which shall be convicted
+before the grand jury for the time being and by them be found to have
+offended against any person or persons within this lordship, either by
+slanderous words or other unlawful speech or report, that the same
+offender or offenders shall, upon such a Sabbath Day, before the
+celebration of the general Communion then next following the
+conviction, and in such manner before the people assembled in the
+church ... appoint the said offender or offenders in penitent manner
+to confess their fault, and to ask the party aggrieved forgiveness for
+the same, upon pain of every such offender or offenders to forfeit to
+the lord of this manor, so often as they shall contemptuously or
+obstinately deny or defer to make their reconcilements, 3s. 4d.: and
+the men in charge of the church not to fail in execution hereof upon
+pain to forfeit to the lord 12d.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Though paying 3s. 4d. seems a small punishment, it was a large sum towards
+the end of the reign of Queen Bess, and would be equal to fully &pound;3 now,
+while three years after the rule was instituted the fine was doubled. Mr.
+Nicholls, in a series of lectures which he delivered in the village some
+twenty-four years ago, remarked:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>&#8220;Such a law as this one would expect to be a very wholesome check
+against slander. There is a tradition that the culprit was compelled
+to stand up, wrapt in a white sheet, and confess his fault; but,
+whether this were so or no, the confession must have been a terrible
+ordeal, and I can understand that the fine was often paid. It would
+seem that notwithstanding the fine or penalty, the vice was a
+prevalent one, as its mention is followed by a homily against the sin
+of slander, in which many passages of Scripture are cleverly and
+skilfully incorporated.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The long-since dismantled Abbey of Lanercost had its origin in a tragedy.
+Gils Beuth laid claim to a part of Gilsland, and Robert de Vallibus, lord
+of Gilsland, slew him at a meeting for agreement appointed between them
+under trust and assurance of safety. In consequence of that action
+Vallibus laid down arms and began to study law with such good effect that
+in time he became a judge. The murder still preyed on his mind until he
+made satisfaction to Mother Church by building Lanercost Abbey, and
+endowing it with the very lands which had brought about the murder.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Burn in one instance shows that not only were people allowed &#8220;the
+option,&#8221; in some cases, but that the money was put to good use. A silver
+communion chalice belonging to Beetham Parish Church &#8220;was purchased by the
+late Commissary Stratford with money paid in commutation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> of penance for
+adultery and fornication;&#8221; its inscription being &#8220;<span class="smcap">Ob P&oelig;n. Mulct.
+Dedicat. Huic. Ecclesi&aelig;, 1716</span>.&#8221; Slanderers had occasionally to pay not
+only a monetary penalty for the free use of their tongues, but to satisfy
+the ecclesiastical authorities as well. Chancellor Paley had such a case
+before him in November, 1789, where a man had &#8220;uttered words of a shameful
+nature and unbecoming a Christian, in prejudice to the complainant and his
+daughter.&#8221; The Chancellor &#8220;decreed the defendant to do public penance in
+the parish church, and to be condemned in all costs.&#8221; The <i>Pacquet</i> which
+thus records the decision, is silent as to the method in which the
+punishment was carried out. Penance in connection with illegitimacy was
+not uncommon; therefore the following entry which occurs in the Kirby
+Thore register, dated June 27th, 1779, after the baptism of an
+illegitimate child, must be taken only as an example: &#8220;William Bowness, of
+Bolton B[achelor]: Frances Spooner, widow, of this Parish, the parents,
+underwent a public penance in this church.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Millom records under date March 27th, 1595, say that Jenet Benson was
+&#8220;to be sorye for her sins by order of Mr. Commissorye at <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>Botle;&#8221; and in
+1608 &#8220;Barnard Benson did his penance in the parishe chirche of Millom the
+19th of March and payed to the poor of the chirche x<sup>s.</sup> which was openly
+delivered in the pulpit, vi<sup>s.</sup> viii<sup>d.</sup> at Millom and iii<sup>s.</sup> iv<sup>d.</sup> at
+Ulfall.&#8221; The Bensons would seem to have been a troublesome lot, for
+another entry is that &#8220;Myles Benson p<sup>d</sup> xii<sup>d.</sup> for sleepinge and not
+goinge orderly to church.&#8221; The wardens at that time could fine any
+parishioners a shilling for neglecting to attend church. Insults to the
+clergy were visited with such punishments as could be imposed, and the
+doing of penance was perhaps the most suitable consequence of such an
+action. This paragraph appears in the Greystoke register:&mdash;&#8220;1608/9
+February 12th. This daye two Sermons by Mr. P&#8217;son one afforenone, and the
+other afternone, and Edward Dawson taylyor did openlye conffess before the
+Congregation that he had abused the mynister Sr. Matthew Gibson upon the
+Sabboth daye at Evenynge prayer.&#8221; Sacrilege has always been very properly
+looked upon as one of the worst crimes, but instances must be
+comparatively rare of an estate being forfeited through such an act.
+Barwise Hall, near Appleby, descended from the family of Berewyse to that
+of Ross, and the last of these is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> said to have forfeited his domain for
+stealing a silver chalice out of the church.</p>
+
+<p>Before the privilege was abolished by Parliament in the reign of James the
+First, there were several places in the two counties at which sanctuary
+could be obtained. One was at Ravenstonedale. The Rev. W. Nicholls, Dr.
+Simpson, Mr. A. Fothergill, the Rev. R. W. Metcalfe, and others have
+brought the history of that parish to an unusually complete stage, and the
+first-named gentleman has told the story.<a name='fna_11' id='fna_11' href='#f_11'><small>[11]</small></a> The tower, according to
+tradition&mdash;the structure was demolished about a century and a half
+ago&mdash;stood apart from the church, on the road side, and rested on pillars,
+leaving openings at equal distances on each side, while from the centre
+hung the rope of the refuge bell. Any person who had committed any offence
+worthy of death&mdash;once a very easy matter, there being many such crimes
+besides murder&mdash;after ringing the bell could not be seized by the Sheriff
+or any other King&#8217;s officer, but must be tried by the lord&#8217;s Court at
+Ravenstonedale, which doubtless at first consisted of the monks. Mr.
+Fothergill recorded that in his time if a murderer fled to the church and
+tolled the holy bell, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> was free, and that if a stranger came within the
+precincts of the manor he was safe from the pursuer. He added:&mdash;&#8220;Of our
+own knowledge, and within our own memory, no felon, though a murderer, was
+to be carried out of the parish for trial, and one Holme, a murderer,
+lived and died in Ravenstonedale; his posterity continued there for two
+generations, when the family became extinct.&#8221; Some doubt has been thrown
+on the local tradition that the privilege of sanctuary was possessed by
+the Nunnery, on the banks of the Eden, in Ainstable parish. There is still
+an upright pillar, having on one side of it a cross, round which is
+inscribed &#8220;Sanctuarium, 1088.&#8221; There is also near to Greystoke Church what
+is called a sanctuary stone.</p>
+
+<p>In the Museum at Kendal is preserved a good specimen of the scolds&#8217;
+bridle, which may have come down from the days, three centuries ago, when
+the Corporation set about reforming the conduct of the inhabitants. The
+contents of the &#8220;Boke of Recorde&#8221; are very interesting in this connection.
+Gambling in its varied forms was put down rigorously. It was ordered that
+any inhabitant allowing any play at cards, dice tables, bowls, or any
+other unlawful game should be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> fined for the first offence 6s. 8d., and
+for the second offence 13s. 4d., while the players escaped with half those
+penalties. These and other fines which were provided for were &#8220;over and
+beside such other punishment as shall be thought mete and requisite
+according to the quality of the offence.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Among the punishments provided for may be noted the following as a
+specimen, there being several of the kind. Henry Wilson, a burgess and
+Justice of the Peace for the borough, having been living incontinently
+with Jennet Eskrigge, a married woman, &#8220;as is notoriouslye knowen to the
+sclannder and offence of the magistrats off the sayd boroughe, and evil
+example of the residewe off the inhabitannts heare, wherbye he is thoughte
+nott mete to contynewe in the sayd roweme and offyce,&#8221; it was ordered that
+he should be expelled from his offices. As to the woman, it was decreed
+that she should be carted through the town, &#8220;to the terror and fear of
+other persons of evil disposition for the committing of the like offence
+in time to come,&#8221; and she was not to be permitted to remain within the
+borough unless she was reconciled to and dwelt with her husband. The
+punishment did not act as a warning to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> the woman, and further orders are
+to be found in the minute-book showing how she was made liable to heavy
+fines and forbidden to enter the town &#8220;otherwise than as a stranger coming
+to the church or market only,&#8221; while the inhabitants who gave her shelter
+were liable to fines of ten shillings each.</p>
+
+<p>There is a very long and verbose order passed by the Corporation in
+December, 1589:&mdash;&#8220;For punishinge of a mayd servant for speakinge
+slanderouse speeches of her master.&#8221; They found that &#8220;Mabel Atkinson, late
+servant unto Mr. Henry Dickson, and Sybell Dyckson, his wife, inhabitants
+of this borough, forgetting her duty to Almighty God and the fear and awe
+she ought to have had to the threatening menaces and punishments
+pronounced out of His Holy Word and Commandments against such persons as
+shall openly or privily unjustly slander, hurt, or impair their neighbours
+in body, goods, name or report, and also that servile regard and honest,
+and true favour and love she ought to have borne towards her said master
+and mistress in all manner of behaviours and reports by the instigation of
+our mortal enemy the Devil, the author of all falsehood and lying, hath of
+late, even within this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> borough of Kirkbiekendall, most maliciously,
+falsely, and untruly imposed, devised, framed, and brought a very
+horrible, unjust, and feigned slander and misreport of and against her
+master and mistress.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The punishment is worth describing in full, but the following extract will
+suffice as a specimen of the whole order thereon:&mdash;&#8220;For condign punishment
+in this behalf and for a terror and fear to be wrought in all others for
+committing the like offence, it is ordained and constituted that Mabel
+Atkinson shall be attached and taken on Monday, in the morning, next, by
+the two Serjeants at Mace and ministers of this borough, where and in what
+place she may be found, and shall forthwith be had, carried, and conveyed
+unto the common prison or ward of the same borough, and there shall remain
+and continue without any bail or delivery until Thursday then next
+following, in the afternoon, having only for diet every day in the
+meanwhile one slender and spare repast of meat and drink, and only two
+coverlets nightly to lie in, at which time on the said Thursday, in the
+afternoon, being openly called forth of prison to the bar in the Mootehall
+of the same borough, if she will and do in very penitent,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> humble, and
+sorrowful manner, unfeignedly and truly upon her knees, in the open
+presence of the people then and there assembled, and before her said
+master and mistress, ask and pray at God His hands mercy and forgiveness
+for her said false and untrue report and slander, and pardon also of her
+said master and mistress for the said offence, then she to be delivered
+out of the said prison or ward, paying such fees and duties as may
+appertain, and if she shall the same refuse, in whole or part, or in doing
+the same not performing it with such true penitence as in such case is
+requisite, and as all the people assembled may and shall therewith be
+fully satisfied and resolved, that she be banished from being, tarrying,
+or remaining within this borough, or the liberties or precincts of the
+same, for and by the space of one whole year then next coming, and that no
+person or persons during the same year shall take her into service or
+suffer her to dwell in house under or with any such person or persons
+(except it be in lawful wedlock) upon pain to lose and forfeit to, and for
+the common use of all the inhabitants of the same for every month as much
+as ten shillings, to be levied as above.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The poor drunkards met with none too <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>considerate treatment from the
+justices of the time. Here is a curious &#8220;Order against common drunkards,
+how to be punished, and for common scolds&#8221;:&mdash;&#8220;Whereas sundry persons
+inhabiting this borough and others (of their insatiable minds without any
+regard to common honesty, modesty, or fear of God, or His severe
+punishment either in this life or the life to come) do give up their
+bodies (which Almighty God hath ordained to honour) unto all manner of
+dishonour and dissolute kind of life in quaffing immoderate and
+superfluous devouring of strong ale at very many needless and unfit times,
+continuing the same most foul and detestable vice so long till at length
+they be so far overtaken and gone that they become beast-like and
+insensible, without reason or any good understanding (besides the great
+loss of time and waste of their goods, and miserable want of their
+families at home, and their own beggaring at length, and lamentable grief
+to all other good Christians, their neighbours, detesting and loathing
+that vice) for redress whereof and preventing of sundry mischiefs which
+else might happen by this occasion (besides great danger to their souls)
+if the same enormity should not in time be speedily foreseen; it is
+therefore ordained and constituted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> by the Aldermen and burgesses of this
+borough that at all times hereafter when and so often as any person or
+persons whatsoever shall be seen or known ... to have been or at any time
+to be so far overtaken, besotted or drunken with immeasurable devouring of
+strong drink that then it shall be lawful to or for any Alderman, Justice,
+or Alderman&#8217;s Deputy all and every such misordered person and persons to
+cause to be imprisoned within the same borough, there to remain at such
+diet and during the pleasure of him that committed him, to the end thereby
+to reclaim and warn every one of them from lewdness and detestable
+offences of drinking; and also that every such magistrate aforesaid shall
+or may commit and command to be set on the cuckstool every common scold,
+railer, or of notorious misdemeanour, at the like pleasure of the
+Commander or Magistrate.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The turning of Thirlmere into a huge reservoir, and the necessary increase
+of its depth, hid for ever a number of land-marks. There are, however,
+numerous others of an interesting character left. A reminder of the days
+when the manorial lord was a king in a small way is supplied by the
+Steading Stone. This is supposed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> to mark the site where the manor court
+of Wythburn was held, and its pains and penalties imposed. The Rev. S.
+Barber has supplied<a name='fna_12' id='fna_12' href='#f_12'><small>[12]</small></a> an explanation of a term which has puzzled many a
+tourist as well as not a few dwellers in Lakeland:&mdash;&#8220;The City, as has been
+suggested by one who is no mean scholar, is neither more nor less than a
+corruption of &#8216;Sitting,&#8217; that is, the place of session of the early
+judges, when they met to adjudicate in criminal cases. We can then picture
+the white bearded patriarchs seated in solemn conclave upon the
+semi-circle of boulders facing the central rock, and after the giving of
+sentence sternly watching the miserable captive led away to be decapitated
+on that very rock, before the assembled witnesses.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Life in the old gaols for any extended period must have been a very
+dreadful experience. The buildings were generally crowded; that they would
+be in a perpetually insanitary condition goes without saying, and gaol
+fevers were frequent. The prisoners were not treated any better in the
+local gaols than in other places. They were chiefly dependent on the
+charity of outsiders for subsistence, and the old Carlisle and Whitehaven
+newspapers contain hundreds of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> paragraphs recording the gratitude of the
+prisoners to the local gentry for gifts of from &pound;1 to &pound;20. In these days
+when it is unlawful to send any tobacco or liquors into a prison, the
+reader notes with particular interest the announcements of presents of
+barrels of ale, prayer-books, bread, coals, and other articles to the
+debtors, as well as to those who had been convicted of serious offences.</p>
+
+<p>Those, too, were &#8220;the hanging days.&#8221; Note the items in this concise report
+of Carlisle Assizes in August, 1790:&mdash;&#8220;On Friday afternoon the Judges were
+met at the usual place, near Carlisle, by Wm. Brown, High Sheriff of the
+county, attended by a most respectable and numerous company of gentlemen,
+in carriages and on horseback. On their arrival in the city, their
+lordships proceeded to the Hall, where His Majesty&#8217;s Commission being
+opened in due form, the Courts were adjourned to eight o&#8217;clock the next
+morning&mdash;when the business of assize proceeded. The Hon. Sir John Wilson
+at the Crown End; and the Hon. Sir Alex. Thomson, in the court of <i>nisi
+prius</i>. When our account left Carlisle, Wm. Bleddy, for breaking open the
+shop of Miss Crossthwaite, at Keswick; and John Thompson,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> for horse
+stealing, were found guilty&mdash;death. Bella Ramsay, for stealing wearing
+apparel, to be transported. Leonard Falshea, for stealing six sheep, found
+guilty&mdash;death, but ordered for transportation. Ann Wilson and Elizabeth
+White, for stealing a purse, etc., to be transported.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There are no stocks standing now on the village greens of Cumberland and
+Westmorland, but in Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, are local examples of
+both pillory and stocks. Among the records of Greystoke, some seventy
+years ago, it was stated that the village then possessed a neat cross,
+&#8220;the stones of which remain piled together, and also the foot-stocks for
+the punishment of evil doers.&#8221; Whipping in public was so general in most
+towns as to occasion no great amount of notice, and often the punishment
+must have seemed out of all proportion to the offence. Thus at the assizes
+of 1790, just mentioned, Walter Smith, who was convicted of stealing a
+game-cock, was sentenced to be imprisoned six months and publicly whipped
+in Whitehaven.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img2.jpg" alt="" /></div>
+<p class="caption">GIANT&#8217;S THUMB, PENRITH.</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>There is a tradition among some of the old folks of Penrith that the holes
+at the top of the ancient cross, known as the Giant&#8217;s Thumb, in the
+churchyard, were at one time used for a pillory. The only <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>authority for
+the assertion seems to have been the late Mr. William Grisenthwaite,
+builder, who had quite a store of local traditions. It was on his
+statement that Mr. George Watson included the information in his
+&#8220;Notabilia of Old Penrith.&#8221; Mr. Grisenthwaite said the last time the cross
+was used for that corrective purpose was for the whipping of a young
+woman, who died of a broken heart in consequence of her shameful exposure.
+It is but fair to say that other old people of great intelligence declare
+that they never heard of such an event, and that they do not believe it.
+Moreover, Penrith possessed stocks, and doubtless a pillory also, not far
+from where the Monument now stands; hence the statement as to the Thumb
+being put to such a secular purpose as being used for a whipping-post is
+greatly in need of confirmation. The stocks at Penrith had not ceased to
+be used in 1781, having been repaired by Thomas Langhorne in that year, at
+a cost of &pound;1 14s. Those at Ravenstonedale stood outside the churchyard
+wall, and near the Grammar School. The stocks at Orton were near the
+church gate; those at St. Michael&#8217;s, Appleby, at Bongate Cross. An iron,
+with the letters &#8220;R. V. T.&#8221; (&#8220;rogue, vagabond, thief&#8221;), was attached to
+the dock in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> Crown Court at Appleby, until the Shire Hall was improved
+about 1848.</p>
+
+<p>It is recorded that whipping was formerly practised in Appleby to a
+considerable extent. On October 26th, 1743, it was ordered by the Mayor
+and Aldermen that the stocks and pillory, then opposite to the house which
+had recently belonged to a person named Knotts, should be immediately
+removed to the end of the open Hall, facing the Low Cross, &#8220;that being
+deemed the proper place for the same, and that there be a whipping-post,
+and a convenient place for burning criminals in the hand, erected there
+also.&#8221; The late Mr. M. Cussons, shortly before his death early this year,
+told the writer that he particularly remembered the stocks at Appleby.
+They were placed at the north end of the old Moot Hall, and were removed
+before 1835, in which year the Corporation fixed the present weighing
+machine on the site. The stocks were so placed that the culprit undergoing
+punishment had his back to the building, and faced the church. When they
+were last used has not been ascertained. There were stocks also at Bongate
+Cross, but these were removed about thirty years ago by the late Mr.
+Richardson, the Bongate parish clerk, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> given by him to the late Mr. G.
+R. Thompson, Bongate Hall. From the Appleby Corporation records, Mr. W.
+Hewitson, Town Clerk, finds that in 1767 the grand jury set out to William
+Bewsher on a lease for 999 years a piece of ground on which to build a
+smith&#8217;s shop, at the north corner of Bridge End, near where the
+ducking-stool stood.</p>
+
+<p>The last person flogged through the Appleby streets was a man named
+Johnnie Copeland, a notorious character in his time. This happened about
+1819. The crime for which he suffered this punishment was a criminal
+assault. Mrs. Jane Brunskill, Appleby, now in her ninetieth year, who was
+an eye witness of the punishment, informed the writer a few months ago
+that she remembered the occurrence perfectly. The offender was fastened by
+two ropes, placed round his body, one being held by a man who walked in
+front, and the other by a man walking behind the culprit. The punishment
+was inflicted by a prisoner under confinement in Appleby Gaol. They
+started from the High Cross and proceeded to the Gaol, the man being
+flogged all the way. This took place on a market day, and the streets were
+crowded. The governor of the gaol at that time was named<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> James Bewsher,
+and he combined with that office the business of blacksmith, which he
+carried on in the premises already referred to as being near the place
+where the ducking-stool stood.</p>
+
+<p>Dishonest workmen also got a taste of the lash occasionally, as witness
+this newspaper paragraph of January, 1789: &#8220;A fancy-weaver, belonging to
+Messrs. Foster and Sons&#8217; manufactory in Carlisle, was publicly whipped a
+few days ago, for stealing several of his masters&#8217; patterns, and sending
+them to a manufactory in Glasgow.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There is believed to have been no example of riding the stang in
+Cumberland or Westmorland during the last half century. Previously,
+however, it would seem to have been an unpleasantly frequent punishment.
+In the <i>Westmorland Gazette</i> for December 19th, 1835, a long description
+was given of &#8220;the old but now almost neglected custom.&#8221; In this case an
+Ambleside woman had left her husband and family, and gone with a married
+man to America. After an absence of eight months she returned, and, said
+the local journalistic chronicler of the period, &#8220;the young men of
+Ambleside, with that manly and proper spirit which ought to actuate the
+breast of every noble mind who values propriety of conduct, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> that
+which is decent and of good report, on Monday procured, instead of a pole,
+a cart, in which were placed two of their companions, and accompanied by a
+party of both young and old, proceeded through the town repeating at
+certain places the following lines:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8216;It is not for my part I <i>ride the stang</i>,<br />
+But it is for the American&mdash;&mdash;just come hame.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>The fun was continued to the amusement of hundreds for about an hour, but
+not being satisfied with one night&#8217;s frolic, the same party, on Tuesday
+evening, procured an effigy of the frail lady, and after exhibiting it in
+every part of the town, publicly burnt it at the Market Cross, amidst the
+loud hurras of the assembled crowd who had met to witness the sight, and
+who took that opportunity of testifying their hatred and detestation of
+such base and abominable conduct as the parties had been guilty of.&#8221;</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Some Legends and Superstitions.</h2>
+
+<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">The</span> title of this chapter sufficiently indicates that the legends and
+superstitions intended to be dealt with are far from including all which
+might be mentioned; indeed not a tithe of those which are still well known
+in the two counties can here be touched upon. Mr. Whitfield, <span class="smcaplc">M.P.</span>, in an
+address in West Cumberland over thirty years ago,<a name='fna_13' id='fna_13' href='#f_13'><small>[13]</small></a> said that the
+superstitions in the Border country concerning fairies and brownies were
+more developed, and the belief in spells and enchantments more common than
+in many other parts of the country. The various circumstances attending
+the growth of those beliefs led to the conclusion that in the Middle Ages
+religion as then taught did not exercise any great influence on the
+Border. Though monasteries were founded on each side of the Border as some
+protection against the desolations of war, the English did not scruple to
+ravage the Scottish monasteries during an invasion, and the Scotch treated
+with corresponding violence the English foundations. At the time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> of the
+Reformation the Border was probably the most ignorant and barbarous
+district in England.</p>
+
+<p>There is a pretty legend pertaining to St. Bees, which is supposed to have
+derived its name from St. Bega, an Irish nun, who came to Cumberland about
+the middle of the seventh century, and, with her sisters, was wrecked near
+to the headland. &#8220;In her distress she went to the Lady of Egremont Castle
+for relief, and obtained a place of residence at St. Bees. Afterwards she
+asked Lady Egremont to beg of her lord to build them a house, and they
+with others would lead a religious life together. With this the Lady
+Egremont was well pleased, and she asked the lord to grant them some land.
+The lord laughed at the lady, and said he would give them as much land as
+snow fell upon &#8216;the next morning in Midsummer Day.&#8217; On the next morning he
+looked out from the castle towards the sea, and all the land for about
+three miles was covered with snow.&#8221;<a name='fna_14' id='fna_14' href='#f_14'><small>[14]</small></a></p>
+
+<p>Another tradition associated with West Cumberland is that at Kirksanton.
+There is a basin, or hollow, in the surface of the ground, assigned as a
+place where once stood a church that was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> swallowed up by the earth
+opening, and then closing over it bodily. It used to be believed by the
+country people that on Sunday mornings the bells could be heard far down
+in the earth, by the simple expedient of placing the ear to the ground. A
+very similar legend was, in a magazine in 1883, recorded of Fisherty Brow,
+Kirkby Lonsdale:&mdash;&#8220;There is a curious kind of natural hollow scooped out,
+where, ages ago, a church, parson, and congregation were swallowed up by
+the earth. Ever since this terrible affair it is asserted that the church
+bells have been regularly heard to ring every Sunday morning.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>If an old tradition is to be believed, one of the most conspicuous
+land-marks in the north of England should be regarded as a memorial, so
+far as its name goes. The story is that the cross was planted, by pious
+hands, in the early days of Christianity, on the summit or table land of
+the chain of mountains which bounds the eastern side of Cumberland,
+separately known by different names along their range, but collectively
+called Cross Fell. At any rate, whether or not it takes its name from its
+transverse situation to the common run of the immense ridge, this
+tradition, as the Rev. B. Porteus has remarked, &#8220;is preferable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> to another
+which traces its derivative to a cross erected for the purpose of
+dislodging the a&euml;rial demons which were once thought to possess these
+desolate regions, and gave it the name of the Fiend&#8217;s Fell.&#8221; But the
+cyclone (the Helm Wind) and the sending for holy men to Canterbury to
+exorcise &#8220;the demon&#8221; supports the derivation. Alston Church is dedicated
+to St. Augustine. Some say the bodies of Christians who had died in the
+heathen eastern districts were brought &#8220;Cross t&#8217; Fell&#8221; to be buried in the
+consecrated land of the primitive Christians of Cumberland and
+Westmorland.</p>
+
+<p>There is a tradition that an attempt was made time after time to build a
+church in what is known as Jackson&#8217;s Park, Arlecdon, but as often as begun
+in the day it was destroyed in the night by some unknown and invisible
+hand. Eventually the attempt was abandoned, and the church built in its
+present position. Then there is the familiar legend connected with the
+building of the Devil&#8217;s Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale. There are several
+versions of the erection of this structure, and as one is just as likely
+to be wrong as another, the story told by Mr. Speight<a name='fna_15' id='fna_15' href='#f_15'><small>[15]</small></a> may be quoted:
+&#8220;The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> bridge was built by his Satanic Majesty, according to a compact made
+between himself and a poor woman who wished to recover her cow which had
+strayed at low water to the opposite side of the river, but could not do
+so without the convenient means of a bridge. And so the King of Evil
+agreed to erect a bridge on condition that he should have the first living
+thing that crossed. He knew very well of her husband&#8217;s coming home from
+market, and hoped to make good booty. But the cunning woman was equal to
+the occasion. Seeing the approach of her husband on the opposite hill, she
+concealed a scraggy, half-starved dog under her apron, and letting it
+sniff a bone, suddenly tossed the latter over the fine, new made viaduct,
+and the dog at once bounding after it, she stepped back, and raising her
+fingers in a vindictive, and certainly most unbecoming manner, lustily
+exclaimed,</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8216;Now, crafty Sir, the bargain was<br />
+That you should have what first did pass<br />
+Across the bridge&mdash;so now, alas!<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The dog&#8217;s your right.</span><br />
+<br />
+The Cheater cheated, struck with shame,<br />
+Squinted and grinned, then in a flame<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">He vanished quite.&#8217;&#8221;</span></p>
+
+<p>At least two legends have come down to us of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> the days of the wolves. A
+lady belonging to the Lucy family&mdash;the great territorial lords of West
+Cumberland&mdash;was one evening walking near to Egremont Castle when she was
+devoured by a wolf at a place afterwards marked by a stone cairn, and
+known as Woful Bank. The name of Wotobank is given to a place in the
+parish of Beckermet. The story here is that Edgar, a lord of Beckermet,
+and his lady, Edwina, and servants, were at one time hunting the wolf.
+&#8220;During the chase the lord missed his lady, and after a long and painful
+search the party at last found her body lying on the hill, or bank, slain
+by a wolf, with the ravenous beast still in the act of tearing it to
+pieces. In the first transports of his grief, the words that the
+distressed husband first uttered were, &#8216;Woe to this Bank&#8217;&mdash;a phrase since
+altered and applied to the place as &#8216;Wotobank.&#8217;&#8221; Another wolf legend of a
+somewhat similar character is attached to a well called Lady&#8217;s Dub, at
+Ulpha.</p>
+
+<p>What can only be described as legends&mdash;for as to their authenticity it
+would perhaps not be wise to inquire too closely&mdash;belong to the fortunes
+of several estates in the two counties. One of the owners of Warthell (or
+Warthol) Hall, in the parish of Plumbland, was notorious for his passion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span>
+for card-playing&mdash;a form of amusement, by the way, which probably for more
+than two hundred years has been a favourite among all classes in the two
+counties. The Lord of Warthell, Mr. Dykes, one evening lost a large sum,
+and was face to face with ruin. Growing desperate, he determined to risk
+all on a single game of putt, and at the last deal cried,</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Up, now deuce, or else a tray,<br />
+Or Warthell&#8217;s gone for ever and aye.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>While it would perhaps be unjust even to suggest that the people of
+Cumberland and Westmorland are now more superstitious than those of other
+counties, it is nevertheless a fact that many curious beliefs prevailed in
+the country districts long after they had ceased in other places. The
+faith in the efficacy of charms has even yet not died away. Toothache has
+long been a favourite medium for testing the skill of the charmer and the
+faith of the sufferer. The Rev. H. J. Bulkeley, then rector of Lanercost,
+who spent much time in collecting records of the old and fleeting beliefs,
+told in 1885 how the toothache charm was worked. &#8220;A boy suffering from
+toothache was taken to an old blacksmith, who prodded the decayed tooth
+with a rusty nail; blindfolded the boy, led him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> into a wood, and, taking
+the bandage off his eyes, made him hammer the nail into a young oak;
+blindfolded him again, and led him out, making him promise not to try and
+find the tree or tell anyone of it. And that tooth never ached any more!&#8221;
+Another method was to rub, with a stone, the part affected, the operation
+taking place soon after sunset. While performing the rubbing, the charmer
+muttered an incantation which does not seem to have been preserved in
+print, although it is doubtless well known in the country districts.</p>
+
+<p>Fairies have given place to more material creations, but the faith in the
+&#8220;little folk&#8221; has not died out, and even yet occasionally the dairy-maid
+may be seen furtively to put a pinch of salt in the fire at churning time,
+&#8220;so that t&#8217; fairies mayn&#8217;t stop t&#8217; butter frae comin&#8217;.&#8221; The rowan-tree
+branch used to be placed above doorways to keep away evil influences
+throughout the north of England, and in the Lake Country the stick used
+for stirring the cream to counteract the bewitching of the churn is still
+frequently made of rowan or mountain ash wood.</p>
+
+<p>Among the old superstitions is that of the death strokes:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span>
+&#8220;As with three strokes above the testered bed<br />
+The parting spirit of its tenant fled.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The opinion once very commonly prevailed that shortly before the coming of
+the last summons three distinct raps were heard on the wall immediately
+over the bed head. This, of course, was nothing more than the noise made
+by a small worm when trying to bore itself a passage through the decayed
+woodwork where it had been bred.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Telling the bees&#8221; is a custom in several parts of the country, and is
+still believed in by some of the old people of these counties. When a
+death occurred in a household where bees were kept it was deemed desirable
+for some one to acquaint the occupants of the hives with the fact, and
+also to tell them on the day of the funeral that the corpse was about to
+be lifted. The late Mr. W. Dickinson, who by his &#8220;Cumbriana,&#8221;
+&#8220;Reminiscences,&#8221; and &#8220;Glossary,&#8221; did much to preserve a knowledge of
+old-time life in the county, said the last case of &#8220;telling the bees&#8221;
+which came to his knowledge was at Asby, near Arlecdon, in 1855. To miss
+taking the doleful news to the bees was held to be a certain way of
+bringing ill-luck to the house.</p>
+
+<p>Supposed miracle workers have not been lacking.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> About the middle of the
+fourteenth century the abbot and canons of Shap had licence from Bishop
+Kirkby to remove the body of Isabella, wife of William Langley, their
+parishioner, famed for having miracles done by it, to some proper place
+within the church or churchyard of Shap, that the reliques might be
+reverenced by the people with freer and greater devotion.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Boggles&#8221; have been common in all parts of the two counties; needless to
+say the dreadful apparitions when inquired about in a careful manner have
+invariably proved to be very commonplace and harmless creatures or
+articles. &#8220;Boggle&#8221; is a Norse word, sometimes equal to personification of
+diety or saint. Natural phenomena, as <i>ignis fatuus</i>, account for some;
+the mist-mirage explains others. The mist is still called &#8220;the haut&#8221; (the
+haunt). Witches, too, have abounded&mdash;according to report,&mdash;and some were
+drowned, or otherwise persecuted because of their evil repute. Mary
+Baynes, the witch of Tebay, died in 1811, aged ninety. She has been
+described as a repulsive looking woman, with a big pocket tied upon her
+back, and she was blamed for witching people&#8217;s churns, geese, and
+goslings, so that on account of her witchcraft she became a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> terror to her
+neighbours. Many strange things which happened were laid to her charge,
+and thoroughly believed by the people. Ned Sisson, of the &#8220;Cross Keys
+Inn,&#8221; had a mastiff which worried old Mary&#8217;s favourite cat. The owner
+decided to have the grimalkin respectably buried in her garden, and a man
+named Willan dug a grave for it. Old Mary handed Willan an open book, and
+pointed to something he was to read. But Willan, not thinking it worth
+while to read anything over a cat, took pussy by the leg, and said:</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.<br />
+Here&#8217;s a hole, and in thou must.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mary grew angry, and warned her companion that he would fare no better for
+his levity. Soon afterwards Willan was ploughing in his field when the
+implement suddenly bounded up, and the handle struck one of his eyes,
+causing blindness. Immediately Mary Baynes was given the credit for having
+bewitched the plough. The old lady seems to have tried her hand also at
+prophesy. Once when the scholars of Tebay School were out playing, Mary
+predicted to them that some day carriages would run over Loupsfell without
+the aid of horses. The railway now goes over a portion of the land to
+which she referred, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> was then a large stinted pasture. The best
+known other &#8220;witch&#8221; was &#8220;Lizzie o&#8217; Branton,&#8221; otherwise Lizzy Batty, a
+remarkable woman, who, in the early years of this century, occupied a
+cottage on the roadside between Brampton and Talkin. She acted in a
+peculiar manner, dressed curiously, and generally &#8220;acted the part,&#8221; with
+the consequence that she was credited with many supernatural powers. She
+died in 1817, at the age of eighty-eight. The date of her funeral in
+Brampton was for long years remembered as the stormiest day the town had
+ever seen. Although it was in March, yet darkness came on so suddenly that
+lanterns were lighted at the grave-side, only to be again and again
+extinguished by the fury of the tempest. A tradition still lingers that
+those who bore the coffin to the grave solemnly affirmed that it was empty
+and the body gone.</p>
+
+<p>The belief in the &#8220;barguest,&#8221; now practically gone, was in comparatively
+recent times common enough to excite but little notice. The term was
+generally used to denote any kind of ghostly visitant, but referred more
+particularly to a fearsome creation which was supposed to haunt the fells
+and dales, and make a horrible noise. Mr. B. Kirkby, in his &#8220;Lakeland
+Words&#8221; (1899), gives<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> the definition as known in North Westmorland: &#8220;One
+who has the power of foretelling the demise of others; or one who makes a
+great din.&#8221; Mr. Anthony Whitehead says, &#8220;A barguest is a spirit known only
+through the sense of hearing, being a something which, during the dark
+hours of night, disturbed the last generations of Westmorland with its
+awful howling.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There is no lack of ghostly traditions in connection with families.
+Perhaps the best known is that belonging to the ancient family of Machell,
+of Crackenthorpe Hall, near Appleby. Lancelot Machell&mdash;the same who in
+open court tore to pieces Cromwell&#8217;s new charter for Appleby&mdash;married
+Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Sleddall, of Penrith. Her portrait was found
+on a panel in Penrith some years ago. She was executrix of her husband&#8217;s
+will, and for some alleged injury to her interest in the estate it used to
+be said that she paid the Machells ghostly visitations whenever the head
+of the family was about to die. The country folk used to say that she is
+laid under the big stone called Peg&#8217;s Stone, just below Crackenthorpe
+Hall, her term of incarceration being 999 years. They also say she has
+been seen driving along the Appleby road at a great pace with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> &#8220;amber
+leets&#8221; in the carriage, and disappear suddenly in Machell Wood, near the
+spot called Peg Sneddle&#8217;s Trough. Indeed, there is extant a most graphic
+and brilliant account of her passage of the Tollbar at Crackenthorpe,
+narrated by one &#8220;Brockham Dick&#8221; (Richard Atkinson, of the &#8220;Elephant Inn&#8221;),
+now many years deceased, who kept the gate in his youth, and who used to
+stick to it with much detail of thrilling circumstance, how one night in
+each year, when the &#8220;helm&#8221; wind was blowing, Mrs. Machell made her
+appearance and passed this gate in offended state. When storms come on
+upon the fell, Peg is said to be angry, and <i>vice vers&acirc;</i> in fine weather.
+An old tree in the neighbourhood of Crackenthorpe called Sleddall&#8217;s Oak,
+is also associated with Mrs. Machell&#8217;s name, and here a female figure is
+supposed to be seen to sit and weep when any misfortune is about to befall
+any member of the Machell family.</p>
+
+<p>When farmers find disease among their cattle, whether it be tuberculosis,
+pleuro-pneumonia, or other undesirable visitation, they no longer pin
+their faith to the old-time observances. The progress of science has shown
+better methods of dealing with the disease, and now the stock<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> owners of
+the northern counties would be the first to ridicule the means taken by
+their grandfathers for stopping an outbreak. The &#8220;needfire,&#8221; which has
+been witnessed by many people who are not yet old, was probably the last
+remnant of fire-worship in this country. &#8220;It was once,&#8221; says Mr. Sullivan,
+&#8220;an annual observance, and is still occasionally employed in the dales and
+some other localities as a charm for the various diseases to which cattle
+are liable. All the fires in the village are carefully put out&mdash;a
+deputation going round to each house to see that not a spark remains. Two
+pieces of wood are then ignited by friction, and within the influence of
+the fire thus kindled, the cattle are brought. The scene is one of dire
+bellowing and confusion: but the owner is especially anxious that his
+animals should get &#8216;plenty of the reek.&#8217; The charm being ended in one
+village, may be transferred to the next, and thus propagated as far as it
+is required.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Miss Martineau, in her &#8220;Guide to the Lakes,&#8221; tells a story of a certain
+farmer who, &#8220;When all his cattle had been passed through the fire,
+subjected an ailing wife to the same potent charm.&#8221; The last time the
+&#8220;needfire&#8221; was used<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> in the Keswick neighbourhood, Mr. William Wilson
+says, was in 1841. In some parts of Cumberland and Westmorland there was
+then an epidemic amongst the cattle. It was brought over the Raise and
+transferred from farm to farm through the vales. But, at one farm a few
+miles out of Keswick, the sacred fire was allowed to become extinct, the
+owner, a well-known statesman, not having sufficient faith in its virtue
+to take the trouble to transmit it, or even to keep it alight. He told Mr.
+Wilson that he was severely rated at the time for his lack of faith. That,
+however, served to kill the popular belief in needfire, and even when the
+terrible ravages of the rinderpest, foot and mouth disease, and
+pleuro-pneumonia, were emptying the pockets and breaking the hearts of the
+farmers, not one of them thought of reviving the old &#8220;cure.&#8221; The last
+time, so far as the writer can find, the practice was reported in the
+newspapers was this paragraph in the <i>Patriot</i> of July 25th, 1834:&mdash;&#8220;A
+sort of murrain, or pestilential fever, is at present prevalent in the
+county of Westmorland, the popular remedy for which is the fumigation of
+the infected animals with the smoke of needfire, accompanied by certain
+mystic signs.&#8221; The Rev.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> J. Wharton, however, well remembers the fire
+being made at Long Marton about 1843-4, during a murrain. The term
+&#8220;needfire&#8221; seems to be a corruption of &#8220;neatfire,&#8221; neat cattle being an
+old and common term.</p>
+
+<p>Among the legends relating to North-Country residences, an interesting one
+is concerning Corby Castle and its &#8220;Radiant Boy.&#8221; This&mdash;which corresponds
+to the &#8220;corpse lichten&#8221; of other countries&mdash;has been described as a
+luminous apparition which made its appearance with dire results, the
+tradition being that the member of the family who saw the &#8220;Radiant Boy&#8221;
+would rise to great power, and afterwards die a violent death. The only
+example in proof of the tradition so far made known, however, was that of
+Lord Castlereagh. That statesman was given a wide margin of time after
+seeing the spectre, as that was supposed to have happened when he was a
+young man, and he did not commit suicide until 1822.</p>
+
+<p>The superstition as to the skulls at Calgarth, Windermere, has several
+parallels. Those two skulls formerly occupied a niche in Calgarth Hall,
+from which they could not be kept for any long time, though they were
+reputed to attend the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>banquets at Armboth Hall, Thirlmere, of their own
+accord! Above all, &#8220;they were buried, burned, reduced to powder, dispersed
+by the wind, sunk in the well, and thrown into the lake several times, all
+to no purpose&#8221;&mdash;truly wonderful skulls!</p>
+
+<p>The superstition concerning &#8220;first-foot&#8221; has not yet died out; but the
+observance is not regarded with that seriousness which ruled half a
+century ago, and to the next generation, probably, this ancient New Year&#8217;s
+custom and belief will have become part of the history of the bygone.</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Four Lucks.</h2>
+
+<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">Closely</span> associated with the legends of Cumberland and Westmorland, dealt
+with in the preceding chapter, are the stories of four &#8220;Lucks.&#8221; The best
+known is that of Eden Hall, which has been made the theme for poems and
+innumerable descriptive articles. The most popular version of the origin
+of the Luck is that when a servant was going for water one night to the
+Fairy Well, in front of the hall he surprised a number of fairies at their
+revels, with the goblet in the centre of the ring around which they were
+dancing. The servant seized the Luck, while the fairies gave the ominous
+warning that</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;If this cup should break or fall,<br />
+Farewell the luck of Eden Hall.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Numerous poets have woven pretty stories out of the tradition, without
+attempting to seek the real origin of the treasured possession. The Luck
+is an ancient glass vessel widening by an easy curve, and terminating in a
+graceful lip. Its colour is green, with enamel of red, yellow, and blue;
+one theory is that its origin was Saracenic, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>and that it was brought
+from Palestine by a member of the family during the Crusades. Dr. Todd,
+when Vicar of Penrith, supposed it to have &#8220;been used as a chalice, at a
+time when it was unsafe to have those sacred vessels made of costlier
+metals, on account of the predatory habits which prevailed on the
+Borders.&#8221; If absolute care can preserve it, the Luck is safe, for along
+with its leathern case, adorned with vine leaves, and having the sacred
+monogram &#8220;I.H.S.&#8221; on the top, the Luck is rarely taken from its place of
+security&mdash;said to be one of the strong rooms of the Bank of England.
+Whenever the Luck is exhibited to privileged visitors at the hall, the
+utmost precautions are taken to prevent even the slightest accident.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img3.jpg" alt="" /></div>
+<p class="caption">1.&mdash;ANCIENT GLASS VESSEL CALLED THE LUCK OF EDEN HALL.<br />
+2.&mdash;ITS LEATHER CASE.<br />
+3.&mdash;INSCRIPTION ON THE TOP OF THE CASE.</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The Luck of Muncaster&#8221; is reputed to have been the gift of Henry the
+Sixth, who stayed for a brief space with the Penningtons, either in 1461
+or 1464. The King was in sore straits, for death had robbed him of the
+service of many of his most powerful adherents; howbeit he still held the
+affections of large numbers of people in Cumberland and Westmorland. The
+owner of Muncaster was one of those able and willing to stand by Henry in
+his necessity, and kept the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> King in safety. The room in which the monarch
+slept is still preserved with great care; he rested in a carved oak
+bedstead, which bears his initials and a crown. At parting Henry gave to
+Sir John Pennington a glass cup or basin, about seven inches in diameter,
+ornamented with some gold and white enamelled mouldings, with&mdash;according
+to tradition&mdash;the assurance that &#8220;the family shall prosper so long as they
+preserve this cup unbroken.&#8221; It is unnecessary to do more than mention
+that this Luck has been celebrated in verse, by way of illustrating the
+evil designs of a kinsman who desired to destroy both the cup and the
+fortunes of the Penningtons.</p>
+
+<p>That such a treasured relic should have more than normal risks of
+misfortune can be well understood. Mr. Roby has mentioned<a name='fna_16' id='fna_16' href='#f_16'><small>[16]</small></a> one of its
+escapes. &#8220;The benediction attaching to its security being then uppermost
+in the recollection of the family, it was considered essential to the
+prosperity of the house, at the time of the usurpation, that the Luck of
+Muncaster should be deposited in a safe place. It was consequently buried
+till the cessation of hostilities had rendered all further care and
+concealment unnecessary.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> The box was allowed to fall when being brought
+again to the surface, which so scared the owners that they fancied that
+there would be a sudden end to their prosperity. The fright must have been
+of long duration, for the story is that forty years elapsed ere one daring
+member of the family, having seen no ill effects from the fall, had the
+box opened, and experienced the keen delight of finding the Luck
+uninjured. In the castle are two paintings, one representing the King
+giving the cup to Sir John Pennington, and another allowing the King with
+the Luck in his hand. On an old freestone slab in Muncaster Church is the
+inscription, &#8220;Holie Kynge Harrye gave Sir John a brauve workyd glass cuppe
+... whyllys the famylie shold keep hit unbrecken thei shold gretelye
+thrif.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The Luck of Burrell Green,&#8221; near Great Salkeld, seems to have passed into
+the possession of various owners. It is an ancient brass dish of early
+embossed work, sixteen and a quarter inches in diameter, and one and a
+half inches deep. Mr. J. Lamb, formerly of Burrell Green, read a paper on
+the subject two or three years ago to the members of the Arch&aelig;ological
+Society, and also exhibited the dish. It is circular in form, and at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> one
+time appears to have borne two inscriptions, one in large old English
+letters in an inner circle around its central ornament, and the other in
+an outer circle, probably in the same style of lettering. Neither
+inscription is now legible, although on close examination certain letters
+may still be discerned, this being due, no doubt, to the amount of
+cleaning and rubbing it has undergone during late years. Thirty years ago,
+when greater care was taken of the Luck than has since been the case, and
+the inscription on the inner circle was rather more distinct than it now
+is, Mr. R. M. Bailey, a London antiquary, tried to decipher it, and was of
+opinion that it was in Latin, of which the following is a rendering:
+&#8220;Hail, Mary, Mother of Jesus, Saviour of Men.&#8221; Like the two other Lucks in
+Cumberland, the Luck of Burrell Green has its legend and couplet. This is
+that it was given to the family residing there long ago by a &#8220;Nob i&#8217; th&#8217;
+hurst,&#8221; or by a witch, a soothsayer, to whom kindness had been shown, with
+the injunction that</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;If e&#8217;er this dish be sold or gi&#8217;en<br />
+Farewell the Luck of Burrell Green.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Luck has been in the possession of the respective families residing at
+Burrell Green for many generations, but its existence has not been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span>
+brought very much before the public. In 1879 the late Mr. Jacob Thompson,
+of Hackthorpe, made a painting of the Luck. Mr. Lamb added:</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;Apart from the value of the Luck as an example of ancient art, it may
+be said to be still more valuable from the mysterious tradition
+associated with it, and also as appears very probable from the
+rendering of the supposed inscription in the sacred use to which in
+all probability it has at some time been applied. From the style of
+the inscriptions it appears to be of as early a date as the
+commencement of the sixteenth century, or probably earlier. On the day
+Burrell Green last changed owners the Luck fell down three times in
+succession from its usual position, a circumstance which at that time
+had not been known to have occurred before, it always having been kept
+in a secure place.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The Luck of Levens&#8221; is of a kind quite different from the three already
+mentioned. Levens Hall has attached to it one of the oldest deer parks in
+England, and within its borders are some peculiarly dark fallow deer. The
+local people have come to believe that whenever a white fawn is born in
+the herd the event portends some change of importance in the House of
+Levens. Four such cases have occurred within living memory&mdash;when Lord
+Templetown came to Levens after the Crimean War, after General Upton&#8217;s
+death in 1883, on the day after Captain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> and Mrs. Bagot&#8217;s wedding in 1885,
+and in February, 1896, when Mrs. Bagot bore to Levens a male heir. Mr.
+Curwen, in his monograph on the house, mentions the following &#8220;to
+illustrate the superstition that had gathered round the white deer so
+early as Lord Templetown&#8217;s residence at Levens, between 1850 and 1860&#8221;:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;A white buck which had appeared in the herd was ordered to be shot,
+but the keeper was so horrified with the deed, which he thought to be
+&#8216;waur ner robbin&#8217; a church,&#8217; that he actually went so far as to
+remonstrate with the Crimean veteran. Persuasion being of no use, he
+at last refused point blank to do the deed himself, and another man
+had to do it for him. In a few months great troubles came over the
+house. In quick succession it changed hands twice; the stewards,
+servants, and gardeners all lost their places; and the keeper firmly
+held to the belief that all was due to the shooting of this white deer.&#8221;</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Some Old Trading Laws and Customs.</h2>
+
+<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">While</span> some of the quaint laws connected with markets and fairs in other
+parts of the country are unknown in Cumberland and Westmorland, others not
+less interesting may be found in these counties. The searcher after such
+old-time lore may find a good deal of it in the standard histories, but
+still more in those byways of local literature which are too much
+neglected. In this chapter no attempt can be made to do more than touch
+the fringe of the subject.</p>
+
+<p>There is in existence in the Dean and Chapter Library at Carlisle a
+monition probably dated towards the end of the fourteenth century
+addressed to the clergy of the diocese, requiring them to see the
+constitution of Otho strictly carried out&mdash;all fairs being banished from
+churchyards and suspended on Sundays and solemn feasts. Churchyard fairs
+were for the emolument of the churches, and were styled by the name of the
+saint whose example is inculcated by the church&#8217;s name. The late Canon
+Simpson, one of the most eminent antiquaries in the two counties, proved
+that, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> England at least, no church was ever dedicated literally to a
+saint. Fairs, especially &#8220;pot fairs,&#8221; still prevail in church cloisters in
+Germany.</p>
+
+<p>Meat selling at church doors was common in the fifteenth and sixteenth
+centuries, and even so late as the time of Charles the Second. The only
+instance of such a thing occurring in Cumberland of which there is record
+now was at Wigton. In one of the old local histories appears the following
+note:&mdash;&#8220;The Rev. Thomas Warcup, who erected his monument in the churchyard
+long before his death, was obliged to fly from Wigton on account of his
+loyalty during the Civil Wars. After the restoration of King Charles he
+returned to the Vicarage, and tradition says that the butcher market was
+then held upon the Sunday. The butchers hung up carcases at the church
+door, to attract the notice of customers as they went in and came out of
+church, and it was not unusual to see people who made their bargains
+before prayer began, hang their joints of meat over the backs of the
+seats, until the pious clergyman had finished the service. The zealous
+priest, after having long but ineffectually endeavoured to make his
+congregation sensible of the indecency of such practices, undertook a
+journey to London on foot,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> for the purpose of petitioning the King to
+have the market day established on the Tuesday, and which he had interest
+enough to obtain.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Warcup became Vicar of Wigton in 1612, and possibly on the principle that
+he was the best qualified to write his own epitaph because he knew himself
+better than was possible for another to know him, he prepared the
+following, which he had put on a headstone many years before his death:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Thomas Warcup prepar&#8217;d this stone,<br />
+To mind him of his best home.<br />
+Little but sin &amp; misery here,<br />
+Till we be carried on our bier.<br />
+Out of the grave &amp; earth&#8217;s dust,<br />
+The Lord will raise me up I trust;<br />
+To live with Christ eternallie,<br />
+Who, me to save, himself did die.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There was a keen rivalry between Crosthwaite and Cockermouth at the
+beginning of the fourteenth century. The townsmen sent a petition to
+Parliament in 1306, stating that owing to the sale of corn, flour, beans,
+flesh, fish, and other kinds of merchandise at Crosthwaite Church on
+Sundays, their market was declining so fast that the persons who farmed
+the tolls from the King were unable to pay the rent. An order was soon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span>
+afterwards issued stopping the Sunday trading at Crosthwaite. But the
+fairs and markets in churchyards on week-days were not prohibited by
+statute for two hundred and eighty years after the Cockermothians sought
+protection. The orders thus issued were not long recognised, but
+collectors of scraps of local history in all parts of the county have
+added to the general knowledge on this point.</p>
+
+<p>The announcing of sales in churchyards was in the early part of this
+century a common custom. At Crosby Ravensworth the clerk hurried from his
+desk immediately the service was concluded, followed by the congregation,
+and mounting the steps he announced when a person&#8217;s sale by auction would
+take place, and read out any notice given to him, for which service he
+received a fee of fourpence. The custom has long since become obsolete;
+old William Richardson called the last notice in 1837. It has been
+asserted, with what amount of truth need not be too closely inquired into,
+that when this method of advertising public events was forbidden, the
+attendance of the parishioners at public worship showed a rapid
+falling-off. The custom of churchyard proclamations prevailed at Orton in
+the early part of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> the century, and the inscriptions on certain horizontal
+tombstones have been obliterated by the hob-nails in the clerk&#8217;s boots.
+While necessarily there must have been a great diversity in the articles
+announced in the churches or churchyards as likely to be submitted for
+public competition, it would be difficult to find a parallel for this
+paragraph, which appeared in the <i>Pacquet</i> for March 8th, 1791:&mdash;&#8220;A few
+months ago a person in very good circumstance at no great distance from
+Ravenglass buried his wife. His son, a few days since, also became a
+widower, and on Sunday, 27th ult., a sale of their wearing apparel was
+published at all the neighbouring parish churches! Whether motives of
+economy suggested the measure, or a wish to remove whatever could remind
+the disconsolate survivors of their loss, can only be guessed at.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Among the relics treasured by Lord Hothfield at Appleby Castle, is an
+article reminding the visitor of the days when free trading was unknown.
+This is the principal corn measure which was used in the market at Kirkby
+Stephen more than two hundred years ago; its purpose and record are stated
+in the raised letters which run around the copper measure a little below
+the rim:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>&#8220;The measure of Thomas,
+Earle of Thanet Island, Lord Tufton, Lord Clifford, Westmorland, and Vescy, for the use of his Lopps
+[lordship&#8217;s] market at Kirkby Stephen in Westmorland, 1685.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In the same building are two other corn measures, smaller than the Kirkby
+Stephen measure just mentioned. One bears only the word &#8220;Thanet,&#8221; and a
+coronet. The other measure, of different design, with the monogram, &#8220;A.
+P.&#8221; in raised characters, indicates approximately its age, as it was
+obviously the property of the Countess Anne of Pembroke. The measures,
+made of bell metal, formerly in use in Sir Richard Musgrave&#8217;s manor at
+Kirkoswald, are still carefully preserved by Mr. John Longrigg, the last
+steward.</p>
+
+<p>How long the proclamation has been read at the St. Luke&#8217;s Fair at Kirkby
+Stephen is unknown; certainly for a couple of centuries the practice has
+been observed, and possibly for a much longer period. Although some of the
+terms have now no effect, nor the cautions any value, the proclamation is
+still made, the following being the terms of a recent one:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;O yes, O yes, O yes, The Right Honourable Henry James Baron
+Hothfield, of Hothfield, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Westmorland,
+Lord of the Manor of Skipton<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> in Craven, and Lord and Owner of this
+Fair, Doth strictly Charge and Command in Her Majesty&#8217;s name that all
+persons keep Her Majesty&#8217;s Peace, and not to presume to ride or go
+armed during the time of this Fair to the disturbance of Her Majesty&#8217;s
+Peace, in pain to be punished according to the Statute in that case
+made and provided; and also that all persons bargain and sell lawful
+and sound goods and merchandise, and pay their due and accustomed
+tolls and stallages, use lawful weights and measures, upon pain to
+forfeit the value of their wares and merchandise; and also that buy,
+sell, or exchange any horse, mare, or gelding, that the sellers and
+buyers thereof repair to the Clerk of the Tolls, and there enter their
+names, surnames, and places of abode of all such persons as shall buy,
+sell, or exchange any such horse, mare, or gelding, together with the
+price, marks, and vouchers at their perils; and lastly if any person
+have any injury or wrong done by reason of any bargain or contract,
+during the time of this Fair, let them give information thereof, and
+the same shall be tried by a Court of Pie Poudre, according to law.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;God save the Queen, and the Right Honourable Henry James Baron
+Hothfield.&#8221;</p></div>
+
+<p>Needless to say, the Court of Pie Poudre has not sat for many years now.</p>
+
+<p>Many curious and interesting customs were once connected with the holding
+of markets and fairs; a few of these survive, though not in the form once
+known. The practice a little over a century ago at Ravenglass, where a
+fair was held on &#8220;the eve, day, and morrow of St. James,&#8221; has been thus
+described: &#8220;On the first of these days<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> in the morning, the lord&#8217;s
+officer, at proclaiming the fair, is attended by the serjeants of the Lord
+of Egremont, with the insignia belonging thereto; and all the tenants of
+the Forest of Copeland owe a customary service to meet the lord&#8217;s officer
+at Ravenglass to proclaim the fair, and abide with him during the
+continuance thereof; and for sustentation of their horses they have two
+swaiths of grass in the common field of Ravenglass in a place set out for
+that purpose. On the third day at noon, the Earl&#8217;s officer discharges the
+fair by proclamation; immediately whereupon the Penningtons and their
+tenants take possession of the town, and have races and other
+divertisements during the remainder of that day.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The laws of the old Corporations at Kendal, Carlisle, and Appleby, and the
+guilds and societies at other places, were very stringent, and far
+surpassed the most exacting rules of the trades unions in our own day.
+This statement may speedily be verified by a reference to the reprinted
+Kendal &#8220;Boke of Recorde.&#8221; The &#8220;shoddy cloth man&#8221; appears to have
+flourished almost as much three hundred years ago as he does to-day; at
+any rate he was sufficiently in evidence to cause the Corporation to pass
+a very stringent order in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> regard to &#8220;Clothe Dightinge.&#8221; The excuse for
+the imposition of the regulation was that &#8220;Sundry great complaints have
+been made in open Court of the insufficient and deceitful dressing and
+dighting of clothes uttered and sold within the town, as well by the
+inhabitants as foreigners coming to the same, therefore it is ordered by
+the Alderman and head burgesses of the borough with the full assent of the
+most part of the fellowship of Shearmen now dwelling within the borough,
+that if any person or persons either now resident in the town or shall
+hereafter be resident here or in the country adjoining, shall from
+henceforth have or bring any pieces of cloth to sell or utter within this
+borough to any person, not being well and sufficiently dight and dressed
+throughout in all points alike, as well one place as another, in cotton,
+nop, or frieze as it ought to be; the same being so found by the four
+sworn men of the same occupation from time to time appointed, shall
+forfeit and lose for every such piece 2s. 4d., the half thereof to the
+Chamber of this borough, and the other half to the takers of the same.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>A further order provided that if any piece of cloth was not &#8220;well, truly,
+and sufficiently made in all places alike, and all parts thereof of like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>
+stuff as it ought to be, or which shall not be clean washed and clean
+without blemish left in it, upon the like pain of 2s. 4d., to be forwarded
+by the maker to those before limited for the first fault, and for every
+fault then after committed and duly proved, the fine and penalty to be
+doubled.&#8221; Factory and workshop inspectors, of a sort, were not unknown
+three hundred years ago. The Corporation ordered the appointment of four
+members of the &#8220;Company and fellowship of tayllers&#8221; to be known as
+searchers or overseers, having power to have the oversight of all faults,
+wrongs, and misusages happening or done in the trade. The order did not
+long remain in force before the Corporation decided to repeal them, but
+two or three years later they were revived by common consent, and ordered
+to continue during pleasure. In still later times travelling tailors were
+a brotherhood, and within the last fifty years when on their journeys
+levied money on the resident fraternity.</p>
+
+<p>Cordwainers, when the &#8220;Boke of Recorde&#8221; was compiled, were only allowed to
+do certain kinds of work, and were forbidden to &#8220;spetche,&#8221; or patch boots.
+Tailors, too, could not employ any man who might apply for work, there
+being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> a very strict law about the employment of freemen in preference to
+those not free; nor could the shearmen enjoy any greater liberty in their
+trading operations. One rule ran: &#8220;No countryman or person not free shall
+be permitted to bargain, buy, exchange, trade, sell, or utter within this
+borough or the precincts hereof, any clothes for outside as a shearman,
+save only such as be occupiers now of the same trade, or such as shall
+purchase their freedom, upon pain to lose ten shillings, whereof to the
+Chamber 5s., and Company 5s.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There was a salutary rule about the selling of meat on Sundays: &#8220;From
+henceforth no butcher, or other his servant, or factor shall sell or utter
+any flesh or other victuals or meat out of any shop or stall within the
+borough or liberties, or the precincts of the same, or keep any his or
+their shop or warehouses open or unshut up after the ending of the third
+peal or bells ringing to morning or evening prayer on any Sunday or other
+festival day, upon pain to lose to the Chamber of this borough 12d.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The laws against forestalling, regrating, ingrossing, and otherwise
+interfering with the due course of trade, were very strict in the markets
+held under manors and also in those otherwise<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> regulated. The practice
+was, however, not peculiar to Cumberland and Westmorland. One other rule
+from Kendal may be mentioned as showing the steps taken for preventing
+skins being hoarded up, until prices became high: &#8220;It shall not be lawful
+for any butcher or other person dwelling out of this borough or the
+liberties of the same from henceforth to bring into the borough to be
+sold, either on the market day or in the week-day any sheepskin (except
+the same skin&mdash;having the ears upon it&mdash;be cleaving unto the head or
+carcase of such flesh where upon it did grow) being so brought to be sold,
+nor that they nor any of them shall sell, or offer, or put to sale, any
+such skin on any market day so brought to be sold unto the borough before
+ten o&#8217;clock before noon, upon pain to lose and forfeit as much as 2s.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The penalty for buying victuals before they arrived at the market was
+forfeiture, while it was further ordered that &#8220;no man or woman shall
+suffer any corn to be sold or measured in their houses upon pain of 6s.
+8d., but that all corn shall be bargained, bought, and measured in open
+market only.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>An old native of the borough not long ago<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> assured the writer that when he
+was a boy, in the old coaching days, the suspicion of &#8220;poaching&#8221; extended
+even to the lawyers, for, said he, &#8220;At the Assizes at Appleby the Bar had
+all to enter the borough together, or not before a certain hour, lest one
+individual might secure more than a fair share of the briefs.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Market-bells are still rung at various places in the two counties. That in
+St. Andrew&#8217;s Church, Penrith, is sounded every Tuesday morning at ten
+o&#8217;clock, before which hour business is supposed to be forbidden. The same
+rule prevails at Appleby, where the bell hangs in a campanile over the
+Moot Hall. This, of course, is a survival of the days when forestalling
+was a very serious offence&mdash;and properly so. The archives of the
+Corporation of Carlisle contain documents bearing on the connection of the
+bells with trading. Mention of the market-bell appears in the bye-laws of
+1561, thus: &#8220;Itm that noe outman shall sell any corn to any fore nor to
+such tym as the market bell be rounge on payn of forfitor.&#8221; Happily it is
+not possible to apply to all the saying used with reference to one old
+market in West Cumberland&mdash;that &#8220;it opens at twelve o&#8217;clock and closes at
+noon,&#8221; the meaning, of course, being that there is little or no market<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>
+left. It was recorded by Mr. Green, the noted artist, that at Ambleside
+the market was crowded by small merchants, &#8220;who were called together by
+the tinkling of a small bell. Then all was bustle and animation; joy
+beamed in every countenance, for all the traffic was for ready money, and
+every individual lived upon the produce of his labour.&#8221;</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Old-Time Home Life</h2>
+
+<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">There</span> is a very great store of gossip and anecdote in existence which
+might be utilised to illustrate the picturesqueness of old-time life in
+Cumberland and Westmorland. Whether the lack of sanitary comforts,
+intellectual facilities, and of opportunities of seeing the world or of
+knowing of its doings, were counterbalanced by the freedom from care and
+the quiet humdrum lives, which were led by the majority of the people in
+the two counties, is an open question. An anecdote told in a book
+published well-nigh a century since, well illustrates the simplicity of
+life among Lakeland folk generations ago. A foreign physician, eminent in
+his profession, practiced in the neighbourhood of Keswick. He was one day
+asked by another medical man how he liked his position. &#8220;My situation,&#8221; he
+replied, &#8220;is a very eligible one as a gentleman; I can enjoy every species
+of country amusement in the greatest perfection; I can hunt, shoot, and
+fish among a profusion of game of every kind; the neighbouring gentlemen,
+too, seem to vie with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> each other in acts of politeness. But as a
+physician I cannot say that it is so alluring to me, for the natives have
+got the art of preserving their healths and prolonging their lives without
+boluses or electuaries, by a plaster taken inwardly, called thick poddish.
+This preserves them from the various diseases which shake the human
+fabric, and makes them slide into the grave without pain by the gradual
+decay of nature.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>As might be supposed, a people possessing so many primitive habits, and
+whose lives were so circumscribed, had numerous peculiar contrivances in
+their homes. Some of these have been so long out of use that their purpose
+has almost passed from memory. Before the days of mineral oils, the
+general means of illumination, both in mansion and cottage, was the
+rushlight. These candles were made of the pith of rushes, dipped in melted
+tallow. They were fixed for use in an arrangement known as a &#8220;Tom
+Candlestick,&#8221; which in the early years of this century were common objects
+in every village home. Mr. Anthony Whitehead, in the last edition of his
+Westmorland poems (1896), mentions a curious belief in this
+connection&mdash;that the rushes were not considered fit for use unless pulled
+at the full moon.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>A love of finery has seldom been a failing with the residents in the
+country districts of Cumberland and Westmorland, and especially was this
+the case before travel became easy. In the days when at the most the
+ordinary folk only saw the shops of a town on &#8220;term day&#8221;&mdash;and in a vast
+number of instances that would only occur on a few occasions in a
+lifetime&mdash;dress was of the most homely and substantial sort. &#8220;Hodden grey&#8221;
+for the men and correspondingly good wear for the females&mdash;most of it home
+made&mdash;were the ordinary fabrics. Clogs were worn at one time by all
+classes, from parson down to the poorest labourer, and even on Sundays the
+wearing of boots or shoes was often an indication of the owner being a
+person of some local consequence. The housewives had a curious method of
+preserving the stocking heels, which was probably more efficacious than
+cleanly. They took care to &#8220;smear the heels of the family&#8217;s new stockings
+with melted pitch, and dipped them immediately in the ashes of turf. The
+glutinous mixture incorporated with the woollen, and altogether formed a
+compound both hard and flexible, which was well adapted to resist the
+united friction of wood and leather.&#8221; The utility of clogs for certain
+purposes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> is undoubted, but this useful kind of footgear is apparently
+losing its popularity.</p>
+
+<p>There have been plenty of descriptions left&mdash;by old-time tourists and home
+historians&mdash;at various periods of the methods of life of the people, and
+they generally agree that the costumes, especially of the dales-folk, were
+picturesque. The homespun material was frequently undyed, black and white
+fleeces being mixed to save the expense of dyeing. This homely material,
+which is still made in some parts of Scotland and Ireland, has in recent
+years been pronounced by fashion to be superior, for country wear, to the
+most finished products of the steam loom; so that now the most elegant
+ladies do not disdain to wear dresses of the self-same homespun of which
+our ancestors made their &#8220;kelt coats.&#8221; These coats were ornamented with
+brass buttons, as were the waistcoats, which were made open in front for
+best, in order to show a frilled shirt breast. Knee breeches were the
+fashion for centuries. They were buttoned tight round the body above the
+haunches, so as to keep up without braces. Those used for best had a knot
+of ribbon and four or five bright buttons at the knee, and those who could
+afford it, had them made of buckskin. Their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> stockings, which were a
+conspicuous part of the dress, were also made from their own wool, the
+colour being generally blue or grey. On their feet they wore clogs on
+ordinary occasions, but when dressed in holiday costume, they had low
+shoes fastened with buckles which were sometimes of silver.</p>
+
+<p>That picture is a pleasant one; the life in the home was less picturesque.
+Churches and farm houses (especially the bedrooms) had next to no
+ventilation. The sanitary&mdash;or rather insanitary&mdash;state of country places
+was deplorable, and fevers of a very fatal character were common. The
+records of the desolation wrought by some of them is melancholy. Open
+drains and sewers in immediate proximity to farm houses were very usual.
+Bedrooms very often communicated through the length of a house. This was
+economy! A passage or corridor was not required. A leading clergyman, not
+finding a casement which would open in a church where he was officiating,
+extemporized ventilation by smashing a pane of glass. In the country
+cottages and farm houses, as well as in many habitations in the towns, the
+chimneys had no flues, and were funnel-shaped, being very wide at the
+bottom and gradually contracting to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> the top, where they had an aperture
+of the size of an ordinary chimney, through which the smoke escaped. In
+these open chimneys, hams, legs of beef, flitches of bacon, and whole
+carcases of mutton were hung to dry for winter consumption. Clarke, in his
+&#8220;Survey,&#8221; mentions having seen as many as seven carcases of mutton hanging
+in one chimney in Borrowdale, and was told that some chimneys in the vale
+contained more. Few of these old-fashioned chimneys are now to be found in
+the country.</p>
+
+<p>Wheat has never been grown in large quantities in Cumberland and
+Westmorland; hence the necessity in former days for oat, rye, or barley
+bread being the staple foodstuffs. Certainly the Westmorland oatmeal,
+which required to pass through many processes, and to be stored with very
+great care, was the staff of the rural households. It was used in a
+variety of ways. There was the porridge for breakfast and supper, the thin
+oatcake serving the main purposes of white bread in these days, and the
+&#8220;crowdy&#8221;&mdash;an excellent and invigorating species of soup, made by pouring
+the liquor in which beef was boiling, over oatmeal in a basin. Oatmeal
+also entered into the composition of pie-crusts and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>gingerbread, like the
+famous Kendal &#8220;piggin bottoms&#8221;&mdash;snaps stamped out of rolled dough by the
+iron rim which formed the external base of the wooden &#8220;piggin&#8221; or
+&#8220;biggin,&#8221; a diminutive wooden tub used as a receptacle for various
+household requisites. Many good houses had either no oven or a very small
+one, and pies were baked in a huge iron pan covered all round and above
+the massive lid, too, with burning peats. Hence the contents were equally
+cooked on all sides.</p>
+
+<p>The extent to which flesh meat, both fresh and cured, was used two or
+three centuries ago, must have been much less per individual than is now
+the case. Leaving out of account the cost to the poor&mdash;and the mere fact
+that meat was sold for a very few pence per pound does not necessarily
+indicate that it was therefore low-priced&mdash;there was not a great quantity
+available. The art of winter fattening of sheep and cattle was unknown,
+and so artificially preserved meat had to be depended upon after
+Martinmas, or at the best between Christmas and spring. One old chronicler
+wrote:&mdash;&#8220;The supply of animal food proved inadequate to the demands of the
+community, for the fat stock, fed in autumn, being killed off by
+Christmas, very little fresh meat appeared in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> markets before the
+ensuing midsummer, except veal. The substantial yeomen, as well as the
+manufacturers, provided against this inconvenience by curing a quantity of
+beef at Martinmas, the greatest part of which they pickled in brine, and
+the rest was dried in the smoke. Every family boiled a sufficient piece of
+their salt provisions on Sunday morning, and had it hot to dinner,
+frequently with the addition of an oatmeal pudding. The cold meat came day
+after day to the table so long as any of it remained, and was as often
+eaten with oat-bread alone. At the same time a wooden can, full of the
+briny liquor in which the beef had been cooked, was placed, warm and
+thickened with a little meal, before each person by way of broth. The
+stomach was encouraged in the better sort of houses to digest these
+stubborn materials by a supply of pickled red cabbage, which was prepared
+for the purpose in October or November. Hogs were slaughtered between
+Christmas and Candlemas, and converted principally into bacon, which, with
+dried beef and dried mutton, afforded a change of salt meat in the spring.
+The fresh provisions of winter consisted of eggs, poultry, geese, and
+ill-fed veal.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In this connection it would be very interesting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> to know whether the
+provisions of the will made by Thomas Williamson on December 14th, 1674,
+are in any way carried out, or what has become of the charity. He
+bequeathed the sum of &pound;20 to be laid out in land to be bestowed upon poor
+people, born within St. John&#8217;s Chapelry, or Castlerigg, Cumberland, in
+mutton or veal, at Martinmas yearly, when flesh might be thought cheapest,
+to be by them pickled or hung up and dried, that they might have something
+to keep them within doors during stormy days.</p>
+
+<p>If animal flesh was dear, despite its small cost, there was some
+compensation in another way. After the salmon season commenced, great
+quantities of this modern luxury were brought from Carlisle and West
+Cumberland, and sold in other markets in the two counties. The price was
+frequently as low as a penny, and not often higher than twopence per
+pound, the lack of carriages and roads of a decent character rendering
+conveyance for long distances anything but an easy task. Then the poverty
+of the people further south offered the owners of the fish no inducements
+to carry the commodity into Lancashire. The abundance and cheapness of
+salmon seem to have been proverbial. How far<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> the story may be true the
+writer cannot say, but it is worth while noting that a condition
+concerning apprentices in some west of England towns, is also recorded as
+applying to the Charity School at Kendal. The boys apprenticed from that
+institution were not to be compelled to dine on salmon, or on fish in
+general, oftener than three days in the week.</p>
+
+<p>Much worse was the condition of the labouring folk of the lower class, who
+are said to have &#8220;subsisted chiefly on porridge made of oatmeal or dressed
+barley, boiled in milk, with the addition of oat-bread, butter, onions,
+and a little salted meat occasionally.&#8221; This meagre diet was probably the
+cause of the agues which were once very common, especially in the country
+districts. The disorder, to a large extent, disappeared when the culture
+of vegetables became more general, and salted provisions less essential.
+Up to 1730 potatoes were very sparingly used, and were chiefly grown near
+Kirkby Lonsdale.</p>
+
+<p>Many of the old stories of the curious methods of dealing with tea, before
+it became a common and indispensable article on the tables of all classes
+in this country, are obviously either untrue or exaggerated. Hence the
+veracity of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> following statements, which appeared in print in
+Westmorland in the first decade of this century, is not vouched for:&mdash;&#8220;Not
+long after the introduction of potatoes, tea became a favourite beverage
+with the women, in spite of a steady opposition from the men; perhaps it
+found its way into the north in form of presents. From the method of
+preparing this foreign luxury not being generally understood, these
+presents were sometimes turned to ridiculous uses. One old lady received a
+pound of tea from her son in London, which she smoked instead of tobacco,
+and did not hesitate to prefer the weed of Virginia to the herb of China.
+Another mother converted a present of the same sort and magnitude into a
+herb pudding; that is, she boiled the tea with dressed barley, and after
+straining off the water, buttered the compound, which she endeavoured to
+render palatable with salt, but in vain, for the bitter taste was not to
+be subdued.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>How unfavourably the introduction of tea was regarded, by some writers at
+any rate, may be gathered from the following paragraph, which appeared in
+the <i>Pacquet</i> of October 23rd, 1792:&mdash;&#8220;A correspondent says that in the
+neighbourhood of Greystoke, during the late harvest, added to an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> increase
+of wages, the female reapers had regularly their tea every afternoon, and
+the men, toast and ale. How different is this from the beef-steak
+breakfasts of old! How degenerate is the present age, and how debilitated
+may the next be!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Oat-cake and brown bread are less favoured in the two counties than was
+formerly the case, a fact which was often deplored by the late Bishop of
+Carlisle, Dr. Goodwin. It is not a little curious that two articles which
+formed the staple portions of the diet of the people from sixty to a
+hundred years ago, should now be regarded more in the nature of luxuries.
+As an example of the sparing way in which &#8220;white flour&#8221; was used, an old
+Appleby native tells a story concerning what happened at a good hostelry
+in the borough, sixty years ago, at a time when wheaten flour was very
+scarce, but butcher meat very plentiful. Among other good substantial
+things on the table was a huge meat pie, at the shilling ordinary. Just,
+however, as the &#8220;head of the table&#8221; was about to cut the crust, the waiter
+whispered to him, &#8220;Please, sir, missis says flour is so dear, ye must run
+t&#8217; knife round t&#8217; crust and lift it clean off on to my tray to do another
+time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>From the remains of ancient structures it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> still possible to draw good
+pictures of the way the old inhabitants passed their lives therein. The
+late Dr. M. W. Taylor by that means elaborated the story of the daily
+doings of the people, from lord to vassal, who inhabited Yanwath Hall. A
+similar picture has been presented by Mr. J. F. Curwen in his monograph on
+Levens Hall &#8220;in the bygone&#8221;:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just within would be the raised dais, with its flanking window bay, and
+the long table, at the higher side of which the lord with his family and
+any distinguished guests took their meals, whilst on the floor below those
+of an inferior rank were seated at tables ranging along each side of the
+room. At the opposite, or western, end, the oaken screens, nine and a half
+feet high, extended across the full width, dividing off the heck or
+passage, from which opened out the kitchen, buttery, and other offices,
+and from over which the musicians in the minstrels&#8217; gallery would on all
+occasions of more than ordinary importance enliven the feast with their
+melody. This hall was also used for the transaction of business between
+the lord and his vassals, for here he would hold his royalty court,
+receiving their suit and service, and administer justice according to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> the
+powers granted to him by the Crown. At night time the retainers would
+huddle together on the thickly strewn rushes in the middle of the floor,
+around the fire and its convolving wreaths of smoke ascending to the open
+lantern in the roof. For it must be remembered that chimneys were not
+introduced into England, except to a few castles, until the fifteenth
+century, about the time when the Redemans would be transferring Levens to
+Alan Bellingham.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>With chimneys came new taxes, and some of them were not only keenly
+resented, but evaded as openly as was possible. The people seem to have
+had a special dislike to the tax of two shillings a year which was passed
+in the twelfth year of Charles the Second, for that was a heavy sum,
+having regard to the value of money then. Among the manuscripts preserved
+at Rydal Hall, Westmorland, by the le Flemings, are a great many
+references to this tax. There were schemes for substituting other imposts,
+as appears by a sentence contained in a letter (May 10th, 1669) by Daniel
+Fleming, Rydal, to Joseph Williamson, who had just purchased the estate of
+Winderwath, near Temple Sowerby:&mdash;&#8220;There are rumours one while that the
+Scots are up in armes, another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> while that bishops and dean and chapter
+lands will be sold, or annext to the crowne in the place of the excise and
+hearth money, and bishops to be maintained by sallaries out of the
+exchequer.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Another document is from the Lords Commissioners to the justices of the
+peace in the Barony of Kendal, concerning the collection of the hearth
+tax, and an item in a news-letter of April, 1671, says, &#8220;This day the Lord
+Treasurer received proposals for the farm of the hearth money; those who
+propose to keep it as it was, advancing only &pound;100,000, are to make a new
+offer.&#8221; During the following summer another came &#8220;from the Court at
+Whitehall&#8221; to the justices of the peace for Westmorland, &#8220;Cautioning them
+against allowing exemptions from hearth money too readily. They should
+consider firstly who are they whom the law intends to be exempted. Then
+they should appoint petty sessions for the signing of certificates at such
+times and places that the royal officers may attend and be heard. It
+cannot be supposed that the law intends to oblige the justices to allow
+whatsoever shall be offered them without examining the truth thereof.&#8221; A
+news-letter of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> April 23rd, 1674, gives an idea of the extent of the tax
+in the following sentence:&mdash;&#8220;This day the farm of the hearth money was
+made and let to Mr. Anslem, Mr. Perry, and Mr. Buckley, at &pound;151,000 per
+annum, and &pound;25,000 advance, commencing at Michaelmas next.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Some of the entries are of special interest to Cumberland and Westmorland.
+Thus in a letter to Daniel Fleming on January 8th, 1674-5, Robert Joplin,
+writing from Kendal, &#8220;apologises for writing as he had not been able to
+wait upon him. Has been seven weeks in the country, and surveyed and taken
+account of all the hearths in most of the market towns of this county, and
+in Cumberland. Had always behaved with all civility. If he will have the
+duplicates of the surveys made they will be handed in at the next
+sessions.&#8221; A week later Robert Joplin and Richard Bell, the collectors of
+the hearth tax, report to the justices of Kendal: &#8220;Have surveyed most of
+the market towns in the two counties, levying the tax of 2s. on every fire
+hearth. Would not proceed to distrain without the justices&#8217; permission.
+Some refuse to pay because they were not charged before. All kitchens and
+beerhouses refuse on the same pretence. Many hearths have been made up,
+most of them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> lately. We trust that the justices will be very careful in
+giving certificates.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>A few days afterwards Nathaniel Johnson, another collector of the tax,
+writes from Newcastle to Daniel Fleming that he &#8220;does not think the
+determination of the justices to proceed in the matter of the hearth money
+under the old survey, until the new is perfected, is consistent with the
+law; nevertheless he will yield to their opinion.&#8221; Johnson proves to be a
+difficult official with whom to deal, and he writes to Fleming in July,
+&#8220;Remonstrating against the conduct of the Kendal magistrates in the matter
+of the hearth money. It has been already decided that smiths&#8217; hearths are
+liable. The practice of walling up hearths in a temporary manner is
+plainly fraudulent. The magistrates ought not to countenance such things,
+nor refuse the evidence of officials engaged in this business, for of
+course none other can be made. May reluctantly be compelled to appeal
+against their proceedings.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>These and similar protests did not appear to have much effect, though
+frequently repeated, and ten years later came an order from the Lord High
+Treasurer to the Clerk of the Peace of the county of Lancaster, to be
+communicated to the justices,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> in view of the difficulties raised by them
+in the collection of the hearth money: &#8220;The duty is to be levied on empty
+houses, smiths&#8217; forges, innkeepers&#8217; and bakers&#8217; ovens, on landlords for
+tenements let to persons exempt on account of poverty, on private persons
+where there is a hearth and oven in one chimney. The duty may be levied on
+the goods of landlords and tenants which are not on the premises whereon
+the duty arises.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There is a rather amusing reference to the subject in a letter sent by
+William Fleming to his brother Roger Fleming, at Coniston Hall: &#8220;Tell the
+constable the same hearth man is coming again. Tell him to be as kind as
+his conscience will permit to his neighbours, and play the fool no more.
+The priest and he doth not know how happy they are.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The means available, in bygone days, for quenching fire were, everywhere
+in the two counties, of a most primitive character. In March, 1657, the
+Corporation of Kendal decreed, as there had &#8220;happened of late within this
+borough great loss and damage by fire,&#8221; and the Corporation had not fit
+instruments and materials for speedy subduing of the flames, that the
+Mayor and Alderman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> should each provide two leathern buckets, and each
+burgess one such bucket, before May 1st following, the penalty being a
+fine of 6s. 8d. in the case of the leading men, and half that amount for
+default on the part of others.</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Sports and Festivities.</h2>
+
+<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">It</span> is almost impossible to separate the sports of the Cumberland and
+Westmorland people from the festivals, inasmuch as some of the pastimes
+were prominent items in gatherings even of a semi-religious character.
+Wrestling, that finest of North-Country exercises, has been practically
+killed by the competition of other athletic games, but more than all by
+the &#8220;barneying&#8221; so often practised by the wrestlers. To this cause must be
+ascribed the fall of the &#8220;mother ring&#8221; at Carlisle, and the disfavour into
+which the sport has dropped in all parts of the two counties, albeit the
+Grasmere exhibitions are still kept up to a fair standard of honesty. For
+centuries it was the greatest amusement of fellsider, dalesman, and town
+dweller, and it was no uncommon thing for men to walk, in the pre-railway
+days, twenty miles to a wrestling meeting. Pure love of sport must have
+been the motive, because the prize usually consisted only of a belt of the
+value of from ten shillings to a sovereign&mdash;often much less&mdash;and a small
+sum of money which would now be looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> at with contempt even when offered
+by way of &#8220;expenses.&#8221; The men whose prowess gained them more than local
+fame were often almost perfect specimens of what athletes should be at
+their respective weights, and their skill cannot be approached by any of
+the medium and light weights now in the ring. For several other reasons
+the sport is entitled&mdash;unfortunately so&mdash;to be classed among things
+belonging to the bygone, and to the next generation wrestling, as
+understood at the Melmerby and Langwathby Rounds fifty years ago, will be
+unknown.</p>
+
+<p>Clergymen have often been included among the best wrestlers of their time,
+especially in West Cumberland, though some who as young men were noted for
+their prowess in this direction gave up this sport when they took holy
+orders. William Litt, whose name will always have a place in local
+sporting annals through his book, &#8220;Wrestliana,&#8221; was intended for the
+Church. His tastes were so obviously in other directions that the plan had
+to be abandoned, and he developed into one of the finest wrestlers of his
+time. The Rev. G. Wilkinson, Vicar of Arlecdon, and the Rev. O. Littleton,
+Vicar of Buttermere, were also ardent followers of the sport; while the
+Rev. A. Brown,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> Egremont, and the inventor of the &#8220;chip&#8221; known as
+buttocking, was described as one of the best exponents of the old game to
+be found in the north of England.</p>
+
+<p>A sporting custom peculiar to the two counties&mdash;for the nobleman most
+concerned has immense possessions in each&mdash;is the race for the Burgh
+Barony Cup. The meeting has been well described as &#8220;a singular old-world
+institution, one of a number of antiquated customs mixed up with the land
+laws.&#8221; The races are held to celebrate the &#8220;reign&#8221; of a new Lord Lonsdale,
+consequently no earl ever sees more than one&mdash;at least when he is the head
+of the family. The last meeting on Burgh Marsh was in March, 1883, when
+the arrangements were on a royal scale, thousands of persons being
+present, an enormous number of them as the guests of his lordship.
+Wrestling formed an important part of the proceedings during the two days,
+but the central item was the race for the cup. The competitors were
+confined to animals owned by free or customary tenants within the Barony,
+and the winner of the hundred guineas trophy was greeted with frantic
+cheering.</p>
+
+<p>Carlisle possesses a unique racing relic. The &#8220;horse courses&#8221; were
+formerly held on Kingmoor,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> and the &#8220;Carlisle bells&#8221; were doubtless prized
+as much in their day as the stakes for &pound;10,000 are now. The articles
+frequently figure in the Municipal Records as the Horse and Nage Bells,
+and were for a long time lost, being ultimately found in an old box in the
+Town Clerk&#8217;s office. Mr. Llewellyn Jewitt, <span class="smcaplc">F.S.A.</span>, some twenty years ago
+gave this description of the relics: &#8220;The racing bells are globular in
+form, with slits at the bottom, as is usual in bells of that class. The
+loose ball which would originally lie in the inside, so as to produce the
+sound, has disappeared. The largest, which is two and a quarter inches in
+diameter, is of silver gilt, and bears on a band round its centre the
+inscription [each word being separated by a cross]:</p>
+
+<p class="center">+ THE + SWEFTES + HORSE + THES +<br />
+BEL + TO + TAK<br />
++ FOR + MI + LADE + DAKER + SAKE</p>
+
+<p>This lady was probably Elizabeth, daughter of George Talbot, fourth Earl
+of Shrewsbury, and wife of William, Lord Dacre of Gilsland, who was
+Governor of Carlisle in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The other bell, also
+of silver, is smaller in size, and bears the initials H.B.M.C. (Henry
+Baines, Mayor of Carlisle), 1559. On Shrove<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> Tuesday Kingmoor became a
+busy scene, and the contests created much excitement among the freemen and
+others. The bell was not an uncommon prize, either in horse-racing or
+cock-fighting, and was held by the victor, as challenge cups and shields
+are at the present day, from one year to another, or from one race to
+another. To win this race was of course a mark of honour, and gave rise to
+the popular expression of &#8216;to bear away the bell.&#8217; At York the racing
+prize in 1607 was a small golden bell, and the Corporation Records of
+Chester about 1600 show that in that city a silver bell was given to be
+raced for on the Roodee; but I am not aware that any of them are now in
+existence. Probably the Carlisle examples are unique.&#8221;</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img4.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br />
+<img src="images/img4b.jpg" alt="" /></div>
+<p class="caption">CARLISLE RACING BELLS.</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>There are many other evidences that racing has for several centuries been
+a favourite pastime with the people of Cumberland and Westmorland. The
+race meetings seem to have been made occasions for county gatherings of
+other kinds, and especially for cock-fights&mdash;a sport which has not yet
+entirely died out. The following advertisement of Penrith races in 1769,
+which appeared in the <i>St. James&#8217;s Chronicle</i> for that year, may be quoted
+as an example of many others, relating not <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>only to Penrith but to other
+towns in the two counties:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="center"><i>Penrith Races, 1769.</i></p>
+
+<p>To be run for, on Wednesday, the 24th of May, 1769, on the new Race
+Ground at Penrith, Cumberland.</p>
+
+<p>Fifty Pounds, by any four Years old Horse, Mare, or Gelding, carrying
+8st. 7lb. Two-mile Heats.</p>
+
+<p>On Thursday, the 25th, Fifty Pounds, by any Horse, &amp;c., five Years
+old, carrying 9st. Three-mile Heats.</p>
+
+<p>On Friday, the 26th, Fifty Pounds, by any five, six Years old, and
+Aged Horse, &amp;c. Five-year Olds to carry 8st. 3lb. Six-year Olds 9st.,
+and Aged 9st 8lb. Four-mile Heats.</p>
+
+<p>All Horses, etc., that run for the above Plates, to be entered at the
+Market Cross on Saturday, the 20th Day of May, between the Hours of
+Three and Six o&#8217;Clock in the Afternoon. The Owner of each Horse, &amp;c.,
+to subscribe and pay Three Guineas at the Time of Enterance towards
+the Races, and Two Shillings and Six-pence for the Clerk of the Race.</p>
+
+<p>Certificates of each Horse, &amp;c., to be produced at the Time of
+Enterance. Three reputed running Horses, &amp;c., to enter and start for
+each of the above Plates, or no Race.</p>
+
+<p>If only one Horse, &amp;c., enters, to receive Ten Pounds, if two Fifteen
+between them, and their Subscription paid at the time of Enterance
+returned.</p>
+
+<p>All the above Plates to be run for in the royal Manner, and any
+Dispute that may arise to be determined by the Stewards, or whom they
+shall appoint.</p>
+
+<p>The several Plates will be paid without any Deduction or Perquisite.</p>
+
+<table style="margin-left: 4em;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table">
+<tr><td rowspan="2" valign="middle">Stewards.<span class="huge">{</span></td><td>CHARLES HOWARD, jun., Esq.</td></tr>
+<tr><td>ANDREW WHELPDALE, Esq.</td></tr></table>
+
+<p><span class="huge">&#9758;</span> A Cock Main, Ordinaries, and Assemblies, as usual.</p></div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>Not less interesting than the foregoing announcement is the report of the
+event. There was never much attempt at descriptions, either of races or
+cock-fights, though one would like to know the names of the gentlemen
+indicated in this closing paragraph of the report: &#8220;At this Meeting a Main
+of Cocks was fought between the Gentlemen of Cumberland, David Smith,
+Feeder, and the Gentlemen of Westmoreland, Thomas Bownas, Feeder, which
+consisted of 21 Battles, 16 whereof were won by the former, and 5 by the
+latter; and of the 15 Bye-Battles Smith won 6, and Bownas 9.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Dalston was long the headquarters of cock-fighting in Cumberland&mdash;&#8220;Dalston
+Black-reeds&#8221; are still spoken of as the best birds of the kind in the
+world. There is a tradition to the effect that cock-fighting was once
+carried on at Rose Castle, in the parish of Dalston, but the Rev. J.
+Wilson<a name='fna_17' id='fna_17' href='#f_17'><small>[17]</small></a> took particular pains to disprove the assertion. Against that
+must be put the following sentence which appeared in <i>Good Words</i> for
+December, 1894: &#8220;One curious adjunct to an episcopal residence, speaking
+loudly of the change of manners and the amelioration of tastes, is the
+cock-pit,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> where matches are said to have been at one time fought for the
+amusement of the Bishop and his friends.&#8221; The favourite day for
+cock-fights was Shrove Tuesday.</p>
+
+<p>Cock-fighting was far from being the only barbarous sport enjoyed by the
+people of the northern counties. Bull-baiting and badger-baiting were
+probably never more popular than at the time when they were prohibited by
+law in 1835. There is still the bull ring at Appleby, and the spectators&#8217;
+gallery was removed within living memory. At Kirkoswald and several other
+market-places in the two counties the rings are still firmly fixed to
+which the bulls were tethered during the baiting process. Mr. W. Wilson,
+in his brochure on &#8220;Old Social Life in Cumberland,&#8221; says: &#8220;In Keswick a
+large iron ring was formerly fixed in a stone block in the market-place;
+this was called the bull ring, and to this a bull, previous to being
+slaughtered, was fastened by the ring in its nose, and then baited and
+bitten by savage dogs amid dreadful bellowing till the poor beast was
+almost covered with foam, and quite exhausted. Great excitement prevailed
+when a bull was being baited, and large numbers assembled to witness the
+sport. On such occasions the market-place at Keswick<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> was crowded, and
+many in order to obtain a good view, might be seen sitting on the roofs of
+the adjoining houses. Beyond the excitement which the exhibition produced
+among the spectators, the system was thought to be of great value in
+improving the quality of the beef, an aged bull being especially tough
+unless well baited before slaughtering. When the flesh of a bull was
+exposed for sale, it was the rule in Keswick and probably elsewhere, to
+burn candles during the day on the stall on which the meat was exposed for
+sale, in order that customers might be aware of the quality of the meat
+sold there.&#8221; In some other places in the two counties the penalty for
+killing and selling an unbaited bull was 6s. 8d.</p>
+
+<p>For a very long period archery was practised in Cumberland and Westmorland
+not only as a means of defence and attack, but also as a recreation. The
+numerous places called &#8220;Butts,&#8221; or bearing synonymous names, indicate that
+few towns neglected to set apart a shooting ground. In his &#8220;Survey of the
+Lakes&#8221; Clarke blamed the severity of the game laws for keeping up skill in
+archery amongst the poachers in the forests of the north-western counties.
+He added: &#8220;It was this that produced so many noted archers and outlaws<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> in
+the forest of Englewood as well as that of Sherwood. For not to mention
+Adam Bell and his partners, tradition still preserves the names of Watty
+of Croglin, Woodhead Andrew, Robin O&#8217;th&#8217;Moor&#8217;s Gruff Elleck (Alexander),
+and of several others as of persons distinguished in that line even
+amongst the people who were almost to a man of the same stamp. Besides, as
+their squabbles and the subsequent maraudings made the skill thus acquired
+at times absolutely necessary to the inhabitants on each side of the
+boundary, we may easily conclude that a necessity of this kind,
+continually kept alive, must produce no small degree of dexterity.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Whoever will consider the circumstances of the battles which were then
+fought, will find that wherever the ground or circumstances favoured the
+archer for a number of regular discharges, they generally produced such a
+confusion, particularly amongst the enemy&#8217;s horse, as gave the men-at-arms
+of their own party an opportunity of easily completing it. I need cite no
+further particulars of this than the battle of Homildon, when the forces
+of the Northern Marches encountered the gallant Archibald, Earl of
+Douglas; the men-at-arms stood still that day, and the bowmen had the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span>
+whole business upon their hands. It is recorded that no armour could
+resist their arrows, though that of Earl Douglas and his associates had
+been three years in making. It would seem, indeed, that the Scots excelled
+in the use of the spear, and (excepting the Borderers) neglecting the bow;
+since one of their own kings is thought to have recommended its more
+general use by ridiculing their imperfect management of it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Kendal bowmen celebrated the prowess of their fore-elders of the same
+name by establishing a competition and festival for September 9th in each
+year. It was on that day in 1513 that the Kendal bowmen were particularly
+distinguished in the battle of Flodden Field. The prizes shot for every
+year were a silver arrow and a medal, the members appearing in a uniform
+of green, with arrow buttons; the cape green velvet with silver arrow; the
+waistcoat and breeches buff, and the shooting jacket was of green and
+white striped cotton.</p>
+
+<p>Whitehaven also had its Society of Archers, and in 1790 had a medal
+designed by Smirke as a trophy for competition. On one side were the
+bugle-horn, quiver, and bow, above them being the words, &#8220;Per Has
+Victoriam,&#8221; and underneath<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>
+the three place-names, &#8220;Poictiers,&#8221; &#8220;Cressy,&#8221;
+and &#8220;Agincourt.&#8221; On the reverse was the name of the shooting ground,
+Parton Green, and the date, while round the edge were the words,
+&#8220;Captain&#8217;s Medal, Cumberland Archers.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Kendal &#8220;Boke of Recorde&#8221; contains several references to the pastimes
+of Westmerians from two to three centuries ago. On one occasion it was
+ordered by the Corporation &#8220;That whosoever do play at the football in the
+street and break any windows, shall forfeit upon view thereof by the Mayor
+or one of the Aldermen in the ward where the fault is committed the sum of
+12d. for every time every party, and 3s. 4d. for every window by the same
+broken, and to be committed till it be paid, the constable looke to it to
+present it presently at every Court day.&#8221; That knur and spell, the game so
+popular still in Yorkshire, was once a favourite pastime in Kendal is
+attested by the following entry, dated April, 1657: &#8220;It is ordered by the
+Court that all such persons, inhabitants within this borough, above the
+age of twelve years, that hereafter shall play in the streets at a game
+commonly called Kattstick and Bullvett shall forfeit and incur the penalty
+of 12d. for every offence, to be levied of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> their goods, and where they
+have no goods to be imprisoned two hours.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The somewhat questionable glories of Workington Easter football play have
+passed away, partly in consequence of the occupation of a portion of the
+playing ground by railways and works, and not less because of a change of
+feeling. How long these Easter Tuesday matches between &#8220;Uppies&#8221; and
+&#8220;Downeys&#8221; have gone on no man can tell. Half a century ago it was reported
+in the <i>Pacquet</i> that the game in 1849 &#8220;was played with all the vigour of
+former days, from times beyond &#8216;the memory of the oldest inhabitant.&#8217;&#8221; The
+goals are about a mile apart, one being a capstan at the harbour, and the
+other the park wall of Workingham Hall. There are no rules except those
+suggested by cunning and skill, while brute force is of the greatest
+importance. If the ball is &#8220;haled&#8221; over the park wall a sovereign is given
+by the owner of the estate to the winners, and of course it is spent in
+liquor. The players sometimes number hundreds, and thousands of people
+attend as spectators.</p>
+
+<p>In several places in the two counties &#8220;mock mayors&#8221; were annually elected,
+and the occasion at Wreay was marked by somewhat uncommon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> festivities.
+The Rev. A. R. Hall, Vicar of the parish, in a lecture delivered some time
+ago, gave an account of these Shrovetide observances, which made the
+village famous in its way. Up to 1790 the chief feature was a great
+cock-fight, managed by the boys at school. A hunt of harriers subsequently
+took the place of the cock-fight, this being followed by a public dinner,
+and the election of the mayor. Sometimes this functionary belonged to
+Wreay, and sometimes came from Carlisle; in the latter case, those who
+wished to keep up the due dignity of the office chartered a coach-and-four
+for the accommodation of their friends. Racing and jumping were features
+in the sports, the prizes for which were hats. The old silver bell used to
+ornament the mayor&#8217;s wand of office. In 1872, unfortunately, the bell was
+stolen, and Wreay lost this relic, which had been connected for 217 years
+with its Shrovetide festivities. In 1880 the hunt and the election of
+mayor both came to an end.</p>
+
+<p>Befitting its importance in the calendar, Christmas seems to have always
+held the first place in popularity among the holidays and festivals of the
+year. In the summer season Whitsuntide&mdash;which marks the end of one term of
+farm service&mdash;was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> the most popular. At Christmas &#8220;the treat circulated
+from house to house, and every table was decorated in succession with a
+profusion of dishes, including all the pies and puddings then in use. Ale
+possets also constituted a favourite part of the festive suppers, and were
+given to strangers for breakfast before the introduction of tea. They were
+served in bowls, called doublers, into which the company dipped their
+spoons promiscuously; for the simplicity of the times had not yet seen the
+necessity of accommodating each guest with a basin or soup plate. The
+posset cup shone as an article of finery in the better sort of houses; it
+consisted of pewter, and was furnished with two, three, or more lateral
+pipes, through which the liquid part of the compound might be sucked by
+those who did not choose the bread. This plentiful repast was moistened
+with a copious supply of malt liquor, which the guests drank out of horns
+and the wooden cans already mentioned. The aged sat down to cards and
+conversation for the better part of the night, while the young men amused
+the company with exhibitions of maskers, amongst whom the clown was the
+conspicuous character; or parties of rapier-dancers displayed their
+dexterity in the sportive use of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>small-sword. In the meantime the
+youth of both sexes romped and gambolled promiscuously, or sat down not
+unfrequently to hunt the rolling-pin.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Gowrie Plot is brought to mind by a record in the Greystoke books that
+is unusually quaint in its style: &#8220;1603, August, ffrydaye the v<sup>th</sup> day
+was comnded for to be keapt holy daye yearely from cessation of laybour
+w<sup>th</sup> gyvinge of thanks for the kyngs most excelent matye for his ma<sup>tyes</sup>
+p&#8217;servation and deliverance from the Crewell Conspiracie practized against
+his mat<sup>ies</sup> pson in Scotland that v<sup>th</sup> daye of August, 1600.&#8221; Three
+years sufficed for this celebration; then Gunpowder Plot came in for
+notice, as is seen from an item dated November 5th, 1606: &#8220;The sayde daye
+was Kenges holy day, and one sermon by M<sup>r</sup> pson the xi Isaie 2 verse.&#8221;
+The chronicler followed this registration of his text by a list of the
+names of the chief people in the parish who attended the service.</p>
+
+<p>The shearing days used to be high festivals on the fells and in the dales
+of both counties. Now the gatherings have been deprived of some of their
+most characteristic features; and even the chairing is almost forgotten.
+Richardson&#8217;s chapter on &#8220;Auld Fashint Clippins and Sec Like,&#8221; in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span>
+&#8220;Stwories at Ganny uset to Tell,&#8221; relates how the chairing used to be
+done. The song, once an indispensable item in the programme, may now and
+again be heard, lustily shouted by the dalesmen. After declaring that &#8220;the
+shepherd&#8217;s health&mdash;it shall go round,&#8221; the chorus continues:</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Heigh O! Heigh O! Heigh O!<br />
+And he that doth this health deny,<br />
+Before his face I him defy.<br />
+He&#8217;s fit for no good company,<br />
+So let this health go round.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The coronation of a monarch was invariably made the occasion for
+merry-making by the consumption of much ale by the common folk, especially
+by bell-ringers and others who could have the score discharged by the
+churchwardens. There is such an entry in the Crosthwaite books relating to
+the coronation of George the First. In 1821, November 5th, there was
+&#8220;spent in ale at Nicholas Graves 5s.&#8221; This worthy who was parish clerk at
+Crosthwaite for fifty-six years, was also the owner of a public-house in
+the town, and among his other qualifications was that of being will-maker
+for many of the inhabitants. At Penrith, Kendal, Carlisle, and many other
+places the church bells were set ringing, bonfires lighted,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> and ale
+barrels tapped&mdash;usually at the expense of the churchwardens&mdash;on very small
+provocation.</p>
+
+<p>Among other festivals now no longer observed, and probably forgotten, was
+that known as Brough Holly Night. In a little pamphlet published between
+thirty and forty years ago the following note on the subject was printed,
+but the writer has been unable to ascertain when the custom was last seen
+in the old Westmorland town: &#8220;On Twelfth Night, at Brough, the very
+ancient custom of carrying the holly-tree through the town is observed.
+There are two or three inns in the town which provide for the ceremony
+alternately, though the townspeople lend a hand to prepare the tree, to
+every branch of which a torch composed of greased rushes is affixed. About
+eight o&#8217;clock in the evening the tree is taken to a convenient part of the
+town, where the torches are lighted, the town band accompanying and
+playing till all is completed, when it is carried up and down the town,
+preceded by the band and the crowd who have now formed in procession. Many
+of the inhabitants carry lighted branches and flambeaus, and rockets,
+squibs, etc., are discharged on the occasion. After the tree has been thus
+paraded, and the torches are nearly burnt out, it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> taken to the middle
+of the town, where, amidst the cheers and shouts of the multitude, it is
+thrown among them. Then begins a scene of noise and confusion, for the
+crowd, watching the opportunity, rush in and cling to the branches, the
+contention being to bear it to the rival inns, &#8216;sides&#8217; having been formed
+for that purpose; the reward being an ample allowance of ale, etc., to the
+successful competitors. The landlord derives his benefit from the numbers
+the victory attracts, and a fiddler being all ready, a merry night, as it
+is called here, is got up, the lads and lasses dancing away till morning.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There were once many wells and springs in the two counties which were held
+in more than common regard by the inhabitants, and corresponded to the
+Holy Wells of other districts. Between sixty and seventy years ago this
+was written of a custom once common at Skirsgill, about a mile from
+Penrith: &#8220;Upon the sloping lawn is a remarkably fine spring; its water is
+pure and sparkling, and was formerly held in such veneration that the
+peasantry resorted to it, and held an annual fair round its margin. In
+descending a flight of stone steps, you perceive inside a drinking cup,
+and over the door-top, neatly cut in stone, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> form of a water jug.&#8221;
+Cumberland is said to have had nearly thirty Holy Wells, and of one of
+these Mr. Hope tells us<a name='fna_18' id='fna_18' href='#f_18'><small>[18]</small></a> that &#8220;The Holy Well near Dalston, Cumberland,
+was the scene of religious rites on stipulated occasions, usually Sundays.
+The villagers assembled and sought out the good spirit of the well, who
+was &#8216;supposed to teach its votaries the virtues of temperance, health,
+cleanliness, simplicity, and love.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The various well festivals in the Penrith district have all passed away,
+as has a once popular gathering of another kind, known as Giant&#8217;s Cave
+Sunday. The assemblies were at &#8220;the hoary caves of Eamont,&#8221; about three
+miles from Penrith, and the late Rev. B. Porteus, then Vicar of Edenhall,
+wrote of them nearly forty years ago: &#8220;The picnics are of frequent
+occurrence at this picturesque and romantic spot; and have been
+occasionally patronised by special culinary demonstrations by the
+hospitable proprietor of the estate. Giant&#8217;s Cave Sunday is still
+observed, but the custom has dwindled into insignificance, the &#8216;shaking
+bottles&#8217; carried by the children at that season being the only remains of
+what it has been. But it affords a pleasant walk to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> people of
+Penrith, as it has probably done since the time when the caves were the
+residence of a holy man.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Among the festivities now to be numbered among bygone things must be
+mentioned the Levens Radish Feast, which had much more than a local fame.
+In the time of Colonel Grahme there was great rivalry between the houses
+of Dallam Tower and Levens. The former once invited every person who
+attended Milnthorpe Fair to partake of the good cheer provided in the
+park, a piece of hospitality which irritated the Colonel very much. As a
+consequence, the following year when the Mayor and Corporation of Kendal
+went to proclaim the fair, he took them to Levens, and provided such a
+royal entertainment that the civic fathers gladly accepted the invitation
+for succeeding years. The fair sex were rigidly excluded. Long tables were
+placed on the bowling green, and spread with oat bread, butter, radishes,
+and &#8220;morocco,&#8221; a kind of strong beer, for which the Hall was famed. After
+the feast came the &#8220;colting&#8221; of new visitors, and various amusements that
+are better to read about than witness.</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img5.jpg" alt="" /></div>
+<p class="caption">LEVENS HALL.&mdash;<i>Front View.</i></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p>
+<h2>On the Road.</h2>
+
+<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">Few</span> parts of England could have been so inaccessible as were Cumberland
+and Westmorland prior to the middle of the last century. Roads were
+scarce, unless the dignity of the name be given to the rough tracks which
+served for the passage of pack-horses, and even these did not reach a
+great number, having regard to the area which they served. There was
+little to call the people away from home, to London and other great
+centres of industry. The journey from the north to the Metropolis was such
+a great undertaking that men who had any possessions to leave behind them
+almost invariably made their wills before starting out. The richer sort,
+of course, rode their horses, and an interesting account of the journey
+was left by Henry Curwen, of Workington Hall, as to his trip to London in
+1726. The most accessible route was very roundabout&mdash;by Penrith,
+Stainmore, Barnard Castle, York, and so through the eastern counties. This
+journey on horseback occupied thirteen days, including four which were
+utilised for visiting friends on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> way. The roads he described as being
+very bad, and a ride of thirty-two miles he declared to be equal to fifty
+measured miles.</p>
+
+<p>People with fewer guineas to spare had of necessity to walk.
+&#8220;Manufacturers made their wills, and settled their worldly affairs, before
+taking a long journey, and many of them travelled on foot to London and
+other places, to sell their goods, which were conveyed on the backs of
+pack-horses.&#8221;<a name='fna_19' id='fna_19' href='#f_19'><small>[19]</small></a> Even more recently pedestrian excursions from Mid
+Cumberland to London have been undertaken; there was the well-known case
+of Mally Messenger, who died in August, 1856, at the age of ninety-three
+years. Several times before she attained middle age Mally walked to London
+and back to Keswick, a distance of 286 miles in each direction. On one
+occasion she was passed by a Keswick man on horseback, who by way of a
+parting message remarked, &#8220;Good-day, Mally; I&#8217;ll tell them in Keswick
+you&#8217;re coming.&#8221; The pedestrian, however, was the better traveller, for she
+often used to boast afterwards that she reached Keswick first.</p>
+
+<p>When old-time Bamptonians wanted to see the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> Metropolis they could not go
+to Shap or Penrith and thence be carried by excursions for considerably
+under a sovereign. This is how the vicar went on foot in 1697, as recorded
+in the parish registers: &#8220;Feb. the 7 did Mr. Knott set forward for London,
+got to Barking to Mr. Blamyres, Friday, March the fourth, to London March
+the seaventh, remained there 8 weekes and 2 dayes, came out May the 5,
+1698, gott to Bampton Grainge, May the 20, at night.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Even apart from the perils which beset travellers during the times of the
+Border forays, there were many things which must have restrained the
+average Cumbrian and Westmerian from wandering far abroad. To those who
+were obliged to walk or ride far, the old hospitals must have been very
+welcome institutions. One of these, of which all traces have long been
+lost, was the hospital on the desolate and remote fells of Caldbeck. &#8220;Out
+of Westmorland and the east parts of Cumberland there lying an highway
+through Caldbeck into the west of Cumberland, it was anciently very
+dangerous for passengers to travel through it, who were often robbed by
+thieves that haunted those woody parts and mountains. Thereupon Ranulph
+Engain, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> chief forester of Englewood, granted licence to the Prior of
+Carlisle to build an hospital for the relief of distressed travellers who
+might happen to be troubled by those thieves, or prejudiced by the snows
+or storms in winter.&#8221; The Prior made the enclosure, and doubtless the
+hospice was a boon to many a wayfarer; the population increased, a church
+was established, and in the time of King John, the hospital being
+dissolved, the property of the secular institution was handed over to the
+Church, and to this day the manor is known as Kirkland. The need for
+former protection of the kind is still preserved in a landmark in the
+parish, &#8220;the Hawk,&#8221; or as the local pronunciation has it, &#8220;Howk.&#8221; This
+grotto was a noted meeting-place for thieves.</p>
+
+<p>Even the King&#8217;s Judges were not exempted from the perils of the road.
+Hutchinson&#8217;s description of Brampton says that &#8220;The judges, with the whole
+body of barristers, attorneys, clerks, and serving men, rode on horseback
+from Newcastle to Carlisle, armed and escorted by a strong guard under the
+command of the sheriffs. It was necessary to carry provisions, for the
+country was a wilderness which afforded no supplies. The spot where the
+cavalcade halted to dine, under an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> immense oak, is not yet forgotten. The
+irregular vigour with which criminal justice was administered shocked
+observers whose lives had been passed in more tranquil districts. Juries,
+animated by hatred, and by a sense of common danger, convicted
+house-breakers and cattle-stealers with the promptitude of a court-martial
+in a mutiny; and convicts were hurried by scores to the gallows.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Even taxes did not, it is to be feared, prevent some of the Cumbrians
+occasionally throwing in their lot with, or assisting, the vagabonds who
+were the cause of all the trouble. &#8220;It was often found impossible to track
+the robbers to their retreats among the hills and morasses, for the
+geography of that wild country was very imperfectly known. Even after the
+accession of George the Third, the path over the fells from Borrowdale to
+Ravenglass was still a secret carefully kept by the dalesman, some of whom
+had probably in their youth escaped from justice by the road.&#8221; Such is the
+record which may be gathered from Gray&#8217;s &#8220;Journal of a Tour in the Lakes&#8221;
+in 1769.</p>
+
+<p>Coach travelling was an expensive luxury, and those who undertook the
+journeys between London and the north did not do so solely for pleasure.
+From an advertisement, nearly a column in length,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> which appeared in the
+London <i>Star</i> at the end of 1795 the following is taken:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Saracen&#8217;s Head Inn.</span><br />
+<span class="smcap">Snow-Hill, London.</span><br />
+<span class="smcap">Safe, Easy, and Expeditious Travelling.</span><br />
+With every accommodation that can lessen the fatigue,<br />
+or add to the pleasure of the Journey, to<br />
+most parts of England and the<br />
+Principal Towns in Scotland,<br />
+by the following<br />
+NEW AND ELEGANT COACHES:</p>
+
+<p>Carlisle and Penrith rapid Post Coach, goes with four horses, and a
+guard all the way, passes through Brough, Appleby, Gretabridge,
+Richmond, Catterick, Boroughbridge, Wetherby, Alberford, Doncaster,
+and Grantham (the nearest way by 18 miles) sets out every morning, and
+performs the journey with the greatest ease and convenience.
+Passengers desirous to stop on the road, have the advantage of their
+seats being secured in the next Coach (with only six Coachmen).</p>
+
+<p>WILLIAM MOUNTAIN and CO. respectfully acquaint their Friends and the
+Public that, still emulous to deserve as well as preserve their
+invaluable esteem, they have provided Lamps and Guards, that travel
+throughout with all the above Coaches.</p>
+
+<p>N.B. The Proprietors of the above Coaches from the above inn, will not
+be accountable for any Parcel, Luggage, Goods, &amp;c., of more value than
+Five Pounds (if lost) unless entered as such and paid for accordingly.</p></div>
+
+<p>An earlier advertisement which appeared in the Cumberland newspapers of
+1775 shows<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> that the journey to London was done in three days, at a cost
+of &pound;3 10s. per passenger. The notice ran:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;Carlisle Post Coach.&mdash;In Three Days for London.&mdash;Sets out from the
+Bush Inn, Carlisle, every Sunday evening, at seven o&#8217;clock precisely,
+by way of Burrowbridge, being well known to the public to be the
+nearest and best road to London (and is also calculated for more ease
+and satisfaction to the passengers than any other coach). It also sets
+out from the Bell and Crown, Holborn, every Wednesday evening, at
+eight o&#8217;clock. Each inside passenger from Carlisle to London to pay &pound;3
+10s. From the George Inn, Penrith, &pound;3 7s. 6d., and threepence per mile
+for all passengers taken up on the road. Each passenger to be allowed
+14lb. luggage; all above to pay 4d. per pound; small parcels at 3s.
+each.... Performed by J. Garthwaite and Co.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Locomotion was still more difficult and costly in the early part of the
+seventeenth century. In the Household Books of Naworth, extending from
+1612 to 1640, are found such significant entries as the following:&mdash;&#8220;March
+22, 1626. Hewing a way for the coach beyond Gelt Bridge, 2s. 3d.&#8221; On one
+occasion, Sir Francis Howard, being sick, hired a coach for his journey
+from London to Bowes, which cost &pound;18. Lord William Howard&#8217;s journeys to
+London were always taken on horseback, and he was generally ten or twelve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span>
+days on the road, the travelling expenses varying, according to the number
+of his retinue and the direction of the route taken. A journey by way of
+Shiffnal and Lydney occupied eleven days, and cost &pound;30 7s. 1d.; whilst the
+expenses of another, from Thornthwaite to London with twenty-four men and
+twelve horses in his train, came to &pound;20 15s. 4d.</p>
+
+<p>In addition to the coaches, people often travelled by what were termed
+&#8220;expeditious wagons,&#8221; which carried goods. One notice dated November 24th,
+1790, concerning these vehicles may be quoted:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;In ten days from Carlisle to London, and the same in return by way of
+York every week. Messrs. Handleys respectfully inform their friends
+and the public in general that they have erected stage waggons which
+leave Carlisle early on Tuesday morning and arrive at York on Thursday
+night, and Leeds on Saturday morning (where goods for all parts in the
+south are regularly forwarded by the respective carriers), arrive at
+the White Bear, Bassinghall Street, on Friday night, and set out every
+Monday morning, and arrive at and leave York on Tuesday morning,
+Bedal, Richmond, Barnard Castle, Burgh, Appleby, Penrith, and arrive
+at Carlisle on Friday evening, where goods are immediately forwarded
+to Wigton, Cockermouth, Workington, Whitehaven, and any other place in
+Cumberland; also to Annan, Dumfries, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and
+all other principal towns in Scotland. They hope by their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> attention
+to business to merit the favours of all those who please to employ
+them. N.B.&mdash;Their waggon leaves Sheffield on Saturday, and Leeds on
+Monday. For further particulars apply to Robert Wilson, book-keeper,
+or J. Birkett, innkeeper, Carlisle.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>A writer in 1812, on the manners and customs of the people of Westmorland
+during the preceding century, stated that wheel carriages were very little
+used for private intercourse or trade; for persons of both sexes made
+short journeys on horseback, the women being commonly seated on pillions
+behind the men. Very few made long excursions from home, except the
+manufacturers of Kendal, many of whom travelled on foot in quest of orders
+for their worsted stockings and linsey-woolsey. Carriers did not employ
+wagons, but drove gangs of pack-horses, each gang being preceded by a
+bell-horse, and the owners reckoned a young woman equivalent to half a
+pack in loading their beasts of burden. The predilection for transporting
+all kinds of commodities on horseback was so general, that the fuel
+consumed in Kendal came to the town in this manner. Coals were brought in
+sacks upon galloways from Ingleton, and the turf or peat was conveyed from
+the mosses in halts. These were a pair of strong wicker hampers, which
+were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> joined by a pack-saddle, and hung across a horse&#8217;s back. They were
+put to various uses in husbandry, which offices are now performed by
+carts. Halts gave way to carts in the progress of general improvement.
+These vehicles were ill-contrived, particularly the wheels, which
+consisted of two circular boards fixed without spokes immovably to the
+ends of a cylinderical axle. The injudicious nature of the construction
+required the axle itself to revolve beneath the cart, where it was kept in
+its place by two pairs of parallel wooden pins, that projected downward
+from the frame of the bottom.</p>
+
+<p>A question concerning these old &#8220;tummel wheel&#8217;d cars&#8221; was asked in the
+<i>Carlisle Journal</i> a few months ago, and a correspondent supplied this
+answer:&mdash;&#8220;I have seen at least two of these old-time machines of
+locomotion. They had then been many years out of use. I speak now of a
+date say 58 years gone past. One of them was stored in an open shed in the
+farmyard of its venerable owner&mdash;the other had less respect shown to its
+remains, for it stood in a neglected and unsheltered corner. Of course, I
+never saw either of them in use. The wheels were funny, not to say clumsy,
+looking affairs. Without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> spokes or felloes, they consisted of three
+segment-shaped blocks of wood, fastened together rudely but strongly with
+&#8216;dowels&#8217; of the same material, so as to form a circle. The wheels again
+were similarly fastened to the axle, and the whole revolved in one solid
+mass. The harness consisted mostly of ropes or girthing with loops at the
+ends, and having cleets like the modern &#8216;coo-tee&#8217; to hold them in
+position. Very little leather was used, and but few buckles. Here is Mr.
+Dickinson&#8217;s description, &#8216;In old times the horse was yoked to the cart by
+a rope from the shoulders, and an iron ring sliding on the shaft held by a
+pin. This was hammerband yoking. The tummel wheelers referred to were seen
+by me in the Lake District (Ullswater) in the early forties.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Before turnpike roads were made, or wagons came into use, the merchandise
+of Kendal was transported by the following pack-horses:&mdash;</p>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table">
+<tr><td>One gang of pack-horses to and from London every week, of about</td>
+    <td align="right">20</td></tr>
+<tr><td>One gang from Wigan weekly, about</td>
+    <td align="right">18</td></tr>
+<tr><td>One gang from Whitehaven, about</td>
+    <td align="right">20</td></tr>
+<tr><td>From Cockermouth</td>
+    <td align="right">15</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Two gangs from Barnard Castle</td>
+    <td align="right">26</td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>Two gangs from Penrith twice a week, about 15 each</td>
+    <td align="right">60</td></tr>
+<tr><td>One gang from Settle twice a week, about 15 each</td>
+    <td align="right">30</td></tr>
+<tr><td>From York weekly, about</td>
+    <td align="right">10</td></tr>
+<tr><td>From Ulverston</td>
+    <td align="right">5</td></tr>
+<tr><td>From Hawkeshead twice a week, about 6</td>
+    <td align="right">12</td></tr>
+<tr><td>From Appleby twice a week, about 6</td>
+    <td align="right">12</td></tr>
+<tr><td>From Cartmel</td>
+    <td align="right">6</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Carriages three or four times a week to and from Milnthorpe, computed at 40 horse load &nbsp; &nbsp;</td>
+    <td align="right">40</td></tr>
+<tr><td>From Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale, Orton, Dent, and other neighbouring villages, about</td>
+    <td align="right" class="botbor">20</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right"><span style="padding-right: 2em;">Total</span></td>
+    <td align="right">294</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Besides 24 every six weeks for Glasgow.</td></tr></table>
+
+<p>Less than sixty years ago the pillion was in constant use in the two
+counties, and only the well-to-do yeomen thought of taking their wives and
+daughters frequently to market in the &#8220;shandry cart.&#8221; It is only a quarter
+of a century since the old pack-horses ceased to traverse some parts of
+Westmorland and its borders. Mr. H. Speight, in one of his books,<a name='fna_20' id='fna_20' href='#f_20'><small>[20]</small></a>
+deals with a state of things which existed, not only in the Hawes
+district, but considerably northward of that place. Handloom weaving was
+an old local industry, and when a sufficient number of pieces were ready,
+they were gathered up and conveyed by teams of pack-horses over the
+mountains to the various<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> West Riding towns. Discharging their loads they
+would return laden with warp, weft, size, and other articles. When the
+traffic ceased, hundreds of these sonorous pack-horse bells were sold for
+old metal, and the brokers&#8217; shops for a time were full of them. Each bell
+weighed from 1lb. to 2lbs. An old resident in North Westmorland not long
+ago recalled very vividly the scenes to be witnessed, and confirmed the
+accuracy of the following description from Mr. Speight&#8217;s volume: &#8220;In the
+old pack-horse days it was a sight worth remembering to witness the
+procession of men and horses with miscellaneous goods, making their way
+out of the Yorkshire dales, to Kirkby Stephen and the north. The drivers
+from Garsdale and Grisedale came over the moor to Shaw Paddock, and thence
+on to Aisgill, and to the old Thrang Bridge in Mallerstang, where they
+were met by strings of pack-horses and men coming from the east country by
+Hell Gill. It was a busy and picturesque scene, and the Thrang Bridge was
+well named. Sometimes on special occasions, as during Brough Hill Fair,
+the thrifty wives and daughters of the dales used to go up to Hell Gill
+Bridge, and spread out stalls and baskets, stored with cakes, nuts,
+apples, and bottles of home-made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> herb beer, and other non-intoxicants, to
+sell to passing travellers. And a good business they did too, for there
+was a continuous stream of wayfarers, who were glad, particularly if the
+day were hot, to linger awhile and hear the gossip of the country-side,
+cracking many a joke along with many a nut bought from the buxom stall
+women. Occasionally herds of Highland cattle passed this way, and when the
+far-travelled animals showed signs of fatigue, it was no uncommon thing to
+see one of the men who carried a bagpipe play some lively air as he
+marched in front of the drove. The animals seemed to enjoy the music, and
+evidently appreciated this relief to the tediousness of the journey, by
+walking, as they often would, with a brisker step, while some of them that
+had lain down in the road would quickly rise at the novel far-sounding
+strains, which brought many a cottager also to his feet from his home in
+the echoing glen.&#8221;</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Old Customs.</h2>
+
+<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">Possibly</span> the custom associated with Westmorland which can claim to be at
+once among the oldest, as well as having been the most carefully followed,
+is that connected with the familiar Countess&#8217;s Pillar in the parish of
+Brougham. The famous Countess Anne of Pembroke erected this structure in
+1656, as the still perfect legible inscription on the southern side tells
+us, for a laudable purpose: &#8220;This pillar was erected in 1656 by Anne,
+Countess Dowager of Pembroke, etc., for a memorial of her last parting in
+this place with her good and pious mother, Margaret, Countess Dowager of
+Cumberland, the 2nd day of April, 1616, in memory whereof she has left an
+annuity of &pound;4, to be distributed to the poor of the parish of Brougham
+every second day of April for ever, upon the stone placed hard by. <i>Laus
+Deo.</i>&#8221; The custom is scrupulously observed, the money being distributed on
+April 2nd as directed, except when that day falls, as this year, on a
+Sunday, and then the little ceremony is conducted on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> following day.
+When asked as to the regularity of the observance shortly before this
+year&#8217;s distribution, the Rev. W. S. Salman, the venerable Rector of
+Brougham, said the details were carefully attended to; and, he added, &#8220;we
+should soon hear about it if they were not.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>How far the custom of rush-bearing goes back there is nothing in local
+records to show, but there are some very old entries in the registers
+concerning the practice. In spite of the Puritans the villagers were
+keeping up the festival at Kirkby Lonsdale; there is this item among the
+churchwardens&#8217; accounts for 1680: &#8220;Paid at the rush-bearing in drink, 3s.&#8221;
+Although the ceremony had in each place the same general features,
+different parishes varied the proceedings. Flowers as well as rushes were
+carried by the children, many of the blooms being made into garlands.
+After the sermon, the roses and rushes brought the preceding year were
+taken out, and the fresh ones put in their places. An old writer made the
+following suggestion as to the origin of the custom: &#8220;That our forefathers
+appointed a day on which they rendered public thanks to the Almighty for
+His kindness in causing the earth to bring forth fruit for the sustenance
+of man and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> beast, and that on these occasions they brought rushes, or
+other productions of the soil, to the sanctuary, which they spread out as
+a memorial before the lord.&#8221; The theory is doubtless correct, as is proved
+by the fact that at Warcop and other places where &#8220;rush-bearings&#8221;&mdash;minus
+the rushes&mdash;are still kept up every summer, the service and other
+proceedings are in the nature of a public thanksgiving.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img6.jpg" alt="" /></div>
+<p class="caption">COUNTESS&#8217;S PILLAR, BROUGHAM.<br />
+<i>From a Photo by Mr. John Bolton, Penrith.</i></p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Nut Monday has passed into the region of forgotten things, even at such
+places as the schools, where it was once a popular observance. It was,
+however, kept so recently as 1861, when September 12th was held in Kendal
+as a general holiday, almost every shop being closed. Possibly the failure
+of the nut crop in several successive years was a factor in changing the
+holiday to another time, and thus the day losing its distinctive
+character. This, it will be noted, had nothing in common with another
+custom observed in some other parts of the country&mdash;Crack Nut Sunday. The
+latter was simply a desecrating practice, without a single good feature.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sunday observance&#8221; had more than a nominal meaning in bygone days, though
+there is nothing to indicate that the people of the two counties had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> any
+particular liking for the restrictions imposed. It was the practice in
+nearly every town and village for the churchwardens to leave the church
+during service time and walk through the town in search of people who
+ought to have been at church, and special attention was paid to licensed
+premises. Possibly, by the time the hostelries were reached, the
+churchwardens felt the need of liquid refreshment; at any rate, they
+frequently obtained it. Carlisle, in 1788, was divided into districts,
+through each of which two constables and two of the principal inhabitants,
+who took it in rotation, patrolled the streets from ten in the morning
+till one, and from three to five in the afternoon, during which hours the
+doors of all the public-houses were kept shut, the patrol having first
+visited them to see that no person was tippling in them. &#8220;So much respect
+is paid to this regulation,&#8221; wrote a chronicler of the period, &#8220;that
+during these hours no person is seen in the streets but those who are
+going to or returning from some place of worship.&#8221; Fines were occasionally
+imposed for non-attendance at church; that does not seem to have been the
+rule, moral suasion apparently sufficing to meet most requirements. The
+Corporation of Kendal took powers to inflict<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> what were then&mdash;three
+hundred years ago&mdash;heavy fines for selling ale during service hours.</p>
+
+<p>Among the customs and beliefs noted as prevalent at Whitbeck, in West
+Cumberland, in 1794, were these: &#8220;Newly-married persons beg corn to sow
+their first crop with, and are called corn-laiters. People always keep
+wake with the dead. The labouring ox is said to kneel at twelve o&#8217;clock at
+night, preceding the day of the Nativity; the bees are heard to sing at
+the same hour. On the morn of Christmas Day breakfast early on
+hack-pudding, a mess made of sheep&#8217;s heart mixed with suet and sweet
+fruits. To whichever quarter a bull faces in lying on All Hallows&#8217; Eve,
+from thence the wind will blow the greater part of the winter.&#8221; It has
+been surmised that the hack-pudding resembles sweet-pie, which is not
+unlike a mince-pie on a large scale, mutton being used instead of beef,
+and the ingredients not finely chopped.</p>
+
+<p>Here, as in other parts of the country, beating the bounds, both of
+parishes and manors, was a popular, though oft-times toilsome, observance.
+In a few registers, records have been preserved of the old-time landmarks,
+a precaution of special value in days before the Ordnance Survey was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>
+thought of. Dalston registers not only supply this information, but a
+description of the ceremony of perambulation. Curiosities of divisions are
+not lacking. An old man, once a parishioner of Dalston, told the Rev. J.
+Wilson<a name='fna_21' id='fna_21' href='#f_21'><small>[21]</small></a> that he had a vivid recollection of taking part in the ritual
+of beating the bounds many years ago, and throwing a rope over a house,
+part of which stands in Castle Sowerby, in order to mark the division of
+the contiguous parishes. The walls of the house exist still, though
+unroofed, where the inhabitants were wont to say, half a century ago, that
+they always slept in Dalston and breakfasted in Castle Sowerby.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Furth&#8221; was a word used by the inhabitants of Orton long ago. In those
+days, before the era of coal burning, most of the houses had what were
+called hearth fire-places, with big open chimneys but no fire-grates.
+Householders had the privilege of getting turf on the moors, and during
+the winter nights neighbours used to assemble in one another&#8217;s houses in
+succession. Orton and Ravenstonedale were famous places for knitting, and
+the folks all sat round the blazing turf fire knitting away at top speed.
+Both men and women were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> thus occupied, and made a peculiar rattling noise
+with so many needles working at once. The conversations at these Furth
+Neets were very amusing, the talk ranging from the state of the crops,
+such as they were in those days of what would be called low farming, to
+the prices of produce and the latest doings of Mary Baynes, the local
+witch.</p>
+
+<p>Formerly some of the inhabitants of Orton had what were called penthouses
+in front of their dwellings. It was a custom on Candlemas Day for those
+who had money to lend to appear under the sheds or penthouses, with
+neckcloths tied round their heads, and if the weather was cold, while the
+money-lenders were shivering beneath the scanty shelter, the borrowers
+frequented the public-houses, where there was much carousing. This curious
+custom has long been discouraged, and only one penthouse is now standing.</p>
+
+<p>Reminders of Border service remained in the two counties long after the
+Act of Union had been passed. Thus the secluded hamlet of Kentmere was
+divided into sixty tenements for the maintenance of as many soldiers, and
+so recently as the middle of this century it was written: &#8220;The vestiges of
+this ancient regulation still remain, for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> the township is divided into
+four parts, and each of these parts into fifteen tenements. For each
+tenement a man serves the office of constable, and pays 2s. per annum to
+the curate.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Public affairs in the village of Torpenhow used to be managed by &#8220;the
+sixteen men,&#8221; elected by the householders in the four quarters into which
+the parish was divided, the vicar and churchwardens being apparently <i>ex
+officio</i> members of this early Parish Council. The last nomination of the
+sixteen took place about 1807; they had a great variety of duties,
+carrying out functions that are now discharged by School Boards, Parish,
+District, and County Councils. So far as is known, the most detailed
+information concerning the duties of the &#8220;sworn men&#8221; is given in the Orton
+(Westmorland) registers, where, following the fourteen names of &#8220;the
+sworne men of Orto&#8217; anno d&#8217;ni 1596,&#8221; is this statement, so far as it can
+be deciphered:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;<i>Imprimis</i> that thes be diligent and careful to see and provide that
+the people be ... and behave the&#8217;selves honestlie ... feare of God
+according to the Holie word of God and the Good and wholesome laws of
+this land. <i>Secondlie</i> to see that the Churchwardens be careful and
+diligent in executinge their office, ioyne with thes in suppressing of
+sinne and such as behave the&#8217;selves inordinatlie to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> reprove and
+rebuke those who be found offenders, and if they will not amend to
+p<sup>e</sup>sent the&#8217; to be punished. <i>Thirdlie</i> to se that the Church and
+Churchy<sup>d</sup> be decentlie repaired and mainteyned. Also we as agreed
+y<sup>t</sup> everie p&#8217;sonnis beinge found faultie by the Churchwardens and
+p&#8217;sented to the sworn me&#8217; shall paie xij<sup>d.</sup> to the poor ma&#8217;s box. And
+that whosoever doth not come p&#8217;sent the&#8217;selves lawfull warning being
+given either of the xij or Churchwardens to the place appointed shall
+lose xij to the poore ma&#8217;s box without a sufficient cause to the
+contrarie whereof thes are to certifie the rest assembled at ...
+appointed to their meetinge. Lastly that the Churchwardes ... and take
+the sam forfat ... p&#8217;sent the offenders.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Another kind of Parish Council existed at Helton, near Lowther, about a
+century ago. A chronicler of seventy years since gives this account of
+it:&mdash;&#8220;At Helton, at the end of the Tythe Barn, was formerly a stone seat,
+where the inhabitants met for the purpose of transacting their parochial
+affairs. He who came first waited till he was joined by the rest; and it
+was considered a mark of great rudeness for anyone to absent himself from
+the meeting. After conferring on such matters as related to the parish
+they separated, and each returned home.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There was a very noteworthy Council at Watermillock, called the Head
+Jurie, and Mr. W. Hodgson, a former schoolmaster in the parish,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> did good
+service some years ago by transcribing the records of that body, from 1610
+to more than a century later. They performed all the duties&mdash;and more&mdash;now
+delegated to Parish Councils; indeed they seem to have had control of
+everything pertaining to the government of the parish. Among the contents
+of the book on &#8220;Paines and Penalties laid by the Head Jurie&#8221; is this entry
+concerning a Court held in 1629:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;We find for a good amongst ourselves that all the inhabitants within
+the hamlet of Weathermelock shall amend all the church ways and all
+other ways yearly, and every year, upon the first work day in
+Christmas, if the day be seasonable, at ye sight of ye Constables and
+Churchwardens for the time being upon paine of sixpence of everyone
+that maketh default. And alsoe all as aforesaid shall meet and mend
+the peat way always upon Whitsun Wednesday, and everyone to meet where
+his way lyeth, and everyone to send a sufficient man to the sight of
+the Constable for the time being upon paine of sixpence of everyone
+that maketh default. And that the Constable be there upon paine of
+sixpence to see who make default.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In the old manorial halls fools or jesters were frequently to be found
+among the members of the households. The late Dr. Taylor suggested that
+when Yanwath Hall was a very important link in the chain of Border
+defences, such a servant was kept; and Mr. R. S. Ferguson once reminded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>
+the members of the Arch&aelig;ological Society that, in 1601, both the Mayor of
+Carlisle and Sir Wilfred Lawson kept fools, as probably did also the
+Bishop of Carlisle. The Mayor&#8217;s fool got a coat for Christmas, while Sir
+Wilfred&#8217;s appears in the accounts of the Corporation as being &#8220;tipped&#8221; for
+bringing messages to Carlisle. A fool was also kept at Muncaster Castle.</p>
+
+<p>There was a custom very common in connection with the apprenticeship
+system at the beginning of the century. In a pamphlet written by John S.
+Lough, a former Penrith printer, appeared this paragraph:&mdash;&#8220;Burying the
+Old Wife is a custom still prevalent among the operatives in the north at
+the expiration of the term of apprenticeship. The late apprentice is taken
+into a room adjoining that where the party is met to celebrate the
+loosening, and after an old woman&#8217;s cap is put on his head, the body is
+enveloped in a white sheet. He is then taken upon the shoulders of his
+comrades into the banqueting room, round which he is carried a few times,
+in not very solemn procession, and finally placed upon the boards whereon
+the figure of a grave is chalked. A kind of funeral service is gone
+through, and the old wife is buried.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>&#8220;The simple annals of the poor&#8221; in the two counties contain many pathetic
+accounts of their condition and treatment ere the public conscience was
+awakened to the necessity of a more humane method. Here, as in many other
+parts of the country, the poor were often let out to contractors. Among
+the churchwardens&#8217; accounts at Hayton for 1773 there is a copy of a
+contract between the churchwardens and Thomas Wharton, of The Faugh, &#8220;for
+letting the poor for a year&#8221; to the latter. The Rev. R. W. Dixon, vicar of
+the parish, about twenty years ago went into the history of this
+transaction. A vestry meeting was called for the purpose, and conditions
+were entered into between the churchwardens and the overseers on the one
+part, and Thomas Wharton on the other. The parish overseers were to find
+bedding and apparel for the paupers, but Wharton was to mend their clothes
+and stockings, and be allowed 5s. for the purpose. A child not a year old
+was to be counted as one person with the mother, and be fed and clothed by
+the parish; and if a pauper died in the house he was to be buried at the
+expense of the parish. Wharton was to find sufficient meat, drink,
+washing, lodging, and firing for the paupers, to the satisfaction of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> the
+parish officers, who had authority to visit the house as often as they
+pleased. He was to receive a yearly salary of &pound;12 10s., and a weekly
+allowance of 1s. 2d. for each pauper, but if a pauper stayed under a week
+a deduction was to be made accordingly. On these terms Wharton was
+declared master of the workhouse.</p>
+
+<p>The children who used to attend the ancient Robinson&#8217;s School at Penrith
+were sent out each day to beg, and that there might be no mistake as to
+their identity, each was obliged to wear what was locally called &#8220;the
+badge of poverty.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>It is decidedly an unfortunate thing, from the point of view of the
+antiquary, that so many of the old plague stones which used to be found in
+different places should have disappeared. Penrith had two; and one of them
+remains, but from observations occasionally heard it is to be feared that
+only a small proportion of the townspeople have an idea of the use of the
+old font-like erection. It is interesting to quote the account given by a
+Penrith land surveyor and innkeeper, who wrote more than a century ago<a name='fna_22' id='fna_22' href='#f_22'><small>[22]</small></a>
+on this subject:&mdash;&#8220;Nearly half-way between Eamont Bridge and Penrith
+stands an house, called from its situation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> Half-way House, but formerly
+<i>Mill</i> or <i>Meal Cross</i>, from the following circumstance. During the
+dreadful plague which visited this country in the year 1598, and almost
+depopulated Penrith (no less than 2,260 in the town falling victims to
+this merciless disease), the Millers and Villagers refused to bring their
+commodities into the town to market for fear of infection. The
+inhabitants, therefore, were under the necessity of meeting them here, and
+performing a kind of quarantine before they were allowed to buy anything.
+This was said to be almost at the option of the country people. This much
+is certain: No man was allowed to touch the money made use of on these
+occasions, it being put into a vessel of water, whence they had a method
+of taking it without touching it with their fingers. For this purpose they
+erected a cross which remains to this day. For greater conveniences they
+erected a cross at the town&#8217;s-head, and erected shambles, etc.; the place
+still retains the name of the Cross-green: they built a third cross near
+the Carlisle road a little above the second, where black cattle, sheep,
+hoggs, and goats were sold; and it retains yet the name of the Nolt-Fair
+[Nolt: Oxen, cows, etc.], and continues to be the market for cattle.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img7.jpg" alt="" /></div>
+<p class="caption">PLAGUE STONE, PENRITH.</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span>The road was widened and improved in 1834, when the water trough was
+found, and afterwards placed where it now stands. There was a somewhat
+similar structure in the park at Eden Hall, and is said to mark the site
+of the former village. The base is still retained, but some decades ago
+there was put a memorial cross upon it. Going over the border of
+Westmorland a short distance are other reminders of these old-time
+epidemics. In the parish registers of Hawkshead it is stated that in 1721
+the sum of 1s. 6d. was paid to the apparitor for a book concerning the
+plague. Here is material for several queries. Was there an outbreak of
+some disease which obtained that name so late as 1720, or was the volume
+meant for a record of what had gone before? Again, if the book was ever
+written, what became of it? The records of the le Flemings, the Earls of
+Lonsdale, the Earls of Westmorland, and others published by the Historical
+Manuscripts Commission abound in references to the plague.</p>
+
+<p>A stone in the remote hamlet of Armboth, above what is now the great
+reservoir of the Manchester Corporation, marks the place where the local
+commerce was carried on when personal intercourse was dangerous on account
+of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> plague. The custom existed after the epidemic had passed away, the
+people from the fells and dales continuing to take their webs and yarn to
+what is still known as &#8220;the Webstone.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The registers of Dalston are particularly valuable for purposes of local
+history, partly owing to the fact that Rose Castle, the residence of the
+Bishops of Carlisle, is in that parish. There are also many other ways in
+which they are interesting. One of the earliest houses mentioned in the
+books is Bell Gate or Bellyeat. Miss Kupar, who closely studied the
+records of this and some other parishes, wrote a few years ago with regard
+to this house: &#8220;The people will have it that a bell hung here to announce
+the arrival of the pack-horses <i>en route</i> for Keswick, and some maintain
+that it served to warn the neighbourhood of the approach of the
+moss-troopers.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Although the old custom of ringing the curfew is gradually dying out, in
+several places in Cumberland and Westmorland the practice is kept up
+still. In the hall at Appleby Castle there is an interesting reminder of
+the custom. This is the curfew-bell which was found in the tower at the
+Castle, and it finds an honoured place now among the family possessions.
+When swung to and fro<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> the bell is found to have a very sweet tone, but
+while it was vigorously rung in the evenings long ago the burgesses would
+not have any difficulty in hearing its loud and peculiar warning note. The
+inscription is not very easy to decipher, but it appears to run thus:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Soli Deo Gloria. Pax Homibus, S.S. Fecit, 1661. W.S.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Nothing is known at the Castle as to the maker, though it is possible that
+experts in bell-lore might be able to trace its record from the
+inscription.</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Old School Customs.</h2>
+
+<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">The</span> chequered histories of the old schools at Appleby, Kirkby Stephen,
+Kendal, Crosthwaite, Carlisle, Penrith, and several other towns in the two
+counties, would suffice to make a large book of an interesting character.
+Some of the rules which governed the institutions in bygone days were
+decidedly quaint. The nineteen long paragraphs which make up the
+&#8220;Constitutions, Ordinances, and Statutes for the Free Grammar School at
+Kirkby Stephen,&#8221; as drawn up in 1568 by Lord Wharton, included this
+curious stipulation:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;I will that the said Schoolmaster shall have and receive yearly &pound;12
+as his Hire and Wages, at two Terms of the year, if he teach in manner
+and form following, viz., At the Feast of Pentecost and St. Martin, by
+equal portions, by the hands of my Son, Heir, and Heirs, and the
+Governours. And the said Schoolmaster shall, within ten dayes after he
+hath taken upon him and be installed in the said Office, before the
+said Governours, or two of them, and before my Son and Heir, or Heirs
+of my House of Wharton, for the time being, and in presence of the
+Churchwardens and Twelve men of Kirkby-Stephen Parish, or six of them,
+in the Parish Church there, make this Oath following: &#8216;I do swear by
+the holy Contents of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> this Book that I will freely, without exacting
+any money, diligently teach and instruct the Children of this parish,
+and all others that resort to me, in Grammar and other Humane
+Doctrine, according to the Statutes thereof made; And shall read to
+them no corrupt or reprobate Book, or Works set forth at any time
+contrary to the Determination of the Universal Catholic Church,
+whereby they might be infected in their youth with any kind of Heresy
+or corrupt Doctrine, or else be induced to an insolent manner of
+Liveing; And further shall observe all the Statutes and Ordinances of
+this School, now made or that hereafter shall be made, which concern
+me; and shall do nothing in prejudice thereof, but help to maintain
+the same, from time to time, dureing my abode herein, to the best of
+my power. So Help me God, and the Contents of this book.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>At six o&#8217;clock in the morning, and at the same hour in the evening, master
+and scholars had to march from school to church, for prayers, afterwards
+going to the tomb which Lord Wharton had erected in the quire and sing one
+of fifteen psalms. This was the order for working hours:&mdash;&#8220;And the same
+Scholemr., every Work-day at the least, shall begin to teach from Six a
+Clock in ye morning in Summer, and from Seven a Clock in Winter; and so
+shall continue in teaching until Eleven a Clock. The self same thing shall
+he diligently do after Dinner, from One of the Clock till Six in Summer
+and five in Winter.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span>The history of Appleby School extends over nearly four and a quarter
+centuries. In 1478 Thomas Whinfell, one of the chantry priests, was bound
+&#8220;to keep yearly a sufficient Grammar School, taking of the scholars of the
+said school <i>scolagia et custumaria secundum antiquam consuetudinem scoloe
+pr&aelig;dict&aelig;</i>.&#8221; Old school-boys living within the present decade remember that
+the <i>scolagia et custumaria</i> included a cockpenny, which had to be paid by
+each boy on Easter Tuesday, for the purpose of enabling the master to
+provide the pupils with a cock-fight. One of the regulations for Kendal
+School was that it should be &#8220;free to all boys resident in the parish of
+Kendal, for classics alone, excepting a voluntary payment of a cockpenny
+as aforetime at Shrovetide.&#8221; The &#8220;Literary Rambler,&#8221; who contributed a
+series of papers to the <i>Kendal Chronicle</i> in 1812 (when the custom was
+commonly observed), remarked:&mdash;&#8220;A stranger to the customs of the country
+will suspect something whimsical in this name, but it has its foundation
+in reason; for the boys of every school were divided into parties every
+Shrovetide, headed by their respective captains, whom the master chose
+from amongst his pupils. This was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> probably done in imitation of the
+Romans, who appointed the <i>principes pivenum</i> on certain occasions. These
+juvenile competitors contended in a match at football, and fought a
+cock-battle, called the captains&#8217; battle, in both which contests the
+youthful rivals were not more interested than their parents.&#8221; Though the
+barbarous sport had disappeared, the payment of a cockpenny survived
+certainly until the middle of this century. This is shown by Mr. W. Sayer,
+who, in his History (1847), says that the endowments of Bowness
+(Westmorland) School, &#8220;together with a cockpenny given by each scholar on
+Shrove Tuesday,&#8221; amounted to about &pound;60 per annum.</p>
+
+<p>George Smith, a relative of Dr. Smith who became Bishop of London, built
+and endowed the school at Asby, and left &pound;10, the interest of which (about
+12s.) was to be disposed of on St. George&#8217;s Day yearly for ever in the
+following manner: 6s. to the poor of the parish; 5s. to be spent in ale by
+the feofees of the school; and the remaining shilling to purchase a
+football for the scholars. A custom which seems to have been peculiar to
+Appleby was for each pupil leaving to pay half-a-guinea towards the
+library, and Mr. R. E. Leach, the headmaster, some years ago<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> compiled a
+most interesting list of these donations. It was also an occasional
+occurrence that &#8220;old boys&#8221; gave money when they were married.</p>
+
+<p>It was by the ancient Parochial Council of Sixteen that the first attempt
+to supply elementary education in Torpenhow was made, it being recorded
+that on May 12th, 1686, a resolution was passed in favour of founding a
+free school for the Bothel district. The &#8220;sixteen&#8221; from time to time drew
+up various rules for the conduct of the school, one of which would greatly
+astonish the present generation of certificated masters, because, in 1689,
+the master of the institution at Bothel (locally pronounced &#8220;Bohl&#8221;) was
+ordered to &#8220;keep school from 6 in the morning till 11, and from 1 till 6
+from Lady Day till Michaelmas,&#8221; practically the same rule as was enforced
+by Lord Wharton at Kirkby Stephen.</p>
+
+<p>An instance of the uncertain position occupied by the village schoolmaster
+in former days may be found among the records of Holme Cultram. In 1607
+there being some controversy concerning the payment of the parish clerk or
+sexton, which previously had been paid in no regular manner, and the clerk
+claiming to be paid in meal, though no certain measure of it had been
+ascertained, it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> was agreed and ordered by the sixteen men, with the
+consent of the other parishioners, that for the future there should be one
+person who should be both parish clerk and schoolmaster, and that he
+should have for his wages for every copyhold tenement and lease within the
+parish paying above 18d. rent, fourpence, and for every cottager and
+under-tenant twopence, to be collected yearly at Easter by the clerk, who
+was to be chosen by the sixteen men and approved by the ordinary. In
+addition, the schoolmaster was to have a quarterly sum for each scholar as
+the sixteen men from time to time directed. That scheme was recorded in
+1777 as being still in operation.</p>
+
+<p>In another place it has been shown how the sworn men had often a great
+share in the selection of the churchwardens and other officials. Their
+duties also extended to the procuring of money for educational purposes.
+It was ordered by Commissioners in the thirteenth year of Elizabeth,
+concerning the endowed school at Keswick, &#8220;that whereas two pence for
+every fire-house hath been paid to the parish clerk yearly, and also
+certain ordinary fees for night-watch, burials, weddings, and, moreover,
+certain benevolences of lamb wool, eggs, and such like, which seem to grow
+up to a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> greater sum than is competent for a parish clerk; the eight men
+shall herafter take up the said two pence a house for the use of a
+schoolmaster, paying thereout to the parish clerk yearly 46s. 8d.&#8221; In the
+time of King James it was found on inquiry by a Commission of Pious Uses,
+&#8220;that the eighteen sworn men had from time immemorial laid a tax for the
+maintenance of the schoolmaster, and other occasions of the parish, and
+appointed the schoolmaster, and made orders for the government of the
+school, and that the inhabitants had by a voluntary contribution raised a
+school stock of &pound;148 2s. 3&#189;d., nevertheless that Dr. Henry Robinson,
+Bishop of Carlisle, Henry Woodward, his Chancellor, and Giles Robinson,
+brother of the said Bishop, and Vicar of Crosthwaite, had intermeddled,
+and that the said Bishop, sometimes by authority of the High Commission
+for Ecclesiastical Causes, sometimes as a justice of the peace for the
+county, and sometimes by his power as ordinary, had interrupted the orders
+of the eighteen men, and had committed thirteen of them to prison.
+Therefore the commissioners restore the eighteen men to their authority
+concerning the appointing of a schoolmaster, and the government of the
+school.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span>Among the curious bequests known to have been made at various times by
+residents in the two counties, not the least noteworthy was that of the
+Vicar of Raughton Head, Mr. Sevithwaite, who, at his death in 1762, left
+&pound;20 to the school; and another &pound;20, the interest whereof, after the death
+of his widow, was to be laid out yearly in purchasing Bishop Beveridge&#8217;s
+&#8220;Thoughts upon Religion,&#8221; and the Bishop of Man&#8217;s &#8220;Essay for the
+Instruction of the Indians,&#8221; to be given to the poor housekeepers of the
+parish.</p>
+
+<p>Among the curiosities of tenure in addition to those already mentioned in
+a previous chapter, was that of surrendering by the rod. In the summer of
+1750 &#8220;John Sowerby surrendered to the lord of the manor (of Castle
+Sowerby) by the hands of his steward <i>by the rod</i> a messuage at Sowerby
+Row ... to the use and behoof of Joseph Robinson and his assigns according
+to the custom of the manor; conditioned to pay yearly to three trustees &pound;5
+for the use of a schoolmaster within the liberty of Row Bound to be chosen
+by the trustees.&#8221; As in most other places, the schoolmaster had to teach
+certain children for a very small sum per quarter, and the parents in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span>
+better circumstances had to pay 2s. 6d. per quarter for each child.</p>
+
+<p>How faithfully some of the clerical schoolmasters performed their duties
+during long periods may be proved from numerous sources. One entry, a
+burial, will suffice&mdash;from the Mardale register of 1799:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;Richard Hebson, in ye 75th year of his age. He was 53 years master of
+the Free School at Measand, and 51 years the pastor of this Chapelry.
+Singularly remarkable for his faithful, assiduous, and conscientious
+discharge of the duties of both these stations.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>At the beginning of the eighteenth century there were in the diocese of
+Carlisle few schools other than those held in the all too frequently
+dilapidated parish churches. In most cases the curates were the only
+schoolmasters, and it was as an encouragement to those clerics that the
+parishioners took it in turn to provide the curate with a &#8220;whittlegate.&#8221;
+Much interesting information about the old-time schools and schoolmasters
+may be found in Bishop Nicolson&#8217;s Visitation Miscellany. One man, who
+afterwards became examining chaplain to Bishop Law, used to keep school at
+Sebergham in a mud hut. Of another cleric, the Rev. T. Baxter, who was
+incumbent of Arlecdon in the first half of last century, it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> recorded,
+in Mr. W. Dickinson&#8217;s &#8220;Reminiscences of West Cumberland,&#8221; that he &#8220;taught
+the parish school in the chancel of the parish church, on an earthern
+floor, without fire either in summer or winter.&#8221; Bishop Nicolson&#8217;s
+descriptions speak eloquently of the poverty of some parishes:&mdash;&#8220;The quire
+at Warwick, as in many other places, is shamefully abused by the children
+that are taught in it. Their present master is Thomas Allanson, a poor
+cripple, remov&#8217;d hither from Rockliff, who has no settled salary, only
+12d. per quarter and his diet, and would be thankful for ye commendum of
+ye clerk&#8217;s place; which, he saies, would bring him an addition of about
+six shillings p. an.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Of Irthington he wrote:&mdash;&#8220;The quire is here (as before) miserably spoil&#8217;d,
+on the floor, by the school boyes; and so vilely out of repair in the roof
+that &#8217;tis hazardous comeing in it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Crosby-on-Eden was a little better than the former place:&mdash;&#8220;Mr. Pearson,
+the school master, has no certain and fixed salary. He teaches the
+children in the quire; where the boys and girls sit on good Wainscot
+Benches, and write on the communion table, too good (were it not appointed
+to a higher use) for such a service.&#8221; Here is a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> picture with regard to
+Cumwhitton, not calculated to make people really wish for the old days
+about which some grow enthusiastic:&mdash;&#8220;The south window is unglazed and
+starves the whole congregation as well as the poor children; who are here
+taught (for the present) by the parish clerk, a man of very moderate
+qualification. Mr. Robley, their new curate, is not yet resident among
+them; but will shortly come, and take the office of teaching out of this
+illiterate man&#8217;s hand.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In a parish not far from the Cumberland border&mdash;Allendale&mdash;the curates of
+West Allen High and St. Peter&#8217;s Chapels were certainly as recently as
+1835, and probably still later, obliged to teach the miners&#8217; children for
+1s. 6d. per quarter each, in consideration of certain annual payments.
+These were five shillings from each miner of one description, and
+half-a-crown from those of another, which they, in common with the
+incumbent of Allenheads Chapel, received as ministers of the respective
+chapels.</p>
+
+<p>It was certified in 1717 that while at that time there was no divine
+service performed in the parish of Clifton, some three miles from
+Workington, &#8220;formerly every family in the two hamlets [of Great and Little
+Clifton], being about forty in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> number, paid 6d. each to one that read
+prayers, and taught the children to read, and the rector gave &pound;2 a year,
+and officiated there every sixth Sunday, but that these payments had then
+ceased for above 40 years last past.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Reference was made in a previous paragraph to the custom of whittlegate as
+applying to schoolmasters. From the former chapter on church curiosities
+it will have been noted that the clergy occasionally had recourse to that
+method of supplementing their scanty incomes. As it often happened that
+the schoolmaster and parson were one and the same individual, difficulties
+were thereby removed. At any rate the following extract from Clarke&#8217;s
+&#8220;Survey&#8221; of over a century ago has an interesting bearing on the subject.
+Writing of Ambleside, of which the Rev. Isaac Knipe, <span class="smcaplc">M.A.</span>, was curate and
+schoolmaster, he remarks:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="blockquot">&#8220;The chapel is a low, mean building, and stands in the parish of
+Grassmere. The inhabitants (who are land owners), as well as those in
+the parish of Winandermere, as those in the parish of Grassmere, have
+the right of nominating and presenting the curate. The rector of
+Grassmere usually nominated the curate, but the inhabitants of this
+and many other perpetual curacies in the north have, by custom, gotten
+it from the rectors of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> vicars; the reason is this: before the death
+of Queen Anne, many of the chapelries were not worth above three
+pounds a year, and the donees could not get persons properly qualified
+to serve them, so they left them to the inhabitants, who raised
+voluntary contributions for them in addition to their salary, with
+clothes yearly and whittlegate. Whittlegate is to have two or three
+weeks&#8217; victuals at each house, according to the ability of the
+inhabitants, which was settled amongst them so as that he should go
+his course as regular as the sun, and compleat it as annually.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The custom prevailed so late as 1858 in some country parishes; it is not a
+little curious that it has not been found to exist in any counties except
+Cumberland and Westmorland, though the Rev. J. Wharton, Stainmore, has
+informed the writer that it is recognised still in some parts of the
+United States.</p>
+
+<p>The custom of barring out is probably unknown to the present generation of
+Cumbrian and Westmerian school-boys&mdash;at any rate in the sense in which it
+used to be observed. There exist numerous stories of the thoroughness with
+which the boys formerly maintained their supposed rights in this
+direction. The Rev. E. H. Sugden&#8217;s sketch of the history of Arlecdon and
+Frizington shows how the observance was followed there every
+Christmas:&mdash;&#8220;The old men of the parish tell with delight their experiences
+and adventures in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> carrying out this old custom. One says he remembers the
+master entering the school by creeping down the chimney. Another tells of
+a boy hiding himself in the chimney when the master had forced the door
+open. It appears that during this period of expulsion the doors of the
+school were strongly barricaded within, and the boys who defended it like
+a besieged city were armed in general with elder pop-guns. In the meantime
+the master would make several efforts, both by force and stratagem, to
+regain his lost authority. If he succeeded, heavy tasks were imposed, and
+the business of the school went on as usual; but it more commonly happened
+that he was repulsed and defeated. The siege was continued three days,
+after which the terms of capitulation were proposed by the master, who
+usually pushed them under the door, and as a rule the boys accepted. These
+terms stipulated what hours and times should for the ensuing year be
+allotted to study, and what to relaxation and play. Securities were given
+by each side for the due performance of these stipulations, and the paper
+was then solemnly signed by both master and pupils.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Sibson, of Whitehaven, formerly of this parish, relates the two
+following incidents in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> connection with this custom. On one occasion, Mr.
+C. Mossop endeavoured to enter the school. As soon as he put his hand on
+the window sill, intending to enter that way, a boy hit his hand with a
+red-hot poker, so that for many days he went about with it in a sling. On
+another occasion, Mr. Hughes, the master, took some slates off the roof,
+and succeeded in getting his legs and part of his body past the rafters,
+but he could get no further, and the boys with red-hot pokers burnt him
+severely before he could be rescued by his friends. In those days many
+young men attended the school during the winter time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>At Appleby, the &#8220;barring out&#8221; sometimes lasted for days, and the scholars
+slept in the schoolrooms. In most places the mutiny was apt to break out
+early on the morning of the day fixed for breaking up for the holidays.
+They defied the master by means of sundry cries, that at Kendal being:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="poem">&#8220;Liberty, liberty, under a pin,<br />
+Six weeks&#8217; holiday or <i>nivver</i> come in.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Apparently the custom was killed in the old grey town at the beginning of
+this century by the then master, Mr. Towers meeting with a distressing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>
+mishap. He was contending with them, apparently for admittance, when his
+eye was accidentally destroyed, and the disaster served to bring about the
+abolition of the old custom.</p>
+
+<p>Fine warm days of that Indian summer so often experienced in the two
+counties in September and October were devoted to &#8220;going a nutting,&#8221; and
+the headmaster of Appleby Grammar School never refused a holiday at that
+season, provided that each scholar brought him a quart of &#8220;leamers&#8221;&mdash;nuts
+sufficiently ripe to leave the husks without compulsory treatment. As
+Christmas approached, the schoolmaster was &#8220;barred out&#8221; in orthodox
+fashion, until he agreed (and he only pretended to be loth to make the
+contract) to extend the coming holidays as long as his pupils demanded.</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/the_end.jpg" alt="THE END" /></div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p>
+<h2>Index.</h2>
+
+
+<p class="index">
+Acorn Bank, Privileges of tenants of, <a href="#Page_67">67</a><br />
+<br />
+Ale possets, <a href="#Page_202">202</a><br />
+<br />
+Allendale, Old school-days at, <a href="#Page_250">250</a><br />
+<br />
+Alms corn, Payments of, <a href="#Page_88">88</a><br />
+<br />
+Altar, Horn of the, at Carlisle, <a href="#Page_74">74</a><br />
+<br />
+Ambleside&mdash;curious church tradition, <a href="#Page_49">49</a><br />
+<br />
+Appleby, Privileges of burgesses of, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Barring out custom at, <a href="#Page_254">254-255</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Curious assize incident at, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bull-baiting at, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Excommunication at, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Grammar School, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Public whipping at, <a href="#Page_126">126-128</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Stocks at, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Appleby Castle, Old corn measures at, <a href="#Page_159">159-160</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Curfew bell at, <a href="#Page_238">238</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Applethwaite (Windermere), Curious regulations at, <a href="#Page_89">89</a><br />
+<br />
+Apprentices and salmon, <a href="#Page_178">178</a><br />
+<br />
+Apprenticeship custom, An, <a href="#Page_233">233</a><br />
+<br />
+Archdeacon&#8217;s Court, <a href="#Page_59">59-60</a><br />
+<br />
+Archery, <a href="#Page_196">196-199</a><br />
+<br />
+Arlecdon, Rector of, chasing a parishioner, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Church font used as water-trough, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Church, Dogs in, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tradition concerning buried church, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">An old school at, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Barring out custom at, <a href="#Page_252">252</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Armathwaite, Gibbeting of Whitfield at, <a href="#Page_94">94</a><br />
+<br />
+Armboth Hall, Skulls at, <a href="#Page_147">147</a><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">Web-stone at, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Armour in churches, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a><br />
+<br />
+Assessors of bread and ale, <a href="#Page_89">89</a><br />
+<br />
+Assize incident, A curious, <a href="#Page_7">7</a><br />
+<br />
+Atkinson, Execution of Captain, <a href="#Page_97">97</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Bampton, Arrangement of families in church, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Punishment of Quakers, <a href="#Page_107">107-109</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Barguest, The, <a href="#Page_141">141</a><br />
+<br />
+Barring out custom at school, <a href="#Page_252">252-255</a><br />
+<br />
+Barton, Probable fortified church at, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Curious manorial custom at, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Beacons, <a href="#Page_10">10-13</a><br />
+<br />
+Beating the bounds, <a href="#Page_227">227</a><br />
+<br />
+Bees, Telling the, <a href="#Page_138">138</a><br />
+<br />
+Beetham Church, Penance at, <a href="#Page_111">111</a><br />
+<br />
+Bell-gate at Dalston, <a href="#Page_238">238</a><br />
+<br />
+Bell-horses, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a><br />
+<br />
+Bell legends, <a href="#Page_132">132</a><br />
+<br />
+Bell, Mayor of Wreay&#8217;s old silver, <a href="#Page_201">201</a><br />
+<br />
+Bells, Carlisle racing, <a href="#Page_191">191</a><br />
+<br />
+Bishop of Carlisle and cock-fighting, <a href="#Page_195">195</a><br />
+<br />
+Bishops excommunicated, <a href="#Page_100">100</a><br />
+<br />
+Bishops, Fighting, <a href="#Page_22">22-28</a><br />
+<br />
+Blackmail rent, <a href="#Page_75">75</a><br />
+<br />
+Bode, bodesmen, bodeword, bode-hill, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br />
+<br />
+Boggles, <a href="#Page_139">139</a><br />
+<br />
+Bongate&mdash;A reminder of serfdom, <a href="#Page_66">66</a><br />
+<br />
+Boon services, <a href="#Page_76">76-79</a><br />
+<br />
+Bootle, Beacon at, <a href="#Page_15">15</a><br />
+<br />
+Border service, <a href="#Page_9">9-16</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68-70</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a><br />
+<br />
+Bridekirk, Excommunication at, <a href="#Page_101">101</a><br />
+<br />
+Brigham, Fortified church at, <a href="#Page_33">33</a><br />
+<br />
+Brough, Probable fortified church at, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Church font in private grounds, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Holly Night at, <a href="#Page_205">205</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Brougham, Curious horn at, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Countess&#8217;s Pillar at, <a href="#Page_223">223</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Bull and boar, Obligation to keep, <a href="#Page_87">87</a><br />
+<br />
+Bull-baiting, <a href="#Page_195">195</a><br />
+<br />
+Burgh Barony Cup, Races for, <a href="#Page_190">190</a><br />
+<br />
+Burgh-by-Sands, Fortified church at, <a href="#Page_30">30</a><br />
+<br />
+Burrell Green, Luck of, <a href="#Page_151">151</a><br />
+<br />
+Burton, Curious dispute at, <a href="#Page_40">40</a><br />
+<br />
+&#8220;Burying the old wife&#8221; custom, <a href="#Page_233">233</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Calgarth skulls, <a href="#Page_146">146</a><br />
+<br />
+Caldbeck, Manorial customs at, <a href="#Page_83">83</a><br />
+<br />
+Carleton&mdash;A reminder of serfdom, <a href="#Page_65">65</a><br />
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span><br />
+Carlisle, Watch and ward at, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cathedral, Rioting in, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cathedral used as a prison, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Charter Horn at, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Pillory and stocks at, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Racing Bells, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Cartmell Church, Troops quartered in, <a href="#Page_37">37</a><br />
+<br />
+Carriage money service, <a href="#Page_89">89</a><br />
+<br />
+Castleward, Service of, <a href="#Page_71">71</a><br />
+<br />
+Charms, <a href="#Page_136">136</a><br />
+<br />
+Charter Horn at Carlisle, <a href="#Page_74">74</a><br />
+<br />
+Chimney and hearth tax, <a href="#Page_182">182-186</a><br />
+<br />
+Church curiosities, <a href="#Page_38">38-63</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Stock, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Holding manorial courts in, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dog-whippers in, <a href="#Page_60">60-63</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Legends, <a href="#Page_131">131-133</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fined for not going to, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Churchwardens&#8217; duties, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Selection of, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Churchyards, Keeping swine out of, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Announcing sales in, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Churches, Fortified, <a href="#Page_28">28-37</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Armour in, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Division of sexes in, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Seating arrangements in, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Swallowed by the earth, <a href="#Page_131">131-132</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Churning, Superstitions about, <a href="#Page_137">137</a><br />
+<br />
+Christmas festivals, <a href="#Page_202">202</a><br />
+<br />
+Clergy, Old-time, <a href="#Page_40">40-46</a><br />
+<br />
+Clergymen as publicans, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">as schoolmasters, <a href="#Page_248">248-252</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Cliburn, A probable fortified church at, <a href="#Page_34">34</a><br />
+<br />
+Clifton, Old school-days at, <a href="#Page_251">251</a><br />
+<br />
+Clogs, <a href="#Page_171">171</a><br />
+<br />
+Cloth searchers, <a href="#Page_164">164</a><br />
+<br />
+&#8220;Clothe Dightinge,&#8221; <a href="#Page_163">163</a><br />
+<br />
+Coaching days, The old, <a href="#Page_213">213-216</a><br />
+<br />
+Coals carried on horse-back, <a href="#Page_217">217</a><br />
+<br />
+Cockermouth tolls dispute, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Old manorial officers at, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Cock-fighting, <a href="#Page_192">192-195</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a><br />
+<br />
+Cockpenny, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a><br />
+<br />
+Corby Castle, Radiant Boy of, <a href="#Page_146">146</a><br />
+<br />
+Cordwainers, Rules for, <a href="#Page_164">164</a><br />
+<br />
+Cornage, Service of, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a><br />
+<br />
+Coronation festivities, <a href="#Page_205">205</a><br />
+<br />
+Corryhole at Great Salkeld Church, <a href="#Page_32">32</a><br />
+<br />
+Councils, Old Parish, <a href="#Page_230">230-232</a><br />
+<br />
+Countess&#8217;s Pillar at Brougham, <a href="#Page_223">223</a><br />
+<br />
+County guinea incident near Penrith, <a href="#Page_20">20</a><br />
+<br />
+Courts in church, Holding, <a href="#Page_58">58</a><br />
+<br />
+Courts, Old, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a><br />
+<br />
+Crack Nut Sunday, <a href="#Page_225">225</a><br />
+<br />
+Croglin, Manorial customs at, <a href="#Page_82">82</a><br />
+<br />
+Crosby Garrett, A probable fortified church at, <a href="#Page_33">33</a><br />
+<br />
+Crosby-on-Eden, Old school-days at, <a href="#Page_249">249</a><br />
+<br />
+Crosby Ravensworth Church, Keeping dogs out of, <a href="#Page_61">61</a><br />
+<br />
+Cross Fell, Legend of, <a href="#Page_132">132</a><br />
+<br />
+Crosthwaite, Rivalry between Cockermouth and, <a href="#Page_157">157</a><br />
+<br />
+&#8220;Culyet,&#8221; <a href="#Page_52">52</a><br />
+<br />
+Cumin tenure, <a href="#Page_85">85</a><br />
+<br />
+Cumwhitton, Manorial customs at, <a href="#Page_82">82</a><br />
+<br />
+Curfew Bell, Ringing the, <a href="#Page_238">238</a><br />
+<br />
+Customs, Old, <a href="#Page_223">223-239</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Old School, <a href="#Page_240">240-255</a></span><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Dacre Church, Curious custom at, <a href="#Page_55">55</a><br />
+<br />
+Dalston Church, Whipping dogs from, <a href="#Page_61">61-62</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Holy well at, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></span><br />
+<br />
+&#8220;Dalston Black-reeds,&#8221; <a href="#Page_194">194</a><br />
+<br />
+Dearham Church tower used as a beacon, <a href="#Page_32">32</a><br />
+<br />
+Death stroke superstition, <a href="#Page_137">137</a><br />
+<br />
+Dissenters, Punishment of, <a href="#Page_107">107-109</a><br />
+<br />
+Dog-laws at Egremont, Old, <a href="#Page_87">87</a><br />
+<br />
+Dog-whippers in church, <a href="#Page_60">60-63</a><br />
+<br />
+Downies and Uppies at Workington, <a href="#Page_200">200</a><br />
+<br />
+Drengage tenements, <a href="#Page_66">66</a><br />
+<br />
+Drenges, <a href="#Page_66">66</a><br />
+<br />
+Dress, Old-time, <a href="#Page_171">171-173</a><br />
+<br />
+Drigg, Manorial customs at, <a href="#Page_82">82</a><br />
+<br />
+Drunkards, Punishment of, <a href="#Page_119">119-121</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Edenhall, Church tower used as a beacon, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Manorial customs at, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A possible plague stone at, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Eden Hall, Luck of, <a href="#Page_148">148</a><br />
+<br />
+Egremont, Manorial customs at, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a><br />
+<br />
+Epidemics, Old-time, <a href="#Page_235">235-238</a><br />
+<br />
+Excommunication and penance, <a href="#Page_98">98-119</a><br />
+<br />
+Executions, Wholesale, for political offences, <a href="#Page_97">97</a><br />
+<br />
+Expeditious wagons, <a href="#Page_216">216</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Fairies, <a href="#Page_137">137</a><br />
+<br />
+Fairs, Old laws concerning, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Churchyard, <a href="#Page_155">155-158</a></span><br />
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span><br />
+Farleton Knott beacon, <a href="#Page_13">13</a><br />
+<br />
+Festivities and sports, Old, <a href="#Page_188">188-208</a><br />
+<br />
+Fighting Bishops and Fortified Churches, <a href="#Page_22">22-37</a><br />
+<br />
+Firebote, <a href="#Page_75">75</a><br />
+<br />
+Fire, Old methods for quenching, <a href="#Page_186">186</a><br />
+<br />
+&#8220;First-foot&#8221; superstition, <a href="#Page_147">147</a><br />
+<br />
+Flimby, Old tenure at, <a href="#Page_71">71</a><br />
+<br />
+Fonts in private grounds, <a href="#Page_50">50-51</a><br />
+<br />
+Food-stuffs, Old-time, <a href="#Page_174">174-178</a><br />
+<br />
+Fools, Old-time, <a href="#Page_232">232</a><br />
+<br />
+Football, <a href="#Page_199">199-200</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a><br />
+<br />
+Forest Court at Hesket, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a><br />
+<br />
+Forestalling and regrating, Laws against, <a href="#Page_165">165-167</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a><br />
+<br />
+Fortified churches, <a href="#Page_28">28-37</a><br />
+<br />
+Foster-oats, An old manorial rent, <a href="#Page_78">78</a><br />
+<br />
+Free-bench, <a href="#Page_81">81</a><br />
+<br />
+Furth-neets at Orton and Ravenstonedale, <a href="#Page_228">228-229</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Gallows Hills, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a><br />
+<br />
+Gambling, Punishment for, <a href="#Page_115">115</a><br />
+<br />
+Gaol-life, Old-time, <a href="#Page_122">122</a><br />
+<br />
+Ghosts, <a href="#Page_142">142-143</a><br />
+<br />
+Giant&#8217;s Cave Sunday, <a href="#Page_207">207</a><br />
+<br />
+Giant&#8217;s Thumb at Penrith, <a href="#Page_124">124</a><br />
+<br />
+Gibbeting of criminals, <a href="#Page_94">94-97</a><br />
+<br />
+Gilcrux, Old tenure at, <a href="#Page_70">70</a><br />
+<br />
+Glassonby, Manorial customs at, <a href="#Page_80">80</a><br />
+<br />
+Glove service, <a href="#Page_72">72</a><br />
+<br />
+God&#8217;s penny custom, <a href="#Page_83">83</a><br />
+<br />
+&#8220;Gospel side&#8221; of a church, <a href="#Page_54">54</a><br />
+<br />
+Gowrie Plot celebration, <a href="#Page_203">203</a><br />
+<br />
+Great Salkeld, Fortified church at, <a href="#Page_31">31</a><br />
+<br />
+Greenhue rent, <a href="#Page_77">77</a><br />
+<br />
+Greystoke, Anchorites at, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sanctuary stone at, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&#8220;Pelican in her piety&#8221; at, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Church miserere used as church sign at, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Manorial customs at, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Penance at, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Excommunication at, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Foot stocks at, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gowrie Plot celebration at, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gunpowder Plot celebration at, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Guilds and old trade societies, <a href="#Page_162">162-4</a><br />
+<br />
+Gunpowder Plot celebration, <a href="#Page_203">203</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Hack-pudding, <a href="#Page_227">227</a><br />
+<br />
+Halts, <a href="#Page_218">218</a><br />
+<br />
+&#8220;Hanging days,&#8221; The, <a href="#Page_123">123</a><br />
+<br />
+Hanging, drawing, and quartering, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a><br />
+<br />
+Harcla, The execution of Sir Andrew de, <a href="#Page_91">91</a><br />
+<br />
+Hawk service, The, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a><br />
+<br />
+Hawkshead, Dog-whippers at, <a href="#Page_63">63</a><br />
+<br />
+Hayton paupers hired to contractors, <a href="#Page_234">234</a><br />
+<br />
+Hedge-lookers, <a href="#Page_89">89</a><br />
+<br />
+Helton, Old Council at, <a href="#Page_231">231</a><br />
+<br />
+Heriots, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a><br />
+<br />
+Hesket Thorn Court, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a><br />
+<br />
+Holme Cultram, Abbey of, also a fortress, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Petition of inhabitants to Cromwell, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Curious dispute at, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Old-time school life at, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Holy bell at Ravenstonedale, <a href="#Page_114">114</a><br />
+<br />
+Holy wells, <a href="#Page_206">206-208</a><br />
+<br />
+Holly Night at Brough, <a href="#Page_205">205</a><br />
+<br />
+Homage, Service of, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a><br />
+<br />
+Horn tenures, <a href="#Page_73">73</a><br />
+<br />
+Hospitals, Old-time, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a><br />
+<br />
+House-boot, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a><br />
+<br />
+House in two parishes, <a href="#Page_228">228</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Inglewood Forest, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a><br />
+<br />
+Ireby, Manorial customs at, <a href="#Page_77">77</a><br />
+<br />
+Irthington, Old school-days at, <a href="#Page_249">249</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Jesters, Old-time, <a href="#Page_232">232</a><br />
+<br />
+Journeys, Some noteworthy old-time, <a href="#Page_209">209-221</a><br />
+<br />
+Judges, Perils of the King&#8217;s, <a href="#Page_212">212</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Kaber Rigg Rising, The, <a href="#Page_98">98</a><br />
+<br />
+Kattstick and Bullvett, <a href="#Page_199">199</a><br />
+<br />
+Kendal, Scolds&#8217; bridle at, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Punishments at, <a href="#Page_115">115-121</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Watch and ward at, <a href="#Page_17">17-19</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Parson of moiety of church of, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Church incident at, <a href="#Page_35">35-37</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bowmen, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Barring out custom at, <a href="#Page_254">254</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Kentmere, Reminders of Border service at, <a href="#Page_229">229</a><br />
+<br />
+Keswick, Bull-baiting at, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">endowed school, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Kirkby Lonsdale, Church inscription at, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bridge legend, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sale of church font, <a href="#Page_51">51</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Kirkby Stephen, Curious tithe custom at, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A probable fortified church at, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>;</span><br />
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Burial of Sir Andrew de Harcla at, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fair, Proclamation at, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">School ordinances, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Kirkby Thore, Penance at, <a href="#Page_112">112</a><br />
+<br />
+Kirkland, Unusual tenure at, <a href="#Page_85">85</a><br />
+<br />
+Kirkoswald, Curious church tower at, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bull-baiting at, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Old manorial measures at, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Knitters, Famous, <a href="#Page_228">228</a><br />
+<br />
+Knur and spell, <a href="#Page_199">199</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Lancaster, Execution and gibbeting of Thomas, <a href="#Page_95">95</a><br />
+<br />
+Lanercost Abbey, Tragic origin of, <a href="#Page_111">111</a><br />
+<br />
+Langdale, Curate of, as alehouse keeper, <a href="#Page_41">41</a><br />
+<br />
+Langwathby Church, Armour in, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a><br />
+<br />
+Lawyers, Restrictions upon, <a href="#Page_167">167</a><br />
+<br />
+Leather searchers, <a href="#Page_89">89</a><br />
+<br />
+Legend of St. Bega, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Kirksanton, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fisherty Brow, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Arlecdon, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Kirkby Lonsdale Bridge, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Concerning wolves, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Warthol Hall, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Calgarth skulls, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Armboth Hall, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Machell family, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Radiant Boy of Corby, <a href="#Page_146">146</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Legends and Superstitions, Some, <a href="#Page_131">131-147</a><br />
+<br />
+Leper windows, <a href="#Page_45">45-46</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hospitals, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Lepers in Cumberland and Westmorland, <a href="#Page_45">45-46</a><br />
+<br />
+Levens, Luck of, <a href="#Page_153">153</a><br />
+<br />
+Levens Radish Feast, <a href="#Page_208">208</a><br />
+<br />
+Life in the old gaols, <a href="#Page_122">122</a><br />
+<br />
+Little Salkeld, Desecration of church at, <a href="#Page_58">58</a><br />
+<br />
+Long Marton, An infant rector of, <a href="#Page_39">39</a><br />
+<br />
+Lucks, <a href="#Page_148">148-154</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Manorial laws, <a href="#Page_64">64-90</a><br />
+<br />
+Market bells, <a href="#Page_167">167</a><br />
+<br />
+Markets and fairs customs, <a href="#Page_155">155-168</a><br />
+<br />
+Maskers, <a href="#Page_202">202</a><br />
+<br />
+Meat selling at church doors, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On Sundays, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bequest, A, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Milling laws, Old, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a><br />
+<br />
+Mill lookers, <a href="#Page_89">89</a><br />
+<br />
+Millom, Manorial jurisdiction at, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Penance at, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Minstrel galleries, Old, <a href="#Page_181">181</a><br />
+<br />
+Miracle workers, Supposed, <a href="#Page_138">138</a><br />
+<br />
+Mock Mayors, <a href="#Page_200">200</a><br />
+<br />
+Moor lookers, <a href="#Page_89">89</a><br />
+<br />
+Moota, Beacon at, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br />
+<br />
+Morland, Manorial custom at, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a><br />
+<br />
+Mortuary rights of the Church, <a href="#Page_100">100</a><br />
+<br />
+Multuring, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a><br />
+<br />
+Muncaster, Luck of, <a href="#Page_149">149</a><br />
+<br />
+Musgrave Church font in private grounds, <a href="#Page_50">50</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Needfire superstition, <a href="#Page_143">143-146</a><br />
+<br />
+Newbiggin (Dacre), Curious custom at, <a href="#Page_79">79</a><br />
+<br />
+Newton Arlosh, Fortified church at, <a href="#Page_30">30</a><br />
+<br />
+Night watch, <a href="#Page_245">245</a><br />
+<br />
+Nunnery, Privileges of prioress and nuns of, <a href="#Page_67">67</a><br />
+<br />
+Nutgeld service, <a href="#Page_71">71</a><br />
+<br />
+Nut Monday, <a href="#Page_225">225</a><br />
+<br />
+Nutting days, School, <a href="#Page_255">255</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Old-time Home Life, <a href="#Page_169">169-187</a><br />
+<br />
+Old-time school life, <a href="#Page_240">240-255</a><br />
+<br />
+&#8220;Orders of the Watch,&#8221; <a href="#Page_11">11</a><br />
+<br />
+Ormside, A probable fortified church at, <a href="#Page_33">33</a><br />
+<br />
+Orton, Probable fortified church at, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sworn men at, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Stocks, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></span><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Pack-horses, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a><br />
+<br />
+Parsonby, Manorial customs at, <a href="#Page_77">77</a><br />
+<br />
+Paupers hired to contractors, <a href="#Page_234">234</a><br />
+<br />
+Peat silver, <a href="#Page_78">78</a><br />
+<br />
+Peculiar contrivances, <a href="#Page_171">171</a><br />
+<br />
+Penance, Excommunication and, <a href="#Page_98">98-119</a><br />
+<br />
+Penrith Beacon, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_13">13</a><br />
+<br />
+Penrith Church font in private grounds, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Plague-stones at, <a href="#Page_235">235-237</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Excommunication at, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Stocks and pillory at, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Races, <a href="#Page_192">192-194</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Badge of poverty at, <a href="#Page_235">235</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Penrith Fell, Ludicrous incident on, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Burial of excommunicates on, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Penthouses at Orton, <a href="#Page_229">229</a><br />
+<br />
+Peppercorn rents, <a href="#Page_87">87</a><br />
+<br />
+Pie Poudre Court at Kirkby Stephen, <a href="#Page_161">161</a><br />
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span><br />
+Pillar, Countess&#8217;s, <a href="#Page_223">223</a><br />
+<br />
+Pillions, Riding on, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a><br />
+<br />
+Pillory and stocks, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a><br />
+<br />
+Plague-stones, Old, <a href="#Page_235">235-238</a><br />
+<br />
+Plumpton, Manorial custom at, <a href="#Page_82">82</a><br />
+<br />
+Plowbote, <a href="#Page_75">75</a><br />
+<br />
+Poor people let out to contractors, <a href="#Page_234">234</a><br />
+<br />
+Porridge, A tribute to the value of, <a href="#Page_169">169</a><br />
+<br />
+Posset cups, <a href="#Page_202">202</a><br />
+<br />
+Pot fairs, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br />
+<br />
+Poverty, The badge of, <a href="#Page_235">235</a><br />
+<br />
+Proclamations at fairs, <a href="#Page_160">160-162</a><br />
+<br />
+Punishments, Old-time, <a href="#Page_91">91-129</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Quakers, Punishment of, <a href="#Page_107">107-109</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Racing, Curiosities in horse, <a href="#Page_190">190-193</a><br />
+<br />
+Radiant Boy of Corby Castle, <a href="#Page_146">146</a><br />
+<br />
+Radish Feast at Levens, <a href="#Page_208">208</a><br />
+<br />
+Rapier dancers, <a href="#Page_202">202</a><br />
+<br />
+Ravenglass, Proclamation of fair at, <a href="#Page_161">161</a><br />
+<br />
+Ravenstonedale, Holding a Court in church at, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sanctuary bell at, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Penance at, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Stocks at, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Rebel&#8217;s Cap at Kendal, <a href="#Page_35">35</a><br />
+<br />
+Rector, An infant, <a href="#Page_39">39</a><br />
+<br />
+Refuge bell at Ravenstonedale, <a href="#Page_114">114</a><br />
+<br />
+Renwick tithe exemption, Curious, <a href="#Page_88">88</a><br />
+<br />
+Riding the stang at Ambleside, <a href="#Page_128">128</a><br />
+<br />
+Road, On the, <a href="#Page_209">209-222</a><br />
+<br />
+&#8220;Robin the Devil&#8217;s&#8221; escapade, <a href="#Page_35">35-37</a><br />
+<br />
+Rod, Surrendering by the, <a href="#Page_247">247</a><br />
+<br />
+Rose tenure, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a><br />
+<br />
+Rowan tree superstition, <a href="#Page_137">137</a><br />
+<br />
+Running Gressom, <a href="#Page_85">85</a><br />
+<br />
+Rush-bearing custom, <a href="#Page_224">224</a><br />
+<br />
+Rushes and bents for churches, <a href="#Page_59">59-61</a><br />
+<br />
+Rushes, Curious belief about, <a href="#Page_170">170</a><br />
+<br />
+Rushlights, Old-time, <a href="#Page_170">170</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Sacrilege, Punishment at Appleby for, <a href="#Page_113">113</a><br />
+<br />
+Sales in churchyards, Announcing, <a href="#Page_158">158</a><br />
+<br />
+Salmon, Abundance and cheapness of, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">as apprentices&#8217; food, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Sanctuary at Ravenstonedale, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nunnery, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Greystoke, <a href="#Page_115">115</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Scale Houses, Peculiar tithe exemption at, <a href="#Page_88">88</a><br />
+<br />
+Scholars&#8217; badge of poverty at Penrith, <a href="#Page_235">235</a><br />
+<br />
+School customs, Old, <a href="#Page_240">240-255</a><br />
+<br />
+Schools in churches, <a href="#Page_248">248-251</a><br />
+<br />
+Schoolmasters, Old-time, <a href="#Page_240">240-255</a><br />
+<br />
+Scolds&#8217; bridles, <a href="#Page_115">115</a><br />
+<br />
+Seawake, Service of, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a><br />
+<br />
+Sebergham, A protest in rhyme at, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">School in a mud hut at, <a href="#Page_248">248</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Sexton, A female, <a href="#Page_45">45</a><br />
+<br />
+Shearing days, <a href="#Page_203">203</a><br />
+<br />
+Sheriffesses of Westmorland, <a href="#Page_2">2-4</a><br />
+<br />
+Sheriffs&#8217; law suits with Appleby burgesses, <a href="#Page_6">6</a><br />
+<br />
+Sheriffwick, An Unparalleled, <a href="#Page_1">1-8</a><br />
+<br />
+Shrovetide festival at Wreay, <a href="#Page_201">201</a><br />
+<br />
+Silver-penny fines, <a href="#Page_79">79</a><br />
+<br />
+Skirsgill well custom, An old, <a href="#Page_206">206</a><br />
+<br />
+Skirwith, Manorial customs at, <a href="#Page_76">76</a><br />
+<br />
+Snow on Midsummer&#8217;s Day, Legend of, <a href="#Page_131">131</a><br />
+<br />
+Soar-hawk tenure, <a href="#Page_69">69</a><br />
+<br />
+Sparket Mill, Peculiar obligation at, <a href="#Page_86">86</a><br />
+<br />
+Sports and Festivities, Old, <a href="#Page_188">188-208</a><br />
+<br />
+Spur service, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a><br />
+<br />
+Stang, Riding the, at Ambleside, <a href="#Page_128">128</a><br />
+<br />
+St. Bega, Legend of, <a href="#Page_131">131</a><br />
+<br />
+Steading stone at Thirlmere, <a href="#Page_121">121</a><br />
+<br />
+Stirrup tenure, <a href="#Page_68">68</a><br />
+<br />
+Stocks, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a><br />
+<br />
+Stockings, Curious method of treating, <a href="#Page_171">171</a><br />
+<br />
+Sunday markets, <a href="#Page_156">156-158</a><br />
+<br />
+Sunday observance, <a href="#Page_225">225-226</a><br />
+<br />
+Superstitions and Legends, <a href="#Page_131">131-147</a><br />
+<br />
+Surrendering by the rod, <a href="#Page_247">247</a><br />
+<br />
+Swine in churchyards, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ringers, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></span><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Tailors, Rules for, <a href="#Page_164">164</a><br />
+<br />
+Tea, Curious methods of dealing with, <a href="#Page_178">178</a><br />
+<br />
+Telling the bees, <a href="#Page_138">138</a><br />
+<br />
+Tenures, Curiosities of, <a href="#Page_64">64-90</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a><br />
+<br />
+Thirlmere, Steading stone at, <a href="#Page_121">121</a><br />
+<br />
+Threlkeld, Manorial customs at, <a href="#Page_76">76</a><br />
+<br />
+Timber-lode, <a href="#Page_75">75</a><br />
+<br />
+Tithe exemption, Curious, <a href="#Page_88">88</a><br />
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span><br />
+Toll-free, Rights of tenants and burgesses to go, <a href="#Page_67">67</a><br />
+<br />
+Tolls, An old dispute about, <a href="#Page_83">83</a><br />
+<br />
+&#8220;Tom Candlestick,&#8221; <a href="#Page_170">170</a><br />
+<br />
+Toothache, Charm for, <a href="#Page_136">136</a><br />
+<br />
+Torpenhow, Old Council at, <a href="#Page_230">230-244</a><br />
+<br />
+Town and village watch and ward, <a href="#Page_16">16-21</a><br />
+<br />
+Trading Laws and Customs, Old <a href="#Page_155">155-168</a><br />
+<br />
+Traditions, <a href="#Page_131">131-147</a><br />
+<br />
+Troutbeck dole custom at Dacre, <a href="#Page_55">55</a><br />
+<br />
+Troutbeck (Windermere), Manorial jurisdiction at, <a href="#Page_64">64</a><br />
+<br />
+Tummel wheel&#8217;d carts, <a href="#Page_218">218</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Uppies and Downies at Workington, <a href="#Page_200">200</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Village schoolmasters, Old-time, <a href="#Page_244">244-253</a><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+Waberthwaite Church, Dog-whippers at, <a href="#Page_63">63</a><br />
+<br />
+Warthol, Watching station at, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br />
+<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"</span><span style="margin-left: 2em;">Hall, Legend concerning, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Warwick, Old school-days at, <a href="#Page_249">249</a><br />
+<br />
+Watch and Ward, <a href="#Page_9">9-21</a><br />
+<br />
+Watch, Orders of the, <a href="#Page_11">11</a><br />
+<br />
+Watermillock, Manorial custom at, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Head Jurie, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Webstone at Armboth, The, <a href="#Page_238">238</a><br />
+<br />
+Well festivals, <a href="#Page_206">206-208</a><br />
+<br />
+Wetheral, Manorial customs at, <a href="#Page_78">78</a><br />
+<br />
+Whipping of criminals, Public, <a href="#Page_124">124-128</a><br />
+<br />
+Whitbeck, Old customs at, <a href="#Page_227">227</a><br />
+<br />
+Whitehaven, Society of Archers, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Watch and ward at, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Public whipping at, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Whittlegate, The old custom of, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a><br />
+<br />
+Wigton, Curious epitaph at, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Selling meat at parish church, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Wine, Curiosities concerning church, <a href="#Page_54">54-55</a><br />
+<br />
+Witch, Drowning of a supposed, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mary Baynes, the Orton, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Lizzy Batty, the Brampton, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></span><br />
+<br />
+Witness man, Service of, <a href="#Page_15">15</a><br />
+<br />
+Woful Bank, Legend concerning, <a href="#Page_135">135</a><br />
+<br />
+Women as judges, <a href="#Page_2">2</a><br />
+<br />
+Workington Easter football play, <a href="#Page_200">200</a><br />
+<br />
+Wotobank, Legend concerning, <a href="#Page_135">135</a><br />
+<br />
+Wreay, Mock mayoral festivities at, <a href="#Page_201">201</a><br />
+<br />
+Wreck of the sea privilege at Millom, <a href="#Page_84">84</a><br />
+<br />
+Wrestling, <a href="#Page_188">188-190</a><br />
+</p>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center">WILLIAM ANDREWS &amp; CO., PRINTERS, HULL.</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+
+<div class="verts">
+
+<p class="center"><span class="large">LIST OF PUBLICATIONS</span><br />
+<small>OF</small><br />
+<span class="huge"><span class="smcap">William Andrews &amp; Co.</span>,</span><br />
+<small>5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, LONDON.</small></p>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<div class="blockquot">
+<p>&#8220;Valuable and interesting.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Times.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Readable as well as instructive.&#8221;&mdash;<i>The Globe.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A valuable addition to any library.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Derbyshire Times.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There is a charm about the chapters seldom found in works dealing with
+antiquarian lore, for they are never dry and always entertaining. The
+illustrations are a splendid feature. These county histories call for
+appreciation and deserve every success.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Birmingham Daily Gazette.</i></p></div>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="huge">The Bygone Series.</span></p>
+
+<p>In this series the following volumes are included, and issued at 7s. 6d.
+each. Demy 8vo, cloth gilt.</p>
+
+<p>These books have been favourably reviewed in the leading critical journals
+of England and America.</p>
+
+<p>Carefully written articles by recognised authorities are included on
+history, castles, abbeys, biography, romantic episodes, legendary lore,
+traditional stories, curious customs, folk-lore, etc., etc.</p>
+
+<p>The works are illustrated by eminent artists, and by the reproduction of
+quaint pictures of the olden time.</p>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table">
+<tr><td>BYGONE BERKSHIRE, edited by Rev. P. H. Ditchfield, <span class="smcaplc">M.A., F.S.A.</span><br />
+BYGONE CHESHIRE, edited by William Andrews.<br />
+BYGONE CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND, by Daniel Scott.<br />
+BYGONE DURHAM, edited by William Andrews.<br />
+BYGONE GLOUCESTERSHIRE, edited by William Andrews.<br />
+BYGONE HAMPSHIRE, edited by William Andrews.<br />
+BYGONE HERTFORDSHIRE, edited by William Andrews.<br />
+BYGONE LINCOLNSHIRE (2 vols), edited by William Andrews.<br />
+BYGONE MIDDLESEX, edited by William Andrews.<br />
+BYGONE NORFOLK, edited by William Andrews.<br />
+BYGONE NORTHUMBERLAND, edited by William Andrews.<br />
+BYGONE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, by William Stevenson.<br />
+BYGONE SCOTLAND, by David Maxwell, <span class="smcaplc">C.E.</span><br />
+BYGONE SOMERSETSHIRE, edited by Cuming Walters.<br />
+BYGONE SOUTHWARK, by Mrs. E. Boger.<br />
+BYGONE STAFFORDSHIRE, edited by William Andrews.<br />
+BYGONE SUFFOLK, edited by Cuming Walters.<br />
+BYGONE SURREY, edited by George Clinch and S. W. Kershaw, <span class="smcaplc">F.S.A.</span><br />
+BYGONE SUSSEX, by W. E. A. Axon.<br />
+BYGONE YORKSHIRE, edited by William Andrews.</td></tr></table>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="large">England in the Days of Old.</span></p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By</span> WILLIAM ANDREWS.</p>
+<p class="center"><i>Demy, Cloth extra, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Contents</span>:&mdash;When Wigs were Worn&mdash;Powdering the Hair&mdash;Men Wearing
+Muffs-Concerning Corporation Customs&mdash;Bribes for the Palate&mdash;Rebel Heads
+on City Gates&mdash;Burials at Cross Roads&mdash;Detaining the Dead for Debt&mdash;A
+Nobleman&#8217;s Household in Tudor Times&mdash;Bread and Baking in Bygone
+Days&mdash;Arise, Mistress, Arise!&mdash;The Turnspit&mdash;A Gossip about the
+Goose&mdash;Bells as Time-Tellers&mdash;The Age of Snuffing&mdash;State
+Lotteries&mdash;Bear-Baiting&mdash;Morris Dancers-The Folk-Lore of Midsummer
+Eve&mdash;Harvest Home&mdash;Curious Charities&mdash;An Old-Time Chronicler&mdash;Index.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;A most delightful work.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Leeds Mercury.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Andrews has the true art of narration, and contrives to give us
+the results of his learning with considerable freshness of style,
+whilst his subjects are always interesting and
+picturesque.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Manchester Courier.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The old customs, domestic habits, and dress of our forefathers
+described in these chapters are too much neglected by historians, and
+a study of them will while away a leisure hour very pleasantly.&#8221;&mdash;<i>The
+Times.</i></p></div>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="large">Bygone Punishments.</span></p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By</span> WILLIAM ANDREWS.</p>
+<p class="center"><i>Demy, Cloth gilt, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Contents</span>:&mdash;Hanging&mdash;Hanging in Chains&mdash;Hanging, Drawing, and
+Quartering&mdash;Pressing to Death&mdash;Drowning&mdash;Burning to Death&mdash;Boiling to
+Death&mdash;Beheading&mdash;The Halifax Gibbet&mdash;The Scottish
+Maiden&mdash;Mutilation&mdash;Branding&mdash;The Pillory&mdash;Punishing Authors and Burning
+Books&mdash;Finger Pillory&mdash;The Jougs&mdash;The Stocks&mdash;The Drunkard&#8217;s
+Cloak&mdash;Whipping and Whipping-Posts&mdash;Public Penance&mdash;The Repentance
+Stool&mdash;The Ducking Stool&mdash;The Brank, or Scold&#8217;s Bridle&mdash;Riding the
+Stang&mdash;Index.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;A book of great interest.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Manchester Courier.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Full of curious lore, sought out and arranged with much
+industry.&#8221;&mdash;<i>The Scotsman.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Andrews has produced a most entertaining book, without departing
+from authenticated facts, there is no moralising, and the writer never
+obtrudes himself. The result is a work well worth a place on a
+bookshelf, and readable to a degree.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Eastern Morning News.</i></p></div>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="large">Literary Byways.</span></p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By</span> WILLIAM ANDREWS.</p>
+<p class="center"><i>Demy, Cloth gilt, 7s. 6d.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Contents</span>:&mdash;Authors at work&mdash;The Earnings of Authors&mdash;&#8220;Declined with
+Thanks&#8221;&mdash;Epigrams on Authors&mdash;Poetical Graces&mdash;Poetry on Panes&mdash;English
+Folk Rhymes&mdash;The Poetry of Toast Lists and Menu Cards&mdash;Toasts and
+Toasting&mdash;Curious American Old-Time Gleanings&mdash;The Earliest American
+Poetess: Anne Bradstreet&mdash;A Playful Poet: Miss Catharine Fanshawe&mdash;A
+Popular Song Writer: Mrs. John Hunter&mdash;A Poet of the Poor: Mary Pyper&mdash;The
+Poet of the Fisher-Folk: Mrs. Susan K. Phillips&mdash;A Poet and Novelist of
+the People: Thomas Miller&mdash;The Cottage Countess&mdash;The Compiler of &#8220;Old
+Moore&#8217;s Almanack&#8221;: Henry Andrews&mdash;James Nayler, the Mad Quaker, who
+claimed to be the Messiah&mdash;A Biographical Romance: Swan&#8217;s Strange
+Story&mdash;Short Letters&mdash;Index.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;Readable and entertaining.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Notes and Queries.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Turn where you will, there is information and entertainment in this
+book.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Birmingham Daily Gazette.</i></p></div>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="large">Curious Epitaphs.</span></p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Collected and Edited with Notes</span></p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By</span> WILLIAM ANDREWS.</p>
+<p class="center"><i>Demy, Cloth extra, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Contents</span>:&mdash;Epitaphs on Tradesmen&mdash;Typographical Epitaphs&mdash;Epitaphs on Good
+and Faithful Servants&mdash;Epitaphs on Soldiers and Sailors&mdash;Epitaphs on
+Musicians and Actors&mdash;Epitaphs on Sportsmen&mdash;Bacchanalian
+Epitaphs&mdash;Epitaphs on Parish Clerks and Sextons&mdash;Punning
+Epitaphs&mdash;Manxland Epitaphs&mdash;Epitaphs on Notable Persons&mdash;Miscellaneous
+Epitaphs&mdash;Index.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;A most entertaining collection.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Newcastle Daily Chronicle.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A book that is sure to be widely read and appreciated.&#8221;&mdash;<i>People&#8217;s
+Journal.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is an entertaining and instructive work, it may fairly be regarded
+as the best on its subject, and it will take a permanent place in our
+literature.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Hull Critic.</i></p></div>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="large">Curious Church Customs.</span></p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Edited by</span> WILLIAM ANDREWS.</p>
+<p class="center"><i>Demy, Cloth extra, 7s. 6d.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Contents</span>:&mdash;Sports in Churches&mdash;Holy Day Customs&mdash;Church Bells: When and
+Why They were Rung&mdash;Inscriptions on Bells&mdash;Laws of the Belfry&mdash;Ringers&#8217;
+Jugs&mdash;Customs and Superstitions of Baptism&mdash;Marriage Customs&mdash;Burial
+Customs&mdash;Concerning the Churchyard&mdash;Altars in Churches&mdash;The Rood Loft and
+its Uses&mdash;Armour in Churches&mdash;Beating the Bounds&mdash;The Story of the
+Crosier&mdash;Bishops in Battle&mdash;The Cloister and its Story&mdash;Shorthand in
+Church&mdash;Reminiscences of our Village Church&mdash;Index.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;A thoroughly excellent volume.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Publishers&#8217; Circular.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A handsomely got up and interesting volume.&#8221;&mdash;<i>The Fireside.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We are indebted to Mr. Andrews for an invaluable addition to our
+library of folk-lore, and we do not think that many who take it up
+will slip a single page.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Dundee Advertiser.</i></p></div>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="large">Ecclesiastical Curiosities.</span></p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Edited by</span> WILLIAM ANDREWS.</p>
+<p class="center"><i>Demy, Cloth gilt, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Contents</span>:&mdash;The Church Door&mdash;Sacrificial Foundations&mdash;The Building of the
+English Cathedrals&mdash;Ye Chapell of Oure Ladye&mdash;Some Famous Spires&mdash;The Five
+of Spades and the Church of Ashton-under-Lyne&mdash;Bells and their
+Messages&mdash;Stories about Bells&mdash;Concerning Font-Lore&mdash;Watching Chambers in
+Churches&mdash;Church Chests&mdash;An Antiquarian Problem: The Leper
+Window&mdash;Mazes&mdash;Churchyard Superstitions&mdash;Curious Announcements in the
+Church&mdash;Big Bones Preserved in Churches&mdash;Samuel Pepys at Church&mdash;Index.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;An interesting and engrossing volume.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Church Bells.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It consists of studies by various writers in the history, customs,
+and folk-lore of the Church of England. Whilst it will appeal most
+strongly to those who are given to antiquarian and ecclesiological
+inquiry, it contains much that should prove of interest to any
+intelligent reader. The various contributions give evidence of
+diligent and discriminating research, and embody much old-world lore
+that is curious and instructive.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Aberdeen Free Press.</i></p></div>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="large">The Church Treasury of History, Custom, Folk-Lore, etc.</span></p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Edited by</span> WILLIAM ANDREWS.</p>
+<p class="center"><i>Demy, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Contents</span>:&mdash;Stave-Kirks&mdash;Curious Churches of Cornwall&mdash;Holy Wells&mdash;Hermit
+and Hermit Cells&mdash;Church Wakes&mdash;Fortified Church Towers&mdash;The Knight
+Templars: Their Churches and their Privileges&mdash;English Medi&aelig;val
+Pilgrimages&mdash;Pilgrims&#8217; Signs&mdash;Human Skin on Church Doors&mdash;Animals of the
+Church in Wood, Stone, and Bronze&mdash;Queries in Stones&mdash;Pictures in
+Churches&mdash;Flowers and Rites of the Church&mdash;Ghost Layers and Ghost
+Laying&mdash;Church Walks&mdash;Westminster Waxworks&mdash;Index.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;The book will be welcome to every lover of arch&aelig;ological
+lore.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Liverpool Daily Post.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is a work that will prove interesting to the clergy and churchmen
+generally, and to all others who have an antiquarian turn of mind, or
+like to be regaled occasionally by reading old-world customs and
+anecdotes.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Church Family Newspaper.</i></p></div>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="large">Bygone Church Life in Scotland.</span></p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Edited by</span> WILLIAM ANDREWS.</p>
+<p class="center"><i>Demy, Cloth gilt, 7s. 6d.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Contents</span>:&mdash;The Cross in Scotland&mdash;Bell Lore&mdash;Saints and Holy Wells&mdash;Life
+in the Pre-Reformation Cathedrals&mdash;Public Worship in Olden Times&mdash;Church
+Music&mdash;Discipline in the Kirk&mdash;Curiosities of Church Finance&mdash;Witchcraft
+and the Kirk&mdash;Birth and Baptisms, Customs and Superstitions&mdash;Marriage Laws
+and Customs&mdash;Gretna Green Gossip&mdash;Death and Burial Customs and
+Superstitions&mdash;The Story of a Stool&mdash;The Martyrs&#8217; Monument,
+Edinburgh&mdash;Index.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;The volume is certain to receive a welcome from Scotsmen at home and
+abroad.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Daily Chronicle.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Every sentence in the book is either instructive or amusing, and it
+should consequently find many appreciative readers. It contains a vast
+amount of traditional and historical lore referring almost to every
+district of Scotland. There are some artistic illustrations,
+especially those of Glasgow Cathedral and views of ancient portions of
+that city from the pencil of David Small.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Dundee Advertiser.</i></p></div>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="large">Lore and Legend of the English Church.</span></p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By the Rev. GEO. S. TYACK, b.a.</span></p>
+<p class="center"><i>Crown, Cloth extra, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Contents</span>:&mdash;Introduction&mdash;The Building of the Church&mdash;The Church
+Steeple&mdash;The Churchyard&mdash;Graves and Funerals&mdash;The Nave&mdash;The Pulpit and the
+Lectern&mdash;The Font&mdash;Folk-Lore and Customs of Marriage&mdash;The Chancel and the
+Choir&mdash;Alms and Offerings&mdash;Conclusion&mdash;Index.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;A work that will be read with much interest.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Somerset Herald.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A handsome and substantial volume.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Birmingham Daily Gazette.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The volume could scarcely be too warmly commended.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Staffordshire
+Advertiser.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A valuable addition to the splendid series of books on church
+curiosities published by Messrs. William Andrews &amp; Co.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Church
+Family Newspaper.</i></p></div>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="large">A Book About Bells.</span></p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By the Rev. GEO. S. TYACK, b.a.</span></p>
+<p class="center"><i>Crown, Cloth extra, 3s. 6d.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Contents</span>:&mdash;Invention of Bells&mdash;Bell Founding and Bell Founders&mdash;Dates and
+Names of Bells&mdash;The Decoration of Bells&mdash;Some Noteworthy Bells&mdash;The Loss
+of Old Bells&mdash;Towers and Campaniles&mdash;Bell-Ringing and Bell-Ringers&mdash;The
+Church-Going Bell&mdash;Bells at Christian Festivals and Fasts&mdash;The Epochs of
+Man&#8217;s Life Marked by the Bells&mdash;The Blessings and the Cursings of the
+Bells&mdash;Bells as Time-Markers&mdash;Secular Uses of Church and other
+Bells&mdash;Small Bells, Secular and Sacred&mdash;Carillons&mdash;Belfry Rhymes and
+Legends&mdash;Index of Subjects, Index of Places.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;Covers the whole field of bell-lore.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Scotsman.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;A Book About Bells&#8217; can be heartily commended.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Pall Mall
+Gazette.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A most useful and interesting book.... All who are interested in
+bells will, we feel confident, read it with pleasure and
+profit.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Church Family Newspaper.</i></p></div>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="large">The Grotesque in Church Art.</span></p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By</span> T. TINDALL WILDRIDGE.</p>
+<p class="center"><small>ONLY 400 COPIES PRINTED, AND EACH COPY NUMBERED.</small></p>
+<p class="center"><i>Quarto Cloth extra, 16s. 6d. Many illustrations.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Contents</span>:&mdash;Introduction&mdash;Definitions of the Grotesque&mdash;The Carvers&mdash;The
+Artistic Quality of Church Grotesques&mdash;Gothic Ornament not
+Didactic&mdash;Ingrained Paganism&mdash;Mythic Origin of Church Carvings&mdash;Hell&#8217;s
+Mouth&mdash;Satanic Representations&mdash;The Devil and the Vices&mdash;Ale and the
+Alewife&mdash;Satires without Satan&mdash;Scriptural Illustrations&mdash;Masks and
+Faces&mdash;The Domestic and Popular&mdash;Animal Musicians&mdash;Compound
+Forms&mdash;Nondescripts&mdash;Rebuses&mdash;Trinities&mdash;The Fox in Church Art&mdash;Situations
+of Grotesque Ornament in Church Art&mdash;Index.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;The book is one which will appeal strongly to book-lovers; for the
+edition is a handsome one, exquisitely printed and profusely
+illustrated, and the edition is strictly limited to four hundred
+copies.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Sheffield Daily Telegraph.</i></p></div>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="large">The Miracle Play in England.</span></p>
+<p class="center">An Account of the Early Religious Drama.</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By SIDNEY W. CLARKE, Barrister-at-Law</span>.</p>
+<p class="center"><i>Crown, 2s. 0d. Illustrated.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Contents</span>:&mdash;The Origin of Drama&mdash;The Beginnings of English Drama&mdash;The York
+Plays&mdash;The Wakefield Plays&mdash;The Chester Plays&mdash;The Coventry Plays&mdash;Other
+English Miracle Plays&mdash;The Production of a Miracle Play&mdash;The Scenery,
+Properties, and Dresses&mdash;Appendix&mdash;The Order of the York Plays&mdash;Extract
+from City Register of York, 1426&mdash;The Order of the Wakefield Plays&mdash;The
+Order of the Chester Plays&mdash;The Order of the Grey Friars&#8217; Plays at
+Coventry&mdash;A Miracle Play in a Puppet Show&mdash;Index.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;An admirable work.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Eastern Morning News.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Clarke has chosen a most interesting subject, one that is
+attractive alike to the student, the historian, and the general
+reader.... A most interesting volume, and a number of quaint
+illustrations add to its value.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Birmingham Daily Gazette.</i></p></div>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="large">Legal Lore: Curiosities of Law and Lawyers.</span></p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Edited by</span> WILLIAM ANDREWS.</p>
+<p class="center"><i>Demy, Cloth extra, 7s. 6d.</i></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Contents</span>:&mdash;Bible Law&mdash;Sanctuaries&mdash;Trials in Superstitious Ages&mdash;On
+Symbols&mdash;Law under the Feudal System&mdash;The Manor and Manor Law&mdash;Ancient
+Tenures&mdash;Laws of the Forest&mdash;Trial by Jury in Old Times&mdash;Barbarous
+Punishments&mdash;Trials of Animals&mdash;Devices of the Sixteenth Century
+Debtors&mdash;Laws Relating to the Gipsies&mdash;Commonwealth Law and
+Lawyers&mdash;Cock-Fighting in Scotland&mdash;Cockieleerie Law&mdash;Fatal
+Links&mdash;Post-Mortem Trials&mdash;Island Laws&mdash;The Little Inns of
+Court&mdash;Obiter&mdash;Index.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>&#8220;There are some very amusing and curious facts concerning law and
+lawyers. We have read with much interest the articles on Sanctuaries,
+Trials in Superstitious Ages, Ancient Tenures, Trials by Jury in Old
+Times, Barbarous Punishments, and Trials of Animals, and can heartily
+recommend the volume to those who wish for a few hours&#8217; profitable
+diversion in the study of what may be called the light literature of
+the law.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Daily Mail.</i></p></div>
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="large">Divine Song in its Human Echo.</span></p>
+<p class="center">Or, <span class="smcap">Song and Service</span>.</p>
+<p class="center">A Series of Short, Plain Sermons on Old-Fashioned Hymns.</p>
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By the</span> REV. J. GEORGE GIBSON.</p>
+<p class="center"><i>Crown, Cloth gilt, 7s. 6d.</i></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This volume contains thirty-seven sermons on old-fashioned hymns, and
+when we say that each discourse averages about ten octavo pages, printed
+in good-sized type, it will be seen that they are entitled to be called
+short. The Rector of Ebchester is an adept at the production of short
+sermons, and the line he has adopted in this instance is an extremely
+happy one. It is a conception that appeals to a great multitude, and the
+hymns which give the cue to the reflections form a large variety of
+well-known spiritual songs, the favourites, indeed, in communities of
+every name. Some of the sermons, indeed, most of them, have been prepared
+for anniversaries and special occasions, and all are such as might be
+expected from a man who is an undoubted lover of hymns. Their brevity
+excludes prolixity, and terse summaries of facts, sharp statements of
+doctrine, succinctness of argument, and directness of appeal characterise
+the whole.&#8221;&mdash;<i>Newcastle Daily Leader.</i></p></div>
+
+
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr style="width: 50%;" />
+<p><strong>Footnotes:</strong></p>
+
+<p><a name='f_1' id='f_1' href='#fna_1'>[1]</a> Paper communicated by Sir G. Duckett, July, 1879.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_2' id='f_2' href='#fna_2'>[2]</a> &#8220;Sir Ewain; or, the Giant&#8217;s Cave.&#8221; Penrith, 1860.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_3' id='f_3' href='#fna_3'>[3]</a> Historical Manuscripts Commissioners&#8217; Ninth Report.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_4' id='f_4' href='#fna_4'>[4]</a> At Kirkby Stephen, September, 1871.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_5' id='f_5' href='#fna_5'>[5]</a> &#8220;Annals of Kendal,&#8221; 1832.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_6' id='f_6' href='#fna_6'>[6]</a> 8th series, vol. 9, 1896.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_7' id='f_7' href='#fna_7'>[7]</a> &#8220;Survey of the Lakes,&#8221; 1789.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_8' id='f_8' href='#fna_8'>[8]</a> Sayer.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_9' id='f_9' href='#fna_9'>[9]</a> Sayer.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_10' id='f_10' href='#fna_10'>[10]</a> &#8220;Bygone Punishments,&#8221; 1898.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_11' id='f_11' href='#fna_11'>[11]</a> &#8220;History and Traditions of Ravenstononedale,&#8221; 1877.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_12' id='f_12' href='#fna_12'>[12]</a> &#8220;Beneath Helvellyn&#8217;s Shade,&#8221; 1892.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_13' id='f_13' href='#fna_13'>[13]</a> At Cockermouth, October 10th, 1867.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_14' id='f_14' href='#fna_14'>[14]</a> The Rev. E. H. Sugden&#8217;s &#8220;History of Arlecdon and Frizington,&#8221; 1897.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_15' id='f_15' href='#fna_15'>[15]</a> &#8220;Craven and North-West Yorkshire Highlands.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_16' id='f_16' href='#fna_16'>[16]</a> &#8220;Traditions of Lancashire.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_17' id='f_17' href='#fna_17'>[17]</a> <i>Carlisle Journal</i>, May, 1895.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_18' id='f_18' href='#fna_18'>[18]</a> &#8220;Church Treasury of History, Custom, and Folk Lore,&#8221; 1897.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_19' id='f_19' href='#fna_19'>[19]</a> &#8220;The Manners and Customs of Westmorland, etc., in the Former Part of
+the Eighteenth Century.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_20' id='f_20' href='#fna_20'>[20]</a> &#8220;Romantic Richmondshire,&#8221; 1897.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_21' id='f_21' href='#fna_21'>[21]</a> &#8220;The Parish Registers of Dalston,&#8221; 1893.</p>
+
+<p><a name='f_22' id='f_22' href='#fna_22'>[22]</a> &#8220;Survey of the Lakes,&#8221; by James Clarke. Penrith, 1789.</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
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+</body>
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+Project Gutenberg's Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland, by Daniel Scott
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland
+
+Author: Daniel Scott
+
+Release Date: October 31, 2011 [EBook #37891]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BYGONE CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Brian Foley and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BYGONE CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: THE LEPERS' SQUINT, ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH,
+BROUGH-UNDER-STAINMORE.
+
+_From a Photo by Mr. George Arkwright, Beatrice, Nebraska, U.S.A._]
+
+
+
+
+  Bygone Cumberland
+  and
+  Westmorland
+
+
+  By Daniel Scott
+
+
+  LONDON:
+  WILLIAM ANDREWS & CO., 5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, E.C.
+  1899.
+
+
+
+
+TO EMMA.
+
+
+
+
+Preface.
+
+
+The information contained in the following pages has been derived from
+many sources during the last twenty years, and in a considerable number of
+cases I have examined old registers and other documents without being then
+aware that some of their contents had already been published.
+
+Few districts in the United Kingdom have been more thoroughly "worked" for
+antiquarian and archaeological purposes than have Cumberland and
+Westmorland. The Antiquarian Society and the numerous Literary and
+Scientific Societies have, during the last thirty years, been responsible
+for a great amount of research. I have endeavoured to acknowledge each
+source--not only as a token of my own obligation, but as a means of
+directing others wishing further information on the various points.
+
+I also desire to acknowledge the help received in various ways from
+numerous friends in the two counties.
+
+DANIEL SCOTT.
+
+PENRITH, _June 1st, 1899_.
+
+
+
+
+Contents.
+
+
+                                              PAGE
+
+  AN UNPARALLELED SHERIFFWICK                    1
+
+  WATCH AND WARD                                 9
+
+  FIGHTING BISHOPS AND FORTIFIED CHURCHES       22
+
+  SOME CHURCH CURIOSITIES                       38
+
+  MANORIAL LAWS AND CURIOSITIES OF TENURES      64
+
+  OLD-TIME PUNISHMENTS                          91
+
+  SOME LEGENDS AND SUPERSTITIONS               130
+
+  FOUR LUCKS                                   148
+
+  SOME OLD TRADING LAWS AND CUSTOMS            155
+
+  OLD-TIME HOME LIFE                           169
+
+  SPORTS AND FESTIVITIES                       188
+
+  ON THE ROAD                                  209
+
+  OLD CUSTOMS                                  223
+
+  OLD SCHOOL CUSTOMS                           240
+
+  INDEX                                        257
+
+
+
+
+Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland.
+
+
+
+
+An Unparalleled Sheriffwick.
+
+
+For a period of 645 years--from 1204 to 1849--Westmorland, unlike other
+counties in England (excluding, of course, the counties Palatine), had no
+Sheriff other than the one who held the office by hereditary right. The
+first Sheriff of the county is mentioned in 1160, and nine or ten other
+names occur at subsequent periods, until in 1202, the fourth year of the
+reign of King John, came Robert de Vetripont. Very soon afterwards the
+office was made hereditary in his family "to have and to hold of the King
+and his heirs." The honour and privileges were possessed by no less than
+twenty-two of Robert's descendants. Their occupation of the office covers
+some very exciting periods of county history, the tasks committed to the
+Sheriffs in former centuries being frequently of an arduous as well as
+dangerous character.
+
+The Sheriff had very important duties of a military character to carry
+out. Thus in the sixth year of Henry the Third we have the command from
+the King to the Sheriff of Westmorland that without any delay he should
+summon the earls, barons, knights, and freeholders of his bailiwick, and
+that he should hasten to Cockermouth and besiege the castle there,
+afterwards destroying it to its very foundations. This order was a
+duplicate of one sent to the Sheriff of Yorkshire concerning Skipton
+Castle and other places. It is not known, however, whether the
+instructions respecting Cockermouth were carried out or not.
+
+The powers of Sheriff not being confined to the male members of the
+family, the histories of Westmorland contain the unusual information that
+at least two women occupied, by right of office, seats on the bench
+alongside the Judges. The first of these was Isabella de Clifford, widow
+of Robert, and, wrote the historian Machell, "She sate as is said in
+person at Apelby as Sheriff of the county, and died about 20 of Edward I."
+The other case was that of the still more powerful, strenuous, and gifted
+woman, Anne, Countess of Pembroke. Of her it is recorded that she not
+only took her seat on the bench, but "rode on a white charger as
+Sheriffess of Westmorland, before the Judges to open the Assizes." It will
+not be forgotten that territorial lords and ladies in bygone times held
+Courts of their own in connection with their manors and castles. The Rev.
+John Wharton, Vicar of South Stainmore, in a communication to the writer
+some time ago said: "From documents shown me by the late John Hill, Esq.,
+Castle Bank, Appleby, the great but somewhat masculine Anne, Countess of
+Pembroke and Montgomery, seemed partial to Courts of her own. She sat upon
+many offenders as a judge, and it is handed down that she executed divers
+persons for treasonous designs and plotting against her estate."
+
+The Memoranda Rolls belonging to the Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer, show
+the mode of presenting or nominating the Sheriff for Westmorland in the
+time of the Cliffords, his admittance to the office by the Barons of the
+Exchequer, and his warrant for executing it. From the Rolls of the 15th,
+19th, and 23rd years of Edward the First, when the Sheriffwick passed into
+the family of the Cliffords, it seems that the right of appointment was
+the subject of litigation between the two daughters and heiresses of the
+last of the Vetriponts. This ended in an agreement that the elder sister
+should "present" to, and the younger should "approve" the appointment. In
+this way Robert de Moreville was admitted to the office of Sheriff in the
+fifteenth year of Edward's reign, Gilbert de Burneshead three years later,
+and Ralph de Manneby in 1295, each swearing faithfully to execute his
+office and answer to both daughters. On the death of the sisters the
+Sheriffwick became vested in Robert de Clifford, son and heir of the
+eldest, and continued in the possession of his descendants until the
+attainder in 1461.
+
+The list of Sheriffs is, of course, a very long one, and even allowing for
+the large number of individuals who have left nothing more than their
+names, there is much material for interesting study in the histories of
+the others. The actual work was rarely done by the holders of the office.
+"The functionaries who performed the duties were simply deputies for the
+Sheriff, and although we find them attesting many ancient charters and
+grants relating to the county, recording themselves as Vice-Comites (or
+Sheriffs), they simply executed the office as Pro-Vice-Comites (or
+Under-Sheriffs). The attainder of the Cliffords during the Wars of the
+Roses, until its reversal in the first year of Henry the Sixth, causes a
+void as regards their family, their places being filled from among the
+supporters of the House of York."[1] For a considerable period Westmorland
+was treated as part of Yorkshire, the Sheriff of the latter county
+rendering an account of the two places jointly. From the time of John,
+however, the accounts rendered for Westmorland by Yorkshire Sheriffs would
+have been as Sub-Vice-Comites for the Vetriponts.
+
+The High Sheriffs and their connections lived in considerable state when
+the country was sufficiently peaceable to permit of it. This is proved by
+the arrangement and size of their castles, while Sir Lancelot Threlkeld,
+half-brother of Henry Clifford, used to boast that he had three noble
+houses. One, at Crosby Ravensworth, where there was a park full of deer,
+was for pleasure; one for profit and warmth wherein to reside in winter,
+was the house at Yanwath; and the estate at Threlkeld was "well stocked
+with tenants ready to go with him to the wars." The various "progresses"
+of the Countess Anne also afford evidence of the state kept up, for she
+frequently speaks of her journeys from one castle to another "escorted by
+my gentlemen and yeomen."
+
+Among the numerous pieces of patronage which became the prerogative of the
+High Sheriffs of Westmorland, was that of the Abbey of Shap, but there
+does not appear to be any record when this and other privileges passed
+from them, the property being granted by Henry the Eighth to the Whartons.
+Where so much power lay in the hands of one person, or of one family,
+differences with other authorities was perhaps inevitable. The interests
+of the burgesses of Appleby would seem to have clashed at times with those
+of the Sheriff, and for very many years the parties kept up a crusade
+against each other, especially during the reigns of the first three
+Edwards. What the cost of those proceedings may have been to the Sheriff
+cannot be told, but on the other side the result was the forfeiture of
+rights for a considerable time, because the fee farm rent had got into
+arrear. The Hereditary High Sheriff had the privilege of appointing the
+governor of the gaol at Appleby, but he had to pay L15 per annum towards
+the salary, while the magistrates appointed the other officials and made
+up from the county rates the remainder of the cost of the institution.
+
+The long period during which the holders of the Sheriffwick held the
+privilege is the more remarkable--as Sir G. Duckett, Bart., reminded the
+northern archaeologists in 1879--because of the way in which ancient grants
+and statutes have in almost all cases become a dead letter and obsolete.
+
+A singular incident in connection with the Sheriffwick happened about
+seventy years ago, and is recorded in the life of Baron Alderson, father
+of the Marchioness of Salisbury. The Baron went to Appleby to hold the
+half-yearly assizes, but on arriving there found that he could not carry
+out his work because Lord Thanet was in France, and had omitted to send
+the documents for obtaining juries. The Judge had therefore to spend his
+time as best he could for several days, until a messenger could see the
+High Sheriff in Paris and obtain the necessary papers.
+
+When the eleventh and last Earl of Thanet died in June, 1849, the male
+line of the family ceased, the estates passing by will to Sir Richard
+Tufton, father of the present Lord Hothfield. The office of Hereditary
+High Sheriff was claimed by the Rev. Charles Henry Barham, of Trecwn,
+nephew of the Earl, but a question arising as to the validity of a devise
+of the office, Mr. Barham relinquished his claim in favour of the Crown.
+An Act was afterwards passed--in July, 1850--making the Shrievalty in
+Westmorland the same as in other counties.
+
+
+
+
+Watch and Ward.
+
+
+The geographical position of the two counties rendered an extensive system
+of watching essential for the safety of the residents. In the northern
+parts of Cumberland, along the Border, this was particularly the case; but
+there watch and ward was more of a military character than was necessary
+elsewhere, while as it was a part of the national defence it passed into
+the care of the Government for the time being. From the necessity for
+"watching and warding" against the northern incursions, came the name of
+the divisions of the two counties. Cumberland had for centuries five
+wards; more recently for purposes of local government these were increased
+to seven; and Westmorland also has four wards.
+
+The regulations of the barony of Gilsland, in a manuscript volume
+belonging to the Earl of Lonsdale, are very explicit as to what was
+required of the tenants in the way of Border service. These stipulated for
+good horses, efficient armour and weapons for the bailiffs, and a rigid
+supervision of those of lower rank. The tenants' nags were ordered to be
+"able at anye tyme to beare a manne twentie or four-and-twentie houres
+without a baite, or at the leaste is able sufficientlye to beare a manne
+twentie miles within Scotlande and backe againe withoute a baite." Every
+tenant, moreover, had to provide himself with "a jacke, steale-cape,
+sworde, bowe, or speare, such weapons as shall be thought meatest for him
+to weare by the seyght of the baylife where he dwelleth or by the
+land-serjeante." The rules as to the watch required that every tenant
+should keep his night watch as he should be appointed by the bailiff, the
+tenant breaking his watch forfeiting two shillings, which in those days
+was a formidable amount. The tenants had to go to their watch before ten
+o'clock, and not to return to a house till after cock-crow; they were also
+required to call twice to all their neighbours within their watches, once
+about midnight, and "ones after the cockes have crowen."
+
+Detailed instructions were drawn up for the guidance of the men during
+their watches. These were even less emphatic, however, than those which
+referred to the maintenance and keeping of the beacons, of which fourteen
+public ones (including Penrith and Skiddaw) are named in Nicolson and
+Burn's History. Modernising the spelling, one of the paragraphs runs as
+follows:--
+
+    "The watchers of a windy night shall watch well of beacons, because in
+    a wind the fray cannot be heard, and therefore it is ordered that of a
+    windy night (if a fray rise) beacons shall be burnt in every lordship
+    by the watchers. One watcher shall keep the beacon burning and the
+    other make speed to the next warner, to warn all the lordships, and so
+    to set forwards. And if the watchers through their own default do not
+    see the beacons burn, or do not burn their own beacons, as appointed,
+    they shall each forfeit two shillings. If the warners have sufficient
+    warning by the watchers, and do not warn all within their warning with
+    great speed, if any fault be proved of the warner he shall forfeit
+    18d."
+
+The "Orders of the Watch" made by Lord Wharton in October, 1553, are of
+considerable local interest in connection with this subject, and the
+following extracts may for that reason be quoted:--
+
+    "Ainstable, Armathwhaite, Nunclose, and Flodelcruke to keep nightly
+    Paytwath with four persons; William Skelton's bailiffs and constables
+    to appoint nightly to set and search the said watch. Four fords upon
+    Raven, to be watched by Kirkoswald, Laisingby, Glassenby, Little
+    Salkeld, Ullesby, Melmorby, Ranwyke, and Harskew: at every ford
+    nightly four persons; and the searchers to be appointed by the
+    bailiffs and constables, upon the oversight of Christopher Threlkeld,
+    the King's Highness's servant. Upon Blenkarn Beck are five fords, to
+    be watched by Blenkarn, Culgaith, Skyrwath, Kirkland, Newbiggin,
+    Sourby, Millburn, Dufton, Marton, Kirkbythore, Knock, and Milburn
+    Grange; bailiffs and constables to appoint searchers: Overseers,
+    Christopher Crackenthorp, and Gilbert Wharton, the King's Highness's
+    servants. Upon the water of Pettrel: From Carlisle to Pettrelwray;
+    bailiffs and constables there, with the oversight of the late Prior of
+    Carlisle for the time being, or the steward of the lands. And from
+    thence to Plompton; overseer of the search and watch nightly John
+    Skelton of Appletreethwayt, and Thomas Herrington, Ednal and
+    Dolphenby; Sir Richard Musgrave, knight, overseer, his deputy or
+    deputies. Skelton and Hutton in the Forest; overseers thereof, William
+    Hutton and John Suthake. Newton and Catterlen, John Vaux, overseer,
+    nightly. For the search of the watches of all the King's Highness's
+    lands, called the Queen's Hames, the steward there, his deputy or
+    deputies, nightly. From the barony of Graystock; the Lord Dacre, his
+    steward, deputy or deputies, overseers. This watch to begin the first
+    night of October, and to continue until the 16th day of March; and the
+    sooner to begin, or longer to continue at the discretion of the Lord
+    Warden General or his deputy for the time being. Also the night watch
+    to be set at the day-going, and to continue until the day be light;
+    and the day watch, when the same is, to begin at the day light, and to
+    continue until the day be gone."
+
+
+[Illustration: PENRITH BEACON.
+
+_From a Photo by Mr. John Bolton, Penrith._]
+
+
+Penrith Beacon had an important place in the system of watch and ward in
+the south-eastern parts of Cumberland and North Westmorland. As a
+former local poet wrote:--
+
+  "Yon grey Beacon, like a watchman brave,
+  Warned of the dreaded night, and fire-fed, gave
+  Heed of the threatening Scot."
+
+The hill before being planted as it now appears, was simply a bare fell,
+without enclosures of any kind. The late Rev. Beilby Porteus, Edenhall, in
+one of his books,[2] after mentioning the uses of Penrith Beacon,
+added:--"Before these parts were enclosed, every parish church served as a
+means of communication with its neighbours; and, while the tower of
+Edenhall Church bears evident tokens of such utility, there yet exist at
+my other church at Langwathby, a morion, back, and breast-plate, which the
+parish were obliged to provide for a man, termed the 'Jack,' whose
+business it was at a certain hour in the evening to keep watch, and report
+below, if he perceived any signs of alarm, or indications of incursions
+from the Border."
+
+South Westmorland had as its most important look-out station, Farleton
+Knott, where "a beacon was sustained in the days of Scottish invasion, the
+ruddy glow of which was responded to by the clang of arms and the war
+notes of the bugle."
+
+Wardhole, now known as Warthol, near Aspatria, was once an important
+protection station, watch and ward being kept against the Scots; from this
+place "the watchmen gave warning to them who attended at the beacon on
+Moothay to fire the same." The ancient beacon of Moota is about three
+miles from Cockermouth. Dealing with the natural position of Bothel,
+Nicolson wrote over a century ago:--"The town stands on the side of a
+hill, where in old time the watch was kept day and night for seawake,
+which service is performed by the country beneath Derwent at this place,
+and above Derwent, in Copeland, at Bothil, in Millom. It is called
+_servicium de bodis_ in old evidences, whereupon this hill was named the
+_Bode-hill_, and the village at the foot of it _Bode-hill-ton_ (Bolton),
+or _Bodorum Collis_. The common people used to call a lantern a _bowet_,
+which name and word was then in use for a light on the shore to direct
+sailors in the night, properly signifying a token, and not a light or
+lantern, as they call a message warranted by a token a _bodeword_, and the
+watchmen were called _bodesmen_, because they had a _bode_, or watchword
+given them, to prevent the enemy's fraud in the night season."
+
+There was a noted beacon near Bootle, from which that town took its old
+name--"Bothill"--the beacon being fired, upon the discovery of any ships
+upon the Irish Sea which might threaten an invasion, by the watchmen who
+lay in _booths_ by the beacon. For the support of this service the charge
+or payment of seawake was provided. This payment occurs in connection with
+various manors; thus on an inquisition of knights' fees in Cumberland it
+was found that Sir William Pennington held the manor of Muncaster "of the
+King as of his castle of Egremont, by the service of the sixth part of one
+knight's fee rendering to the King yearly for seawake 12{d}, and the
+puture of two serjeants." At the same inquiry it was certified that
+William Kirkby held the manor of Bolton, in the parish of Gosforth, of the
+King "by knight's service, paying yearly 10/- cornage, and seawake,
+homage, suit of court, and witness-man." He also paid two shillings
+seawake for other lands in the district. Many other instances of this tax
+for watch and ward in old days might be quoted, but diligent search and
+inquiry during the last few months have failed to show that it is now
+exacted in any form, or when the payments were allowed to lapse.
+
+Of watch and ward as applied to town and village life as distinct from
+Border service there may be found in Cumberland and Westmorland records
+many very interesting and suggestive reminders. By the famous statute of
+Winchester it was provided that from Ascension Day to Michaelmas in every
+city six men should keep watch at every gate, in every borough twelve men,
+and in every other town six or four, according to the number of the
+inhabitants, and that these should watch the town continually all night
+from the setting to the rising of the sun. This was but one of three kinds
+of watches, the others being kept by the town constable, and the other set
+by authority of the justices. Every inhabitant was bound to keep watch in
+his turn, or to find another. It was specially provided that the watching
+and warding should be by men able of body and sufficiently weaponed, and
+therefore a woman required to watch might procure one to watch for her.
+While the person thus chosen had to bear sundry punishments in default of
+carrying out a duty which was neither pleasant nor safe, there was the
+wise provision that if a watchman were killed in the execution of his
+duty, as in endeavouring to apprehend a burglar, his executors were
+entitled to a reward of L40. In the standard work by Orton's best known
+former Vicar may be found two copies of Westmorland warrants, one for the
+keeping of watch, and the other for the commitment of a person apprehended
+by the watch, while there is also a copy of an indictment for not
+watching. This was no mere matter of form; for hundreds of years after
+King Edward instituted the system it was the chief safeguard against
+robbery, and in a great many places against incursions of the enemy.
+
+At Kendal watch and ward was strictly maintained, not for the purpose of
+keeping out marauding Scots or other undesirable characters, but for the
+maintenance of quiet and order in the streets. In 1575 the Mayor and
+burgesses of Kendal made the following order with reference to the
+watching of the borough:--
+
+    "It is ordered and constituted by the Alderman and head burgesses of
+    this borough of Kirkby Kendal, that from henceforth nightly in the
+    same borough at all times in the year, there shall be kept and
+    continued one sufficient watch, the same to begin at nine of the clock
+    of the night, and to continue until four of the clock in the morning,
+    in which watch always there shall be six persons, viz., two for
+    Sowtergate, two for Marketstead and Stricklandgate, and two for
+    Stramagate, to be taken and going by course in every constablewick one
+    after the other, and taking their charge and watchword nightly off the
+    constables or their deputies, severally as in old times hath been
+    accustomed; which six persons so appointed watchmen nightly shall be
+    tall, manlike men, having and bearing with them in the same watch
+    every one a halberd, ravenbill, axe, or other good and sufficient iron
+    bound staff or weapon, sallett or scull upon every one his head,
+    whereby the better made able to lay hands upon and apprehend the
+    disordered night walkers, malefactors, and suspicious persons, and to
+    prevent and stay other inconveniences, and shall continually use to go
+    from place to place and through street and street within the borough
+    during all the time appointed for their watch, upon pain to forfeit
+    and lose to the Chamber of this borough for every default these pains
+    ensuing, that is to say, every householder chargeable with the watch
+    for his default 3s. 4d., and every watchman for his default such fine
+    and punishment as shall be thought meet by the Alderman and head
+    burgesses."
+
+Shortly before the end of 1582 the foregoing order was repealed and
+another regulation substituted. The material part was in the following
+quaint terms, the original spelling being observed:
+
+    "And shall contynnally goo and walk ffrome place to place in and
+    throughe suche streete within the same boroughe as they shal be
+    opoyntyd and assigned by the Constabull or his deputy then settinge
+    the watch that is to say ij of them in everie suche streete in
+    companye together as they may be apoynted ffor their sayd watche vpon
+    payne to forfeyte and losse to the Chamber of this Bourgh for everie
+    fault dewly pved theis payns ensuinge that is to say everie
+    householder and wedow and bachler Chargeable wth the watche for his
+    default xijd and every watchman ffor his default such ffyne and
+    punnyshmt as shal be thought mete by the Alderman or his deputye
+    ffrome tyme to tyme beinge."
+
+At Carlisle and several other places the rules for the watch were among
+the most interesting and important items in the whole of the rules
+concerning local government. On the coast at times very vigorous action
+was both required and taken. At Whitehaven, in February, 1793, a meeting
+of the authorities was held "in consequence of the daring attempts made by
+the enemy in other places and the dangers to which the port was formerly
+exposed." Orders were issued for mounting all the heavy guns, and for
+procuring ammunition and other stores. Thirty-six weapons were mounted in
+six batteries; governors of these batteries were appointed, with other
+officers. A nightly watch was set, and every precaution taken to prevent a
+surprise, or to resist any attack which might be made on the port.
+Fortunately the precautions were not put to the test.
+
+Coming down to a much later period, but still connected with the
+protection of the two counties, a curious incident may be recalled, if for
+no other reason than that it is impossible for such a contretemps ever to
+occur again. In 1807, after a ballot for the Cumberland Militia, Penrith
+being the headquarters, an order arrived for the recruits to be marched up
+to the regiment. They were, wrote an eye witness, accordingly mustered for
+that purpose in marching order, and, followed by many of the populace,
+arrived at Eamont Bridge, where the sister counties of Cumberland and
+Westmorland divide. Here there was a sudden halt. They would not cross the
+bridge without their county guinea. After some altercation, and promises
+by Colonel Lacy and other gentlemen that they should be paid on joining
+the regiment, which promises were of no avail, they were counter-marched
+to Penrith. For three successive days they were thus marched, and still
+halted at the division of the counties. The lower orders of the populace
+took part with the soldiers, and a riot ensued, in which Colonel Lacy, the
+commanding officer, was very roughly handled. The consequence was that a
+troop of Enniskillen Dragoons was sent for from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and
+arrived in Penrith on the morning of the third day. A hard black frost was
+set in at the time, and the horses being "slape shod," they were falling
+in every direction. They were marched along with the recruits, who again
+stopped at the bridge. The populace was still unruly; the dragoons loaded
+their firepieces; the Riot Act was read, and the word "March" was given;
+but it was of no avail. A general cry was then raised that they would be
+satisfied with the promise of Colonel Hasell of Dalemain, but of no other
+man. Mr. Hasell came forward, and in a short, manly address, gave his
+promise that they should be paid on joining the regiment, and with cheers
+for the Colonel, they at once marched off.
+
+
+
+
+Fighting Bishops and Fortified Churches.
+
+
+The ecclesiastical history of Cumberland and Westmorland is curiously
+interwoven with that of secular affairs. This to a large extent arises
+from the geographical position of the diocese of Carlisle--and
+particularly of the diocese before its extension in 1856, up to which year
+it was the smallest in England. The Bishop of Carlisle in bygone centuries
+had always to take a leading part in fighting schemes, and as the churches
+would be the only substantial structures in some villages, they naturally
+came to be put to other uses than those of worship.
+
+The bishopric was indeed a unique district. Carlisle was the great Border
+fortress of the West Marches; the Bishop was invariably a Lord Marcher,
+and often Captain of the Castle. In copies which Halucton (Halton) caused
+to be extracted from the Great Roll of the Exchequer, frequent references
+are made to expenses incurred during a siege. These are believed to refer
+to 1295-6, when the Earl of Buchan and Wallace assailed the city, and when
+the Bishop was apparently Warden. The ecclesiasts during many hundreds of
+years must have been almost as familiar with the touch of armour as with
+that of their sacred robes. Writing on this subject over a century ago a
+Cumberland authority said:--
+
+    "As an example of the prevailing humour of those martial times, what
+    sort of priest must we suppose Cressingham to have been, who never
+    wore any coat that is accounted characteristic of a profession, but
+    that in which he was killed, namely, an iron one. Beck, the fighting
+    Bishop, was so turbulent a mortal that the English King, in order to
+    keep him within bounds, was obliged to take from him a part of those
+    possessions which he earned in battle, and in particular the livings
+    of Penrith and Symond-Burne. But not to mention Thurstan, who fought
+    the battle of the Standard, there are sufficient reasons for believing
+    that most of the priests in the northern parts of England had a double
+    profession, and they are so often mentioned as principals in these
+    continual wars that one cannot help concluding that the martial one
+    was more attended to. When the pastors are such, what must the people
+    be?"
+
+There was a very interesting quarrel--the facts being too numerous to be
+stated here--concerning the manor of Penrith, and those in some other
+parts of East Cumberland. They were in the possession of John de Baliol,
+by virtue of an agreement come to between the Kings of England and
+Scotland, but afterwards Edward the First quarrelled with Baliol, seized
+his lands, and granted them to Anthony Beck, the military Bishop of
+Durham already mentioned. That prelate had assisted the King at the battle
+of Falkirk, with a considerable number of soldiers, and was greatly
+instrumental in obtaining the victory. When the Parliament met at
+Carlisle, however, the grant was disapproved, and as the Bishop did not
+attend to show by what title he had taken the lands, they were adjudged to
+belong to the Crown.
+
+The manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of Carlisle contain many
+references to the knowledge of war required by the early Bishops. When
+Linstock was the episcopal residence, it lay exposed to the incursions of
+the Scots, whose respect of persons, as Mr. C. J. Ferguson has reminded
+us, was small. In April, 1309, Bishop Halton excused himself from obeying
+a summons to Parliament, pleading both fear of a Scots invasion and bad
+health as reasons. Later correspondence showed that the Bishop had been
+employed by the King as his deputy in suppressing outrages in the West
+March, and desired to be freed from some of his duties. The King therefore
+absolved the prelate from the duties to which he objected, but begged him
+to assume the remainder of the offices in his commission, so as to
+restrain the lawlessness prevailing on both sides of the Border.
+
+The difficulties of defence, or the constant annoyance, became so great
+that in 1318 Edward the Second obtained from the Pope the appropriation to
+the bishopric of Carlisle of the church of Horncastle, Lincolnshire, to be
+a place of refuge for the Bishop and his successors during the ravages of
+the northern enemy. Thomas de Lucy, upon the invasion of the Scots in
+1346, "joined his strength with the Bishop of Carlisle [Welton], and so
+alarmed the enemy in the night-time, by frequent entering into their
+quarters, that at length they fled into their own country. And a truce
+shortly after ensuing, he was again joined in commission with the same
+Bishop and others to see the same duly observed." The Bishop was soon
+afterwards constituted one of the commissioners for the arraying of men in
+the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland for the defence of the Borders,
+the French then threatening an invasion. With the growth of these troubles
+from abroad, pressure was put upon those who could raise funds, of whom
+Bishop Appleby was not the least important. "_Brevia de privato sigillo_
+quickly succeed one another at this time," wrote the Rev. J. Brigstocke
+Sheppard, in 1881,[3] when he had gone carefully through the muniments of
+the Dean and Chapter. "The King, in an agony of apprehension, occasioned
+by the threat of invasion, backed by a large fleet collected in the
+northern ports of France, begs the Bishop again and again to raise a
+defensive militia, to cause prayers to be offered in all churches, and
+finally to advance him as much money as he can upon security of the
+clerical _disme_ which would soon be due." In a further letter, the King
+being determined to borrow from such of his subjects as could best afford
+to lend, ordered the Bishop to send for six of the richest clergy and six
+of the most affluent laymen in each county, and upon these twenty-four to
+impose a loan of fifty marks on an average--more upon those who could
+afford it, and less upon those less able to bear the tax. In 1373 Bishop
+Appleby was enjoined by the King to reside continually in his diocese upon
+the Marches, and to keep the inhabitants in a state of defence as a
+protection to the rest of the kingdom against the Scots.
+
+And so through all the long list of Border troubles the Bishops had to
+take a conspicuous share in the proceedings, until the ludicrous incident
+on Penrith Fell, which was the last occasion on which a Bishop took part
+in fighting on English soil. Various local chroniclers have given
+different versions, but there seems to be no room for doubt that the one
+by Chancellor Ferguson is accurate. When in 1715 the Jacobites marched
+from Brampton to take Penrith, the people from all the country side
+(though whether the number was 4,000 or 14,000, as variously stated, is
+not material), armed with guns, scythes, pitch-forks, and other handy if
+not always military weapons, went on to the fell to meet the rebels. The
+"_posse comitatus_ were under Lord Lonsdale and Bishop Nicolson, the
+latter seated in his coach, drawn by six horses. So soon as the
+Highlanders appeared, the _posse comitatus_ went away; in plain words they
+skedaddled, leaving the two commanders and a few of their servants. Lord
+Lonsdale presently galloped off to Appleby, and the Bishop's coachman,
+whipping up his horses, carried off his master _willy nilly_ to Rose
+Castle. It is said the prelate lost his wig, while shouting from the
+carriage window to his coachman to stop." The result of this ignominious
+retreat was that the Jacobites took possession of Penrith for the time
+being, but behaved well, their most serious action being the proclamation
+of James the Third, and the capture of a lot of provisions.
+
+From fighting prelates to fortified churches is not a long step. Three or
+four of these structures have come in for more notice than the rest,
+although the latter cannot thereby be considered as lacking some of the
+most interesting features of the others. During the last thirty years the
+changes necessitated by restorations of churches have caused some of these
+relics of turbulent times to be somewhat altered; there are still,
+however, numerous village structures which tell their own story much more
+vividly, to the trained eye, than could be done by written record. When
+the late Mr. John Cory, county architect for Cumberland, read his paper on
+the subject at Carlisle a quarter of a century ago, he pointed out some of
+the characteristics of these ancient ecclesiastical strongholds: "The
+distance from each other tells of a scanty population; the deficiency of
+architectural decoration shows that the inhabitants of the district were
+otherwise engaged than in peaceful occupations; while traces of continual
+repairs in the fabric are evidently not to be attributed to the desire
+shown in the churches of many southern counties to make good buildings
+better, but have resulted from the necessity occasioned by the partial
+destruction of churches through hostile aggressions. In many instances it
+may be said that the church had been erected scarcely less for the safety
+of the body than for the benefit of the soul."
+
+That the abbey of Holme Cultram was once both a fortress and a church is
+shown to this day by the remains of earthworks which once served for its
+defence. Curious entries in the parish books also indicate the bitter
+hatred of the Cumbrians for those from over the Border. The value of the
+abbey is shown by a petition of the inhabitants of the lordship to
+Cromwell in 1538, when they asked "for the preservation and standynge of
+the Church of Holme Cultrane before saide; whiche is not onlye unto us our
+parish Churche, and little ynoughe to receyve all us, your poore Orators,
+but also a great ayde, socor, and defence for us agenst our neghbours the
+Scots, witheaut the whiche, few or none of your Lordshipp's supplyants are
+able to pay the King his saide Highness our bounden dutye and service,
+ande wee shall not onelye praye for his graciouse noble estate, but also
+your Lordshipp's prosperitie with increase of honour long to endure."
+
+The tower of Burgh-by-Sands Church, close to the Solway, was built at the
+west end of the structure, with walls six feet to seven feet in thickness.
+A further indication of the desire for security is found in the bottoms of
+the windows of the church, which were placed eight feet from the ground.
+Entrance to the fortified tower could only be obtained through a ponderous
+iron door six feet eight inches high, with two massive bolts, and
+constructed of thick bars crossing each other, and boarded over with oak
+planks. As only one person at a time could gain access to the vaulted
+chamber, there was every possibility of offering effective opposition to
+attacks, while the ringing of the bells would be the signal for bringing
+any available help. What was true of one side of the Solway was equally
+true of the other, there being still traces of fortified churches on the
+Scottish side of the Firth.
+
+Newton Arlosh Church is another noteworthy example of a building
+
+  "Half house of God, half castle 'gainst the Scots,"
+
+though here the bulk of the attention would seem to have been paid to
+bodily danger. The doorway was made only two feet six inches wide, and as
+at Burgh the lowest parts of the windows were placed above the reach of a
+man's hand--in this case the sills were seven feet from the ground. Light
+was of less consequence than security, and so the windows were only one
+foot wide, with a height of three feet four inches.
+
+Though further away from the Border than either of the other churches
+mentioned, that at Great Salkeld was peculiarly liable to attack by the
+Scottish raiders, as it occupies a strong position near the river Eden,
+whose banks seem to have been much used by the undesirable visitors. The
+tower is in a splendid state of preservation, although necessarily much
+altered, in detail, from its former condition. There were five floors,
+that on the ground level being a vaulted room, with a strong door of iron
+and oak leading into the church. Three small apertures afforded light and
+opportunities for watching from the first floor, and that room also
+contained a fireplace. In a footnote in their "Cumberland" volume of
+"Magna Britannia," the brothers Lysons suggest that Great Salkeld Church
+might have been fortified about the time that Penrith Castle was built.
+There is, however, no direct evidence on the point. Dr. Todd, the former
+Vicar of Penrith, who was noted for his encounters with his superiors,
+says in his account of Great Salkeld Church, that in his time there was a
+place "called the Corryhole, for the correction and imprisonment of the
+clergy, while the Archdeacon had any power within the diocese."
+
+Prior to the restoration of Dearham Church, the structure possessed
+numerous features of interest to the antiquary, some of which have
+necessarily been removed or altered. The lower storey of the tower
+consisted of a barrel-vaulted chamber, originally enclosed from the
+church, and entered only by a small and strongly-barred doorway, similar
+to that at Burgh. When the Antiquarian Society visited Dearham some twenty
+years ago, the late Canon Simpson drew special attention to this part of
+the church. He said it had unquestionably "been one of the old massive
+fortified towers peculiar to the Border district: from it, whilst the
+parishioners were being besieged, a beacon fire at the top would alarm
+their friends in the surrounding country." Some oak beams then seen in the
+tower showed signs of fire, one of them being charred half through. The
+lower part of the tower of Brigham Church, only a few miles from Dearham,
+is strongly vaulted with stone, access being obtained to the chamber above
+by means of a narrow door and winding stairs. From these features it has
+been concluded by archaeologists that this was one of the old Border
+fortified churches.
+
+Further away from the Border, into Mid Westmorland, the searcher may still
+meet with evidences of old-time church builders having a much keener eye
+for the defensive qualities of their structures than for architectural
+beauty. Solidity was the first consideration, and although some of them
+were, after all, but ill adapted for the purpose, they must have been, as
+the Rev. J. F. Hodgson[4] once pointed out, "much larger and stronger
+buildings than the wretched hovels of the common people. Their enclosures
+would very generally offer the best position for defence. Among the
+Westmorland churches, those of Crosby Garrett (or Gerard) and Ormside,
+though small, and not structurally fortified, seem unmistakably posted as
+citadels. Orton Church, too, both in structure and position, is admirably
+situated for defence. At Brough, the church, a massive and easily
+defensible building, is situated upon the precipitous bank of the
+Hellebeck, and forms a sort of outwork of the Castle." The church at
+Kirkby Stephen certainly occupies a position which would give its
+occupants a strong hold on the Upper Eden Valley. The old church at
+Cliburn, on the banks of the Leath, was also probably placed there with
+some regard to defence. It is believed that the fine old church at Barton
+was used for a like purpose, and the vicar some time ago pointed out to
+the writer existing evidences of a large moat having probably been formed
+in case of necessity, the river Eamont being near enough to ensure an easy
+means of water supply.
+
+There are preserved in the church of Langwathby two specimens of old
+Cumberland armour--a helmet and a cuirass. The villagers have versions of
+their own as to the wearer of these articles, but obviously the stories
+rest on no better foundation than that of tradition; the real explanation
+is, doubtless, that given by the late Rev. B. Porteus, and already quoted
+in the chapter on "Watch and Ward."
+
+Above the tomb of Sir Roger Bellingham (died 1533), in Kendal Church,
+there is an ancient helmet suspended, but whether it was put there
+because the helmet belonged to the knight, or as a memorial of his having
+been created a knight banneret on the field of battle, there has nothing
+come to the knowledge of local historians to enable them to decide. The
+popular name for the helmet, however, is "the Rebel's Cap," and following
+the account of Machell, who was living at the time, various writers have
+given different versions of a story which, though doubtless correct in its
+main points, is open to question on others. The version given by the late
+Mr. Cornelius Nicholson[5] may be quoted, as it is the briefest:--
+
+    "In the Civil Wars of the Commonwealth, there resided in Kendal one
+    Colonel Briggs, a leading magistrate, and an active commander in the
+    Cromwellian army. At that time, also, Robert Philipson, surnamed from
+    his bold and licentious character, _Robin the Devil_, inhabited the
+    island on Windermere, called Belle Isle. Colonel Briggs besieged Belle
+    Isle for eight or ten days, until the siege of Carlisle being raised,
+    Mr. Huddleston Philipson, of Crook, hastened from Carlisle, and
+    relieved his brother Robert. The next day, being Sunday, Robin, with a
+    small troop of horse, rode to Kendal to make reprisals.
+
+    "He stationed his men properly in the avenues, and himself rode
+    directly into the church in search of Briggs, down one aisle and up
+    another. In passing out at one of the upper doors, his head struck
+    against the portal, when his helmet, unclasped by the blow, fell to
+    the ground and was retained. By the confusion into which the
+    congregation were thrown, he was suffered quietly to ride out. As he
+    left the churchyard, however, he was assaulted; his girths were cut,
+    and he himself was unhorsed. His party now returned upon the
+    assailants; and the Major, killing with his own hands the man who had
+    seized him, clapped the saddle upon his horse, and, ungirthed as it
+    was, vaulted into it, and rode full speed through the streets, calling
+    to his men to follow him; and with his party made a safe retreat to
+    his asylum on the lake. The helmet was afterwards hung aloft, as a
+    commemorating badge of sacrilegious temerity."
+
+The episode was used by Sir Walter Scott for some particularly spirited
+lines in "Rokeby" (stanza 33, canto vi.), and in his notes Sir Walter
+explained that "This, and what follows, is taken from a real achievement
+of Major Robert Philipson, called from his desperate and adventurous
+courage _Robin the Devil_." A reference to the poem will show that this,
+as dealing with fact, can only be applied to the first sixteen lines,
+which run:--
+
+  "The outmost crowd have heard a sound
+  Like horse's hoofs on hardened ground;
+  Nearer it came, and yet more near,--
+  The very death's-men paused to hear.
+  'Tis in the churchyard now--the tread
+  Hath waked the dwelling of the dead!
+  Fresh sod and old sepulchral stone
+  Return the tramp in varied tone.
+  All eyes upon the gateway hung,
+  When through the Gothic arch there sprung
+  A horseman armed, at headlong speed--
+  Sable his cloak, his plume, his steed.
+  Fire from the flinty floor was spurned;
+  The vaults unwonted clang returned!--
+  One instant's glance around he threw,
+  From saddle-bow his pistol drew."
+
+Mr. Stockdale, in his "Annals of Furness," says there was a tradition in
+his time that the Parliamentarians in 1643 stabled three troops of horse
+in the nave of Cartmell Church; and there can be no doubt that to similar
+base uses other ecclesiastical structures in the diocese were occasionally
+put in turbulent times. Carlisle Cathedral was often used for purposes of
+war, and it was not free from other exciting scenes. During the
+Commonwealth it was the centre of much rioting. George Fox preached there,
+and files of musketeers had to be brought in to clear the place of the
+rioters. After the ill-fated rebellion of '45, the cathedral was still
+further degraded, being made into a prison for captured Highlanders.
+
+
+
+
+Some Church Curiosities.
+
+
+Under a great variety of divisions many curious facts connected with the
+old-time churches of the northern counties might be noted that cannot here
+be touched upon. Some of them--especially those associated with the
+personal aspect--had their origin solely in the circumstances of the time;
+others may be traced to personal idiosyncracies; while geographical
+reasons may be found for a third class. With a few exceptions it has not
+been deemed necessary in this chapter to go beyond the Reformation. Among
+the records concerning Kendal Church is a reference in the Patent Rolls of
+1295, in which Walter de Maydenestane is described as "parson of a moiety
+of the church of Kirkeby, in Kendale." An inquiry in _Notes and
+Queries_[6] brought the suggestion that probably this was one of the
+places which used to have both a rector and a vicar, several instances of
+that arrangement having been in force being mentioned. No information was,
+however, forthcoming as to the Kendal case.
+
+Boy bishops are not unknown, and Westmorland affords an instance of an
+infant rector, the following appearing in the list for Long Marton, as
+compiled by Dr. Burn:--"1299. John de Medburn, an infant, was presented by
+Idonea de Leyburne, and the Bishop committed the custody of the said
+infant to a priest named William de Brampton, directing him to dispose of
+the profits of the rectory in such manner as to provide for the supply of
+the cure, and the education of the young rector in some public school of
+learning." If John de Medburn ever took up the duties of his office, it
+could not have been for any extended period, as another rector was
+instituted in 1330.
+
+There was a curious dispute at Holme Cultram in 1636. The Rev. Charles
+Robson, who five years previously had become vicar, being a bachelor of
+divinity, demanded that the parish should provide him with a hood proper
+to his degree. The parishioners objected on the ground that such a claim
+had never been made before, the previous vicars having provided their own
+hoods, and that Mr. Robson had on all proper occasions, as required by the
+canons, worn a hood of his own until within half a year of the dispute
+arising. A case was stated and a legal opinion taken; the result was
+entirely against the vicar, who made his position worse, inasmuch as it
+was laid down that while the churchwardens were not to provide the hood,
+they could be the means, through the ordinary, of compelling a priest who
+was a graduate to wear his hood, according to the 58th canon. Another
+instance of a clergyman going to law with his parishioners was that of the
+Rev. John Benison, vicar of Burton, who was dissatisfied with the payments
+of the vicarial revenues. The dispute found its way into Chancery, and
+Benison, in 1732, secured the following scale of payments:--"For burial in
+the church or churchyard shall be paid 1s., except for women who die in
+childbirth, for whom nothing is due. The modus for tithe lands shall be
+double for the two first years after the induction of a new vicar, and
+every person keeping a plough shall pay yearly 1d. in lieu and full
+satisfaction of agistment of barren cattle."
+
+Bishop Nicolson has left some curious pictures of the parsons in the
+diocese of Carlisle at the time when he made his visitation in the early
+years of the eighteenth century. The clergy of that time were for the most
+part not remarkable for their learning, although there were some notable
+exceptions. These were the victims of circumstances; they lived in what
+was really a dark age, and no one can feel surprised that so many gave way
+to drinking and other unclerical habits. Several, either openly or in the
+names of their wives, kept ale-houses; there was one rather glaring
+instance of this kind on the western side of Cross Fell. Poverty was
+continually their share; an instance of the life some of them led is
+recorded by James Clarke,[7] of Penrith:--
+
+    "Langdale is as poor as any in these parts, except for the slate
+    quarries, and the slaters (like the miners in Patterdale) debauch the
+    natives so far that even the poor curate is obliged to sell ale to
+    support himself and family. And at his house I have played 'Barnaby'
+    with him on the Sabbath Day morning, when he left us with the good old
+    song--
+
+        'I'll but preach, and be with you again.'"
+
+William Litt (1785-1847), the author of "Henry and Mary," a story of West
+Cumberland life, which was very popular a generation ago, says:--"It is a
+well authenticated fact that a rector of Arlecdon left his pulpit for the
+purpose of bestowing manual correction on one of his parishioners, whom he
+conceived was then insulting him. The surplice, however, was such an
+impediment to his usual lightness of foot that his intended victim, after
+a severe chase, effected his escape, and for that time eluded the
+chastisement intended for him by his spiritual pastor." Although nothing
+is known as to the identity of the cleric who thus endeavoured to deal
+with a supposed offender, possibly it was Thomas Baxter, who was incumbent
+for 62 years (1725 to 1787). He figures by name in "Henry and Mary," and
+is represented as on one occasion reprimanding Squire Skelton, of Rowrah,
+very severely for swearing.
+
+In 1653 George Fox, the founder of the Society of Friends, visited
+Cumberland. One Sunday afternoon he entered the church, and standing on a
+seat, he preached three hours to an overflowing congregation; he says in
+his journal, "Many hundreds were convinced that day." A short time
+afterwards he again visited the church on a Sunday morning, and entered
+into a long theological argument with Mr. Wilkinson, the vicar, who lost
+his dinner in consequence. The discussion continued almost to nightfall;
+the result seems to have been the conversion of the vicar and the majority
+of his congregation, as it is on record that Mr. Wilkinson afterwards
+became a distinguished minister of the Society of Friends.
+
+The old customs peculiar to Cumberland and Westmorland of "Whittlegate"
+and "Chapel Wage" have long since passed out of the list of obligations
+imposed, although the rector of Brougham might still, if he wished, claim
+whittlegate at Hornby Hall every Sunday. The parsons of the indifferently
+educated class already alluded to had to be content with correspondingly
+small stipends, which were eked out by the granting of a certain number of
+meals in the course of twelve months at each farm or other house above the
+rank of cottage, with, in some parishes, a suit of clothes, a couple of
+pairs of shoes, and a pair of clogs. Clarke gives the following
+explanation of the origin of the term:--
+
+    "Whittlegate meant two or three weeks' victuals at each house,
+    according to the ability of the inhabitants, which was settled among
+    themselves; so that the minister could go his course as regularly as
+    the sun, and complete it annually. Few houses having more knives than
+    one or two, the pastor was often obliged to buy his own knife or
+    'whittle.' Sometimes it was bought for him by the chapel wardens. He
+    marched from house to house with his 'whittle,' seeking 'fresh fields
+    and pastures new,' and as master of the herd, he had the elbow chair
+    at the table head, which was often made of part of a hollow ash
+    tree--a kind of seat then common. The reader at Wythburn had for his
+    salary three pounds yearly, a hempen sark or shirt, a whittlegate, and
+    a goosegate, or right to depasture a flock of geese on Helvellyn. A
+    story is still (1789) told in Wythburn of a minister who had but two
+    sermons which he preached in turn. The walls of the chapel were at
+    that time unplastered, and the sermons were usually placed in a hole
+    in the wall behind the pulpit. One Sunday, before the service began,
+    some mischievous person pushed the sermons so far into the hole that
+    they could not be got out with the hand. When the time came for the
+    sermon, the priest tried in vain to get them out. He then turned to
+    the congregation, and told them what had happened. He could touch
+    them, he said, with his forefinger, but could not get his thumb in to
+    grasp them; 'But, however,' said he, 'I can read you a chapter out of
+    Job that's worth both of them put together!'"
+
+There may be other instances of the formal appointment of females to
+undertake church work usually performed by the other sex, but the writer
+has only met with one local example, which occurs thus in the Kendal
+churchwardens' accounts:--"1683, June 29. It is then agreed & consented
+too by the major part of the churchwardens that Debora Wilkinson shall be
+continued saxton till next Easter, she keeping under her so sufficient a
+servant as shall please the Vicar & whole p{r}ish & she to give sufficient
+security to the churchwardens for her fidelity. As alsoe it was then
+granted by the major parte of church wardens that the said Debora
+Wilkinson for her paines herein shall have & receive to her owne use for
+every coffin in the church 2s. 6d. (she or her deputy in takeing up of
+fflaggs in the church or lying them downe to place them leveally & in good
+order, breaking none of them), and the said Debora or her servant shall
+make clean the church att all times according to the Vicar's order, and to
+keepe the font w{th} faire water, changeing itt every fforthnigh or as
+often as the Vicar pleaseth."
+
+The uses of some parts of ancient buildings have puzzled gentlemen
+thoroughly acquainted with church architecture, for the simple reason that
+certain of the arrangements might have been made for a variety of
+purposes. Leper windows are perhaps sufficiently numerous to show the
+intention of the builders, but there are instances where that is not at
+all easy to define. The side windows in Bolton Church, near Wigton, one of
+which has been described by the Rev. Hilderic Friend as a leper window,
+was suggested by the late Mr. Cory as being "for such a purpose as giving
+out alms or receiving confession," as they always had hinges and bolts for
+shutters, but not glass. Chancellor Ferguson put forward the further
+theory that as lepers could not come into the church, they made confession
+at these windows. Dr. Simpson rejected these statements, and said that
+lamps were placed in the low side windows of some churches after funerals
+to scare away evil spirits--an interesting addition to North-Country
+folk-lore. Leprosy was apparently a serious trouble in the two counties
+five or six centuries ago. John de Vetripont gave to Shap Abbey the
+hospital of St. Nicholas, near Appleby, on condition that the abbot and
+convent should maintain three lepers in the hospital for ever. In 1356 Sir
+Adam, rector of Castlekayroke (Castle Carrock), was cited to show cause
+why, being seized with leprosy to such a degree that his parishioners dare
+not resort to divine service, he ought not to have a coadjutor assigned
+him.
+
+There are still to be found traces in some of the older churches of the
+rooms of anchorites. Experts have stated that the vestry at Greystoke
+seems to have been used as an anchor-hold or reclusorium. It is believed
+that two reclusi, or inclusi, sometimes dwelt together there, one living
+in the vestry and the other in the room above. The latter apartment may
+have been used for a chantry priest, a church watcher, or a sacristan.
+Among the architectural curiosities of the two counties may be noted the
+church tower of Kirkoswald. The parish church is built at the foot of a
+steep hill, facing the Eden, while the old market town is on the sharply
+rising ground at the rear. The parishioners would thus have but a small
+chance of hearing the bells when sounded for service if they occupied the
+ordinary place. Consequently for a very long time--certainly before the
+present church was built--the two bells have been placed in a detached
+tower on the top of the hill at the rear of the church, and over a hundred
+yards away from the building.
+
+Many ecclesiastical buildings, from the cathedral down to the humblest
+village chapel-of-ease, would seem to have had curious inscriptions or
+pictures upon their walls. Nearly all these have disappeared, and later
+comers are indebted for their knowledge of what has been to such
+industrious chroniclers as Machell, Burn, and others. The former put on
+paper in 1692 the following lines, which were on the walls of the south
+chapel of Kirkby Lonsdale Church:--
+
+  C.        W.
+    (_Arms_)
+  16        68.
+
+  "This porch by ye Banes first builded was,
+  Of Heighholme Hall they weare;
+  And after sould to Christopher Wood,
+  By William Bains thereof last heyre;
+  And is repayred as you see,
+  And set in order good
+  By the true owner nowe thereof
+  The fore saide Christopher Wood."
+
+As in our own day the restoration or alteration of a church frequently
+caused much ill-feeling in a parish, and there are records of several such
+"scenes" in Cumberland and Westmorland in bygone days. One such was at
+Sebergham, where the church was rebuilt in 1825-6, and a tower built at
+the west end. On the first Sunday that the edifice was opened the
+following protest in rhyme was found nailed to the church door:--
+
+
+        "The priest and the miller built the church steeple
+        Without the consent or good will of the people.
+        A tax to collect they tried to impose
+        In defiance of right and subversion of laws.
+        The matter remains in a state of suspension,
+        And likely to be a sad bone of contention.
+        If concession be made to agree with us all
+        Let the tax be applied to build the church wall.
+
+    Churchyard wall now in a ruinous state. Sebergham High Bound, July 12,
+    1826."
+
+While dealing with the architectural curiosities of North-Country
+churches, allusion should be made to a story connected with that at
+Ambleside. A piece of painted glass on the north side of the old church
+has a representation of what is locally known as the carrier's arms--a
+rope, a wantey-hook, and five packing pricks, or skewers, these being the
+implements used by the carriers and wool staplers for fastening their
+packing sheets together. The tradition is that when the church needed
+rebuilding, together with the chapels of St. Mary Holm, Ambleside,
+Troutbeck, and Applethwaite, which were all destroyed or rendered unfit
+for divine worship, the parish was extremely poor; the parishioners at a
+general meeting agreed that one church would serve the whole. The next
+question was, where it should stand. The inhabitants of Undermillbeck were
+for having it at Bowness. The rest thought that as Troutbeck Bridge was
+about the centre of the parish, it should be built there. Several meetings
+in consequence were held, and many disputes and quarrels arose. At last a
+carrier proposed that who ever would make the largest donation towards the
+building should choose the situation of the church. An offer so reasonable
+could hardly be refused, and many gifts were immediately named. The
+carrier, who had acquired a fortune by his business, heard them all, and
+at last declared that he would cover the church with lead. This offer,
+which all the rest were either unable or unwilling to outdo, at once
+decided the affair. The carrier chose the situation, and his arms (or more
+properly his implements) were painted on the north window of the church.
+Tradition adds that this man obtained the name of Bellman, from the bells
+worn by the fore-horse, which he first introduced there.
+
+Several instances of fonts having found their way from churches to private
+grounds have been made known during recent years, one being at Penrith,
+and others at Musgrave and Brough-under-Stainmore. On the western side of
+the county, in the grounds of Mr. T. Dixon, Rheda, is the ancient font,
+dated 1578, belonging to Arlecdon Church. In the third decade of this
+century, says the Rev. H. Sugden in his notes on the history of the
+parish, it was acting at a farm-house as a trough to catch rain-water from
+the roof. Subsequently the font was found by Mr. Dixon in a stone wall at
+Rowrah Hall, and was removed to its present place of safety. It seems that
+the contractor who rebuilt the church in 1829, was allowed to use or
+dispose of any of the material or contents. The font and an ancient
+tombstone of the Dixons, were sold by him, and while the font was made
+into a water-catcher, the tombstone found its way to a farm at Kirkland,
+where it was utilised as a sconce in the dairy. Occasionally churchwardens
+were guilty of what would seem to have been vandalism. At Kirkby Lonsdale
+(1686), they recorded the last of a Norman font:--"Received for the old
+font stone, 6d."
+
+Among the regulations made by the Head Jurie of Watermillock in 1627 was
+this:--"Item, It is ordered by the jurie that every tennent of this parish
+shall sitt in church in their own seats that hath formerly been set forth
+to their ancestors. And if any have a desire to sitt in the Lady Porch,
+besides such as have their ancient Rooms therein, they shall sitt there
+paying yearly for the same to the use of the Church ijd. p{r} Annum." The
+churchwardens were evidently kept close to their duties by the same
+authority, as may be seen by this entry in the book:--"It is ordered that
+the Churchwardens of this Parish shall not be discharged of their office
+in any year before the Church Stock be fully answered at the sight and
+judgment of the Head Jury for the time being."
+
+This action probably had its origin in the losses of public funds which
+had to be deplored in many parishes in consequence of the money being lent
+out at interest. "Culyet" is not a word to be found in the standard
+dictionaries of our time, although it appears in the parochial records of
+Millom. Canon Knowles took the word to mean the free-will offerings made
+from house to house, being used at Christ Church, Oxford, as the
+equivalent of "collecta," a collection. In some of the parishes which lent
+out church funds, rather heavy rates of security were exacted--at Millom
+the arrangement was seven and a half per cent. Hence there can be no room
+for surprise that so many parishes have had reason to deplore "lost
+stock."
+
+Crosthwaite differed from other places in the manner of selecting and
+swearing the churchwardens and sidesmen, the form being settled by the
+Commissioners for Ecclesiastical Causes in Queen Elizabeth's time. They
+decreed "That yearly, upon Ascension Day, the vicar, the eighteen sworn
+men, the churchwardens, the owner of Derwentwater estate, the sealer and
+receiver of the Queen's portion at the mines, one of the chiefest of the
+company and fellowship of the partners and offices of the minerals, then
+resiant at Keswick, the bailiffs of Keswick, Wythburn, Borrowdale,
+Thornthwaite, Brundholme, and the forester of Derwent Fells, shall meet in
+the church of Crosthwaite, and so many of them as shall be there assembled
+shall chuse the eighteen men and churchwardens for the year ensuing, who
+shall on the Sunday following before the vicar take their oath of office."
+
+The seating of the men and women on different sides of the church was a
+proceeding once so common as to almost remove it from the list of
+curiosities. The churchwardens' books of Crosthwaite contain very minute
+orders as to where every person in the parish should sit, and in other
+places a similar rule obtained. In these days of "free and open churches"
+it is interesting to read of the arrangements which the churchwardens and
+vicar made so as to allocate every seat in St. Patrick's Church, Bampton,
+in 1726. The rule appears to have been based on the land tax, and the list
+begins with "The Lord Vis. Lonsdale," who had one complete stall for the
+use of the tenants of Bampton Hall, another for Low Knipe, and other seats
+elsewhere. The whole of the inhabitants seem to have been provided for,
+the catalogue concluding with a statement of the accommodation set apart
+for the school-master of Measand and the school-dame at Roughill; the
+master at Bampton Grange, being an impropriator, found a place among the
+aristocracy on "the Gospel side" of the chancel.
+
+Some quaint entries concerning the provision and cost of wine for sacred
+purposes--and for other uses not always answering that description--are to
+be met with in several of the parochial records. In the vestry book of
+Cockermouth is this entry for June, 1764:--"Ordered that all the wine for
+the communicants be bought at one house where the Churchwardens can get it
+the best and cheapest. Ordered that no wine be given to any clergyman to
+carry home." At one of the meetings of the Cumberland and Westmorland
+Antiquarian Society, the late Canon Simpson produced a paper which showed
+that very heavy sums, comparatively, had been spent at Kendal in providing
+Communion wine. One item was for L6, another L9, and again L11, while
+opposite one of the entries was the remark: "That is exclusive of wine
+used at Easter." It was customary for the vicar or rector to give the
+Easter Communion wine, receiving in return Easter dues. On another
+occasion, when the Bishop of Chester was to visit the church, the wardens
+ordered a bottle of sack to be placed in the vestry.
+
+An interesting ceremony has long been gone through at Dacre Church in
+connection with the distribution of the Troutbeck Dole. The principal
+representative of the family now living is Dr. John Troutbeck, Precentor
+of Westminster. The Rev. Robert Troutbeck, in 1706, by his will gave to
+the poor of Dacre parish, the place of his nativity, a sum of money, the
+interest of which was ordered to be "distributed every year by the
+Troutbecks of Blencowe, if there should be any living, otherwise by the
+minister and churchwardens for the time being." A more curious proviso was
+contained in the will of John Troutbeck, made in 1787. By that document
+L200 was left to the poor of the testator's native parish, and the
+interest was ordered to be "distributed every Easter Sunday, on the family
+tombstone in Dacre churchyard, provided the day should be fine, by the
+hands and at the discretion of a Troutbeck of Blencowe, if there should be
+any living, those next in descent having prior right of distribution. If
+none should be living that would distribute the money, then by a
+Troutbeck as long as one could be found that would take the trouble of it;
+otherwise by the minister and churchwardens of the parish for the time
+being; that not less than five shillings should be given to any
+individual, and that none should be entitled to it who received alms, or
+any support from the parish." The custom was carried out in due form on
+the "through-stone" last Easter.
+
+Kirkby Stephen, up to about sixty years ago, had a very curious
+custom--the payment, on a fixed day every year, upon a tombstone still in
+the churchyard, of the parishioners' tithe. The late Mr. Cornelius
+Nicholson, in a now scarce pamphlet on Mallerstang Forest, gave the
+following account of the observance:--
+
+    "The tombstone is unhewn millstone grit, covered with a limestone
+    slab, whereon a heraldic shield was once traceable, supposed to
+    indicate the ownership of the Whartons. Tradition says, however, that
+    it is older than the tombs in the Wharton Chapel. Among the
+    parishioners it went popularly by the name of the great 'truppstone,'
+    a corruption perhaps of 'through-stone.' It is certain, however--and
+    this is the gist of the story--that for generations, time out of mind,
+    the money in lieu of tithes of hay was here regularly paid to the
+    incumbent of the church on Easter Monday. The grey coats of this part
+    of Westmorland assembled punctually as Easter Monday came round, and
+    there and then tendered to the vicar their respective quotas of
+    silver. Some agreement, oral or written, must have been made between
+    the parties, which does not now appear. The practice became the law of
+    custom. The payment was called a modus in lieu of hay tithe. I find
+    that when Lord Wharton purchased the advowson at the dissolution of
+    monasteries the tithes of corn and hay were excepted from the
+    conveyance, which points to this customary modus on the 'truppstone.'
+    If this reference be correct, the curious custom dates back to the
+    time of Henry the Eighth, and perhaps farther back, and gives it a
+    continuance of some 300 years.
+
+    "We don't know its origin, but we do know its extinction. When the
+    Rev. Thomas P. Williamson became vicar, in the first decade of this
+    century, a quarrel arose between him and the tithe-payers as to this
+    modus. Law proceedings were threatened, and some preliminaries were
+    taken. The parishioners, notwithstanding, attended on Easter Monday as
+    before, and tendered their doles. The vicar also attended, but
+    determinedly refused the money, until his death in 1835, which put a
+    stop to the custom. After his death, the vicar's widow set up a claim
+    for the arrears, which had been offered and refused, so she took
+    nothing by her motion. In 1836 all the tithes were commuted in
+    England, under the provision of the Tithes Commutation Act, carried
+    into execution by a Cumberland M.P., Mr. Aglionby, whom I knew very
+    well, in Lord John Russell's Ministry. These particulars of the
+    'truppstone' were furnished me by Mr. Matthew Thompson, Kirkby
+    Stephen, one of the county magistrates, who himself--and this clenches
+    it as a fact--yearly attended in the churchyard, with his quota, and
+    who was present on the very last occasion."
+
+An incident which in some respects has had at least one counterpart
+within recent years is recorded as happening at Little Salkeld towards the
+end of the fourteenth century. The little chapel there was "desecrated and
+polluted by the shedding of blood," and as the parish church of Addingham
+was a considerable distance, the vicar was allowed to officiate in his own
+vicarage-house "till the interdict should be taken off from the chapel."
+
+There is a curious story attaching to some of the wood-work of Greystoke
+Church. The misereres under the choir stalls are very quaintly carved, and
+one of them, "the pelican in her piety," was for many years used as the
+sign of an inn near the church. From this circumstance the hostelry lost
+its old name, the "Masons' Arms," and acquired the modern one of the
+"Pelican."
+
+Although schools in churches were very common, the holding of Courts in
+such buildings could not have been frequent. At Ravenstonedale, where
+numerous customs peculiar to the parish or immediate district prevailed,
+the people had a strong belief in home rule, and insisted on having it. In
+the old church there were two rows of seats below the Communion table,
+where the steward of the manor and jury sat in their Court of Judicature
+in the sixteenth century. The malefactors were imprisoned in a hollow
+arched vault, the ruins of which were to be seen not much more than a
+quarter of a century ago on the north side of the church. There was so
+much wrangling over cases, and the manifestation of such a bad spirit,
+which the parishioners felt was unbecoming and unsuited to such an
+edifice, that they petitioned Lord Wharton, the lord of the manor, to have
+the trying of cases removed to a house belonging to him which stood near
+the church. This was granted, and subsequently the Court was held in the
+village inn and other places.
+
+"A gentleman who carries out archidiaconal functions," is the familiar,
+though vague, definition of an archdeacon in our own time, but a couple of
+centuries ago that church official had very definite duties and powers. As
+Mr. G. E. Moser, solicitor, Kendal, once reminded the members of the two
+counties' Archaeological Society, the visits of the Archdeacon of Richmond
+to Kendal--where he sentenced offenders from his chair of state erected in
+the High Quire--were looked forward to with awe and reverence. The
+churchwardens' books contain the following among other entries:--"Paid for
+bent to strawe in the High Quire against Sir Joseph [Cradock] came."
+"Paid to the Churchwardens, which they laid out when they delivered their
+presentments to Sir Joseph Cradock." "Paid for washing and sweeping the
+Church against Sir Joseph's coming to sitt his Court of Correction, which
+was the 7 July, 1664." "At the peremptory day, being the 18th day of
+October, 1664, the general meeting of the churchwardens, whose names are
+herunder written doth order that Geo. Wilkinson shall keep the clock and
+chimes in better order, and shall keep swine out of the churchyard, and
+whip the dogs out of the church in time of divine service and sermon, and
+remove the dunghill and the stable-door which opens into the churchyard
+before the next peremptory day, and reform all abuses belonging to his
+office, or else the Churchwardens will make complaint so that it shall be
+referred to the ordinary."
+
+Chancellor Ferguson told the members that he had found in some documents,
+relating to an unnamed Cumberland church, an order that no swine should be
+allowed in the churchyard unless they had rings in their noses! There are
+many reminders available of the days when rushes or other growths were put
+on church floors, by such entries as that in Waberthwaite registers,
+dated 1755:--"Bent bought, 12d." At Millom there are charges for dressing
+the church. Between 1720 and 1783 there are several entries in the
+Hawkshead registers with reference to "strawing the church"--meaning the
+covering of the floor with rushes. There are also here, as at Penrith and
+some other places, allusions to payments for collecting moss, with which
+the rain was often kept out of the churches.
+
+It was, even within the last half century, a common occurrence for dogs to
+accompany their owners to church, but the officials did not appreciate the
+custom. Mr. John Knotts, in 1734, left an estate at Maulds Meaburn for the
+use of the poor of the township, from which five shillings yearly had to
+be paid for keeping dogs out of Crosby Ravensworth Church. The legality of
+the will was disputed on a technicality, and the heir-at-law paid a sum of
+money instead, which was invested, but how long the crown was paid for
+anti-dog purposes is not known. The Rev. J. Wilson wrote in his parochial
+magazine a few years ago:--"In the olden days in Dalston there was an
+officer whose duty it was to whip dogs out of church during service time,
+and, strange as it may seem, the custom under another name and in
+somewhat altered guise existed till the old church was demolished in 1890.
+The parish dog-whipper had L1 a year for his salary during the latter
+portion of the 18th century, when the duties of the office were extended
+to other matters. In the parish accounts the following entry occurs: 'May
+3, 1753 John Gate for whipping the Dogs out of church, opening and
+shutting ye sashes, sweeping ye church &c. for one year, L01 00 00.' The
+same entry occurs regularly every year till 1764, when his widow
+undertakes the job: 'May 6th 1764 Wid: Gate for whipping ye Dogs out of ye
+church, opening and shutting ye sashes, sweeping ye church L01 00 00.' The
+office of dog-whipper continues to be mentioned every year till 1774, when
+it disappears, and the entry is changed to: 'May 1, 1774, Wid: Gate for
+cleaning ye church L01 00 00.'" The church records show that at Penrith an
+annual payment of two shillings was made for many years to the
+dog-whipper. Among the items bearing on church expenses contained in the
+Torpenhow registers in 1759, was an annual allowance of 5s. to the sexton
+for whipping dogs out of the church, and that he might the more
+efficiently do his work he was granted an extra allowance of 3d. for a
+whip and 2d. for a thong. There is an item in the Waberthwaite records
+which runs:--"According to the canons laitly sett down, four sydmen
+[synodsmen] are to be appointed every year, one of whose duties is to
+keepe the dogges out of the chirche, 1605." At Hawkshead a dog-whipper was
+provided from 1723 to 1784. If the following paragraph, which appeared in
+the _Cumberland Pacquet_, in January, 1817, may be believed, there was at
+least one dog which would not incur the wrath of either parson or
+dog-whipper:--"Mr. William Wood of Asby, parish of Arlecdon, has a cur dog
+which for these four years past has regularly attended church, if within
+hearing of the bells; and what is more singular, the animal never misses
+going to his master's seat whether any of the family attend or not."
+
+
+
+
+Manorial Laws and Curiosities of Tenures.
+
+
+No doubt because of the proximity of the district to the Border, the
+tenures by which certain properties were held in Cumberland and
+Westmorland must be regarded as quite local in their character. The
+observances are, of course, all the more interesting on that account, and
+even in cases for which parallels are to be found in other parts of the
+kingdom, little peculiarities may sometimes be seen in local instances
+which throw light on the former habits of the people. Lords of manors were
+once individuals possessed of great powers. The lords of Millom held their
+property for hundreds of years, and had _jura regalia_ within the
+seignory, in memory of which a modern stone erected at Gallow, half a mile
+below Millom Castle, has the inscription,
+
+  "Here the Lords of Millom exercised jura regalia."
+
+The lord of the manor of Troutbeck, Windermere, is also believed to have
+formerly exercised a jurisdiction over capital offences.
+
+Where such powers existed, it is by no means surprising that the homage
+exacted from tenants and servitors on various occasions was of a character
+that in modern days would be regarded as extremely degrading. Thus when a
+free tenant went to his lord's residence to do homage according to custom
+and duty, he was ushered into the presence of his superior without sword
+or other arms, and with his head uncovered. The lord remained seated, and
+the tenant with profound reverence knelt before the great man. With his
+clasped or joined hands placed between those of the lord, the homager
+repeated the following vow, which seems to have been in practically the
+same terms in various manors:--"I become your man from this day forward,
+for life, for member, and for worldly honour, and unto you shall be true
+and faithful, and bear you faith for the lands that I hold of you, saving
+the faith that I owe to our Sovereign Lord the King." The lord, still
+sitting, then kissed the tenant, as a token of his approbation. In
+Cumberland and Westmorland there are several villages named Carleton, this
+being one of the reminders of the days of serfdom. The carls were simply
+the basest sort of servants--practically slaves.
+
+The former servile condition of the poor in the neighbourhood of barons'
+houses is also preserved in such names as Bongate, or as it was always
+written in old documents, Bondgate, at Appleby. In the great trial between
+the Cliffords and the burghers, when the former claimed the services of
+the freemen, it was decided that neither Robert de Vetripont nor any of
+his heirs ever had seizin of the borough, where the burgesses lived, but
+that King John gave to him "_Vetus Apilbi ubi villani manent_"--"Old
+Appleby, where the bondmen dwell." The bondmen, or villeins, were probably
+of the same social standing as those known as drenges, the Cliffords
+having very many drengage tenements in various parts of their Sheriffwick.
+"The drenges were pure villeins--doubtless Saxons kept in a state of the
+vilest slavery, being granted by the lords of the manor, with a piece of
+land, like so many oxen. In fact they were as much the property of the
+lord of the manor as the negroes in the West Indian Colonies were formerly
+the property of the sugar planters. It is probable that the drenges were
+employed to perform all the servile and laborious offices at Brougham
+Castle; for in 1359, Engayne, lord of Clifton, granted to Roger de
+Clifford, by indenture, the service of John Richardson, and several
+others mentioned by name, with their bodies and all that belonged to
+them."[8]
+
+In the reign of Richard the First there was given to the church of
+Carlisle, "lands in Lorton, with a mill there, and all its rights and
+appendages, and namely the miller, his wife, and children"--apparently
+clear evidence of the servitors being regarded as part of the property.
+
+Several manorial lords claimed for their tenants the right to go toll-free
+throughout England. This was the case with Armathwaite, while the
+privilege also pertained to the prioress and nuns at Nunnery. The manor of
+Acorn Bank, near Temple Sowerby, used to have the right, or rather the
+privilege was claimed. In the time of the late Mr. John Boazman (the
+immediate predecessor of Mr. Henry Boazman, the present owner), the
+following was written:--"The lords of this manor can still claim and
+exercise for themselves and tenants all the privileges granted to the
+Knights Templars, the most important of which is exemption from toll
+throughout England. The tenants when travelling carry a certificate,
+signed and sealed by the lord of the manor. This certificate, after
+reciting part of the old charter, concludes as follows:--'Which charter
+[that of Henry the Second] was confirmed by King Charles of England,
+Scotland, and Ireland, in the fourth year of his reign, in witness whereof
+I, the said John Boazman, as lord of the manor, have executed and set my
+manorial seal.'" The burgesses of Appleby also possessed under their early
+charters privileges of a like character, and these would doubtless be of
+very appreciable value.
+
+The ancient family of Hoton, or Hutton, were by Edward the Third, in
+consideration of the service rendered to him by Thomas de Hoton in the
+wars against Scotland, restored to the bailiwick and office of keeping the
+King's land or forest in Plumpton, which was first bestowed upon them
+prior to the time of Edward the First. It is believed that this led to the
+family taking a horn as their badge. Besides the monetary payment of
+something under L2 yearly, it was found in the reign of Henry the Seventh
+that the lands were also held by the service of holding the stirrup of the
+King's saddle while his Majesty mounted his horse in the Castle of
+Carlisle. The adjoining manor of Newton Reigny was held in the early days
+of the Lowthers by the service of finding for the King in his wars against
+Scotland one horseman with a horse of the value of forty shillings, armed
+with a coat of mail, an iron helmet, a lance, and a sword, abiding in the
+war for forty days with the King's person. At a later date the terms were
+varied; there was then the paying of two shillings per annum for cornage,
+and the providing, for the King's army, "one horseman with habiliments,
+one lance, and one long sword." Penrith and five other manors were once
+held by the Kings of Scotland by paying one soar-hawk yearly to the
+constable of the Castle of Carlisle, with some privileges concerning
+rights in Inglewood Forest. The manor of Cargo, near Carlisle, was held
+for many generations by the family of de Ross, by the rendering of a hawk
+or a mark of silver yearly. When the same manor was the property of the
+Lacys, it was held by cornage, and afterwards by the Vescys for a mew'd
+hawk yearly in lieu of all services.
+
+In the manor of Gaitsgill and Raughton were twenty-two freehold tenants in
+1777, who paid 28s. 8-3/4d. yearly free rent, did suit and service at the
+lord's court when called upon, and paid yearly to the Duke of Portland as
+chief lord of the Forest of Inglewood L2 13s. 2d., besides sending a man
+to appear for them at the Forest Court at Hesket every St. Barnabas's
+Day, and that representative was to be on the inquest. This manor was at
+the Conquest "all forest and waste ground," and was enclosed by one
+Ughtred, who held of the King "for keeping the eyries of hawks which bred
+in the Forest of Inglewood." The posterity of Ughtred took their surname
+from Gatesgill, and adopted the sparhawk for their cognisance. The
+neighbouring manor of High Head (Higheved) was held of Edward the Third by
+William English by the service of one rose yearly. Later, in the time of
+Henry the Eighth, it was held by William Restwold as an approvement of the
+forest by fealty and the service of rendering at the King's exchequer of
+Carlisle one red rose yearly at the feast of St. John the Baptist.
+
+In the reign of Philip and Mary, Alexander Armstrong was granted a
+considerable amount of property, including a mill, in the parish of
+Gilcrux, at a very low rental, on condition of finding and maintaining
+five horsemen "ready and well-furnished, whenever the King and Queen and
+the successors of the Queen shall summon them within the county." In
+documents belonging to the abbey of Holme Cultram, whereby Flemingby (now
+known as Flimby, between Maryport and Workington) was handed over to the
+monks, Gospatric, the donor, inserted a clause that he would himself do
+for the monastery "noutegeld and the like due to the King; and also to the
+lord of Allerdale of seawake, castleward, pleas, aids, and other
+services." The nutgeld tax--an impost apparently peculiar to the Border
+counties--was even last century frequently enforced in Cumberland and
+Westmorland.
+
+The custom of providing for gilt spurs was of a practical kind, the
+articles being peculiarly useful to the grantor. "Every knight (who served
+on horseback) was obliged to wear gilt spurs; hence they were called
+_equites aurati_." The reservation, by Gospatrick, of homage to be
+performed by William de Lancastre has provided some interesting questions
+for past generations of historians and antiquaries. William de Lancastre
+the second gave thirty marks to the King that he might have the privilege
+of fighting a duel with Gospatrick, and the theory propounded was that
+this contest was caused because "the tenant's proud spirit could not brook
+such a humiliation as that of doing homage." Remembering the conditions of
+life, the supposition is not at all improbable, for what man of good birth
+would care to submit to perform the service described in the second
+paragraph of this chapter? In the same parish of Kirkby Lonsdale, William
+de Pickering had the manor of Killington granted to him for the yearly
+payment of a pair of gilt spurs, or sixpence, at the feast of Pentecost,
+and the service of the twentieth part of one knight's service when
+occasion should require.
+
+Alice Lucy, a member of the once very powerful family of that name,
+reserved out of Wythop a penny rent service, or a pair of gloves; and a
+long time afterwards it was found that Sir John Lowther, knight, held the
+same manor "by homage, fealty, and suit of court at Cockermouth ... and
+the free rent of one penny or one red rose." The manor, now held by Sir
+Henry R. Vane, Bart., Hutton-in-the-Forest, was subsequently sold to the
+Fletchers under the services just mentioned. In addition to a heavy fine,
+and a rental of L10 yearly, Thomas de Multon paid "one palfrey for the
+office of forester of Cumberland," granted to the family by King John. One
+of Multon's ancestors, Richard de Lucy, also gave money and a palfrey in
+order to obtain the grant and other privileges.
+
+At Hesket, yearly, on St. Barnabas's Day, by the highway side under a
+thorn tree (according to the very ancient manner of holding assemblies in
+the open air), wrote Nicolson in 1777, was kept the Court for the whole
+forest of Inglewood, to which Court the manors within that vast
+circumference (above twenty in number), owed suit and service; and a jury
+was there impannelled and sworn for the whole forest. It is a shadow or
+relic of the ancient Forest Courts; and here they pay their compositions
+for improvements, purprestures, agistments, and puture of the foresters,
+and the jurors being obliged to attend from the several manors, seems to
+be part of that service which was called _witnesman_. "Improvements" in
+this case means permission to take up open lands belonging to the manorial
+lord.
+
+Horn tenures, locally known as cornage, were common. At Brougham Hall is
+preserved the old and quaintly fashioned horn which was sounded by the
+former owners of the estates in complying with the requirement to blow a
+horn in the van of the King and his army, when the monarch went into
+Scotland, or at other times when the Scots made incursions to the southern
+side of the Border. An interesting relic of the same description is
+possessed at Carlisle--the "Horn of the Altar." The Charter Horn has thus
+been described by Archdeacon Prescott:--"In the year 1290 a claim was made
+by the King, Edward the First, and by others, to the tithes on certain
+lands lately brought under cultivation in the Forest of Inglewood. The
+Prior of Carlisle appeared on behalf of his convent, and urged their right
+to the property on the ground that the tithes had been granted to them by
+a former King, who had enfeoffed them by a certain ivory horn which he
+gave to the Church of Carlisle, and which they possessed at that time. The
+Cathedral of Carlisle has had in its possession for a great number of
+years, two fine walrus tusks, with a portion of the skull. They appear in
+ancient inventories of the goods of the cathedral as 'one horn of the
+altar in two parts,' or 'two horns of the altar' (1674), together with
+other articles of the altar furniture. But antiquaries came to the
+conclusion that these were identical with the 'ivory horn' referred to
+above.... Such Charter Horns were not uncommon in ancient days."
+
+Blackmail used to bear a significance not fully understood by the modern
+use of the word. In the north of England it signified, especially in
+Cumberland, a certain rent of money, corn, or other things, anciently paid
+to persons inhabiting upon or near the Border, being men of name and
+power, allied with certain robbers within those counties, to be freed and
+protected from the devastations of those depredators. By 43 Elizabeth,
+cap. 13, it was provided that to take any such money or contribution,
+called blackmail, to secure goods from rapine, was made capital felony, as
+well as the offences such contribution was meant to guard against. Tenants
+in those old times had nearly all the privileges of paying; their
+opportunities for getting anything without cash or labour were few. One
+such concession which they enjoyed was "plowbote," being the right of
+tenants to take wood to repair their ploughs, carts, and harrows; and for
+the making of such articles of husbandry as rakes and forks. Fire-bote was
+the term applied to a right enjoyed by many tenants, being the fuel for
+firing, and obtainable out of the lands granted to them. Timber-lode was a
+service by which tenants were to carry to the lord's house timber felled
+in his woods. The Dean and Chapter of Carlisle were formerly obliged to
+provide the tenants of the manor of Morland with wood for the reparation
+of their houses. This was released by an endowment of L16 per annum,
+being given by the Dean and Chapter to the school.
+
+Boon services of all kinds were common in all the manors along what is
+known as the eastern fell side--the base of Cross Fell, and north and
+south thereof. Before they were enfranchised by Sir Michael le Fleming,
+the tenants of Skirwith had to supply such boons as reaping, mowing,
+ploughing, harrowing, carrying coals, and spinning a stipulated number of
+hanks of yarn. Up to the latter half of last century each tenant of the
+manor of Threlkeld was obliged to find half a draught for one day's
+ploughing; give one day mowing, one day shearing, one day clipping, and
+one day salving sheep; one carriage load once in two years, but not to go
+above ten miles; and to dig and lead two loads of peats every year, the
+tenants to have sufficient meat and drink when they performed these
+services. The cottagers were to perform the same services, only instead of
+half a plough they were to find one horse with a harrow, and a footman
+instead of a carriage load. The tenants were also bound to the lord's
+mill, pay the fortieth corn, and to maintain the wall and thatch of the
+mill. The tenants had house-boot (wood for repairing their houses) as set
+out by the lord's bailiff; peats, turves, ling, whins, limestone, and
+marl, with stones and slate for building. About 1764, half the tenants
+bought off these services at a cost of five guineas each, the mill service
+only excepted. The tenements paid twopence each yearly as greenhue rent,
+an impost which was once a common payment by Cumberland and Westmorland
+manorial tenants; along with it in the Eskdale and Mitredale manors of the
+Earls of Egremont was a due called "door-toll." What may have been the
+origin of the latter seems to be now unknown.
+
+At Parsonby, near Aspatria, the tenants had to give to the parson each one
+boon day yearly at reaping. In the neighbouring parish of Blennerhasset
+the tenants, besides being subjected to heriots, each provided one day at
+mowing, shearing, ploughing, and meadows dressing, and two days leading
+coals. Higher up the fells the score of tenants at High Ireby and
+Ruthwaite, under Mr. Fletcher, had to give one day a year, or pay
+threepence; one would suppose the most economical alternative was to pay
+cash. At Egremont the burgesses who had ploughs were obliged to till the
+lord's demesne one day in the year, but every burgess was required to
+find a reaper. In one of the manors of the parish of Wetheral, the
+tenants, in addition to their monetary payments, had to render to the
+Aglionby family, of Nunnery, boon days shearing and leading corn, with a
+certain quantity of oats called foster oats, six pecks being equal to four
+of Carlisle measure. Various attempts have been made within recent years
+to ascertain definitely what was the origin and meaning of the term.
+Nicolson says it was "perhaps heretofore for the use of the foresters,
+this part being within the forest of Inglewood." That this was probable is
+also shown by a rule which existed in the barony of Greystoke, which was
+held of the King _in capite_ by the service of one entire barony,
+rendering L4 yearly at the fairs of Carlisle, suit at the County Court
+monthly, and serving the King in person against Scotland. The lord's
+tenants, of whom there were some hundreds early in this century, had to
+pay "a 20d. fine on the death of lord or tenant, and a 30d. fine upon
+alienation; also to pay foster rents, foster corn, mill rents, greenhue,
+peat silver, and boons for mowing and leading peats."
+
+There are many curious regulations bearing upon local tenures, but there
+is not lacking evidence that some of a still more noteworthy character
+have either been allowed to drop out of recognition, or the duties have
+been compounded for. Silver-penny fines are still enforced occasionally.
+In Mr. J. E. Hasell's manor of Dacre, when a mortgagee of real estate is
+admitted to the court roll, he has to pay a fine of a silver penny for
+each. Heriots is a manorial impost about which some curious information
+has at various times been published. Many lords of manors and landlords
+have during the last half century allowed many of their rights in this
+direction to drop, while others have put on small money payments in lieu
+both of heriots and services. All customary property in the barony of
+Greystoke, except in the manor of Watermillock, is subject to heriots.
+
+A curious custom obtains in Mr. H. C. Howard's manor of Newbiggin (Dacre),
+as shown by a case which arose about thirty years ago. A married woman,
+seized in fee of customary lands, died, leaving a husband and child. The
+query was raised whether the husband was entitled to the estate for his
+own life "as tenant by the curtesy." It was decided that by the custom of
+the manor, there being no will, the child or heir at law of a deceased
+married woman should take the property absolutely, to the exclusion of the
+husband. In the adjoining manor of Barton there is another interesting
+rule. A Pooley Bridge man, who held certain property of the manor by
+payment of a rent of a shilling per annum, died intestate and a bachelor.
+His nearest relatives were two nieces, daughters of a deceased brother.
+The question was asked whether the two women would be co-heiresses, as in
+some other manors, but the eldest was found to take all, to the exclusion
+of her sister. The custom of the manor of Inglewood is to the same effect,
+the eldest daughter, sister, or other female descendant inheriting.
+
+A question arose some forty-five years ago as to a peculiar custom
+existing in the barony of Greystoke. Mr. William Bleaymire, the then
+steward, stated that by custom of that barony a customary tenant might
+convey such tenement without concurrence of his wife, as no widow was
+entitled to free bench in lands disposed of by her husband in his
+lifetime, he not dying seized thereof. Three or four years later a very
+similar question arose in the manor of Glassonby, the particular point
+being whether an owner could devise his customary land to his children so
+as to deprive his wife (to whom he was married prior to 1834) of her dower
+or free bench therein. The late Mr. Lawrence Harrison, the steward of the
+manor, decided that "the man dies seized of the customary tenement;
+therefore, notwithstanding his will, she is entitled to free bench
+according to the custom. The Dower Act in nowise affects the custom." It
+is a well-known fact that the manorial customs in one village may be
+exactly contrary to those obtaining in an adjoining one. In some manors
+daughters are practically unnoticed, and in this connection an interesting
+point connected with the manor of Watermillock once came up. Mr. Bleaymire
+decided that an eldest daughter would be entitled to certain property in
+that manor, subject to her mother's free bench, which was one half.
+
+A fruitful source of litigation, and of disputes of a less costly
+character, may be found in the demands made even in quite recent times,
+that purchasers should personally attend the Manorial Court in order to
+have admittance. In some local cases such attendance is rigidly enforced,
+but in others--the manor of Edenhall for instance--the purchaser is
+admitted on production of deed of bargain and sale. The law books contain
+many cases in which this point has been stubbornly fought. In the manor of
+Cumwhitton no admittances are granted, but the property passes by deed of
+bargain and sale with the licence of the steward endorsed on the deed, and
+a simple enrolment of the purchaser. In the manors of Morland, Plumpton,
+and Croglin, the parties seeking to be admitted must attend in person or
+by attorney.
+
+In the manor of Renwick, by an indenture mutually agreed upon in 1676, the
+tenants, in addition to a variety of financial payments, were obliged to
+scour and cleanse the water course to the lord's mill from the bottom up
+to the mill trough head, and maintain the mill with wall and thatch; bring
+millstones thereto, and grind their corn thereat, paying a twenty-fourth
+multure. They were entitled to such house-boot as the steward might be
+pleased to allot. Some of the mills were of considerable value, a fact
+which will be readily understood when it is remembered how tenaciously
+lords of manors clung to the right almost down to our own time. The lord
+of Drigg had a mill, to which, as was so frequently the case, the tenants
+were bound. In these days, fortunately, this and other requirements are
+not enforced. The same manor had flotsam, jetsam, and lagan, "and so it
+was adjudged upon a trial at bar between Henry, Earl of Northumberland,
+and Sir Nicholas Curwen in Queen Elizabeth's time, and afterwards a decree
+in Chancery for conforming the said prescription and securing that right
+to the sea against the lord paramount."
+
+The rector of Caldbeck is, or was, entitled to claim a God's penny upon
+the change of tenant by death, in his manor in the lower part of the
+parish. Multure ("mooter") was formerly a common form of tax in
+Cumberland; very many instances of its imposition by lords of manors might
+be quoted, but sometimes it extended to the markets. The following is a
+copy of a bill relating to a revolt on the part of the inhabitants of
+Cockermouth, but the writer has not been able to discover to what extent,
+and whether immediately, the residents in the old borough succeeded in
+their protest:--
+
+    COCKERMOUTH TOLLS.
+
+    At a Meeting of the INHABITANTS of COCKERMOUTH, holden at the COURT
+    HOUSE, on SATURDAY the 13th Instant, to take into consideration the
+    unjust and illegal manner in which
+
+        The TOLL of GRAIN,
+
+    brought into Cockermouth Market, has for some years past been taken;
+    and it having been admitted by the Lord of the Manor, that the Toll of
+    Corn is
+
+        ONE HANDFUL
+        _Out of each Sack sold in the
+        Market, and no more_;
+
+    It was unanimously resolved, that the undermentioned Gentlemen be
+    appointed to attend the Corn Market, for the purpose of observing the
+    mode in which the Toll is taken in future; also that the Landowners,
+    Farmers, and others, be requested to give information to them, if more
+    than the Legal Toll be hereafter required or taken by the Lessees of
+    the Tolls, or if they take it from Grain _not actually sold_, in order
+    that such measures may be pursued by and for the Parties aggrieved as
+    the Law allows.
+
+        Messrs. JOSEPH STEEL,  | Messrs. JOSHUA SIM,
+                WILLIAM WOOD,  |         JOHN FISHER,
+                JOHN HODGSON,  |         THOMAS WILSON.
+
+    THAT a Meeting of the Inhabitants of Cockermouth, together with the
+    Landowners and Farmers of its Vicinity, be holden in the Court House,
+
+        On MONDAY the 22d Inst. at Two o'Clock
+        IN THE AFTERNOON,
+
+    to form an ASSOCIATION for the purpose of PROSECUTING any Person or
+    Persons TAKING MORE TOLL than is allowed by the Ancient Prescription.
+
+    _Cockermouth, March 15th, 1830._
+
+The lordship of Millom was anciently exempted from the jurisdiction of the
+Sheriff of Cumberland; the lords had power to licence their own
+ale-houses, and wreck of the sea was enjoyed until a comparatively recent
+period--certainly up to near the end of last century--"whereof," says
+Nicolson, "much benefit is frequently made, it being almost surrounded by
+the sea."
+
+A very unusual tenure has been noted as being in existence in the township
+of Kirkland, a few miles from Wigton. It was stated thus a century and a
+quarter ago:--"The tenants have a lease granted to them generally by Mr.
+Lancelot Salkeld, father of Sir Francis, for 999 years, paying a certain
+yearly rent for every tenement, amounting in the whole to L6 15s. 1d.
+yearly, and every twenty-one years they are to pay a fine to the lord,
+viz., a twenty-penny fine, which they call a running gressom, and then
+take new leases, but pay no general fine upon the lord's death, nor upon
+change of tenant, but they pay a heriot upon the death of every tenant."
+Tenures of cumin do not appear to have been common in the two counties.
+The best known of the kind was in the time of Henry the Eighth, when a
+yearly rent of 2-1/2d., and one pound of cumin and services was paid by
+the heirs of John Reede to Fountains Abbey, for the fish garths in
+Crosthwaite, Keswick.
+
+By the custom of some places a parson might be obliged to keep a bull and
+a boar, for the use of the parishioners, in consideration of his having
+tithes of calves and pigs. Such a condition held in certain parishes in
+Cumberland, but as the stipulation said nothing as to the quality of the
+animals to be maintained, many farmers, with the progress of agriculture
+and education, began to keep their own, and the requirement gradually
+became a dead letter.
+
+A peculiar obligation concerning Sparket Mill was laid on the tenants in
+the hamlet of Thackthwaite, in Watermillock parish, as is explained in the
+following "Verdict of the Head Jurie of Weathermelock, May 9th,
+1709":--"As for the controversie betwixt the Tennents of Thackthwaite and
+ye miller of Sparkhead Mill concerning the repairing of the Mill Dam and
+the race, we find upon Oath and upon notice given by ye miller the
+tennents of Thackthwaite are to make ye race sufficient to carry water
+from the Dam to the Trough Head, upon condition that the miller give them
+every time they meet to work it a Pott of ale and a pennyworth of tobacco
+as they have had formerly. And as for the Dam we likewise find upon Oath
+that the repairing of the same belongs to the Lord of ye Mannor."
+
+What would owners of dogs in these days think and say were such
+regulations in force as used to be enforced at the ancient Cumberland town
+of Egremont? The old ordinances of Richard Lucy for the government of the
+borough declared that "those who hold burgage tenure in Egremont shall
+find armed men for the defence of the fortress forty days at their own
+charge; shall find twelve men for the lord's military array, and be bound
+to aids for his redemption from captivity, and hold watch and ward; and
+that they shall not enter the forest with bow and arrow, nor cut off their
+dogs' feet within the borough." The explanation of the last item is that
+the inhabitants of the forest, who kept dogs to defend their dwellings,
+were obliged to cut off one foot to prevent their chasing the game, but
+the precaution was not considered necessary in the town.
+
+Among the local peppercorn rents the following is interesting. The Gill
+estate, in the parish of Bromfield, is said to have belonged to the Reays
+"as long as any other estate in the kingdom has been in one family." The
+tradition is that the head of the family had the then extensive lands of
+Gill granted to him and his heirs by William the Lion, King of Scotland in
+the twelfth century, not only in reward for his fidelity to his prince,
+but as a memorial of his extraordinary swiftness of foot in pursuing the
+deer; outstripping in fleetness most of the horsemen and dogs. The
+conditions of the grant were that he should pay a peppercorn yearly, and
+that the name of William should, if possible, be perpetuated in the
+family. There were several eminent men among the descendants, but the
+distinctive Christian name is no longer strictly adhered to.
+
+An estate enjoying exemption from payments of tithes is that of Scale
+Houses, in the parish of Renwick. This arose, declared a writer early in
+the present century, "owing to an ancient owner of the land having slain a
+noxious cockatrice, which the vulgar at this day call a crack-a-Christ as
+they rehearse the simple fable." The document which gives this exemption
+is believed to be still in existence. Among the dues to which the abbot
+and convent of Shap could claim were services and money payments from
+Bampton as "alms corn," and there was a similar tribute from Mauld's
+Meaburn and Hoff. Burn mentions in his chapter on Bewcastle a tenant's
+duty not publicly noted in any other local manor, the people having to pay
+yearly customary rent, quit rents for improvements, and L2 1s. 4d.
+_carriage money_, whatever that may have been.
+
+There was a curious regulation in one of the divisions of Windermere
+parish, which lasted up to about 1780:--"It was anciently customary in the
+township of Applethwaite for every tenant's wife who lived below the
+highway to pay 5d. yearly rent to the lord of the manor, and every other
+woman above 16 years of age 2d., above the road every tenant's wife paid
+3d., and every other woman above 16, a penny. How this custom originated,
+or why the ladies on the low side of the road were rated higher than their
+contemporaries in the opposite division, we are unable to say."[9]
+
+Among the old manorial officers at Cockermouth chosen at the Michaelmas
+Courts were a bailiff, assessors, assessors of bread and ale,
+mill-lookers, moor-lookers, hedge-lookers, leather searchers,
+swine-ringers, and appraisers. The jury of the Leet formed the special
+jury for the government of the borough, and the bailiff was the returning
+officer for elections, as well as clerk of the market. At Egremont the
+officers chosen annually were a borough serjeant, two bailiffs, four
+constables, two hedge and corn-viewers, and assessors of damages. Most of
+the old manors, indeed, would furnish examples of quaint offices, whose
+purpose is now scarcely known. A good deal might be written concerning the
+old manorial and other Courts of the two counties. Occasionally these
+still afford interesting proceedings, but the real purpose for holding
+them has ceased to exist. The Courts of Pie Poudre, at Appleby and several
+other places; the Court of Conscience, or, as it was commonly called, the
+Wapentake Court, and the Court of Record at Kendal; and the many Court
+Leets, are now merely matters of local history.
+
+
+
+
+Old-Time Punishments.
+
+
+If one feature is more prominent than another in connection with former
+methods of repressing crime, or of punishing those who had been declared
+guilty of breaches of the law, it is that of brutality. Refinement, even
+in retribution, is perhaps not to be expected, having regard to the habits
+of the people and the conditions under which they lived. In the
+neighbourhood of the Border, "Jeddart justice"--to hang a man first and
+try him afterwards--was doubtless often found a convenient arrangement for
+dealing with those who were supposed to be delinquents. There is at least
+one case on record, too, of the drowning of a supposed witch at Carlisle,
+though the unfortunate woman was probably guilty of no more serious
+offence than being insane.
+
+One of the most remarkable executions on record was that of Sir Andrew de
+Harcla, whose place in North-Country history is too well known to need
+further reference. He offended Edward the Second--whether he was as guilty
+as some historians have endeavoured to show is certainly a matter of
+opinion--and that monarch sent commissioners to Carlisle to seize de
+Harcla for treason. "The law" in those days was merely another name for
+the caprice of the King, and de Harcla had no trial. The cedula, or
+judgment, ran that Sir Andrew de Harcla, Earl of Carlisle, should be
+stripped of his Earl's robes and ensigns of knighthood, his sword broken
+over his head, his gilt spurs hacked from his heels, and that he should be
+drawn to the place of execution, and there hanged by the neck; his heart
+and bowels taken out of his body, burnt to ashes and winnowed, his body
+cut into four quarters, one to be set upon the principal tower of Carlisle
+Castle, another on the tower of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a third upon the
+bridge at York, and the fourth at Shrewsbury, and his head upon London
+Bridge.
+
+There has been doubt thrown upon the extent to which this revolting
+sentence was obeyed. Dr. Burn says "it was performed accordingly," while
+the monks of Lanercost record that de Harcla "suffered in the ordinary
+place of execution with great fortitude, affirming to the end that in his
+transactions with the King of Scotland he had meant no hurt to his own
+King or country." On the scaffold, they add, he said, "You have disposed
+of my body at your pleasure; my soul, which is above your disposal, I give
+to God." It was customary to allow a sledge or hurdle on which persons
+condemned for high treason were dragged to the gallows; there is nothing
+in local records to show in what way the Earl was conveyed to the place of
+execution.
+
+A question which has occupied a good deal of the attention of local
+antiquaries at various times is whether the body was dismembered and the
+parts dispersed as ordered. De Harcla's sister petitioned Edward the Third
+for the restitution of her brother's body for burial, and the order
+addressed to de Lucy, who had been de Harcla's executioner, is still in
+existence. It runs thus:--"The King to his faithful and beloved Anthony de
+Lucy, Warden of Carlisle Castle, greeting. We command that you cause to be
+delivered without delay the quarter of the body of Andrew de Harcla, which
+hangs by the command of the Lord Edward, late King of England, our father,
+upon the walls of the said Castle, to our beloved Sarah, formerly the wife
+of Robert de Leyburn, sister to the aforesaid Andrew, to whom we of our
+grace have granted that she may collect together the bones of the same
+Andrew, and commit them to holy sepulture, whenever she wishes or her
+attorney. And this you shall in no wise omit. Witness the King at York,
+the 10th of August (1337), by the King himself." A portion of the body is
+believed to have been buried in Kirkby Stephen Church; the tradition was
+strengthened by the discovery of part of the bones of a man under peculiar
+conditions when the church was rebuilt half a century ago.
+
+Although there are several Gallows Hills in Cumberland and Westmorland,
+there only seems to be one place which has retained any particular story,
+and it is thus told in Mr. William Andrews' third book relating to
+punishments[10]:--"It has been asserted by more than one local chronicler
+that John Whitfield, of Cotehill, a notorious North-Country highwayman,
+about 1768 was gibbeted alive on Barrock. He kept the countryside in a
+state of terror, and few would venture out after nightfall for fear of
+encountering him. He shot a man on horseback in open daylight; a boy saw
+him commit the crime, and was the means of his identification and
+conviction. It is the belief in the district that Whitfield was gibbeted
+alive, that he hung for several days in agony, and that his cries were
+heartrending, until a mail coachman passing that way put him out of his
+misery by shooting him."
+
+There is a contemporary record of the execution to be found in the _St.
+James's Chronicle_, for August 12th, 1768, as follows:--"Wednesday, John
+Whitfield, for murdering William Cockburn on the Highway, near
+Armithwaite, was executed at Carlisle, and afterwards hung in Chains near
+the Place where the Fact was committed." It will be seen that the record
+makes no mention of the culprit having been put into his iron cage when
+alive, and one can only hope that there is nothing beyond tradition to
+support the assertion.
+
+Next we come to the gibbeting of a Threlkeld man, one of the earliest
+recorded instances of that punishment being imposed in the County
+Palatine. The facts are contained in the Rydal papers, published in 1890
+by the Historical Manuscripts Commission. Writing from Rydal on November
+24th, 1671, to Sir Joseph Williamson, Sir Daniel Fleming said:--
+
+    "Being lately in Lancashire I received there--as a justice of the
+    peace of that county--an information against one Thomas Lancaster,
+    late of Threlkeld in Cumberland, who, it is very probable, hath
+    committed the most horrid act that hath been heard of in this
+    countrey. He marryed the 30th of January last a wife in Lancashire,
+    who was agreed to be marryed that very day, or soon after, to another;
+    and her father afterwards conveyed all his reall estate to this
+    Lancaster upon his giveing security to pay severall sums of money to
+    himselfe and his other daughters. And through covetousness to pay
+    these and other payments it is very probable that Lancaster hath
+    lately poysoned--with white arsenic--his wife, her father, her three
+    sisters, her aunt, her cosin-german, and a servant boy, besides poyson
+    given to severall of his neighbours who are and have been sick, that
+    people--as it is presumed--might think the rest dead of a violent
+    fevor. I have committed him prisoner unto Lancaster Castle and shall
+    take what more evidence I can meet with against the next assizes, that
+    he may there have a fair triall, and--if he be found guilty--such a
+    punishment as the law shall inflict upon such like offenders."
+
+On April 3rd, of the following year, Sir Daniel, writing to Sir George
+Fletcher, at Hutton, returned to the subject, after he had discussed
+private affairs and the action of the Judges with regard to the Papists.
+At the Lent Assizes at Lancaster, he said, "Thomas Lancaster has been
+found guilty of poisoning eight persons, and is to be hanged in chains."
+Three weeks later in a letter to Sir William Wilde, Justice of the Common
+Pleas, the same gossip recorded that "Thomas Lancaster has confessed that
+he poisoned the old woman with arsenic, for a bribe of L24 from the heir
+to her estate, worth L16 per annum." It is, however, to the church
+registers of Hawkshead that we must turn for an account of the final
+proceedings, the entry being under date April 8th, 1672:--
+
+    "Thomas Lancaster, who for poysonninge his owne family was adjudgt att
+    the assizes att Lancaster to be carried back to his owne house att
+    Hye-Wrey, where he liv'd, was there hanged before his owne doore till
+    he was dead for that very facte, and then was brought with a horse and
+    carr into the Coulthouse meadows and forthwithe hunge upp in iron
+    chaynes on a gibbett, which was set up for that very purpose on the
+    South syde, of Sawrey Casey, neare unto the Poole Stang, and there
+    continued until such tymes as he rotted every bone from the other."
+
+There are records of wholesale executions in Cumberland for what may be
+called political offences. When the authorities were subduing Aske's
+rebellion, for instance, little was thought of hanging a score of men, and
+many readers will no doubt remember the bravery of the victims' wives on
+some of those occasions, for at the risk of their own necks they removed
+their executed husbands from the gallows and buried the bodies by night.
+At Appleby in former days doubtless many executed men were subjected to
+the further indignity of being drawn and quartered. In 1664 three of the
+men who supported Captain Atkinson, of Mallerstang, were, at a special
+assize in the county town, convicted of high treason for their share in
+the Kaber Rigg rising, and all were hanged, drawn, and quartered. It was
+not until the autumn of 1675 that Captain Atkinson was sentenced to die
+the death of a traitor, and pursuant to sentence was hanged, drawn, and
+quartered on September 1st. It was once common to hand over the bodies of
+those who had suffered on the gallows to surgeons for dissection. Probably
+the last Gallows Hill victim thus dealt with was George Mackereth, of
+Kendal, who was hanged in 1748 for the murder of his sweetheart.
+
+A more interesting study is to be found in the methods adopted by the
+clergy when dealing with refractory individuals. Of excommunication, as
+imposed in the diocese of Carlisle, much might be written from the records
+preserved in the registry, for not only were poor folks put under the ban.
+Bishops and priors were declared "excommunicate," while rectors, vicars,
+and less important people by the score seem to have offended.
+
+One case of post-mortem punishment at Penrith, by way of appeasing the
+wrath of a former Bishop, may be quoted. The latter required the
+Archdeacon of Carlisle to seek out and summon certain malefactors who had
+insulted him while on a visit to the town. Three years seem to have passed
+before anything was done, and by that time one of the culprits had died
+and been buried. The Bishop ordered the body to be dug up, and to lie
+unburied until the form of absolution had been gone through. In
+connection, apparently, with the same affair, the Bishop "signified" to
+the Court of King's Bench that John de Agliunby, who had been
+excommunicated for assaulting and wounding a priest, "after the term of
+forty days still remains impenitent and unabsolved," and so the aid of the
+secular arm was invoked to coerce him. What the result may have been does
+not appear.
+
+There is a peculiar case, perhaps less known than any--that of the priest
+or friar who officiated at the Brunskill conventicle, and made a good
+harvest from the "miraculous" cures wrought by the strong iron water at
+the Holy Well, Brough. The vicar obtained the Pope's authority, and the
+offender was duly excommunicated.
+
+In the Ven. Archdeacon Prescott's recently edited transcript of the
+"Register of Wetherhall" may be read the full terms of a somewhat peculiar
+Cumberland case of excommunication and penance. Robert Highmore, Lord of
+Bewaldeth, had taken a mare, the property of John Overhouse of that place,
+as a heriot, before the church of Torpenhow had got the mortuary, and he
+was promptly punished in the orthodox way. Having quickly asked
+absolution, and restored the mare to Sir Robert Ellargill (for the parsons
+were always styled "Sir" in those days), vicar of Torpenhow, and by way of
+penance given the six best oaks in his wood, the Bishop absolved him. In
+some parts of the country the second best horse was due to the Church,
+and, says an old historian, "was carried, by the name of mortuary, or
+corse present, before the corpse, and delivered to the priest at the place
+of sepulture." But in the diocese of Carlisle the Church was first served,
+and the lord only got the second best. Bishop Barrow, who ascended the
+episcopal throne at Carlisle in 1423, anathematized all men who took the
+heriot before "the Holy Kirke" got the mortuary. The punishment of
+excommunicating was far from being reserved for the lower orders. Quite a
+long story might be made of the part taken in this way, in the thirteenth
+century, by the Bishop of Carlisle, who excommunicated the Bishop of
+Dunkeld for refusing to pay the Pope's tenth for the Holy Land.
+
+When it became a matter of cursing wrong-doers, there was generally no
+tendency towards mincing words. Christian, Bishop of Glasgow, who became a
+professor of the Cistercian order, gave to the Abbey of Holme Cultram the
+grange of Kirkwinny. In this grant, quoted in Dugdale's "Monasticon," the
+Bishop charged all men to protect and defend the grange, as they valued
+the blessing of God and of himself; threatening, if they did otherwise,
+that they should incur the papal excommunication, the curses of Almighty
+God and of himself, and the pains of eternal fire.
+
+In 1361 several persons being accused of shedding blood in the church and
+churchyard of Bridekirk, were decreed to be excommunicated by the greater
+excommunication, and the incumbents of all the churches of the deanery of
+Allerdale were ordered to publish the sentence against them on every
+Sunday and holiday at high mass, when the largest number of people should
+be gathered together, the bells ringing, the candles lighted and put out,
+and the cross erected. The mother church of Greystoke being much out of
+repair, the belfry fallen, and the wooden shingles on the roof mostly
+scattered, and the inhabitants of Threlkeld and Watermillock refusing to
+contribute their proportion of the charge, the Bishop, at his visitation
+in 1382, issued his injunction "to all and every of them," under pain of
+the greater excommunication--a proceeding which in those superstitious
+times no doubt quickly had the desired effect. Indeed no great provocation
+would seem to have been needed to bring the punishment of excommunication.
+Complaint having been made of some unknown persons riotously breaking into
+the houses and grange at Wet Sleddale, and committing disorders, a former
+Bishop issued his mandate to the Dean of Westmorland, and the local
+clergy, to denounce the greater excommunication at the time of high mass,
+the bells to ring, and the candles to be put out, against the rioters.
+
+One of the vicars of Appleby St. Lawrence, Thomas de Burnley, was cited to
+York for neglecting to serve the chantry in Appleby Castle--doubtless the
+action was taken at the instigation of the Hereditary High Sheriff. On
+Burnley not appearing before the Judge of the Prerogative Court of the
+abbot and convent, he was excommunicated. The sentence was ordered to be
+read in the parish churches of St. Lawrence and St. Michael, Appleby, and
+in other churches and public places in the dioceses of Carlisle and York,
+every Sunday and holiday, so long as the abbot and convent required, or
+until he should comply and make satisfaction to the judge and parties.
+Burnley was not the only holder of his office who objected to the castle
+service, as Sir Walter Colwyn, who was appointed vicar of the parish forty
+years previously, was also sentenced (doubtless to be excommunicated) for
+"having endeavoured to throw the charges of serving the chantry in the
+castle upon the prior and convent of Wetheral."
+
+About the middle of the fourteenth century, Bishop Welton sent out his
+mandate to the rector of Brougham and another cleric to denounce the
+sentence of greater excommunication against certain unknown persons who
+had broken up a paved way and done some other outrages in the churchyard
+of Penrith, reserving to himself the sole power of absolution. Thereupon
+several of the inhabitants made a pilgrimage across country to Rose,
+confessed themselves guilty, and prayed for a remission of the heavy
+sentence. That was granted on condition of each man offering, by way of
+penance, a wax candle of three pounds weight, before the image of St.
+Mary in the parish church of Penrith on the following Sunday. In the same
+year the vicar of Penrith had a licence granted to him, to continue from
+March 8th to the Easter following, to hear the confessions of all his
+parishioners, and to give absolution upon the performance of penance
+injoined. Some exceptionally bad cases were, however, specially reserved
+by the Bishop. Persons who suffered from the ecclesiastical ban were
+deprived of the right of burial in the churchyard. Two cases of the kind
+are recorded in the Penrith registers for 1623. "August 29th, Lanc. Wood,
+being excommunicate, buried on the Fell. September 5th, Richd. Gibbon,
+being excommunicate, buried on the Fell."
+
+The most noteworthy instance of a man of any eminence in the Church being
+visited with excommunication during the last two centuries is probably
+that of Dr. Todd, who was vicar of Penrith in the first quarter of the
+eighteenth century. He and Bishop Nicolson had a long and bitter quarrel
+as to the rights of the prelate in local Church affairs. The diocesan at
+length suspended the vicar _ab officio et beneficio_, and then
+excommunicated him. The story throughout is not of a particularly
+edifying character; Dr. Todd took his punishment very lightly, and
+afterwards he and the Bishop seem to have been very good friends again.
+
+Still later there are to be found records in various parish registers of
+ecclesiastical pressure being brought to bear on parishioners. Without any
+reason being shown in the register, Jane Curry was declared excommunicate,
+December 10th, 1732, by Hugh Brown, curate of Hayton. At
+Kirkandrews-on-Esk the churchwardens' book shows a list of presentments
+for not bringing children to be baptised; for clandestine marriages,
+fornication, and contumacy. The parties were either excommunicated, or did
+penance, in the church on Sunday. One man did his penance in 1711 after
+having for fornication been excommunicated for thirty years; another man
+was excommunicated for refusing to be churchwarden. In 1785 two couples
+were publicly rebuked in church for clandestine marriage, and Sir James
+Graham, on the application of the curate, Mr. Nichol, ordered all his
+tenants to pay their fees properly. Clandestine marriages of course
+deprived the rector or the curate of the fees, hence the landlord's
+reproof and caution.
+
+The power of excommunication, which during the time of Charles the First
+had been chiefly exercised against the Romanists, was at the commencement
+of the reign of James the Second turned against the Protestant
+Nonconformists, with, in some districts, results sometimes curious but
+almost always sad. The names of forty-four persons were set out in the
+Greystoke register on March 29th, 1685, with this announcement following
+them: "Were these persons whose names and sirnames are here under written
+denounced excommunicate for their offences, and other their contumacy in
+not appearing at Consistorye Court for the reformation of their lives and
+manners." Some of the offenders seem to have had only indifferent moral
+characters, but the majority were Quakers. Quakerism had been spreading
+for many years in the two counties, and during the time Dr. Gilpin was
+rector of Greystoke, the Nonconformists, while holding him personally in
+the deepest respect, gave him some hard puzzles to solve. "Such were their
+novel phrases and cross questions and answers that the doctor seemed
+sometimes at a loss what to say to them." Among those who went over to the
+Quakers was a noted yeoman in his day--Henry Winder, of Green Close, who
+was appointed by the "Friends" to be the Receiver of all their collections
+in Cumberland. He, however, afterwards returned to the Presbyterians, and
+wrote some noteworthy pamphlets on religious topics. His many quarrels did
+not help to wear out his frame, for we read: "Feb. 9th, 1716/7 if was
+buried Henry Winder, sen., of Hutton Soyle; who dyed of a dropsy in the
+hundredth and first year of his age."
+
+The registers of Bampton contain many curious entries, especially about
+people who did not go regularly to church. One, which may be taken as an
+example of other reports by the churchwardens, reads:--"We have no
+presentments to make but what has been formerly presented, viz., we have
+Thomas Braidley and Margret his wife, Richard Simpson, John Hottblacke,
+and Syth Gibson, quakers, and noe other we have in our parish, but doe
+duely resort to church, nor any other offence presentable to our
+knowledge." In other cases it was further noted that "the parties stand
+excommunicated." The churchwardens were evidently strict about enforcing
+order, and on one occasion reported "William Stephenson for violent
+beating of John Wilkinson of Shap upon the sabbath and within the
+churchyard." In other ways the churchwardens exercised care; and a woman
+got into trouble with them for acting as a midwife "without licence to the
+prejudice of several persons." Again, "Lancelot Hogarth is presented to us
+by information of Richard Brown for loading corn on the sabbath in time of
+divine service." Sometimes the parish clerk had a share in the work; one
+of these presented. "James Hayes of Banton, for reading two sale notices,
+without leave on the Sabbath day, one in the church, the other in ye
+churchyard."
+
+Possibly even Dissenters were not thought to be entirely bad, so long as
+they paid their tithes, and in presenting William Simpson once more the
+Bampton churchwardens vouched that albeit he was a Quaker he was "a very
+moderate one; tho' he absent the church yett he payes his tythes." The
+Church authorities seem to have carried out their unpleasant duties with a
+due amount of consideration; there is a tone of sympathy about some of the
+entries; in others indifference may be noted, as where Richard Simpson and
+Margaret Braidley (the latter "very old, not able to go abroad, scarcely
+help herself,") are presented along with William Wilson, younger, a
+Dissenter--what sort we know not, but he never comes to church. Although
+the Howards of Naworth at one time owned the manor of Thornthwaite, and
+lived at the Hall, the only entry in which the name is found is the
+following: "We have none to present but who have been formerly presented
+and doe stand excommunicated, viz., Mr. William Howard and Jane his wife,
+papists, Richard Simpson and Margret Braidley, widow, quakers, all that we
+have."
+
+Although the sentence of excommunication was frequently used by the
+Nonconformist bodies, in this case the proclamation had no such serious
+results as followed the sentence in earlier days. Among the records of the
+Penrith Presbyterian Church are many allusions to excommunication; one
+instance will suffice to illustrate the rest. In 1818, Robert McCreery, a
+member of the church, had left the town in company with a woman who was
+not his wife, but returning three months afterwards, he petitioned to be
+re-admitted to the Presbyterian Society. Before the formalities could be
+concluded McCreery seems to have changed his mind and withdrawn his
+application, and he was therefore declared from the pulpit to be
+excommunicate.
+
+At Ravenstonedale, in the days of Philip Lord Wharton, there was a ready
+method of dealing with slanderers and other transgressors. The "town" was
+governed by twenty-four of the principal inhabitants, called the grand
+jury, and the oath which they were required to take included a promise
+that--
+
+    "Every person or persons within this lordship which shall be convicted
+    before the grand jury for the time being and by them be found to have
+    offended against any person or persons within this lordship, either by
+    slanderous words or other unlawful speech or report, that the same
+    offender or offenders shall, upon such a Sabbath Day, before the
+    celebration of the general Communion then next following the
+    conviction, and in such manner before the people assembled in the
+    church ... appoint the said offender or offenders in penitent manner
+    to confess their fault, and to ask the party aggrieved forgiveness for
+    the same, upon pain of every such offender or offenders to forfeit to
+    the lord of this manor, so often as they shall contemptuously or
+    obstinately deny or defer to make their reconcilements, 3s. 4d.: and
+    the men in charge of the church not to fail in execution hereof upon
+    pain to forfeit to the lord 12d."
+
+Though paying 3s. 4d. seems a small punishment, it was a large sum towards
+the end of the reign of Queen Bess, and would be equal to fully L3 now,
+while three years after the rule was instituted the fine was doubled. Mr.
+Nicholls, in a series of lectures which he delivered in the village some
+twenty-four years ago, remarked:--
+
+    "Such a law as this one would expect to be a very wholesome check
+    against slander. There is a tradition that the culprit was compelled
+    to stand up, wrapt in a white sheet, and confess his fault; but,
+    whether this were so or no, the confession must have been a terrible
+    ordeal, and I can understand that the fine was often paid. It would
+    seem that notwithstanding the fine or penalty, the vice was a
+    prevalent one, as its mention is followed by a homily against the sin
+    of slander, in which many passages of Scripture are cleverly and
+    skilfully incorporated."
+
+The long-since dismantled Abbey of Lanercost had its origin in a tragedy.
+Gils Beuth laid claim to a part of Gilsland, and Robert de Vallibus, lord
+of Gilsland, slew him at a meeting for agreement appointed between them
+under trust and assurance of safety. In consequence of that action
+Vallibus laid down arms and began to study law with such good effect that
+in time he became a judge. The murder still preyed on his mind until he
+made satisfaction to Mother Church by building Lanercost Abbey, and
+endowing it with the very lands which had brought about the murder.
+
+Dr. Burn in one instance shows that not only were people allowed "the
+option," in some cases, but that the money was put to good use. A silver
+communion chalice belonging to Beetham Parish Church "was purchased by the
+late Commissary Stratford with money paid in commutation of penance for
+adultery and fornication;" its inscription being "OB POEN. MULCT.
+DEDICAT. HUIC. ECCLESIAE, 1716." Slanderers had occasionally to pay not
+only a monetary penalty for the free use of their tongues, but to satisfy
+the ecclesiastical authorities as well. Chancellor Paley had such a case
+before him in November, 1789, where a man had "uttered words of a shameful
+nature and unbecoming a Christian, in prejudice to the complainant and his
+daughter." The Chancellor "decreed the defendant to do public penance in
+the parish church, and to be condemned in all costs." The _Pacquet_ which
+thus records the decision, is silent as to the method in which the
+punishment was carried out. Penance in connection with illegitimacy was
+not uncommon; therefore the following entry which occurs in the Kirby
+Thore register, dated June 27th, 1779, after the baptism of an
+illegitimate child, must be taken only as an example: "William Bowness, of
+Bolton B[achelor]: Frances Spooner, widow, of this Parish, the parents,
+underwent a public penance in this church."
+
+The Millom records under date March 27th, 1595, say that Jenet Benson was
+"to be sorye for her sins by order of Mr. Commissorye at Botle;" and in
+1608 "Barnard Benson did his penance in the parishe chirche of Millom the
+19th of March and payed to the poor of the chirche x{s.} which was openly
+delivered in the pulpit, vi{s.} viii{d.} at Millom and iii{s.} iv{d.} at
+Ulfall." The Bensons would seem to have been a troublesome lot, for
+another entry is that "Myles Benson p{d} xii{d.} for sleepinge and not
+goinge orderly to church." The wardens at that time could fine any
+parishioners a shilling for neglecting to attend church. Insults to the
+clergy were visited with such punishments as could be imposed, and the
+doing of penance was perhaps the most suitable consequence of such an
+action. This paragraph appears in the Greystoke register:--"1608/9
+February 12th. This daye two Sermons by Mr. P'son one afforenone, and the
+other afternone, and Edward Dawson taylyor did openlye conffess before the
+Congregation that he had abused the mynister Sr. Matthew Gibson upon the
+Sabboth daye at Evenynge prayer." Sacrilege has always been very properly
+looked upon as one of the worst crimes, but instances must be
+comparatively rare of an estate being forfeited through such an act.
+Barwise Hall, near Appleby, descended from the family of Berewyse to that
+of Ross, and the last of these is said to have forfeited his domain for
+stealing a silver chalice out of the church.
+
+Before the privilege was abolished by Parliament in the reign of James the
+First, there were several places in the two counties at which sanctuary
+could be obtained. One was at Ravenstonedale. The Rev. W. Nicholls, Dr.
+Simpson, Mr. A. Fothergill, the Rev. R. W. Metcalfe, and others have
+brought the history of that parish to an unusually complete stage, and the
+first-named gentleman has told the story.[11] The tower, according to
+tradition--the structure was demolished about a century and a half
+ago--stood apart from the church, on the road side, and rested on pillars,
+leaving openings at equal distances on each side, while from the centre
+hung the rope of the refuge bell. Any person who had committed any offence
+worthy of death--once a very easy matter, there being many such crimes
+besides murder--after ringing the bell could not be seized by the Sheriff
+or any other King's officer, but must be tried by the lord's Court at
+Ravenstonedale, which doubtless at first consisted of the monks. Mr.
+Fothergill recorded that in his time if a murderer fled to the church and
+tolled the holy bell, he was free, and that if a stranger came within the
+precincts of the manor he was safe from the pursuer. He added:--"Of our
+own knowledge, and within our own memory, no felon, though a murderer, was
+to be carried out of the parish for trial, and one Holme, a murderer,
+lived and died in Ravenstonedale; his posterity continued there for two
+generations, when the family became extinct." Some doubt has been thrown
+on the local tradition that the privilege of sanctuary was possessed by
+the Nunnery, on the banks of the Eden, in Ainstable parish. There is still
+an upright pillar, having on one side of it a cross, round which is
+inscribed "Sanctuarium, 1088." There is also near to Greystoke Church what
+is called a sanctuary stone.
+
+In the Museum at Kendal is preserved a good specimen of the scolds'
+bridle, which may have come down from the days, three centuries ago, when
+the Corporation set about reforming the conduct of the inhabitants. The
+contents of the "Boke of Recorde" are very interesting in this connection.
+Gambling in its varied forms was put down rigorously. It was ordered that
+any inhabitant allowing any play at cards, dice tables, bowls, or any
+other unlawful game should be fined for the first offence 6s. 8d., and
+for the second offence 13s. 4d., while the players escaped with half those
+penalties. These and other fines which were provided for were "over and
+beside such other punishment as shall be thought mete and requisite
+according to the quality of the offence."
+
+Among the punishments provided for may be noted the following as a
+specimen, there being several of the kind. Henry Wilson, a burgess and
+Justice of the Peace for the borough, having been living incontinently
+with Jennet Eskrigge, a married woman, "as is notoriouslye knowen to the
+sclannder and offence of the magistrats off the sayd boroughe, and evil
+example of the residewe off the inhabitannts heare, wherbye he is thoughte
+nott mete to contynewe in the sayd roweme and offyce," it was ordered that
+he should be expelled from his offices. As to the woman, it was decreed
+that she should be carted through the town, "to the terror and fear of
+other persons of evil disposition for the committing of the like offence
+in time to come," and she was not to be permitted to remain within the
+borough unless she was reconciled to and dwelt with her husband. The
+punishment did not act as a warning to the woman, and further orders are
+to be found in the minute-book showing how she was made liable to heavy
+fines and forbidden to enter the town "otherwise than as a stranger coming
+to the church or market only," while the inhabitants who gave her shelter
+were liable to fines of ten shillings each.
+
+There is a very long and verbose order passed by the Corporation in
+December, 1589:--"For punishinge of a mayd servant for speakinge
+slanderouse speeches of her master." They found that "Mabel Atkinson, late
+servant unto Mr. Henry Dickson, and Sybell Dyckson, his wife, inhabitants
+of this borough, forgetting her duty to Almighty God and the fear and awe
+she ought to have had to the threatening menaces and punishments
+pronounced out of His Holy Word and Commandments against such persons as
+shall openly or privily unjustly slander, hurt, or impair their neighbours
+in body, goods, name or report, and also that servile regard and honest,
+and true favour and love she ought to have borne towards her said master
+and mistress in all manner of behaviours and reports by the instigation of
+our mortal enemy the Devil, the author of all falsehood and lying, hath of
+late, even within this borough of Kirkbiekendall, most maliciously,
+falsely, and untruly imposed, devised, framed, and brought a very
+horrible, unjust, and feigned slander and misreport of and against her
+master and mistress."
+
+The punishment is worth describing in full, but the following extract will
+suffice as a specimen of the whole order thereon:--"For condign punishment
+in this behalf and for a terror and fear to be wrought in all others for
+committing the like offence, it is ordained and constituted that Mabel
+Atkinson shall be attached and taken on Monday, in the morning, next, by
+the two Serjeants at Mace and ministers of this borough, where and in what
+place she may be found, and shall forthwith be had, carried, and conveyed
+unto the common prison or ward of the same borough, and there shall remain
+and continue without any bail or delivery until Thursday then next
+following, in the afternoon, having only for diet every day in the
+meanwhile one slender and spare repast of meat and drink, and only two
+coverlets nightly to lie in, at which time on the said Thursday, in the
+afternoon, being openly called forth of prison to the bar in the Mootehall
+of the same borough, if she will and do in very penitent, humble, and
+sorrowful manner, unfeignedly and truly upon her knees, in the open
+presence of the people then and there assembled, and before her said
+master and mistress, ask and pray at God His hands mercy and forgiveness
+for her said false and untrue report and slander, and pardon also of her
+said master and mistress for the said offence, then she to be delivered
+out of the said prison or ward, paying such fees and duties as may
+appertain, and if she shall the same refuse, in whole or part, or in doing
+the same not performing it with such true penitence as in such case is
+requisite, and as all the people assembled may and shall therewith be
+fully satisfied and resolved, that she be banished from being, tarrying,
+or remaining within this borough, or the liberties or precincts of the
+same, for and by the space of one whole year then next coming, and that no
+person or persons during the same year shall take her into service or
+suffer her to dwell in house under or with any such person or persons
+(except it be in lawful wedlock) upon pain to lose and forfeit to, and for
+the common use of all the inhabitants of the same for every month as much
+as ten shillings, to be levied as above."
+
+The poor drunkards met with none too considerate treatment from the
+justices of the time. Here is a curious "Order against common drunkards,
+how to be punished, and for common scolds":--"Whereas sundry persons
+inhabiting this borough and others (of their insatiable minds without any
+regard to common honesty, modesty, or fear of God, or His severe
+punishment either in this life or the life to come) do give up their
+bodies (which Almighty God hath ordained to honour) unto all manner of
+dishonour and dissolute kind of life in quaffing immoderate and
+superfluous devouring of strong ale at very many needless and unfit times,
+continuing the same most foul and detestable vice so long till at length
+they be so far overtaken and gone that they become beast-like and
+insensible, without reason or any good understanding (besides the great
+loss of time and waste of their goods, and miserable want of their
+families at home, and their own beggaring at length, and lamentable grief
+to all other good Christians, their neighbours, detesting and loathing
+that vice) for redress whereof and preventing of sundry mischiefs which
+else might happen by this occasion (besides great danger to their souls)
+if the same enormity should not in time be speedily foreseen; it is
+therefore ordained and constituted by the Aldermen and burgesses of this
+borough that at all times hereafter when and so often as any person or
+persons whatsoever shall be seen or known ... to have been or at any time
+to be so far overtaken, besotted or drunken with immeasurable devouring of
+strong drink that then it shall be lawful to or for any Alderman, Justice,
+or Alderman's Deputy all and every such misordered person and persons to
+cause to be imprisoned within the same borough, there to remain at such
+diet and during the pleasure of him that committed him, to the end thereby
+to reclaim and warn every one of them from lewdness and detestable
+offences of drinking; and also that every such magistrate aforesaid shall
+or may commit and command to be set on the cuckstool every common scold,
+railer, or of notorious misdemeanour, at the like pleasure of the
+Commander or Magistrate."
+
+The turning of Thirlmere into a huge reservoir, and the necessary increase
+of its depth, hid for ever a number of land-marks. There are, however,
+numerous others of an interesting character left. A reminder of the days
+when the manorial lord was a king in a small way is supplied by the
+Steading Stone. This is supposed to mark the site where the manor court
+of Wythburn was held, and its pains and penalties imposed. The Rev. S.
+Barber has supplied[12] an explanation of a term which has puzzled many a
+tourist as well as not a few dwellers in Lakeland:--"The City, as has been
+suggested by one who is no mean scholar, is neither more nor less than a
+corruption of 'Sitting,' that is, the place of session of the early
+judges, when they met to adjudicate in criminal cases. We can then picture
+the white bearded patriarchs seated in solemn conclave upon the
+semi-circle of boulders facing the central rock, and after the giving of
+sentence sternly watching the miserable captive led away to be decapitated
+on that very rock, before the assembled witnesses."
+
+Life in the old gaols for any extended period must have been a very
+dreadful experience. The buildings were generally crowded; that they would
+be in a perpetually insanitary condition goes without saying, and gaol
+fevers were frequent. The prisoners were not treated any better in the
+local gaols than in other places. They were chiefly dependent on the
+charity of outsiders for subsistence, and the old Carlisle and Whitehaven
+newspapers contain hundreds of paragraphs recording the gratitude of the
+prisoners to the local gentry for gifts of from L1 to L20. In these days
+when it is unlawful to send any tobacco or liquors into a prison, the
+reader notes with particular interest the announcements of presents of
+barrels of ale, prayer-books, bread, coals, and other articles to the
+debtors, as well as to those who had been convicted of serious offences.
+
+Those, too, were "the hanging days." Note the items in this concise report
+of Carlisle Assizes in August, 1790:--"On Friday afternoon the Judges were
+met at the usual place, near Carlisle, by Wm. Brown, High Sheriff of the
+county, attended by a most respectable and numerous company of gentlemen,
+in carriages and on horseback. On their arrival in the city, their
+lordships proceeded to the Hall, where His Majesty's Commission being
+opened in due form, the Courts were adjourned to eight o'clock the next
+morning--when the business of assize proceeded. The Hon. Sir John Wilson
+at the Crown End; and the Hon. Sir Alex. Thomson, in the court of _nisi
+prius_. When our account left Carlisle, Wm. Bleddy, for breaking open the
+shop of Miss Crossthwaite, at Keswick; and John Thompson, for horse
+stealing, were found guilty--death. Bella Ramsay, for stealing wearing
+apparel, to be transported. Leonard Falshea, for stealing six sheep, found
+guilty--death, but ordered for transportation. Ann Wilson and Elizabeth
+White, for stealing a purse, etc., to be transported."
+
+There are no stocks standing now on the village greens of Cumberland and
+Westmorland, but in Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, are local examples of
+both pillory and stocks. Among the records of Greystoke, some seventy
+years ago, it was stated that the village then possessed a neat cross,
+"the stones of which remain piled together, and also the foot-stocks for
+the punishment of evil doers." Whipping in public was so general in most
+towns as to occasion no great amount of notice, and often the punishment
+must have seemed out of all proportion to the offence. Thus at the assizes
+of 1790, just mentioned, Walter Smith, who was convicted of stealing a
+game-cock, was sentenced to be imprisoned six months and publicly whipped
+in Whitehaven.
+
+
+[Illustration: GIANT'S THUMB, PENRITH.]
+
+
+There is a tradition among some of the old folks of Penrith that the holes
+at the top of the ancient cross, known as the Giant's Thumb, in the
+churchyard, were at one time used for a pillory. The only authority for
+the assertion seems to have been the late Mr. William Grisenthwaite,
+builder, who had quite a store of local traditions. It was on his
+statement that Mr. George Watson included the information in his
+"Notabilia of Old Penrith." Mr. Grisenthwaite said the last time the cross
+was used for that corrective purpose was for the whipping of a young
+woman, who died of a broken heart in consequence of her shameful exposure.
+It is but fair to say that other old people of great intelligence declare
+that they never heard of such an event, and that they do not believe it.
+Moreover, Penrith possessed stocks, and doubtless a pillory also, not far
+from where the Monument now stands; hence the statement as to the Thumb
+being put to such a secular purpose as being used for a whipping-post is
+greatly in need of confirmation. The stocks at Penrith had not ceased to
+be used in 1781, having been repaired by Thomas Langhorne in that year, at
+a cost of L1 14s. Those at Ravenstonedale stood outside the churchyard
+wall, and near the Grammar School. The stocks at Orton were near the
+church gate; those at St. Michael's, Appleby, at Bongate Cross. An iron,
+with the letters "R. V. T." ("rogue, vagabond, thief"), was attached to
+the dock in the Crown Court at Appleby, until the Shire Hall was improved
+about 1848.
+
+It is recorded that whipping was formerly practised in Appleby to a
+considerable extent. On October 26th, 1743, it was ordered by the Mayor
+and Aldermen that the stocks and pillory, then opposite to the house which
+had recently belonged to a person named Knotts, should be immediately
+removed to the end of the open Hall, facing the Low Cross, "that being
+deemed the proper place for the same, and that there be a whipping-post,
+and a convenient place for burning criminals in the hand, erected there
+also." The late Mr. M. Cussons, shortly before his death early this year,
+told the writer that he particularly remembered the stocks at Appleby.
+They were placed at the north end of the old Moot Hall, and were removed
+before 1835, in which year the Corporation fixed the present weighing
+machine on the site. The stocks were so placed that the culprit undergoing
+punishment had his back to the building, and faced the church. When they
+were last used has not been ascertained. There were stocks also at Bongate
+Cross, but these were removed about thirty years ago by the late Mr.
+Richardson, the Bongate parish clerk, and given by him to the late Mr. G.
+R. Thompson, Bongate Hall. From the Appleby Corporation records, Mr. W.
+Hewitson, Town Clerk, finds that in 1767 the grand jury set out to William
+Bewsher on a lease for 999 years a piece of ground on which to build a
+smith's shop, at the north corner of Bridge End, near where the
+ducking-stool stood.
+
+The last person flogged through the Appleby streets was a man named
+Johnnie Copeland, a notorious character in his time. This happened about
+1819. The crime for which he suffered this punishment was a criminal
+assault. Mrs. Jane Brunskill, Appleby, now in her ninetieth year, who was
+an eye witness of the punishment, informed the writer a few months ago
+that she remembered the occurrence perfectly. The offender was fastened by
+two ropes, placed round his body, one being held by a man who walked in
+front, and the other by a man walking behind the culprit. The punishment
+was inflicted by a prisoner under confinement in Appleby Gaol. They
+started from the High Cross and proceeded to the Gaol, the man being
+flogged all the way. This took place on a market day, and the streets were
+crowded. The governor of the gaol at that time was named James Bewsher,
+and he combined with that office the business of blacksmith, which he
+carried on in the premises already referred to as being near the place
+where the ducking-stool stood.
+
+Dishonest workmen also got a taste of the lash occasionally, as witness
+this newspaper paragraph of January, 1789: "A fancy-weaver, belonging to
+Messrs. Foster and Sons' manufactory in Carlisle, was publicly whipped a
+few days ago, for stealing several of his masters' patterns, and sending
+them to a manufactory in Glasgow."
+
+There is believed to have been no example of riding the stang in
+Cumberland or Westmorland during the last half century. Previously,
+however, it would seem to have been an unpleasantly frequent punishment.
+In the _Westmorland Gazette_ for December 19th, 1835, a long description
+was given of "the old but now almost neglected custom." In this case an
+Ambleside woman had left her husband and family, and gone with a married
+man to America. After an absence of eight months she returned, and, said
+the local journalistic chronicler of the period, "the young men of
+Ambleside, with that manly and proper spirit which ought to actuate the
+breast of every noble mind who values propriety of conduct, and that
+which is decent and of good report, on Monday procured, instead of a pole,
+a cart, in which were placed two of their companions, and accompanied by a
+party of both young and old, proceeded through the town repeating at
+certain places the following lines:--
+
+  'It is not for my part I _ride the stang_,
+  But it is for the American----just come hame.'
+
+The fun was continued to the amusement of hundreds for about an hour, but
+not being satisfied with one night's frolic, the same party, on Tuesday
+evening, procured an effigy of the frail lady, and after exhibiting it in
+every part of the town, publicly burnt it at the Market Cross, amidst the
+loud hurras of the assembled crowd who had met to witness the sight, and
+who took that opportunity of testifying their hatred and detestation of
+such base and abominable conduct as the parties had been guilty of."
+
+
+
+
+Some Legends and Superstitions.
+
+
+The title of this chapter sufficiently indicates that the legends and
+superstitions intended to be dealt with are far from including all which
+might be mentioned; indeed not a tithe of those which are still well known
+in the two counties can here be touched upon. Mr. Whitfield, M.P., in an
+address in West Cumberland over thirty years ago,[13] said that the
+superstitions in the Border country concerning fairies and brownies were
+more developed, and the belief in spells and enchantments more common than
+in many other parts of the country. The various circumstances attending
+the growth of those beliefs led to the conclusion that in the Middle Ages
+religion as then taught did not exercise any great influence on the
+Border. Though monasteries were founded on each side of the Border as some
+protection against the desolations of war, the English did not scruple to
+ravage the Scottish monasteries during an invasion, and the Scotch treated
+with corresponding violence the English foundations. At the time of the
+Reformation the Border was probably the most ignorant and barbarous
+district in England.
+
+There is a pretty legend pertaining to St. Bees, which is supposed to have
+derived its name from St. Bega, an Irish nun, who came to Cumberland about
+the middle of the seventh century, and, with her sisters, was wrecked near
+to the headland. "In her distress she went to the Lady of Egremont Castle
+for relief, and obtained a place of residence at St. Bees. Afterwards she
+asked Lady Egremont to beg of her lord to build them a house, and they
+with others would lead a religious life together. With this the Lady
+Egremont was well pleased, and she asked the lord to grant them some land.
+The lord laughed at the lady, and said he would give them as much land as
+snow fell upon 'the next morning in Midsummer Day.' On the next morning he
+looked out from the castle towards the sea, and all the land for about
+three miles was covered with snow."[14]
+
+Another tradition associated with West Cumberland is that at Kirksanton.
+There is a basin, or hollow, in the surface of the ground, assigned as a
+place where once stood a church that was swallowed up by the earth
+opening, and then closing over it bodily. It used to be believed by the
+country people that on Sunday mornings the bells could be heard far down
+in the earth, by the simple expedient of placing the ear to the ground. A
+very similar legend was, in a magazine in 1883, recorded of Fisherty Brow,
+Kirkby Lonsdale:--"There is a curious kind of natural hollow scooped out,
+where, ages ago, a church, parson, and congregation were swallowed up by
+the earth. Ever since this terrible affair it is asserted that the church
+bells have been regularly heard to ring every Sunday morning."
+
+If an old tradition is to be believed, one of the most conspicuous
+land-marks in the north of England should be regarded as a memorial, so
+far as its name goes. The story is that the cross was planted, by pious
+hands, in the early days of Christianity, on the summit or table land of
+the chain of mountains which bounds the eastern side of Cumberland,
+separately known by different names along their range, but collectively
+called Cross Fell. At any rate, whether or not it takes its name from its
+transverse situation to the common run of the immense ridge, this
+tradition, as the Rev. B. Porteus has remarked, "is preferable to another
+which traces its derivative to a cross erected for the purpose of
+dislodging the aerial demons which were once thought to possess these
+desolate regions, and gave it the name of the Fiend's Fell." But the
+cyclone (the Helm Wind) and the sending for holy men to Canterbury to
+exorcise "the demon" supports the derivation. Alston Church is dedicated
+to St. Augustine. Some say the bodies of Christians who had died in the
+heathen eastern districts were brought "Cross t' Fell" to be buried in the
+consecrated land of the primitive Christians of Cumberland and
+Westmorland.
+
+There is a tradition that an attempt was made time after time to build a
+church in what is known as Jackson's Park, Arlecdon, but as often as begun
+in the day it was destroyed in the night by some unknown and invisible
+hand. Eventually the attempt was abandoned, and the church built in its
+present position. Then there is the familiar legend connected with the
+building of the Devil's Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale. There are several
+versions of the erection of this structure, and as one is just as likely
+to be wrong as another, the story told by Mr. Speight[15] may be quoted:
+"The bridge was built by his Satanic Majesty, according to a compact made
+between himself and a poor woman who wished to recover her cow which had
+strayed at low water to the opposite side of the river, but could not do
+so without the convenient means of a bridge. And so the King of Evil
+agreed to erect a bridge on condition that he should have the first living
+thing that crossed. He knew very well of her husband's coming home from
+market, and hoped to make good booty. But the cunning woman was equal to
+the occasion. Seeing the approach of her husband on the opposite hill, she
+concealed a scraggy, half-starved dog under her apron, and letting it
+sniff a bone, suddenly tossed the latter over the fine, new made viaduct,
+and the dog at once bounding after it, she stepped back, and raising her
+fingers in a vindictive, and certainly most unbecoming manner, lustily
+exclaimed,
+
+  'Now, crafty Sir, the bargain was
+  That you should have what first did pass
+  Across the bridge--so now, alas!
+      The dog's your right.
+
+  The Cheater cheated, struck with shame,
+  Squinted and grinned, then in a flame
+      He vanished quite.'"
+
+At least two legends have come down to us of the days of the wolves. A
+lady belonging to the Lucy family--the great territorial lords of West
+Cumberland--was one evening walking near to Egremont Castle when she was
+devoured by a wolf at a place afterwards marked by a stone cairn, and
+known as Woful Bank. The name of Wotobank is given to a place in the
+parish of Beckermet. The story here is that Edgar, a lord of Beckermet,
+and his lady, Edwina, and servants, were at one time hunting the wolf.
+"During the chase the lord missed his lady, and after a long and painful
+search the party at last found her body lying on the hill, or bank, slain
+by a wolf, with the ravenous beast still in the act of tearing it to
+pieces. In the first transports of his grief, the words that the
+distressed husband first uttered were, 'Woe to this Bank'--a phrase since
+altered and applied to the place as 'Wotobank.'" Another wolf legend of a
+somewhat similar character is attached to a well called Lady's Dub, at
+Ulpha.
+
+What can only be described as legends--for as to their authenticity it
+would perhaps not be wise to inquire too closely--belong to the fortunes
+of several estates in the two counties. One of the owners of Warthell (or
+Warthol) Hall, in the parish of Plumbland, was notorious for his passion
+for card-playing--a form of amusement, by the way, which probably for more
+than two hundred years has been a favourite among all classes in the two
+counties. The Lord of Warthell, Mr. Dykes, one evening lost a large sum,
+and was face to face with ruin. Growing desperate, he determined to risk
+all on a single game of putt, and at the last deal cried,
+
+  "Up, now deuce, or else a tray,
+  Or Warthell's gone for ever and aye."
+
+While it would perhaps be unjust even to suggest that the people of
+Cumberland and Westmorland are now more superstitious than those of other
+counties, it is nevertheless a fact that many curious beliefs prevailed in
+the country districts long after they had ceased in other places. The
+faith in the efficacy of charms has even yet not died away. Toothache has
+long been a favourite medium for testing the skill of the charmer and the
+faith of the sufferer. The Rev. H. J. Bulkeley, then rector of Lanercost,
+who spent much time in collecting records of the old and fleeting beliefs,
+told in 1885 how the toothache charm was worked. "A boy suffering from
+toothache was taken to an old blacksmith, who prodded the decayed tooth
+with a rusty nail; blindfolded the boy, led him into a wood, and, taking
+the bandage off his eyes, made him hammer the nail into a young oak;
+blindfolded him again, and led him out, making him promise not to try and
+find the tree or tell anyone of it. And that tooth never ached any more!"
+Another method was to rub, with a stone, the part affected, the operation
+taking place soon after sunset. While performing the rubbing, the charmer
+muttered an incantation which does not seem to have been preserved in
+print, although it is doubtless well known in the country districts.
+
+Fairies have given place to more material creations, but the faith in the
+"little folk" has not died out, and even yet occasionally the dairy-maid
+may be seen furtively to put a pinch of salt in the fire at churning time,
+"so that t' fairies mayn't stop t' butter frae comin'." The rowan-tree
+branch used to be placed above doorways to keep away evil influences
+throughout the north of England, and in the Lake Country the stick used
+for stirring the cream to counteract the bewitching of the churn is still
+frequently made of rowan or mountain ash wood.
+
+Among the old superstitions is that of the death strokes:--
+
+  "As with three strokes above the testered bed
+  The parting spirit of its tenant fled."
+
+The opinion once very commonly prevailed that shortly before the coming of
+the last summons three distinct raps were heard on the wall immediately
+over the bed head. This, of course, was nothing more than the noise made
+by a small worm when trying to bore itself a passage through the decayed
+woodwork where it had been bred.
+
+"Telling the bees" is a custom in several parts of the country, and is
+still believed in by some of the old people of these counties. When a
+death occurred in a household where bees were kept it was deemed desirable
+for some one to acquaint the occupants of the hives with the fact, and
+also to tell them on the day of the funeral that the corpse was about to
+be lifted. The late Mr. W. Dickinson, who by his "Cumbriana,"
+"Reminiscences," and "Glossary," did much to preserve a knowledge of
+old-time life in the county, said the last case of "telling the bees"
+which came to his knowledge was at Asby, near Arlecdon, in 1855. To miss
+taking the doleful news to the bees was held to be a certain way of
+bringing ill-luck to the house.
+
+Supposed miracle workers have not been lacking. About the middle of the
+fourteenth century the abbot and canons of Shap had licence from Bishop
+Kirkby to remove the body of Isabella, wife of William Langley, their
+parishioner, famed for having miracles done by it, to some proper place
+within the church or churchyard of Shap, that the reliques might be
+reverenced by the people with freer and greater devotion.
+
+"Boggles" have been common in all parts of the two counties; needless to
+say the dreadful apparitions when inquired about in a careful manner have
+invariably proved to be very commonplace and harmless creatures or
+articles. "Boggle" is a Norse word, sometimes equal to personification of
+diety or saint. Natural phenomena, as _ignis fatuus_, account for some;
+the mist-mirage explains others. The mist is still called "the haut" (the
+haunt). Witches, too, have abounded--according to report,--and some were
+drowned, or otherwise persecuted because of their evil repute. Mary
+Baynes, the witch of Tebay, died in 1811, aged ninety. She has been
+described as a repulsive looking woman, with a big pocket tied upon her
+back, and she was blamed for witching people's churns, geese, and
+goslings, so that on account of her witchcraft she became a terror to her
+neighbours. Many strange things which happened were laid to her charge,
+and thoroughly believed by the people. Ned Sisson, of the "Cross Keys
+Inn," had a mastiff which worried old Mary's favourite cat. The owner
+decided to have the grimalkin respectably buried in her garden, and a man
+named Willan dug a grave for it. Old Mary handed Willan an open book, and
+pointed to something he was to read. But Willan, not thinking it worth
+while to read anything over a cat, took pussy by the leg, and said:
+
+  "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
+  Here's a hole, and in thou must."
+
+Mary grew angry, and warned her companion that he would fare no better for
+his levity. Soon afterwards Willan was ploughing in his field when the
+implement suddenly bounded up, and the handle struck one of his eyes,
+causing blindness. Immediately Mary Baynes was given the credit for having
+bewitched the plough. The old lady seems to have tried her hand also at
+prophesy. Once when the scholars of Tebay School were out playing, Mary
+predicted to them that some day carriages would run over Loupsfell without
+the aid of horses. The railway now goes over a portion of the land to
+which she referred, which was then a large stinted pasture. The best
+known other "witch" was "Lizzie o' Branton," otherwise Lizzy Batty, a
+remarkable woman, who, in the early years of this century, occupied a
+cottage on the roadside between Brampton and Talkin. She acted in a
+peculiar manner, dressed curiously, and generally "acted the part," with
+the consequence that she was credited with many supernatural powers. She
+died in 1817, at the age of eighty-eight. The date of her funeral in
+Brampton was for long years remembered as the stormiest day the town had
+ever seen. Although it was in March, yet darkness came on so suddenly that
+lanterns were lighted at the grave-side, only to be again and again
+extinguished by the fury of the tempest. A tradition still lingers that
+those who bore the coffin to the grave solemnly affirmed that it was empty
+and the body gone.
+
+The belief in the "barguest," now practically gone, was in comparatively
+recent times common enough to excite but little notice. The term was
+generally used to denote any kind of ghostly visitant, but referred more
+particularly to a fearsome creation which was supposed to haunt the fells
+and dales, and make a horrible noise. Mr. B. Kirkby, in his "Lakeland
+Words" (1899), gives the definition as known in North Westmorland: "One
+who has the power of foretelling the demise of others; or one who makes a
+great din." Mr. Anthony Whitehead says, "A barguest is a spirit known only
+through the sense of hearing, being a something which, during the dark
+hours of night, disturbed the last generations of Westmorland with its
+awful howling."
+
+There is no lack of ghostly traditions in connection with families.
+Perhaps the best known is that belonging to the ancient family of Machell,
+of Crackenthorpe Hall, near Appleby. Lancelot Machell--the same who in
+open court tore to pieces Cromwell's new charter for Appleby--married
+Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Sleddall, of Penrith. Her portrait was found
+on a panel in Penrith some years ago. She was executrix of her husband's
+will, and for some alleged injury to her interest in the estate it used to
+be said that she paid the Machells ghostly visitations whenever the head
+of the family was about to die. The country folk used to say that she is
+laid under the big stone called Peg's Stone, just below Crackenthorpe
+Hall, her term of incarceration being 999 years. They also say she has
+been seen driving along the Appleby road at a great pace with "amber
+leets" in the carriage, and disappear suddenly in Machell Wood, near the
+spot called Peg Sneddle's Trough. Indeed, there is extant a most graphic
+and brilliant account of her passage of the Tollbar at Crackenthorpe,
+narrated by one "Brockham Dick" (Richard Atkinson, of the "Elephant Inn"),
+now many years deceased, who kept the gate in his youth, and who used to
+stick to it with much detail of thrilling circumstance, how one night in
+each year, when the "helm" wind was blowing, Mrs. Machell made her
+appearance and passed this gate in offended state. When storms come on
+upon the fell, Peg is said to be angry, and _vice versa_ in fine weather.
+An old tree in the neighbourhood of Crackenthorpe called Sleddall's Oak,
+is also associated with Mrs. Machell's name, and here a female figure is
+supposed to be seen to sit and weep when any misfortune is about to befall
+any member of the Machell family.
+
+When farmers find disease among their cattle, whether it be tuberculosis,
+pleuro-pneumonia, or other undesirable visitation, they no longer pin
+their faith to the old-time observances. The progress of science has shown
+better methods of dealing with the disease, and now the stock owners of
+the northern counties would be the first to ridicule the means taken by
+their grandfathers for stopping an outbreak. The "needfire," which has
+been witnessed by many people who are not yet old, was probably the last
+remnant of fire-worship in this country. "It was once," says Mr. Sullivan,
+"an annual observance, and is still occasionally employed in the dales and
+some other localities as a charm for the various diseases to which cattle
+are liable. All the fires in the village are carefully put out--a
+deputation going round to each house to see that not a spark remains. Two
+pieces of wood are then ignited by friction, and within the influence of
+the fire thus kindled, the cattle are brought. The scene is one of dire
+bellowing and confusion: but the owner is especially anxious that his
+animals should get 'plenty of the reek.' The charm being ended in one
+village, may be transferred to the next, and thus propagated as far as it
+is required."
+
+Miss Martineau, in her "Guide to the Lakes," tells a story of a certain
+farmer who, "When all his cattle had been passed through the fire,
+subjected an ailing wife to the same potent charm." The last time the
+"needfire" was used in the Keswick neighbourhood, Mr. William Wilson
+says, was in 1841. In some parts of Cumberland and Westmorland there was
+then an epidemic amongst the cattle. It was brought over the Raise and
+transferred from farm to farm through the vales. But, at one farm a few
+miles out of Keswick, the sacred fire was allowed to become extinct, the
+owner, a well-known statesman, not having sufficient faith in its virtue
+to take the trouble to transmit it, or even to keep it alight. He told Mr.
+Wilson that he was severely rated at the time for his lack of faith. That,
+however, served to kill the popular belief in needfire, and even when the
+terrible ravages of the rinderpest, foot and mouth disease, and
+pleuro-pneumonia, were emptying the pockets and breaking the hearts of the
+farmers, not one of them thought of reviving the old "cure." The last
+time, so far as the writer can find, the practice was reported in the
+newspapers was this paragraph in the _Patriot_ of July 25th, 1834:--"A
+sort of murrain, or pestilential fever, is at present prevalent in the
+county of Westmorland, the popular remedy for which is the fumigation of
+the infected animals with the smoke of needfire, accompanied by certain
+mystic signs." The Rev. J. Wharton, however, well remembers the fire
+being made at Long Marton about 1843-4, during a murrain. The term
+"needfire" seems to be a corruption of "neatfire," neat cattle being an
+old and common term.
+
+Among the legends relating to North-Country residences, an interesting one
+is concerning Corby Castle and its "Radiant Boy." This--which corresponds
+to the "corpse lichten" of other countries--has been described as a
+luminous apparition which made its appearance with dire results, the
+tradition being that the member of the family who saw the "Radiant Boy"
+would rise to great power, and afterwards die a violent death. The only
+example in proof of the tradition so far made known, however, was that of
+Lord Castlereagh. That statesman was given a wide margin of time after
+seeing the spectre, as that was supposed to have happened when he was a
+young man, and he did not commit suicide until 1822.
+
+The superstition as to the skulls at Calgarth, Windermere, has several
+parallels. Those two skulls formerly occupied a niche in Calgarth Hall,
+from which they could not be kept for any long time, though they were
+reputed to attend the banquets at Armboth Hall, Thirlmere, of their own
+accord! Above all, "they were buried, burned, reduced to powder, dispersed
+by the wind, sunk in the well, and thrown into the lake several times, all
+to no purpose"--truly wonderful skulls!
+
+The superstition concerning "first-foot" has not yet died out; but the
+observance is not regarded with that seriousness which ruled half a
+century ago, and to the next generation, probably, this ancient New Year's
+custom and belief will have become part of the history of the bygone.
+
+
+
+
+Four Lucks.
+
+
+Closely associated with the legends of Cumberland and Westmorland, dealt
+with in the preceding chapter, are the stories of four "Lucks." The best
+known is that of Eden Hall, which has been made the theme for poems and
+innumerable descriptive articles. The most popular version of the origin
+of the Luck is that when a servant was going for water one night to the
+Fairy Well, in front of the hall he surprised a number of fairies at their
+revels, with the goblet in the centre of the ring around which they were
+dancing. The servant seized the Luck, while the fairies gave the ominous
+warning that
+
+  "If this cup should break or fall,
+  Farewell the luck of Eden Hall."
+
+Numerous poets have woven pretty stories out of the tradition, without
+attempting to seek the real origin of the treasured possession. The Luck
+is an ancient glass vessel widening by an easy curve, and terminating in a
+graceful lip. Its colour is green, with enamel of red, yellow, and blue;
+one theory is that its origin was Saracenic, and that it was brought
+from Palestine by a member of the family during the Crusades. Dr. Todd,
+when Vicar of Penrith, supposed it to have "been used as a chalice, at a
+time when it was unsafe to have those sacred vessels made of costlier
+metals, on account of the predatory habits which prevailed on the
+Borders." If absolute care can preserve it, the Luck is safe, for along
+with its leathern case, adorned with vine leaves, and having the sacred
+monogram "I.H.S." on the top, the Luck is rarely taken from its place of
+security--said to be one of the strong rooms of the Bank of England.
+Whenever the Luck is exhibited to privileged visitors at the hall, the
+utmost precautions are taken to prevent even the slightest accident.
+
+
+[Illustration: 1.--ANCIENT GLASS VESSEL CALLED THE LUCK OF EDEN HALL.
+
+2.--ITS LEATHER CASE.
+
+3.--INSCRIPTION ON THE TOP OF THE CASE.]
+
+
+"The Luck of Muncaster" is reputed to have been the gift of Henry the
+Sixth, who stayed for a brief space with the Penningtons, either in 1461
+or 1464. The King was in sore straits, for death had robbed him of the
+service of many of his most powerful adherents; howbeit he still held the
+affections of large numbers of people in Cumberland and Westmorland. The
+owner of Muncaster was one of those able and willing to stand by Henry in
+his necessity, and kept the King in safety. The room in which the monarch
+slept is still preserved with great care; he rested in a carved oak
+bedstead, which bears his initials and a crown. At parting Henry gave to
+Sir John Pennington a glass cup or basin, about seven inches in diameter,
+ornamented with some gold and white enamelled mouldings, with--according
+to tradition--the assurance that "the family shall prosper so long as they
+preserve this cup unbroken." It is unnecessary to do more than mention
+that this Luck has been celebrated in verse, by way of illustrating the
+evil designs of a kinsman who desired to destroy both the cup and the
+fortunes of the Penningtons.
+
+That such a treasured relic should have more than normal risks of
+misfortune can be well understood. Mr. Roby has mentioned[16] one of its
+escapes. "The benediction attaching to its security being then uppermost
+in the recollection of the family, it was considered essential to the
+prosperity of the house, at the time of the usurpation, that the Luck of
+Muncaster should be deposited in a safe place. It was consequently buried
+till the cessation of hostilities had rendered all further care and
+concealment unnecessary." The box was allowed to fall when being brought
+again to the surface, which so scared the owners that they fancied that
+there would be a sudden end to their prosperity. The fright must have been
+of long duration, for the story is that forty years elapsed ere one daring
+member of the family, having seen no ill effects from the fall, had the
+box opened, and experienced the keen delight of finding the Luck
+uninjured. In the castle are two paintings, one representing the King
+giving the cup to Sir John Pennington, and another allowing the King with
+the Luck in his hand. On an old freestone slab in Muncaster Church is the
+inscription, "Holie Kynge Harrye gave Sir John a brauve workyd glass cuppe
+... whyllys the famylie shold keep hit unbrecken thei shold gretelye
+thrif."
+
+"The Luck of Burrell Green," near Great Salkeld, seems to have passed into
+the possession of various owners. It is an ancient brass dish of early
+embossed work, sixteen and a quarter inches in diameter, and one and a
+half inches deep. Mr. J. Lamb, formerly of Burrell Green, read a paper on
+the subject two or three years ago to the members of the Archaeological
+Society, and also exhibited the dish. It is circular in form, and at one
+time appears to have borne two inscriptions, one in large old English
+letters in an inner circle around its central ornament, and the other in
+an outer circle, probably in the same style of lettering. Neither
+inscription is now legible, although on close examination certain letters
+may still be discerned, this being due, no doubt, to the amount of
+cleaning and rubbing it has undergone during late years. Thirty years ago,
+when greater care was taken of the Luck than has since been the case, and
+the inscription on the inner circle was rather more distinct than it now
+is, Mr. R. M. Bailey, a London antiquary, tried to decipher it, and was of
+opinion that it was in Latin, of which the following is a rendering:
+"Hail, Mary, Mother of Jesus, Saviour of Men." Like the two other Lucks in
+Cumberland, the Luck of Burrell Green has its legend and couplet. This is
+that it was given to the family residing there long ago by a "Nob i' th'
+hurst," or by a witch, a soothsayer, to whom kindness had been shown, with
+the injunction that
+
+  "If e'er this dish be sold or gi'en
+  Farewell the Luck of Burrell Green."
+
+The Luck has been in the possession of the respective families residing at
+Burrell Green for many generations, but its existence has not been
+brought very much before the public. In 1879 the late Mr. Jacob Thompson,
+of Hackthorpe, made a painting of the Luck. Mr. Lamb added:
+
+    "Apart from the value of the Luck as an example of ancient art, it may
+    be said to be still more valuable from the mysterious tradition
+    associated with it, and also as appears very probable from the
+    rendering of the supposed inscription in the sacred use to which in
+    all probability it has at some time been applied. From the style of
+    the inscriptions it appears to be of as early a date as the
+    commencement of the sixteenth century, or probably earlier. On the day
+    Burrell Green last changed owners the Luck fell down three times in
+    succession from its usual position, a circumstance which at that time
+    had not been known to have occurred before, it always having been kept
+    in a secure place."
+
+"The Luck of Levens" is of a kind quite different from the three already
+mentioned. Levens Hall has attached to it one of the oldest deer parks in
+England, and within its borders are some peculiarly dark fallow deer. The
+local people have come to believe that whenever a white fawn is born in
+the herd the event portends some change of importance in the House of
+Levens. Four such cases have occurred within living memory--when Lord
+Templetown came to Levens after the Crimean War, after General Upton's
+death in 1883, on the day after Captain and Mrs. Bagot's wedding in 1885,
+and in February, 1896, when Mrs. Bagot bore to Levens a male heir. Mr.
+Curwen, in his monograph on the house, mentions the following "to
+illustrate the superstition that had gathered round the white deer so
+early as Lord Templetown's residence at Levens, between 1850 and 1860":--
+
+    "A white buck which had appeared in the herd was ordered to be shot,
+    but the keeper was so horrified with the deed, which he thought to be
+    'waur ner robbin' a church,' that he actually went so far as to
+    remonstrate with the Crimean veteran. Persuasion being of no use, he
+    at last refused point blank to do the deed himself, and another man
+    had to do it for him. In a few months great troubles came over the
+    house. In quick succession it changed hands twice; the stewards,
+    servants, and gardeners all lost their places; and the keeper firmly
+    held to the belief that all was due to the shooting of this white
+    deer."
+
+
+
+
+Some Old Trading Laws and Customs.
+
+
+While some of the quaint laws connected with markets and fairs in other
+parts of the country are unknown in Cumberland and Westmorland, others not
+less interesting may be found in these counties. The searcher after such
+old-time lore may find a good deal of it in the standard histories, but
+still more in those byways of local literature which are too much
+neglected. In this chapter no attempt can be made to do more than touch
+the fringe of the subject.
+
+There is in existence in the Dean and Chapter Library at Carlisle a
+monition probably dated towards the end of the fourteenth century
+addressed to the clergy of the diocese, requiring them to see the
+constitution of Otho strictly carried out--all fairs being banished from
+churchyards and suspended on Sundays and solemn feasts. Churchyard fairs
+were for the emolument of the churches, and were styled by the name of the
+saint whose example is inculcated by the church's name. The late Canon
+Simpson, one of the most eminent antiquaries in the two counties, proved
+that, in England at least, no church was ever dedicated literally to a
+saint. Fairs, especially "pot fairs," still prevail in church cloisters in
+Germany.
+
+Meat selling at church doors was common in the fifteenth and sixteenth
+centuries, and even so late as the time of Charles the Second. The only
+instance of such a thing occurring in Cumberland of which there is record
+now was at Wigton. In one of the old local histories appears the following
+note:--"The Rev. Thomas Warcup, who erected his monument in the churchyard
+long before his death, was obliged to fly from Wigton on account of his
+loyalty during the Civil Wars. After the restoration of King Charles he
+returned to the Vicarage, and tradition says that the butcher market was
+then held upon the Sunday. The butchers hung up carcases at the church
+door, to attract the notice of customers as they went in and came out of
+church, and it was not unusual to see people who made their bargains
+before prayer began, hang their joints of meat over the backs of the
+seats, until the pious clergyman had finished the service. The zealous
+priest, after having long but ineffectually endeavoured to make his
+congregation sensible of the indecency of such practices, undertook a
+journey to London on foot, for the purpose of petitioning the King to
+have the market day established on the Tuesday, and which he had interest
+enough to obtain."
+
+Warcup became Vicar of Wigton in 1612, and possibly on the principle that
+he was the best qualified to write his own epitaph because he knew himself
+better than was possible for another to know him, he prepared the
+following, which he had put on a headstone many years before his death:--
+
+  "Thomas Warcup prepar'd this stone,
+  To mind him of his best home.
+  Little but sin & misery here,
+  Till we be carried on our bier.
+  Out of the grave & earth's dust,
+  The Lord will raise me up I trust;
+  To live with Christ eternallie,
+  Who, me to save, himself did die."
+
+There was a keen rivalry between Crosthwaite and Cockermouth at the
+beginning of the fourteenth century. The townsmen sent a petition to
+Parliament in 1306, stating that owing to the sale of corn, flour, beans,
+flesh, fish, and other kinds of merchandise at Crosthwaite Church on
+Sundays, their market was declining so fast that the persons who farmed
+the tolls from the King were unable to pay the rent. An order was soon
+afterwards issued stopping the Sunday trading at Crosthwaite. But the
+fairs and markets in churchyards on week-days were not prohibited by
+statute for two hundred and eighty years after the Cockermothians sought
+protection. The orders thus issued were not long recognised, but
+collectors of scraps of local history in all parts of the county have
+added to the general knowledge on this point.
+
+The announcing of sales in churchyards was in the early part of this
+century a common custom. At Crosby Ravensworth the clerk hurried from his
+desk immediately the service was concluded, followed by the congregation,
+and mounting the steps he announced when a person's sale by auction would
+take place, and read out any notice given to him, for which service he
+received a fee of fourpence. The custom has long since become obsolete;
+old William Richardson called the last notice in 1837. It has been
+asserted, with what amount of truth need not be too closely inquired into,
+that when this method of advertising public events was forbidden, the
+attendance of the parishioners at public worship showed a rapid
+falling-off. The custom of churchyard proclamations prevailed at Orton in
+the early part of the century, and the inscriptions on certain horizontal
+tombstones have been obliterated by the hob-nails in the clerk's boots.
+While necessarily there must have been a great diversity in the articles
+announced in the churches or churchyards as likely to be submitted for
+public competition, it would be difficult to find a parallel for this
+paragraph, which appeared in the _Pacquet_ for March 8th, 1791:--"A few
+months ago a person in very good circumstance at no great distance from
+Ravenglass buried his wife. His son, a few days since, also became a
+widower, and on Sunday, 27th ult., a sale of their wearing apparel was
+published at all the neighbouring parish churches! Whether motives of
+economy suggested the measure, or a wish to remove whatever could remind
+the disconsolate survivors of their loss, can only be guessed at."
+
+Among the relics treasured by Lord Hothfield at Appleby Castle, is an
+article reminding the visitor of the days when free trading was unknown.
+This is the principal corn measure which was used in the market at Kirkby
+Stephen more than two hundred years ago; its purpose and record are stated
+in the raised letters which run around the copper measure a little below
+the rim:--
+
+    "The measure of Thomas, Earle of Thanet Island, Lord Tufton, Lord
+    Clifford, Westmorland, and Vescy, for the use of his Lopps
+    [lordship's] market at Kirkby Stephen in Westmorland, 1685."
+
+In the same building are two other corn measures, smaller than the Kirkby
+Stephen measure just mentioned. One bears only the word "Thanet," and a
+coronet. The other measure, of different design, with the monogram, "A.
+P." in raised characters, indicates approximately its age, as it was
+obviously the property of the Countess Anne of Pembroke. The measures,
+made of bell metal, formerly in use in Sir Richard Musgrave's manor at
+Kirkoswald, are still carefully preserved by Mr. John Longrigg, the last
+steward.
+
+How long the proclamation has been read at the St. Luke's Fair at Kirkby
+Stephen is unknown; certainly for a couple of centuries the practice has
+been observed, and possibly for a much longer period. Although some of the
+terms have now no effect, nor the cautions any value, the proclamation is
+still made, the following being the terms of a recent one:--
+
+    "O yes, O yes, O yes, The Right Honourable Henry James Baron
+    Hothfield, of Hothfield, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Westmorland,
+    Lord of the Manor of Skipton in Craven, and Lord and Owner of this
+    Fair, Doth strictly Charge and Command in Her Majesty's name that all
+    persons keep Her Majesty's Peace, and not to presume to ride or go
+    armed during the time of this Fair to the disturbance of Her Majesty's
+    Peace, in pain to be punished according to the Statute in that case
+    made and provided; and also that all persons bargain and sell lawful
+    and sound goods and merchandise, and pay their due and accustomed
+    tolls and stallages, use lawful weights and measures, upon pain to
+    forfeit the value of their wares and merchandise; and also that buy,
+    sell, or exchange any horse, mare, or gelding, that the sellers and
+    buyers thereof repair to the Clerk of the Tolls, and there enter their
+    names, surnames, and places of abode of all such persons as shall buy,
+    sell, or exchange any such horse, mare, or gelding, together with the
+    price, marks, and vouchers at their perils; and lastly if any person
+    have any injury or wrong done by reason of any bargain or contract,
+    during the time of this Fair, let them give information thereof, and
+    the same shall be tried by a Court of Pie Poudre, according to law.
+
+    "God save the Queen, and the Right Honourable Henry James Baron
+    Hothfield."
+
+Needless to say, the Court of Pie Poudre has not sat for many years now.
+
+Many curious and interesting customs were once connected with the holding
+of markets and fairs; a few of these survive, though not in the form once
+known. The practice a little over a century ago at Ravenglass, where a
+fair was held on "the eve, day, and morrow of St. James," has been thus
+described: "On the first of these days in the morning, the lord's
+officer, at proclaiming the fair, is attended by the serjeants of the Lord
+of Egremont, with the insignia belonging thereto; and all the tenants of
+the Forest of Copeland owe a customary service to meet the lord's officer
+at Ravenglass to proclaim the fair, and abide with him during the
+continuance thereof; and for sustentation of their horses they have two
+swaiths of grass in the common field of Ravenglass in a place set out for
+that purpose. On the third day at noon, the Earl's officer discharges the
+fair by proclamation; immediately whereupon the Penningtons and their
+tenants take possession of the town, and have races and other
+divertisements during the remainder of that day."
+
+The laws of the old Corporations at Kendal, Carlisle, and Appleby, and the
+guilds and societies at other places, were very stringent, and far
+surpassed the most exacting rules of the trades unions in our own day.
+This statement may speedily be verified by a reference to the reprinted
+Kendal "Boke of Recorde." The "shoddy cloth man" appears to have
+flourished almost as much three hundred years ago as he does to-day; at
+any rate he was sufficiently in evidence to cause the Corporation to pass
+a very stringent order in regard to "Clothe Dightinge." The excuse for
+the imposition of the regulation was that "Sundry great complaints have
+been made in open Court of the insufficient and deceitful dressing and
+dighting of clothes uttered and sold within the town, as well by the
+inhabitants as foreigners coming to the same, therefore it is ordered by
+the Alderman and head burgesses of the borough with the full assent of the
+most part of the fellowship of Shearmen now dwelling within the borough,
+that if any person or persons either now resident in the town or shall
+hereafter be resident here or in the country adjoining, shall from
+henceforth have or bring any pieces of cloth to sell or utter within this
+borough to any person, not being well and sufficiently dight and dressed
+throughout in all points alike, as well one place as another, in cotton,
+nop, or frieze as it ought to be; the same being so found by the four
+sworn men of the same occupation from time to time appointed, shall
+forfeit and lose for every such piece 2s. 4d., the half thereof to the
+Chamber of this borough, and the other half to the takers of the same."
+
+A further order provided that if any piece of cloth was not "well, truly,
+and sufficiently made in all places alike, and all parts thereof of like
+stuff as it ought to be, or which shall not be clean washed and clean
+without blemish left in it, upon the like pain of 2s. 4d., to be forwarded
+by the maker to those before limited for the first fault, and for every
+fault then after committed and duly proved, the fine and penalty to be
+doubled." Factory and workshop inspectors, of a sort, were not unknown
+three hundred years ago. The Corporation ordered the appointment of four
+members of the "Company and fellowship of tayllers" to be known as
+searchers or overseers, having power to have the oversight of all faults,
+wrongs, and misusages happening or done in the trade. The order did not
+long remain in force before the Corporation decided to repeal them, but
+two or three years later they were revived by common consent, and ordered
+to continue during pleasure. In still later times travelling tailors were
+a brotherhood, and within the last fifty years when on their journeys
+levied money on the resident fraternity.
+
+Cordwainers, when the "Boke of Recorde" was compiled, were only allowed to
+do certain kinds of work, and were forbidden to "spetche," or patch boots.
+Tailors, too, could not employ any man who might apply for work, there
+being a very strict law about the employment of freemen in preference to
+those not free; nor could the shearmen enjoy any greater liberty in their
+trading operations. One rule ran: "No countryman or person not free shall
+be permitted to bargain, buy, exchange, trade, sell, or utter within this
+borough or the precincts hereof, any clothes for outside as a shearman,
+save only such as be occupiers now of the same trade, or such as shall
+purchase their freedom, upon pain to lose ten shillings, whereof to the
+Chamber 5s., and Company 5s."
+
+There was a salutary rule about the selling of meat on Sundays: "From
+henceforth no butcher, or other his servant, or factor shall sell or utter
+any flesh or other victuals or meat out of any shop or stall within the
+borough or liberties, or the precincts of the same, or keep any his or
+their shop or warehouses open or unshut up after the ending of the third
+peal or bells ringing to morning or evening prayer on any Sunday or other
+festival day, upon pain to lose to the Chamber of this borough 12d."
+
+The laws against forestalling, regrating, ingrossing, and otherwise
+interfering with the due course of trade, were very strict in the markets
+held under manors and also in those otherwise regulated. The practice
+was, however, not peculiar to Cumberland and Westmorland. One other rule
+from Kendal may be mentioned as showing the steps taken for preventing
+skins being hoarded up, until prices became high: "It shall not be lawful
+for any butcher or other person dwelling out of this borough or the
+liberties of the same from henceforth to bring into the borough to be
+sold, either on the market day or in the week-day any sheepskin (except
+the same skin--having the ears upon it--be cleaving unto the head or
+carcase of such flesh where upon it did grow) being so brought to be sold,
+nor that they nor any of them shall sell, or offer, or put to sale, any
+such skin on any market day so brought to be sold unto the borough before
+ten o'clock before noon, upon pain to lose and forfeit as much as 2s."
+
+The penalty for buying victuals before they arrived at the market was
+forfeiture, while it was further ordered that "no man or woman shall
+suffer any corn to be sold or measured in their houses upon pain of 6s.
+8d., but that all corn shall be bargained, bought, and measured in open
+market only."
+
+An old native of the borough not long ago assured the writer that when he
+was a boy, in the old coaching days, the suspicion of "poaching" extended
+even to the lawyers, for, said he, "At the Assizes at Appleby the Bar had
+all to enter the borough together, or not before a certain hour, lest one
+individual might secure more than a fair share of the briefs."
+
+Market-bells are still rung at various places in the two counties. That in
+St. Andrew's Church, Penrith, is sounded every Tuesday morning at ten
+o'clock, before which hour business is supposed to be forbidden. The same
+rule prevails at Appleby, where the bell hangs in a campanile over the
+Moot Hall. This, of course, is a survival of the days when forestalling
+was a very serious offence--and properly so. The archives of the
+Corporation of Carlisle contain documents bearing on the connection of the
+bells with trading. Mention of the market-bell appears in the bye-laws of
+1561, thus: "Itm that noe outman shall sell any corn to any fore nor to
+such tym as the market bell be rounge on payn of forfitor." Happily it is
+not possible to apply to all the saying used with reference to one old
+market in West Cumberland--that "it opens at twelve o'clock and closes at
+noon," the meaning, of course, being that there is little or no market
+left. It was recorded by Mr. Green, the noted artist, that at Ambleside
+the market was crowded by small merchants, "who were called together by
+the tinkling of a small bell. Then all was bustle and animation; joy
+beamed in every countenance, for all the traffic was for ready money, and
+every individual lived upon the produce of his labour."
+
+
+
+
+Old-Time Home Life
+
+
+There is a very great store of gossip and anecdote in existence which
+might be utilised to illustrate the picturesqueness of old-time life in
+Cumberland and Westmorland. Whether the lack of sanitary comforts,
+intellectual facilities, and of opportunities of seeing the world or of
+knowing of its doings, were counterbalanced by the freedom from care and
+the quiet humdrum lives, which were led by the majority of the people in
+the two counties, is an open question. An anecdote told in a book
+published well-nigh a century since, well illustrates the simplicity of
+life among Lakeland folk generations ago. A foreign physician, eminent in
+his profession, practiced in the neighbourhood of Keswick. He was one day
+asked by another medical man how he liked his position. "My situation," he
+replied, "is a very eligible one as a gentleman; I can enjoy every species
+of country amusement in the greatest perfection; I can hunt, shoot, and
+fish among a profusion of game of every kind; the neighbouring gentlemen,
+too, seem to vie with each other in acts of politeness. But as a
+physician I cannot say that it is so alluring to me, for the natives have
+got the art of preserving their healths and prolonging their lives without
+boluses or electuaries, by a plaster taken inwardly, called thick poddish.
+This preserves them from the various diseases which shake the human
+fabric, and makes them slide into the grave without pain by the gradual
+decay of nature."
+
+As might be supposed, a people possessing so many primitive habits, and
+whose lives were so circumscribed, had numerous peculiar contrivances in
+their homes. Some of these have been so long out of use that their purpose
+has almost passed from memory. Before the days of mineral oils, the
+general means of illumination, both in mansion and cottage, was the
+rushlight. These candles were made of the pith of rushes, dipped in melted
+tallow. They were fixed for use in an arrangement known as a "Tom
+Candlestick," which in the early years of this century were common objects
+in every village home. Mr. Anthony Whitehead, in the last edition of his
+Westmorland poems (1896), mentions a curious belief in this
+connection--that the rushes were not considered fit for use unless pulled
+at the full moon.
+
+A love of finery has seldom been a failing with the residents in the
+country districts of Cumberland and Westmorland, and especially was this
+the case before travel became easy. In the days when at the most the
+ordinary folk only saw the shops of a town on "term day"--and in a vast
+number of instances that would only occur on a few occasions in a
+lifetime--dress was of the most homely and substantial sort. "Hodden grey"
+for the men and correspondingly good wear for the females--most of it home
+made--were the ordinary fabrics. Clogs were worn at one time by all
+classes, from parson down to the poorest labourer, and even on Sundays the
+wearing of boots or shoes was often an indication of the owner being a
+person of some local consequence. The housewives had a curious method of
+preserving the stocking heels, which was probably more efficacious than
+cleanly. They took care to "smear the heels of the family's new stockings
+with melted pitch, and dipped them immediately in the ashes of turf. The
+glutinous mixture incorporated with the woollen, and altogether formed a
+compound both hard and flexible, which was well adapted to resist the
+united friction of wood and leather." The utility of clogs for certain
+purposes is undoubted, but this useful kind of footgear is apparently
+losing its popularity.
+
+There have been plenty of descriptions left--by old-time tourists and home
+historians--at various periods of the methods of life of the people, and
+they generally agree that the costumes, especially of the dales-folk, were
+picturesque. The homespun material was frequently undyed, black and white
+fleeces being mixed to save the expense of dyeing. This homely material,
+which is still made in some parts of Scotland and Ireland, has in recent
+years been pronounced by fashion to be superior, for country wear, to the
+most finished products of the steam loom; so that now the most elegant
+ladies do not disdain to wear dresses of the self-same homespun of which
+our ancestors made their "kelt coats." These coats were ornamented with
+brass buttons, as were the waistcoats, which were made open in front for
+best, in order to show a frilled shirt breast. Knee breeches were the
+fashion for centuries. They were buttoned tight round the body above the
+haunches, so as to keep up without braces. Those used for best had a knot
+of ribbon and four or five bright buttons at the knee, and those who could
+afford it, had them made of buckskin. Their stockings, which were a
+conspicuous part of the dress, were also made from their own wool, the
+colour being generally blue or grey. On their feet they wore clogs on
+ordinary occasions, but when dressed in holiday costume, they had low
+shoes fastened with buckles which were sometimes of silver.
+
+That picture is a pleasant one; the life in the home was less picturesque.
+Churches and farm houses (especially the bedrooms) had next to no
+ventilation. The sanitary--or rather insanitary--state of country places
+was deplorable, and fevers of a very fatal character were common. The
+records of the desolation wrought by some of them is melancholy. Open
+drains and sewers in immediate proximity to farm houses were very usual.
+Bedrooms very often communicated through the length of a house. This was
+economy! A passage or corridor was not required. A leading clergyman, not
+finding a casement which would open in a church where he was officiating,
+extemporized ventilation by smashing a pane of glass. In the country
+cottages and farm houses, as well as in many habitations in the towns, the
+chimneys had no flues, and were funnel-shaped, being very wide at the
+bottom and gradually contracting to the top, where they had an aperture
+of the size of an ordinary chimney, through which the smoke escaped. In
+these open chimneys, hams, legs of beef, flitches of bacon, and whole
+carcases of mutton were hung to dry for winter consumption. Clarke, in his
+"Survey," mentions having seen as many as seven carcases of mutton hanging
+in one chimney in Borrowdale, and was told that some chimneys in the vale
+contained more. Few of these old-fashioned chimneys are now to be found in
+the country.
+
+Wheat has never been grown in large quantities in Cumberland and
+Westmorland; hence the necessity in former days for oat, rye, or barley
+bread being the staple foodstuffs. Certainly the Westmorland oatmeal,
+which required to pass through many processes, and to be stored with very
+great care, was the staff of the rural households. It was used in a
+variety of ways. There was the porridge for breakfast and supper, the thin
+oatcake serving the main purposes of white bread in these days, and the
+"crowdy"--an excellent and invigorating species of soup, made by pouring
+the liquor in which beef was boiling, over oatmeal in a basin. Oatmeal
+also entered into the composition of pie-crusts and gingerbread, like the
+famous Kendal "piggin bottoms"--snaps stamped out of rolled dough by the
+iron rim which formed the external base of the wooden "piggin" or
+"biggin," a diminutive wooden tub used as a receptacle for various
+household requisites. Many good houses had either no oven or a very small
+one, and pies were baked in a huge iron pan covered all round and above
+the massive lid, too, with burning peats. Hence the contents were equally
+cooked on all sides.
+
+The extent to which flesh meat, both fresh and cured, was used two or
+three centuries ago, must have been much less per individual than is now
+the case. Leaving out of account the cost to the poor--and the mere fact
+that meat was sold for a very few pence per pound does not necessarily
+indicate that it was therefore low-priced--there was not a great quantity
+available. The art of winter fattening of sheep and cattle was unknown,
+and so artificially preserved meat had to be depended upon after
+Martinmas, or at the best between Christmas and spring. One old chronicler
+wrote:--"The supply of animal food proved inadequate to the demands of the
+community, for the fat stock, fed in autumn, being killed off by
+Christmas, very little fresh meat appeared in the markets before the
+ensuing midsummer, except veal. The substantial yeomen, as well as the
+manufacturers, provided against this inconvenience by curing a quantity of
+beef at Martinmas, the greatest part of which they pickled in brine, and
+the rest was dried in the smoke. Every family boiled a sufficient piece of
+their salt provisions on Sunday morning, and had it hot to dinner,
+frequently with the addition of an oatmeal pudding. The cold meat came day
+after day to the table so long as any of it remained, and was as often
+eaten with oat-bread alone. At the same time a wooden can, full of the
+briny liquor in which the beef had been cooked, was placed, warm and
+thickened with a little meal, before each person by way of broth. The
+stomach was encouraged in the better sort of houses to digest these
+stubborn materials by a supply of pickled red cabbage, which was prepared
+for the purpose in October or November. Hogs were slaughtered between
+Christmas and Candlemas, and converted principally into bacon, which, with
+dried beef and dried mutton, afforded a change of salt meat in the spring.
+The fresh provisions of winter consisted of eggs, poultry, geese, and
+ill-fed veal."
+
+In this connection it would be very interesting to know whether the
+provisions of the will made by Thomas Williamson on December 14th, 1674,
+are in any way carried out, or what has become of the charity. He
+bequeathed the sum of L20 to be laid out in land to be bestowed upon poor
+people, born within St. John's Chapelry, or Castlerigg, Cumberland, in
+mutton or veal, at Martinmas yearly, when flesh might be thought cheapest,
+to be by them pickled or hung up and dried, that they might have something
+to keep them within doors during stormy days.
+
+If animal flesh was dear, despite its small cost, there was some
+compensation in another way. After the salmon season commenced, great
+quantities of this modern luxury were brought from Carlisle and West
+Cumberland, and sold in other markets in the two counties. The price was
+frequently as low as a penny, and not often higher than twopence per
+pound, the lack of carriages and roads of a decent character rendering
+conveyance for long distances anything but an easy task. Then the poverty
+of the people further south offered the owners of the fish no inducements
+to carry the commodity into Lancashire. The abundance and cheapness of
+salmon seem to have been proverbial. How far the story may be true the
+writer cannot say, but it is worth while noting that a condition
+concerning apprentices in some west of England towns, is also recorded as
+applying to the Charity School at Kendal. The boys apprenticed from that
+institution were not to be compelled to dine on salmon, or on fish in
+general, oftener than three days in the week.
+
+Much worse was the condition of the labouring folk of the lower class, who
+are said to have "subsisted chiefly on porridge made of oatmeal or dressed
+barley, boiled in milk, with the addition of oat-bread, butter, onions,
+and a little salted meat occasionally." This meagre diet was probably the
+cause of the agues which were once very common, especially in the country
+districts. The disorder, to a large extent, disappeared when the culture
+of vegetables became more general, and salted provisions less essential.
+Up to 1730 potatoes were very sparingly used, and were chiefly grown near
+Kirkby Lonsdale.
+
+Many of the old stories of the curious methods of dealing with tea, before
+it became a common and indispensable article on the tables of all classes
+in this country, are obviously either untrue or exaggerated. Hence the
+veracity of the following statements, which appeared in print in
+Westmorland in the first decade of this century, is not vouched for:--"Not
+long after the introduction of potatoes, tea became a favourite beverage
+with the women, in spite of a steady opposition from the men; perhaps it
+found its way into the north in form of presents. From the method of
+preparing this foreign luxury not being generally understood, these
+presents were sometimes turned to ridiculous uses. One old lady received a
+pound of tea from her son in London, which she smoked instead of tobacco,
+and did not hesitate to prefer the weed of Virginia to the herb of China.
+Another mother converted a present of the same sort and magnitude into a
+herb pudding; that is, she boiled the tea with dressed barley, and after
+straining off the water, buttered the compound, which she endeavoured to
+render palatable with salt, but in vain, for the bitter taste was not to
+be subdued."
+
+How unfavourably the introduction of tea was regarded, by some writers at
+any rate, may be gathered from the following paragraph, which appeared in
+the _Pacquet_ of October 23rd, 1792:--"A correspondent says that in the
+neighbourhood of Greystoke, during the late harvest, added to an increase
+of wages, the female reapers had regularly their tea every afternoon, and
+the men, toast and ale. How different is this from the beef-steak
+breakfasts of old! How degenerate is the present age, and how debilitated
+may the next be!"
+
+Oat-cake and brown bread are less favoured in the two counties than was
+formerly the case, a fact which was often deplored by the late Bishop of
+Carlisle, Dr. Goodwin. It is not a little curious that two articles which
+formed the staple portions of the diet of the people from sixty to a
+hundred years ago, should now be regarded more in the nature of luxuries.
+As an example of the sparing way in which "white flour" was used, an old
+Appleby native tells a story concerning what happened at a good hostelry
+in the borough, sixty years ago, at a time when wheaten flour was very
+scarce, but butcher meat very plentiful. Among other good substantial
+things on the table was a huge meat pie, at the shilling ordinary. Just,
+however, as the "head of the table" was about to cut the crust, the waiter
+whispered to him, "Please, sir, missis says flour is so dear, ye must run
+t' knife round t' crust and lift it clean off on to my tray to do another
+time."
+
+From the remains of ancient structures it is still possible to draw good
+pictures of the way the old inhabitants passed their lives therein. The
+late Dr. M. W. Taylor by that means elaborated the story of the daily
+doings of the people, from lord to vassal, who inhabited Yanwath Hall. A
+similar picture has been presented by Mr. J. F. Curwen in his monograph on
+Levens Hall "in the bygone":--
+
+"Just within would be the raised dais, with its flanking window bay, and
+the long table, at the higher side of which the lord with his family and
+any distinguished guests took their meals, whilst on the floor below those
+of an inferior rank were seated at tables ranging along each side of the
+room. At the opposite, or western, end, the oaken screens, nine and a half
+feet high, extended across the full width, dividing off the heck or
+passage, from which opened out the kitchen, buttery, and other offices,
+and from over which the musicians in the minstrels' gallery would on all
+occasions of more than ordinary importance enliven the feast with their
+melody. This hall was also used for the transaction of business between
+the lord and his vassals, for here he would hold his royalty court,
+receiving their suit and service, and administer justice according to the
+powers granted to him by the Crown. At night time the retainers would
+huddle together on the thickly strewn rushes in the middle of the floor,
+around the fire and its convolving wreaths of smoke ascending to the open
+lantern in the roof. For it must be remembered that chimneys were not
+introduced into England, except to a few castles, until the fifteenth
+century, about the time when the Redemans would be transferring Levens to
+Alan Bellingham."
+
+With chimneys came new taxes, and some of them were not only keenly
+resented, but evaded as openly as was possible. The people seem to have
+had a special dislike to the tax of two shillings a year which was passed
+in the twelfth year of Charles the Second, for that was a heavy sum,
+having regard to the value of money then. Among the manuscripts preserved
+at Rydal Hall, Westmorland, by the le Flemings, are a great many
+references to this tax. There were schemes for substituting other imposts,
+as appears by a sentence contained in a letter (May 10th, 1669) by Daniel
+Fleming, Rydal, to Joseph Williamson, who had just purchased the estate of
+Winderwath, near Temple Sowerby:--"There are rumours one while that the
+Scots are up in armes, another while that bishops and dean and chapter
+lands will be sold, or annext to the crowne in the place of the excise and
+hearth money, and bishops to be maintained by sallaries out of the
+exchequer."
+
+Another document is from the Lords Commissioners to the justices of the
+peace in the Barony of Kendal, concerning the collection of the hearth
+tax, and an item in a news-letter of April, 1671, says, "This day the Lord
+Treasurer received proposals for the farm of the hearth money; those who
+propose to keep it as it was, advancing only L100,000, are to make a new
+offer." During the following summer another came "from the Court at
+Whitehall" to the justices of the peace for Westmorland, "Cautioning them
+against allowing exemptions from hearth money too readily. They should
+consider firstly who are they whom the law intends to be exempted. Then
+they should appoint petty sessions for the signing of certificates at such
+times and places that the royal officers may attend and be heard. It
+cannot be supposed that the law intends to oblige the justices to allow
+whatsoever shall be offered them without examining the truth thereof." A
+news-letter of April 23rd, 1674, gives an idea of the extent of the tax
+in the following sentence:--"This day the farm of the hearth money was
+made and let to Mr. Anslem, Mr. Perry, and Mr. Buckley, at L151,000 per
+annum, and L25,000 advance, commencing at Michaelmas next."
+
+Some of the entries are of special interest to Cumberland and Westmorland.
+Thus in a letter to Daniel Fleming on January 8th, 1674-5, Robert Joplin,
+writing from Kendal, "apologises for writing as he had not been able to
+wait upon him. Has been seven weeks in the country, and surveyed and taken
+account of all the hearths in most of the market towns of this county, and
+in Cumberland. Had always behaved with all civility. If he will have the
+duplicates of the surveys made they will be handed in at the next
+sessions." A week later Robert Joplin and Richard Bell, the collectors of
+the hearth tax, report to the justices of Kendal: "Have surveyed most of
+the market towns in the two counties, levying the tax of 2s. on every fire
+hearth. Would not proceed to distrain without the justices' permission.
+Some refuse to pay because they were not charged before. All kitchens and
+beerhouses refuse on the same pretence. Many hearths have been made up,
+most of them lately. We trust that the justices will be very careful in
+giving certificates."
+
+A few days afterwards Nathaniel Johnson, another collector of the tax,
+writes from Newcastle to Daniel Fleming that he "does not think the
+determination of the justices to proceed in the matter of the hearth money
+under the old survey, until the new is perfected, is consistent with the
+law; nevertheless he will yield to their opinion." Johnson proves to be a
+difficult official with whom to deal, and he writes to Fleming in July,
+"Remonstrating against the conduct of the Kendal magistrates in the matter
+of the hearth money. It has been already decided that smiths' hearths are
+liable. The practice of walling up hearths in a temporary manner is
+plainly fraudulent. The magistrates ought not to countenance such things,
+nor refuse the evidence of officials engaged in this business, for of
+course none other can be made. May reluctantly be compelled to appeal
+against their proceedings."
+
+These and similar protests did not appear to have much effect, though
+frequently repeated, and ten years later came an order from the Lord High
+Treasurer to the Clerk of the Peace of the county of Lancaster, to be
+communicated to the justices, in view of the difficulties raised by them
+in the collection of the hearth money: "The duty is to be levied on empty
+houses, smiths' forges, innkeepers' and bakers' ovens, on landlords for
+tenements let to persons exempt on account of poverty, on private persons
+where there is a hearth and oven in one chimney. The duty may be levied on
+the goods of landlords and tenants which are not on the premises whereon
+the duty arises."
+
+There is a rather amusing reference to the subject in a letter sent by
+William Fleming to his brother Roger Fleming, at Coniston Hall: "Tell the
+constable the same hearth man is coming again. Tell him to be as kind as
+his conscience will permit to his neighbours, and play the fool no more.
+The priest and he doth not know how happy they are."
+
+The means available, in bygone days, for quenching fire were, everywhere
+in the two counties, of a most primitive character. In March, 1657, the
+Corporation of Kendal decreed, as there had "happened of late within this
+borough great loss and damage by fire," and the Corporation had not fit
+instruments and materials for speedy subduing of the flames, that the
+Mayor and Alderman should each provide two leathern buckets, and each
+burgess one such bucket, before May 1st following, the penalty being a
+fine of 6s. 8d. in the case of the leading men, and half that amount for
+default on the part of others.
+
+
+
+
+Sports and Festivities.
+
+
+It is almost impossible to separate the sports of the Cumberland and
+Westmorland people from the festivals, inasmuch as some of the pastimes
+were prominent items in gatherings even of a semi-religious character.
+Wrestling, that finest of North-Country exercises, has been practically
+killed by the competition of other athletic games, but more than all by
+the "barneying" so often practised by the wrestlers. To this cause must be
+ascribed the fall of the "mother ring" at Carlisle, and the disfavour into
+which the sport has dropped in all parts of the two counties, albeit the
+Grasmere exhibitions are still kept up to a fair standard of honesty. For
+centuries it was the greatest amusement of fellsider, dalesman, and town
+dweller, and it was no uncommon thing for men to walk, in the pre-railway
+days, twenty miles to a wrestling meeting. Pure love of sport must have
+been the motive, because the prize usually consisted only of a belt of the
+value of from ten shillings to a sovereign--often much less--and a small
+sum of money which would now be looked at with contempt even when offered
+by way of "expenses." The men whose prowess gained them more than local
+fame were often almost perfect specimens of what athletes should be at
+their respective weights, and their skill cannot be approached by any of
+the medium and light weights now in the ring. For several other reasons
+the sport is entitled--unfortunately so--to be classed among things
+belonging to the bygone, and to the next generation wrestling, as
+understood at the Melmerby and Langwathby Rounds fifty years ago, will be
+unknown.
+
+Clergymen have often been included among the best wrestlers of their time,
+especially in West Cumberland, though some who as young men were noted for
+their prowess in this direction gave up this sport when they took holy
+orders. William Litt, whose name will always have a place in local
+sporting annals through his book, "Wrestliana," was intended for the
+Church. His tastes were so obviously in other directions that the plan had
+to be abandoned, and he developed into one of the finest wrestlers of his
+time. The Rev. G. Wilkinson, Vicar of Arlecdon, and the Rev. O. Littleton,
+Vicar of Buttermere, were also ardent followers of the sport; while the
+Rev. A. Brown, Egremont, and the inventor of the "chip" known as
+buttocking, was described as one of the best exponents of the old game to
+be found in the north of England.
+
+A sporting custom peculiar to the two counties--for the nobleman most
+concerned has immense possessions in each--is the race for the Burgh
+Barony Cup. The meeting has been well described as "a singular old-world
+institution, one of a number of antiquated customs mixed up with the land
+laws." The races are held to celebrate the "reign" of a new Lord Lonsdale,
+consequently no earl ever sees more than one--at least when he is the head
+of the family. The last meeting on Burgh Marsh was in March, 1883, when
+the arrangements were on a royal scale, thousands of persons being
+present, an enormous number of them as the guests of his lordship.
+Wrestling formed an important part of the proceedings during the two days,
+but the central item was the race for the cup. The competitors were
+confined to animals owned by free or customary tenants within the Barony,
+and the winner of the hundred guineas trophy was greeted with frantic
+cheering.
+
+Carlisle possesses a unique racing relic. The "horse courses" were
+formerly held on Kingmoor, and the "Carlisle bells" were doubtless prized
+as much in their day as the stakes for L10,000 are now. The articles
+frequently figure in the Municipal Records as the Horse and Nage Bells,
+and were for a long time lost, being ultimately found in an old box in the
+Town Clerk's office. Mr. Llewellyn Jewitt, F.S.A., some twenty years ago
+gave this description of the relics: "The racing bells are globular in
+form, with slits at the bottom, as is usual in bells of that class. The
+loose ball which would originally lie in the inside, so as to produce the
+sound, has disappeared. The largest, which is two and a quarter inches in
+diameter, is of silver gilt, and bears on a band round its centre the
+inscription [each word being separated by a cross]:
+
+  + THE + SWEFTES + HORSE + THES +
+            BEL + TO + TAK
+  + FOR + MI + LADE + DAKER + SAKE
+
+This lady was probably Elizabeth, daughter of George Talbot, fourth Earl
+of Shrewsbury, and wife of William, Lord Dacre of Gilsland, who was
+Governor of Carlisle in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The other bell, also
+of silver, is smaller in size, and bears the initials H.B.M.C. (Henry
+Baines, Mayor of Carlisle), 1559. On Shrove Tuesday Kingmoor became a
+busy scene, and the contests created much excitement among the freemen and
+others. The bell was not an uncommon prize, either in horse-racing or
+cock-fighting, and was held by the victor, as challenge cups and shields
+are at the present day, from one year to another, or from one race to
+another. To win this race was of course a mark of honour, and gave rise to
+the popular expression of 'to bear away the bell.' At York the racing
+prize in 1607 was a small golden bell, and the Corporation Records of
+Chester about 1600 show that in that city a silver bell was given to be
+raced for on the Roodee; but I am not aware that any of them are now in
+existence. Probably the Carlisle examples are unique."
+
+
+[Illustration: CARLISLE RACING BELLS.]
+
+
+There are many other evidences that racing has for several centuries been
+a favourite pastime with the people of Cumberland and Westmorland. The
+race meetings seem to have been made occasions for county gatherings of
+other kinds, and especially for cock-fights--a sport which has not yet
+entirely died out. The following advertisement of Penrith races in 1769,
+which appeared in the _St. James's Chronicle_ for that year, may be quoted
+as an example of many others, relating not only to Penrith but to other
+towns in the two counties:--
+
+    _Penrith Races, 1769._
+
+    To be run for, on Wednesday, the 24th of May, 1769, on the new Race
+    Ground at Penrith, Cumberland.
+
+    Fifty Pounds, by any four Years old Horse, Mare, or Gelding, carrying
+    8st. 7lb. Two-mile Heats.
+
+    On Thursday, the 25th, Fifty Pounds, by any Horse, &c., five Years
+    old, carrying 9st. Three-mile Heats.
+
+    On Friday, the 26th, Fifty Pounds, by any five, six Years old, and
+    Aged Horse, &c. Five-year Olds to carry 8st. 3lb. Six-year Olds 9st.,
+    and Aged 9st 8lb. Four-mile Heats.
+
+    All Horses, etc., that run for the above Plates, to be entered at the
+    Market Cross on Saturday, the 20th Day of May, between the Hours of
+    Three and Six o'Clock in the Afternoon. The Owner of each Horse, &c.,
+    to subscribe and pay Three Guineas at the Time of Enterance towards
+    the Races, and Two Shillings and Six-pence for the Clerk of the Race.
+
+    Certificates of each Horse, &c., to be produced at the Time of
+    Enterance. Three reputed running Horses, &c., to enter and start for
+    each of the above Plates, or no Race.
+
+    If only one Horse, &c., enters, to receive Ten Pounds, if two Fifteen
+    between them, and their Subscription paid at the time of Enterance
+    returned.
+
+    All the above Plates to be run for in the royal Manner, and any
+    Dispute that may arise to be determined by the Stewards, or whom they
+    shall appoint.
+
+    The several Plates will be paid without any Deduction or Perquisite.
+
+                 {CHARLES HOWARD, jun., Esq.
+        Stewards.{
+                 {ANDREW WHELPDALE, Esq.
+
+    [pointing hand] A Cock Main, Ordinaries, and Assemblies, as usual.
+
+Not less interesting than the foregoing announcement is the report of the
+event. There was never much attempt at descriptions, either of races or
+cock-fights, though one would like to know the names of the gentlemen
+indicated in this closing paragraph of the report: "At this Meeting a Main
+of Cocks was fought between the Gentlemen of Cumberland, David Smith,
+Feeder, and the Gentlemen of Westmoreland, Thomas Bownas, Feeder, which
+consisted of 21 Battles, 16 whereof were won by the former, and 5 by the
+latter; and of the 15 Bye-Battles Smith won 6, and Bownas 9."
+
+Dalston was long the headquarters of cock-fighting in Cumberland--"Dalston
+Black-reeds" are still spoken of as the best birds of the kind in the
+world. There is a tradition to the effect that cock-fighting was once
+carried on at Rose Castle, in the parish of Dalston, but the Rev. J.
+Wilson[17] took particular pains to disprove the assertion. Against that
+must be put the following sentence which appeared in _Good Words_ for
+December, 1894: "One curious adjunct to an episcopal residence, speaking
+loudly of the change of manners and the amelioration of tastes, is the
+cock-pit, where matches are said to have been at one time fought for the
+amusement of the Bishop and his friends." The favourite day for
+cock-fights was Shrove Tuesday.
+
+Cock-fighting was far from being the only barbarous sport enjoyed by the
+people of the northern counties. Bull-baiting and badger-baiting were
+probably never more popular than at the time when they were prohibited by
+law in 1835. There is still the bull ring at Appleby, and the spectators'
+gallery was removed within living memory. At Kirkoswald and several other
+market-places in the two counties the rings are still firmly fixed to
+which the bulls were tethered during the baiting process. Mr. W. Wilson,
+in his brochure on "Old Social Life in Cumberland," says: "In Keswick a
+large iron ring was formerly fixed in a stone block in the market-place;
+this was called the bull ring, and to this a bull, previous to being
+slaughtered, was fastened by the ring in its nose, and then baited and
+bitten by savage dogs amid dreadful bellowing till the poor beast was
+almost covered with foam, and quite exhausted. Great excitement prevailed
+when a bull was being baited, and large numbers assembled to witness the
+sport. On such occasions the market-place at Keswick was crowded, and
+many in order to obtain a good view, might be seen sitting on the roofs of
+the adjoining houses. Beyond the excitement which the exhibition produced
+among the spectators, the system was thought to be of great value in
+improving the quality of the beef, an aged bull being especially tough
+unless well baited before slaughtering. When the flesh of a bull was
+exposed for sale, it was the rule in Keswick and probably elsewhere, to
+burn candles during the day on the stall on which the meat was exposed for
+sale, in order that customers might be aware of the quality of the meat
+sold there." In some other places in the two counties the penalty for
+killing and selling an unbaited bull was 6s. 8d.
+
+For a very long period archery was practised in Cumberland and Westmorland
+not only as a means of defence and attack, but also as a recreation. The
+numerous places called "Butts," or bearing synonymous names, indicate that
+few towns neglected to set apart a shooting ground. In his "Survey of the
+Lakes" Clarke blamed the severity of the game laws for keeping up skill in
+archery amongst the poachers in the forests of the north-western counties.
+He added: "It was this that produced so many noted archers and outlaws in
+the forest of Englewood as well as that of Sherwood. For not to mention
+Adam Bell and his partners, tradition still preserves the names of Watty
+of Croglin, Woodhead Andrew, Robin O'th'Moor's Gruff Elleck (Alexander),
+and of several others as of persons distinguished in that line even
+amongst the people who were almost to a man of the same stamp. Besides, as
+their squabbles and the subsequent maraudings made the skill thus acquired
+at times absolutely necessary to the inhabitants on each side of the
+boundary, we may easily conclude that a necessity of this kind,
+continually kept alive, must produce no small degree of dexterity.
+
+"Whoever will consider the circumstances of the battles which were then
+fought, will find that wherever the ground or circumstances favoured the
+archer for a number of regular discharges, they generally produced such a
+confusion, particularly amongst the enemy's horse, as gave the men-at-arms
+of their own party an opportunity of easily completing it. I need cite no
+further particulars of this than the battle of Homildon, when the forces
+of the Northern Marches encountered the gallant Archibald, Earl of
+Douglas; the men-at-arms stood still that day, and the bowmen had the
+whole business upon their hands. It is recorded that no armour could
+resist their arrows, though that of Earl Douglas and his associates had
+been three years in making. It would seem, indeed, that the Scots excelled
+in the use of the spear, and (excepting the Borderers) neglecting the bow;
+since one of their own kings is thought to have recommended its more
+general use by ridiculing their imperfect management of it."
+
+The Kendal bowmen celebrated the prowess of their fore-elders of the same
+name by establishing a competition and festival for September 9th in each
+year. It was on that day in 1513 that the Kendal bowmen were particularly
+distinguished in the battle of Flodden Field. The prizes shot for every
+year were a silver arrow and a medal, the members appearing in a uniform
+of green, with arrow buttons; the cape green velvet with silver arrow; the
+waistcoat and breeches buff, and the shooting jacket was of green and
+white striped cotton.
+
+Whitehaven also had its Society of Archers, and in 1790 had a medal
+designed by Smirke as a trophy for competition. On one side were the
+bugle-horn, quiver, and bow, above them being the words, "Per Has
+Victoriam," and underneath the three place-names, "Poictiers," "Cressy,"
+and "Agincourt." On the reverse was the name of the shooting ground,
+Parton Green, and the date, while round the edge were the words,
+"Captain's Medal, Cumberland Archers."
+
+The Kendal "Boke of Recorde" contains several references to the pastimes
+of Westmerians from two to three centuries ago. On one occasion it was
+ordered by the Corporation "That whosoever do play at the football in the
+street and break any windows, shall forfeit upon view thereof by the Mayor
+or one of the Aldermen in the ward where the fault is committed the sum of
+12d. for every time every party, and 3s. 4d. for every window by the same
+broken, and to be committed till it be paid, the constable looke to it to
+present it presently at every Court day." That knur and spell, the game so
+popular still in Yorkshire, was once a favourite pastime in Kendal is
+attested by the following entry, dated April, 1657: "It is ordered by the
+Court that all such persons, inhabitants within this borough, above the
+age of twelve years, that hereafter shall play in the streets at a game
+commonly called Kattstick and Bullvett shall forfeit and incur the penalty
+of 12d. for every offence, to be levied of their goods, and where they
+have no goods to be imprisoned two hours."
+
+The somewhat questionable glories of Workington Easter football play have
+passed away, partly in consequence of the occupation of a portion of the
+playing ground by railways and works, and not less because of a change of
+feeling. How long these Easter Tuesday matches between "Uppies" and
+"Downeys" have gone on no man can tell. Half a century ago it was reported
+in the _Pacquet_ that the game in 1849 "was played with all the vigour of
+former days, from times beyond 'the memory of the oldest inhabitant.'" The
+goals are about a mile apart, one being a capstan at the harbour, and the
+other the park wall of Workingham Hall. There are no rules except those
+suggested by cunning and skill, while brute force is of the greatest
+importance. If the ball is "haled" over the park wall a sovereign is given
+by the owner of the estate to the winners, and of course it is spent in
+liquor. The players sometimes number hundreds, and thousands of people
+attend as spectators.
+
+In several places in the two counties "mock mayors" were annually elected,
+and the occasion at Wreay was marked by somewhat uncommon festivities.
+The Rev. A. R. Hall, Vicar of the parish, in a lecture delivered some time
+ago, gave an account of these Shrovetide observances, which made the
+village famous in its way. Up to 1790 the chief feature was a great
+cock-fight, managed by the boys at school. A hunt of harriers subsequently
+took the place of the cock-fight, this being followed by a public dinner,
+and the election of the mayor. Sometimes this functionary belonged to
+Wreay, and sometimes came from Carlisle; in the latter case, those who
+wished to keep up the due dignity of the office chartered a coach-and-four
+for the accommodation of their friends. Racing and jumping were features
+in the sports, the prizes for which were hats. The old silver bell used to
+ornament the mayor's wand of office. In 1872, unfortunately, the bell was
+stolen, and Wreay lost this relic, which had been connected for 217 years
+with its Shrovetide festivities. In 1880 the hunt and the election of
+mayor both came to an end.
+
+Befitting its importance in the calendar, Christmas seems to have always
+held the first place in popularity among the holidays and festivals of the
+year. In the summer season Whitsuntide--which marks the end of one term of
+farm service--was the most popular. At Christmas "the treat circulated
+from house to house, and every table was decorated in succession with a
+profusion of dishes, including all the pies and puddings then in use. Ale
+possets also constituted a favourite part of the festive suppers, and were
+given to strangers for breakfast before the introduction of tea. They were
+served in bowls, called doublers, into which the company dipped their
+spoons promiscuously; for the simplicity of the times had not yet seen the
+necessity of accommodating each guest with a basin or soup plate. The
+posset cup shone as an article of finery in the better sort of houses; it
+consisted of pewter, and was furnished with two, three, or more lateral
+pipes, through which the liquid part of the compound might be sucked by
+those who did not choose the bread. This plentiful repast was moistened
+with a copious supply of malt liquor, which the guests drank out of horns
+and the wooden cans already mentioned. The aged sat down to cards and
+conversation for the better part of the night, while the young men amused
+the company with exhibitions of maskers, amongst whom the clown was the
+conspicuous character; or parties of rapier-dancers displayed their
+dexterity in the sportive use of the small-sword. In the meantime the
+youth of both sexes romped and gambolled promiscuously, or sat down not
+unfrequently to hunt the rolling-pin."
+
+The Gowrie Plot is brought to mind by a record in the Greystoke books that
+is unusually quaint in its style: "1603, August, ffrydaye the v{th} day
+was comnded for to be keapt holy daye yearely from cessation of laybour
+w{th} gyvinge of thanks for the kyngs most excelent matye for his ma{tyes}
+p'servation and deliverance from the Crewell Conspiracie practized against
+his mat{ies} pson in Scotland that v{th} daye of August, 1600." Three
+years sufficed for this celebration; then Gunpowder Plot came in for
+notice, as is seen from an item dated November 5th, 1606: "The sayde daye
+was Kenges holy day, and one sermon by M{r} pson the xi Isaie 2 verse."
+The chronicler followed this registration of his text by a list of the
+names of the chief people in the parish who attended the service.
+
+The shearing days used to be high festivals on the fells and in the dales
+of both counties. Now the gatherings have been deprived of some of their
+most characteristic features; and even the chairing is almost forgotten.
+Richardson's chapter on "Auld Fashint Clippins and Sec Like," in
+"Stwories at Ganny uset to Tell," relates how the chairing used to be
+done. The song, once an indispensable item in the programme, may now and
+again be heard, lustily shouted by the dalesmen. After declaring that "the
+shepherd's health--it shall go round," the chorus continues:
+
+  "Heigh O! Heigh O! Heigh O!
+  And he that doth this health deny,
+  Before his face I him defy.
+  He's fit for no good company,
+  So let this health go round."
+
+The coronation of a monarch was invariably made the occasion for
+merry-making by the consumption of much ale by the common folk, especially
+by bell-ringers and others who could have the score discharged by the
+churchwardens. There is such an entry in the Crosthwaite books relating to
+the coronation of George the First. In 1821, November 5th, there was
+"spent in ale at Nicholas Graves 5s." This worthy who was parish clerk at
+Crosthwaite for fifty-six years, was also the owner of a public-house in
+the town, and among his other qualifications was that of being will-maker
+for many of the inhabitants. At Penrith, Kendal, Carlisle, and many other
+places the church bells were set ringing, bonfires lighted, and ale
+barrels tapped--usually at the expense of the churchwardens--on very small
+provocation.
+
+Among other festivals now no longer observed, and probably forgotten, was
+that known as Brough Holly Night. In a little pamphlet published between
+thirty and forty years ago the following note on the subject was printed,
+but the writer has been unable to ascertain when the custom was last seen
+in the old Westmorland town: "On Twelfth Night, at Brough, the very
+ancient custom of carrying the holly-tree through the town is observed.
+There are two or three inns in the town which provide for the ceremony
+alternately, though the townspeople lend a hand to prepare the tree, to
+every branch of which a torch composed of greased rushes is affixed. About
+eight o'clock in the evening the tree is taken to a convenient part of the
+town, where the torches are lighted, the town band accompanying and
+playing till all is completed, when it is carried up and down the town,
+preceded by the band and the crowd who have now formed in procession. Many
+of the inhabitants carry lighted branches and flambeaus, and rockets,
+squibs, etc., are discharged on the occasion. After the tree has been thus
+paraded, and the torches are nearly burnt out, it is taken to the middle
+of the town, where, amidst the cheers and shouts of the multitude, it is
+thrown among them. Then begins a scene of noise and confusion, for the
+crowd, watching the opportunity, rush in and cling to the branches, the
+contention being to bear it to the rival inns, 'sides' having been formed
+for that purpose; the reward being an ample allowance of ale, etc., to the
+successful competitors. The landlord derives his benefit from the numbers
+the victory attracts, and a fiddler being all ready, a merry night, as it
+is called here, is got up, the lads and lasses dancing away till morning."
+
+There were once many wells and springs in the two counties which were held
+in more than common regard by the inhabitants, and corresponded to the
+Holy Wells of other districts. Between sixty and seventy years ago this
+was written of a custom once common at Skirsgill, about a mile from
+Penrith: "Upon the sloping lawn is a remarkably fine spring; its water is
+pure and sparkling, and was formerly held in such veneration that the
+peasantry resorted to it, and held an annual fair round its margin. In
+descending a flight of stone steps, you perceive inside a drinking cup,
+and over the door-top, neatly cut in stone, the form of a water jug."
+Cumberland is said to have had nearly thirty Holy Wells, and of one of
+these Mr. Hope tells us[18] that "The Holy Well near Dalston, Cumberland,
+was the scene of religious rites on stipulated occasions, usually Sundays.
+The villagers assembled and sought out the good spirit of the well, who
+was 'supposed to teach its votaries the virtues of temperance, health,
+cleanliness, simplicity, and love.'"
+
+The various well festivals in the Penrith district have all passed away,
+as has a once popular gathering of another kind, known as Giant's Cave
+Sunday. The assemblies were at "the hoary caves of Eamont," about three
+miles from Penrith, and the late Rev. B. Porteus, then Vicar of Edenhall,
+wrote of them nearly forty years ago: "The picnics are of frequent
+occurrence at this picturesque and romantic spot; and have been
+occasionally patronised by special culinary demonstrations by the
+hospitable proprietor of the estate. Giant's Cave Sunday is still
+observed, but the custom has dwindled into insignificance, the 'shaking
+bottles' carried by the children at that season being the only remains of
+what it has been. But it affords a pleasant walk to the people of
+Penrith, as it has probably done since the time when the caves were the
+residence of a holy man."
+
+Among the festivities now to be numbered among bygone things must be
+mentioned the Levens Radish Feast, which had much more than a local fame.
+In the time of Colonel Grahme there was great rivalry between the houses
+of Dallam Tower and Levens. The former once invited every person who
+attended Milnthorpe Fair to partake of the good cheer provided in the
+park, a piece of hospitality which irritated the Colonel very much. As a
+consequence, the following year when the Mayor and Corporation of Kendal
+went to proclaim the fair, he took them to Levens, and provided such a
+royal entertainment that the civic fathers gladly accepted the invitation
+for succeeding years. The fair sex were rigidly excluded. Long tables were
+placed on the bowling green, and spread with oat bread, butter, radishes,
+and "morocco," a kind of strong beer, for which the Hall was famed. After
+the feast came the "colting" of new visitors, and various amusements that
+are better to read about than witness.
+
+
+[Illustration: LEVENS HALL.--_Front View._]
+
+
+
+
+On the Road.
+
+
+Few parts of England could have been so inaccessible as were Cumberland
+and Westmorland prior to the middle of the last century. Roads were
+scarce, unless the dignity of the name be given to the rough tracks which
+served for the passage of pack-horses, and even these did not reach a
+great number, having regard to the area which they served. There was
+little to call the people away from home, to London and other great
+centres of industry. The journey from the north to the Metropolis was such
+a great undertaking that men who had any possessions to leave behind them
+almost invariably made their wills before starting out. The richer sort,
+of course, rode their horses, and an interesting account of the journey
+was left by Henry Curwen, of Workington Hall, as to his trip to London in
+1726. The most accessible route was very roundabout--by Penrith,
+Stainmore, Barnard Castle, York, and so through the eastern counties. This
+journey on horseback occupied thirteen days, including four which were
+utilised for visiting friends on the way. The roads he described as being
+very bad, and a ride of thirty-two miles he declared to be equal to fifty
+measured miles.
+
+People with fewer guineas to spare had of necessity to walk.
+"Manufacturers made their wills, and settled their worldly affairs, before
+taking a long journey, and many of them travelled on foot to London and
+other places, to sell their goods, which were conveyed on the backs of
+pack-horses."[19] Even more recently pedestrian excursions from Mid
+Cumberland to London have been undertaken; there was the well-known case
+of Mally Messenger, who died in August, 1856, at the age of ninety-three
+years. Several times before she attained middle age Mally walked to London
+and back to Keswick, a distance of 286 miles in each direction. On one
+occasion she was passed by a Keswick man on horseback, who by way of a
+parting message remarked, "Good-day, Mally; I'll tell them in Keswick
+you're coming." The pedestrian, however, was the better traveller, for she
+often used to boast afterwards that she reached Keswick first.
+
+When old-time Bamptonians wanted to see the Metropolis they could not go
+to Shap or Penrith and thence be carried by excursions for considerably
+under a sovereign. This is how the vicar went on foot in 1697, as recorded
+in the parish registers: "Feb. the 7 did Mr. Knott set forward for London,
+got to Barking to Mr. Blamyres, Friday, March the fourth, to London March
+the seaventh, remained there 8 weekes and 2 dayes, came out May the 5,
+1698, gott to Bampton Grainge, May the 20, at night."
+
+Even apart from the perils which beset travellers during the times of the
+Border forays, there were many things which must have restrained the
+average Cumbrian and Westmerian from wandering far abroad. To those who
+were obliged to walk or ride far, the old hospitals must have been very
+welcome institutions. One of these, of which all traces have long been
+lost, was the hospital on the desolate and remote fells of Caldbeck. "Out
+of Westmorland and the east parts of Cumberland there lying an highway
+through Caldbeck into the west of Cumberland, it was anciently very
+dangerous for passengers to travel through it, who were often robbed by
+thieves that haunted those woody parts and mountains. Thereupon Ranulph
+Engain, the chief forester of Englewood, granted licence to the Prior of
+Carlisle to build an hospital for the relief of distressed travellers who
+might happen to be troubled by those thieves, or prejudiced by the snows
+or storms in winter." The Prior made the enclosure, and doubtless the
+hospice was a boon to many a wayfarer; the population increased, a church
+was established, and in the time of King John, the hospital being
+dissolved, the property of the secular institution was handed over to the
+Church, and to this day the manor is known as Kirkland. The need for
+former protection of the kind is still preserved in a landmark in the
+parish, "the Hawk," or as the local pronunciation has it, "Howk." This
+grotto was a noted meeting-place for thieves.
+
+Even the King's Judges were not exempted from the perils of the road.
+Hutchinson's description of Brampton says that "The judges, with the whole
+body of barristers, attorneys, clerks, and serving men, rode on horseback
+from Newcastle to Carlisle, armed and escorted by a strong guard under the
+command of the sheriffs. It was necessary to carry provisions, for the
+country was a wilderness which afforded no supplies. The spot where the
+cavalcade halted to dine, under an immense oak, is not yet forgotten. The
+irregular vigour with which criminal justice was administered shocked
+observers whose lives had been passed in more tranquil districts. Juries,
+animated by hatred, and by a sense of common danger, convicted
+house-breakers and cattle-stealers with the promptitude of a court-martial
+in a mutiny; and convicts were hurried by scores to the gallows."
+
+Even taxes did not, it is to be feared, prevent some of the Cumbrians
+occasionally throwing in their lot with, or assisting, the vagabonds who
+were the cause of all the trouble. "It was often found impossible to track
+the robbers to their retreats among the hills and morasses, for the
+geography of that wild country was very imperfectly known. Even after the
+accession of George the Third, the path over the fells from Borrowdale to
+Ravenglass was still a secret carefully kept by the dalesman, some of whom
+had probably in their youth escaped from justice by the road." Such is the
+record which may be gathered from Gray's "Journal of a Tour in the Lakes"
+in 1769.
+
+Coach travelling was an expensive luxury, and those who undertook the
+journeys between London and the north did not do so solely for pleasure.
+From an advertisement, nearly a column in length, which appeared in the
+London _Star_ at the end of 1795 the following is taken:--
+
+        SARACEN'S HEAD INN.
+        SNOW-HILL, LONDON.
+        SAFE, EASY, AND EXPEDITIOUS TRAVELLING.
+        With every accommodation that can lessen the fatigue,
+        or add to the pleasure of the Journey, to
+        most parts of England and the
+        Principal Towns in Scotland,
+        by the following
+        NEW AND ELEGANT COACHES:
+
+    Carlisle and Penrith rapid Post Coach, goes with four horses, and a
+    guard all the way, passes through Brough, Appleby, Gretabridge,
+    Richmond, Catterick, Boroughbridge, Wetherby, Alberford, Doncaster,
+    and Grantham (the nearest way by 18 miles) sets out every morning, and
+    performs the journey with the greatest ease and convenience.
+    Passengers desirous to stop on the road, have the advantage of their
+    seats being secured in the next Coach (with only six Coachmen).
+
+    WILLIAM MOUNTAIN and CO. respectfully acquaint their Friends and the
+    Public that, still emulous to deserve as well as preserve their
+    invaluable esteem, they have provided Lamps and Guards, that travel
+    throughout with all the above Coaches.
+
+    N.B. The Proprietors of the above Coaches from the above inn, will not
+    be accountable for any Parcel, Luggage, Goods, &c., of more value than
+    Five Pounds (if lost) unless entered as such and paid for accordingly.
+
+An earlier advertisement which appeared in the Cumberland newspapers of
+1775 shows that the journey to London was done in three days, at a cost
+of L3 10s. per passenger. The notice ran:--
+
+    "Carlisle Post Coach.--In Three Days for London.--Sets out from the
+    Bush Inn, Carlisle, every Sunday evening, at seven o'clock precisely,
+    by way of Burrowbridge, being well known to the public to be the
+    nearest and best road to London (and is also calculated for more ease
+    and satisfaction to the passengers than any other coach). It also sets
+    out from the Bell and Crown, Holborn, every Wednesday evening, at
+    eight o'clock. Each inside passenger from Carlisle to London to pay L3
+    10s. From the George Inn, Penrith, L3 7s. 6d., and threepence per mile
+    for all passengers taken up on the road. Each passenger to be allowed
+    14lb. luggage; all above to pay 4d. per pound; small parcels at 3s.
+    each.... Performed by J. Garthwaite and Co."
+
+Locomotion was still more difficult and costly in the early part of the
+seventeenth century. In the Household Books of Naworth, extending from
+1612 to 1640, are found such significant entries as the following:--"March
+22, 1626. Hewing a way for the coach beyond Gelt Bridge, 2s. 3d." On one
+occasion, Sir Francis Howard, being sick, hired a coach for his journey
+from London to Bowes, which cost L18. Lord William Howard's journeys to
+London were always taken on horseback, and he was generally ten or twelve
+days on the road, the travelling expenses varying, according to the number
+of his retinue and the direction of the route taken. A journey by way of
+Shiffnal and Lydney occupied eleven days, and cost L30 7s. 1d.; whilst the
+expenses of another, from Thornthwaite to London with twenty-four men and
+twelve horses in his train, came to L20 15s. 4d.
+
+In addition to the coaches, people often travelled by what were termed
+"expeditious wagons," which carried goods. One notice dated November 24th,
+1790, concerning these vehicles may be quoted:--
+
+    "In ten days from Carlisle to London, and the same in return by way of
+    York every week. Messrs. Handleys respectfully inform their friends
+    and the public in general that they have erected stage waggons which
+    leave Carlisle early on Tuesday morning and arrive at York on Thursday
+    night, and Leeds on Saturday morning (where goods for all parts in the
+    south are regularly forwarded by the respective carriers), arrive at
+    the White Bear, Bassinghall Street, on Friday night, and set out every
+    Monday morning, and arrive at and leave York on Tuesday morning,
+    Bedal, Richmond, Barnard Castle, Burgh, Appleby, Penrith, and arrive
+    at Carlisle on Friday evening, where goods are immediately forwarded
+    to Wigton, Cockermouth, Workington, Whitehaven, and any other place in
+    Cumberland; also to Annan, Dumfries, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and
+    all other principal towns in Scotland. They hope by their attention
+    to business to merit the favours of all those who please to employ
+    them. N.B.--Their waggon leaves Sheffield on Saturday, and Leeds on
+    Monday. For further particulars apply to Robert Wilson, book-keeper,
+    or J. Birkett, innkeeper, Carlisle."
+
+A writer in 1812, on the manners and customs of the people of Westmorland
+during the preceding century, stated that wheel carriages were very little
+used for private intercourse or trade; for persons of both sexes made
+short journeys on horseback, the women being commonly seated on pillions
+behind the men. Very few made long excursions from home, except the
+manufacturers of Kendal, many of whom travelled on foot in quest of orders
+for their worsted stockings and linsey-woolsey. Carriers did not employ
+wagons, but drove gangs of pack-horses, each gang being preceded by a
+bell-horse, and the owners reckoned a young woman equivalent to half a
+pack in loading their beasts of burden. The predilection for transporting
+all kinds of commodities on horseback was so general, that the fuel
+consumed in Kendal came to the town in this manner. Coals were brought in
+sacks upon galloways from Ingleton, and the turf or peat was conveyed from
+the mosses in halts. These were a pair of strong wicker hampers, which
+were joined by a pack-saddle, and hung across a horse's back. They were
+put to various uses in husbandry, which offices are now performed by
+carts. Halts gave way to carts in the progress of general improvement.
+These vehicles were ill-contrived, particularly the wheels, which
+consisted of two circular boards fixed without spokes immovably to the
+ends of a cylinderical axle. The injudicious nature of the construction
+required the axle itself to revolve beneath the cart, where it was kept in
+its place by two pairs of parallel wooden pins, that projected downward
+from the frame of the bottom.
+
+A question concerning these old "tummel wheel'd cars" was asked in the
+_Carlisle Journal_ a few months ago, and a correspondent supplied this
+answer:--"I have seen at least two of these old-time machines of
+locomotion. They had then been many years out of use. I speak now of a
+date say 58 years gone past. One of them was stored in an open shed in the
+farmyard of its venerable owner--the other had less respect shown to its
+remains, for it stood in a neglected and unsheltered corner. Of course, I
+never saw either of them in use. The wheels were funny, not to say clumsy,
+looking affairs. Without spokes or felloes, they consisted of three
+segment-shaped blocks of wood, fastened together rudely but strongly with
+'dowels' of the same material, so as to form a circle. The wheels again
+were similarly fastened to the axle, and the whole revolved in one solid
+mass. The harness consisted mostly of ropes or girthing with loops at the
+ends, and having cleets like the modern 'coo-tee' to hold them in
+position. Very little leather was used, and but few buckles. Here is Mr.
+Dickinson's description, 'In old times the horse was yoked to the cart by
+a rope from the shoulders, and an iron ring sliding on the shaft held by a
+pin. This was hammerband yoking. The tummel wheelers referred to were seen
+by me in the Lake District (Ullswater) in the early forties.'"
+
+Before turnpike roads were made, or wagons came into use, the merchandise
+of Kendal was transported by the following pack-horses:--
+
+  One gang of pack-horses to and from London
+    every week, of about                                20
+
+  One gang from Wigan weekly, about                     18
+
+  One gang from Whitehaven, about                       20
+
+  From Cockermouth                                      15
+
+  Two gangs from Barnard Castle                         26
+
+  Two gangs from Penrith twice a week, about 15 each    60
+
+  One gang from Settle twice a week, about 15 each      30
+
+  From York weekly, about                               10
+
+  From Ulverston                                         5
+
+  From Hawkeshead twice a week, about 6                 12
+
+  From Appleby twice a week, about 6                    12
+
+  From Cartmel                                           6
+
+  Carriages three or four times a week to and
+    from Milnthorpe, computed at 40 horse load          40
+
+  From Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale, Orton, Dent,
+    and other neighbouring villages, about              20
+                                                      ----
+                                   Total               294
+
+  Besides 24 every six weeks for Glasgow.
+
+Less than sixty years ago the pillion was in constant use in the two
+counties, and only the well-to-do yeomen thought of taking their wives and
+daughters frequently to market in the "shandry cart." It is only a quarter
+of a century since the old pack-horses ceased to traverse some parts of
+Westmorland and its borders. Mr. H. Speight, in one of his books,[20]
+deals with a state of things which existed, not only in the Hawes
+district, but considerably northward of that place. Handloom weaving was
+an old local industry, and when a sufficient number of pieces were ready,
+they were gathered up and conveyed by teams of pack-horses over the
+mountains to the various West Riding towns. Discharging their loads they
+would return laden with warp, weft, size, and other articles. When the
+traffic ceased, hundreds of these sonorous pack-horse bells were sold for
+old metal, and the brokers' shops for a time were full of them. Each bell
+weighed from 1lb. to 2lbs. An old resident in North Westmorland not long
+ago recalled very vividly the scenes to be witnessed, and confirmed the
+accuracy of the following description from Mr. Speight's volume: "In the
+old pack-horse days it was a sight worth remembering to witness the
+procession of men and horses with miscellaneous goods, making their way
+out of the Yorkshire dales, to Kirkby Stephen and the north. The drivers
+from Garsdale and Grisedale came over the moor to Shaw Paddock, and thence
+on to Aisgill, and to the old Thrang Bridge in Mallerstang, where they
+were met by strings of pack-horses and men coming from the east country by
+Hell Gill. It was a busy and picturesque scene, and the Thrang Bridge was
+well named. Sometimes on special occasions, as during Brough Hill Fair,
+the thrifty wives and daughters of the dales used to go up to Hell Gill
+Bridge, and spread out stalls and baskets, stored with cakes, nuts,
+apples, and bottles of home-made herb beer, and other non-intoxicants, to
+sell to passing travellers. And a good business they did too, for there
+was a continuous stream of wayfarers, who were glad, particularly if the
+day were hot, to linger awhile and hear the gossip of the country-side,
+cracking many a joke along with many a nut bought from the buxom stall
+women. Occasionally herds of Highland cattle passed this way, and when the
+far-travelled animals showed signs of fatigue, it was no uncommon thing to
+see one of the men who carried a bagpipe play some lively air as he
+marched in front of the drove. The animals seemed to enjoy the music, and
+evidently appreciated this relief to the tediousness of the journey, by
+walking, as they often would, with a brisker step, while some of them that
+had lain down in the road would quickly rise at the novel far-sounding
+strains, which brought many a cottager also to his feet from his home in
+the echoing glen."
+
+
+
+
+Old Customs.
+
+
+Possibly the custom associated with Westmorland which can claim to be at
+once among the oldest, as well as having been the most carefully followed,
+is that connected with the familiar Countess's Pillar in the parish of
+Brougham. The famous Countess Anne of Pembroke erected this structure in
+1656, as the still perfect legible inscription on the southern side tells
+us, for a laudable purpose: "This pillar was erected in 1656 by Anne,
+Countess Dowager of Pembroke, etc., for a memorial of her last parting in
+this place with her good and pious mother, Margaret, Countess Dowager of
+Cumberland, the 2nd day of April, 1616, in memory whereof she has left an
+annuity of L4, to be distributed to the poor of the parish of Brougham
+every second day of April for ever, upon the stone placed hard by. _Laus
+Deo._" The custom is scrupulously observed, the money being distributed on
+April 2nd as directed, except when that day falls, as this year, on a
+Sunday, and then the little ceremony is conducted on the following day.
+When asked as to the regularity of the observance shortly before this
+year's distribution, the Rev. W. S. Salman, the venerable Rector of
+Brougham, said the details were carefully attended to; and, he added, "we
+should soon hear about it if they were not."
+
+How far the custom of rush-bearing goes back there is nothing in local
+records to show, but there are some very old entries in the registers
+concerning the practice. In spite of the Puritans the villagers were
+keeping up the festival at Kirkby Lonsdale; there is this item among the
+churchwardens' accounts for 1680: "Paid at the rush-bearing in drink, 3s."
+Although the ceremony had in each place the same general features,
+different parishes varied the proceedings. Flowers as well as rushes were
+carried by the children, many of the blooms being made into garlands.
+After the sermon, the roses and rushes brought the preceding year were
+taken out, and the fresh ones put in their places. An old writer made the
+following suggestion as to the origin of the custom: "That our forefathers
+appointed a day on which they rendered public thanks to the Almighty for
+His kindness in causing the earth to bring forth fruit for the sustenance
+of man and beast, and that on these occasions they brought rushes, or
+other productions of the soil, to the sanctuary, which they spread out as
+a memorial before the lord." The theory is doubtless correct, as is proved
+by the fact that at Warcop and other places where "rush-bearings"--minus
+the rushes--are still kept up every summer, the service and other
+proceedings are in the nature of a public thanksgiving.
+
+
+[Illustration: COUNTESS'S PILLAR, BROUGHAM.
+
+_From a Photo by Mr. John Bolton, Penrith._]
+
+
+Nut Monday has passed into the region of forgotten things, even at such
+places as the schools, where it was once a popular observance. It was,
+however, kept so recently as 1861, when September 12th was held in Kendal
+as a general holiday, almost every shop being closed. Possibly the failure
+of the nut crop in several successive years was a factor in changing the
+holiday to another time, and thus the day losing its distinctive
+character. This, it will be noted, had nothing in common with another
+custom observed in some other parts of the country--Crack Nut Sunday. The
+latter was simply a desecrating practice, without a single good feature.
+
+"Sunday observance" had more than a nominal meaning in bygone days, though
+there is nothing to indicate that the people of the two counties had any
+particular liking for the restrictions imposed. It was the practice in
+nearly every town and village for the churchwardens to leave the church
+during service time and walk through the town in search of people who
+ought to have been at church, and special attention was paid to licensed
+premises. Possibly, by the time the hostelries were reached, the
+churchwardens felt the need of liquid refreshment; at any rate, they
+frequently obtained it. Carlisle, in 1788, was divided into districts,
+through each of which two constables and two of the principal inhabitants,
+who took it in rotation, patrolled the streets from ten in the morning
+till one, and from three to five in the afternoon, during which hours the
+doors of all the public-houses were kept shut, the patrol having first
+visited them to see that no person was tippling in them. "So much respect
+is paid to this regulation," wrote a chronicler of the period, "that
+during these hours no person is seen in the streets but those who are
+going to or returning from some place of worship." Fines were occasionally
+imposed for non-attendance at church; that does not seem to have been the
+rule, moral suasion apparently sufficing to meet most requirements. The
+Corporation of Kendal took powers to inflict what were then--three
+hundred years ago--heavy fines for selling ale during service hours.
+
+Among the customs and beliefs noted as prevalent at Whitbeck, in West
+Cumberland, in 1794, were these: "Newly-married persons beg corn to sow
+their first crop with, and are called corn-laiters. People always keep
+wake with the dead. The labouring ox is said to kneel at twelve o'clock at
+night, preceding the day of the Nativity; the bees are heard to sing at
+the same hour. On the morn of Christmas Day breakfast early on
+hack-pudding, a mess made of sheep's heart mixed with suet and sweet
+fruits. To whichever quarter a bull faces in lying on All Hallows' Eve,
+from thence the wind will blow the greater part of the winter." It has
+been surmised that the hack-pudding resembles sweet-pie, which is not
+unlike a mince-pie on a large scale, mutton being used instead of beef,
+and the ingredients not finely chopped.
+
+Here, as in other parts of the country, beating the bounds, both of
+parishes and manors, was a popular, though oft-times toilsome, observance.
+In a few registers, records have been preserved of the old-time landmarks,
+a precaution of special value in days before the Ordnance Survey was
+thought of. Dalston registers not only supply this information, but a
+description of the ceremony of perambulation. Curiosities of divisions are
+not lacking. An old man, once a parishioner of Dalston, told the Rev. J.
+Wilson[21] that he had a vivid recollection of taking part in the ritual
+of beating the bounds many years ago, and throwing a rope over a house,
+part of which stands in Castle Sowerby, in order to mark the division of
+the contiguous parishes. The walls of the house exist still, though
+unroofed, where the inhabitants were wont to say, half a century ago, that
+they always slept in Dalston and breakfasted in Castle Sowerby.
+
+"Furth" was a word used by the inhabitants of Orton long ago. In those
+days, before the era of coal burning, most of the houses had what were
+called hearth fire-places, with big open chimneys but no fire-grates.
+Householders had the privilege of getting turf on the moors, and during
+the winter nights neighbours used to assemble in one another's houses in
+succession. Orton and Ravenstonedale were famous places for knitting, and
+the folks all sat round the blazing turf fire knitting away at top speed.
+Both men and women were thus occupied, and made a peculiar rattling noise
+with so many needles working at once. The conversations at these Furth
+Neets were very amusing, the talk ranging from the state of the crops,
+such as they were in those days of what would be called low farming, to
+the prices of produce and the latest doings of Mary Baynes, the local
+witch.
+
+Formerly some of the inhabitants of Orton had what were called penthouses
+in front of their dwellings. It was a custom on Candlemas Day for those
+who had money to lend to appear under the sheds or penthouses, with
+neckcloths tied round their heads, and if the weather was cold, while the
+money-lenders were shivering beneath the scanty shelter, the borrowers
+frequented the public-houses, where there was much carousing. This curious
+custom has long been discouraged, and only one penthouse is now standing.
+
+Reminders of Border service remained in the two counties long after the
+Act of Union had been passed. Thus the secluded hamlet of Kentmere was
+divided into sixty tenements for the maintenance of as many soldiers, and
+so recently as the middle of this century it was written: "The vestiges of
+this ancient regulation still remain, for the township is divided into
+four parts, and each of these parts into fifteen tenements. For each
+tenement a man serves the office of constable, and pays 2s. per annum to
+the curate."
+
+Public affairs in the village of Torpenhow used to be managed by "the
+sixteen men," elected by the householders in the four quarters into which
+the parish was divided, the vicar and churchwardens being apparently _ex
+officio_ members of this early Parish Council. The last nomination of the
+sixteen took place about 1807; they had a great variety of duties,
+carrying out functions that are now discharged by School Boards, Parish,
+District, and County Councils. So far as is known, the most detailed
+information concerning the duties of the "sworn men" is given in the Orton
+(Westmorland) registers, where, following the fourteen names of "the
+sworne men of Orto' anno d'ni 1596," is this statement, so far as it can
+be deciphered:--
+
+    "_Imprimis_ that thes be diligent and careful to see and provide that
+    the people be ... and behave the'selves honestlie ... feare of God
+    according to the Holie word of God and the Good and wholesome laws of
+    this land. _Secondlie_ to see that the Churchwardens be careful and
+    diligent in executinge their office, ioyne with thes in suppressing of
+    sinne and such as behave the'selves inordinatlie to reprove and
+    rebuke those who be found offenders, and if they will not amend to
+    p{e}sent the' to be punished. _Thirdlie_ to se that the Church and
+    Churchy{d} be decentlie repaired and mainteyned. Also we as agreed
+    y{t} everie p'sonnis beinge found faultie by the Churchwardens and
+    p'sented to the sworn me' shall paie xij{d.} to the poor ma's box. And
+    that whosoever doth not come p'sent the'selves lawfull warning being
+    given either of the xij or Churchwardens to the place appointed shall
+    lose xij to the poore ma's box without a sufficient cause to the
+    contrarie whereof thes are to certifie the rest assembled at ...
+    appointed to their meetinge. Lastly that the Churchwardes ... and take
+    the sam forfat ... p'sent the offenders."
+
+Another kind of Parish Council existed at Helton, near Lowther, about a
+century ago. A chronicler of seventy years since gives this account of
+it:--"At Helton, at the end of the Tythe Barn, was formerly a stone seat,
+where the inhabitants met for the purpose of transacting their parochial
+affairs. He who came first waited till he was joined by the rest; and it
+was considered a mark of great rudeness for anyone to absent himself from
+the meeting. After conferring on such matters as related to the parish
+they separated, and each returned home."
+
+There was a very noteworthy Council at Watermillock, called the Head
+Jurie, and Mr. W. Hodgson, a former schoolmaster in the parish, did good
+service some years ago by transcribing the records of that body, from 1610
+to more than a century later. They performed all the duties--and more--now
+delegated to Parish Councils; indeed they seem to have had control of
+everything pertaining to the government of the parish. Among the contents
+of the book on "Paines and Penalties laid by the Head Jurie" is this entry
+concerning a Court held in 1629:--
+
+    "We find for a good amongst ourselves that all the inhabitants within
+    the hamlet of Weathermelock shall amend all the church ways and all
+    other ways yearly, and every year, upon the first work day in
+    Christmas, if the day be seasonable, at ye sight of ye Constables and
+    Churchwardens for the time being upon paine of sixpence of everyone
+    that maketh default. And alsoe all as aforesaid shall meet and mend
+    the peat way always upon Whitsun Wednesday, and everyone to meet where
+    his way lyeth, and everyone to send a sufficient man to the sight of
+    the Constable for the time being upon paine of sixpence of everyone
+    that maketh default. And that the Constable be there upon paine of
+    sixpence to see who make default."
+
+In the old manorial halls fools or jesters were frequently to be found
+among the members of the households. The late Dr. Taylor suggested that
+when Yanwath Hall was a very important link in the chain of Border
+defences, such a servant was kept; and Mr. R. S. Ferguson once reminded
+the members of the Archaeological Society that, in 1601, both the Mayor of
+Carlisle and Sir Wilfred Lawson kept fools, as probably did also the
+Bishop of Carlisle. The Mayor's fool got a coat for Christmas, while Sir
+Wilfred's appears in the accounts of the Corporation as being "tipped" for
+bringing messages to Carlisle. A fool was also kept at Muncaster Castle.
+
+There was a custom very common in connection with the apprenticeship
+system at the beginning of the century. In a pamphlet written by John S.
+Lough, a former Penrith printer, appeared this paragraph:--"Burying the
+Old Wife is a custom still prevalent among the operatives in the north at
+the expiration of the term of apprenticeship. The late apprentice is taken
+into a room adjoining that where the party is met to celebrate the
+loosening, and after an old woman's cap is put on his head, the body is
+enveloped in a white sheet. He is then taken upon the shoulders of his
+comrades into the banqueting room, round which he is carried a few times,
+in not very solemn procession, and finally placed upon the boards whereon
+the figure of a grave is chalked. A kind of funeral service is gone
+through, and the old wife is buried."
+
+"The simple annals of the poor" in the two counties contain many pathetic
+accounts of their condition and treatment ere the public conscience was
+awakened to the necessity of a more humane method. Here, as in many other
+parts of the country, the poor were often let out to contractors. Among
+the churchwardens' accounts at Hayton for 1773 there is a copy of a
+contract between the churchwardens and Thomas Wharton, of The Faugh, "for
+letting the poor for a year" to the latter. The Rev. R. W. Dixon, vicar of
+the parish, about twenty years ago went into the history of this
+transaction. A vestry meeting was called for the purpose, and conditions
+were entered into between the churchwardens and the overseers on the one
+part, and Thomas Wharton on the other. The parish overseers were to find
+bedding and apparel for the paupers, but Wharton was to mend their clothes
+and stockings, and be allowed 5s. for the purpose. A child not a year old
+was to be counted as one person with the mother, and be fed and clothed by
+the parish; and if a pauper died in the house he was to be buried at the
+expense of the parish. Wharton was to find sufficient meat, drink,
+washing, lodging, and firing for the paupers, to the satisfaction of the
+parish officers, who had authority to visit the house as often as they
+pleased. He was to receive a yearly salary of L12 10s., and a weekly
+allowance of 1s. 2d. for each pauper, but if a pauper stayed under a week
+a deduction was to be made accordingly. On these terms Wharton was
+declared master of the workhouse.
+
+The children who used to attend the ancient Robinson's School at Penrith
+were sent out each day to beg, and that there might be no mistake as to
+their identity, each was obliged to wear what was locally called "the
+badge of poverty."
+
+It is decidedly an unfortunate thing, from the point of view of the
+antiquary, that so many of the old plague stones which used to be found in
+different places should have disappeared. Penrith had two; and one of them
+remains, but from observations occasionally heard it is to be feared that
+only a small proportion of the townspeople have an idea of the use of the
+old font-like erection. It is interesting to quote the account given by a
+Penrith land surveyor and innkeeper, who wrote more than a century ago[22]
+on this subject:--"Nearly half-way between Eamont Bridge and Penrith
+stands an house, called from its situation Half-way House, but formerly
+_Mill_ or _Meal Cross_, from the following circumstance. During the
+dreadful plague which visited this country in the year 1598, and almost
+depopulated Penrith (no less than 2,260 in the town falling victims to
+this merciless disease), the Millers and Villagers refused to bring their
+commodities into the town to market for fear of infection. The
+inhabitants, therefore, were under the necessity of meeting them here, and
+performing a kind of quarantine before they were allowed to buy anything.
+This was said to be almost at the option of the country people. This much
+is certain: No man was allowed to touch the money made use of on these
+occasions, it being put into a vessel of water, whence they had a method
+of taking it without touching it with their fingers. For this purpose they
+erected a cross which remains to this day. For greater conveniences they
+erected a cross at the town's-head, and erected shambles, etc.; the place
+still retains the name of the Cross-green: they built a third cross near
+the Carlisle road a little above the second, where black cattle, sheep,
+hoggs, and goats were sold; and it retains yet the name of the Nolt-Fair
+[Nolt: Oxen, cows, etc.], and continues to be the market for cattle."
+
+
+[Illustration: PLAGUE STONE, PENRITH.]
+
+
+The road was widened and improved in 1834, when the water trough was
+found, and afterwards placed where it now stands. There was a somewhat
+similar structure in the park at Eden Hall, and is said to mark the site
+of the former village. The base is still retained, but some decades ago
+there was put a memorial cross upon it. Going over the border of
+Westmorland a short distance are other reminders of these old-time
+epidemics. In the parish registers of Hawkshead it is stated that in 1721
+the sum of 1s. 6d. was paid to the apparitor for a book concerning the
+plague. Here is material for several queries. Was there an outbreak of
+some disease which obtained that name so late as 1720, or was the volume
+meant for a record of what had gone before? Again, if the book was ever
+written, what became of it? The records of the le Flemings, the Earls of
+Lonsdale, the Earls of Westmorland, and others published by the Historical
+Manuscripts Commission abound in references to the plague.
+
+A stone in the remote hamlet of Armboth, above what is now the great
+reservoir of the Manchester Corporation, marks the place where the local
+commerce was carried on when personal intercourse was dangerous on account
+of the plague. The custom existed after the epidemic had passed away, the
+people from the fells and dales continuing to take their webs and yarn to
+what is still known as "the Webstone."
+
+The registers of Dalston are particularly valuable for purposes of local
+history, partly owing to the fact that Rose Castle, the residence of the
+Bishops of Carlisle, is in that parish. There are also many other ways in
+which they are interesting. One of the earliest houses mentioned in the
+books is Bell Gate or Bellyeat. Miss Kupar, who closely studied the
+records of this and some other parishes, wrote a few years ago with regard
+to this house: "The people will have it that a bell hung here to announce
+the arrival of the pack-horses _en route_ for Keswick, and some maintain
+that it served to warn the neighbourhood of the approach of the
+moss-troopers."
+
+Although the old custom of ringing the curfew is gradually dying out, in
+several places in Cumberland and Westmorland the practice is kept up
+still. In the hall at Appleby Castle there is an interesting reminder of
+the custom. This is the curfew-bell which was found in the tower at the
+Castle, and it finds an honoured place now among the family possessions.
+When swung to and fro the bell is found to have a very sweet tone, but
+while it was vigorously rung in the evenings long ago the burgesses would
+not have any difficulty in hearing its loud and peculiar warning note. The
+inscription is not very easy to decipher, but it appears to run thus:--
+
+  "Soli Deo Gloria. Pax Homibus, S.S. Fecit, 1661. W.S."
+
+Nothing is known at the Castle as to the maker, though it is possible that
+experts in bell-lore might be able to trace its record from the
+inscription.
+
+
+
+
+Old School Customs.
+
+
+The chequered histories of the old schools at Appleby, Kirkby Stephen,
+Kendal, Crosthwaite, Carlisle, Penrith, and several other towns in the two
+counties, would suffice to make a large book of an interesting character.
+Some of the rules which governed the institutions in bygone days were
+decidedly quaint. The nineteen long paragraphs which make up the
+"Constitutions, Ordinances, and Statutes for the Free Grammar School at
+Kirkby Stephen," as drawn up in 1568 by Lord Wharton, included this
+curious stipulation:--
+
+    "I will that the said Schoolmaster shall have and receive yearly L12
+    as his Hire and Wages, at two Terms of the year, if he teach in manner
+    and form following, viz., At the Feast of Pentecost and St. Martin, by
+    equal portions, by the hands of my Son, Heir, and Heirs, and the
+    Governours. And the said Schoolmaster shall, within ten dayes after he
+    hath taken upon him and be installed in the said Office, before the
+    said Governours, or two of them, and before my Son and Heir, or Heirs
+    of my House of Wharton, for the time being, and in presence of the
+    Churchwardens and Twelve men of Kirkby-Stephen Parish, or six of them,
+    in the Parish Church there, make this Oath following: 'I do swear by
+    the holy Contents of this Book that I will freely, without exacting
+    any money, diligently teach and instruct the Children of this parish,
+    and all others that resort to me, in Grammar and other Humane
+    Doctrine, according to the Statutes thereof made; And shall read to
+    them no corrupt or reprobate Book, or Works set forth at any time
+    contrary to the Determination of the Universal Catholic Church,
+    whereby they might be infected in their youth with any kind of Heresy
+    or corrupt Doctrine, or else be induced to an insolent manner of
+    Liveing; And further shall observe all the Statutes and Ordinances of
+    this School, now made or that hereafter shall be made, which concern
+    me; and shall do nothing in prejudice thereof, but help to maintain
+    the same, from time to time, dureing my abode herein, to the best of
+    my power. So Help me God, and the Contents of this book.'"
+
+At six o'clock in the morning, and at the same hour in the evening, master
+and scholars had to march from school to church, for prayers, afterwards
+going to the tomb which Lord Wharton had erected in the quire and sing one
+of fifteen psalms. This was the order for working hours:--"And the same
+Scholemr., every Work-day at the least, shall begin to teach from Six a
+Clock in ye morning in Summer, and from Seven a Clock in Winter; and so
+shall continue in teaching until Eleven a Clock. The self same thing shall
+he diligently do after Dinner, from One of the Clock till Six in Summer
+and five in Winter."
+
+The history of Appleby School extends over nearly four and a quarter
+centuries. In 1478 Thomas Whinfell, one of the chantry priests, was bound
+"to keep yearly a sufficient Grammar School, taking of the scholars of the
+said school _scolagia et custumaria secundum antiquam consuetudinem scoloe
+praedictae_." Old school-boys living within the present decade remember that
+the _scolagia et custumaria_ included a cockpenny, which had to be paid by
+each boy on Easter Tuesday, for the purpose of enabling the master to
+provide the pupils with a cock-fight. One of the regulations for Kendal
+School was that it should be "free to all boys resident in the parish of
+Kendal, for classics alone, excepting a voluntary payment of a cockpenny
+as aforetime at Shrovetide." The "Literary Rambler," who contributed a
+series of papers to the _Kendal Chronicle_ in 1812 (when the custom was
+commonly observed), remarked:--"A stranger to the customs of the country
+will suspect something whimsical in this name, but it has its foundation
+in reason; for the boys of every school were divided into parties every
+Shrovetide, headed by their respective captains, whom the master chose
+from amongst his pupils. This was probably done in imitation of the
+Romans, who appointed the _principes pivenum_ on certain occasions. These
+juvenile competitors contended in a match at football, and fought a
+cock-battle, called the captains' battle, in both which contests the
+youthful rivals were not more interested than their parents." Though the
+barbarous sport had disappeared, the payment of a cockpenny survived
+certainly until the middle of this century. This is shown by Mr. W. Sayer,
+who, in his History (1847), says that the endowments of Bowness
+(Westmorland) School, "together with a cockpenny given by each scholar on
+Shrove Tuesday," amounted to about L60 per annum.
+
+George Smith, a relative of Dr. Smith who became Bishop of London, built
+and endowed the school at Asby, and left L10, the interest of which (about
+12s.) was to be disposed of on St. George's Day yearly for ever in the
+following manner: 6s. to the poor of the parish; 5s. to be spent in ale by
+the feofees of the school; and the remaining shilling to purchase a
+football for the scholars. A custom which seems to have been peculiar to
+Appleby was for each pupil leaving to pay half-a-guinea towards the
+library, and Mr. R. E. Leach, the headmaster, some years ago compiled a
+most interesting list of these donations. It was also an occasional
+occurrence that "old boys" gave money when they were married.
+
+It was by the ancient Parochial Council of Sixteen that the first attempt
+to supply elementary education in Torpenhow was made, it being recorded
+that on May 12th, 1686, a resolution was passed in favour of founding a
+free school for the Bothel district. The "sixteen" from time to time drew
+up various rules for the conduct of the school, one of which would greatly
+astonish the present generation of certificated masters, because, in 1689,
+the master of the institution at Bothel (locally pronounced "Bohl") was
+ordered to "keep school from 6 in the morning till 11, and from 1 till 6
+from Lady Day till Michaelmas," practically the same rule as was enforced
+by Lord Wharton at Kirkby Stephen.
+
+An instance of the uncertain position occupied by the village schoolmaster
+in former days may be found among the records of Holme Cultram. In 1607
+there being some controversy concerning the payment of the parish clerk or
+sexton, which previously had been paid in no regular manner, and the clerk
+claiming to be paid in meal, though no certain measure of it had been
+ascertained, it was agreed and ordered by the sixteen men, with the
+consent of the other parishioners, that for the future there should be one
+person who should be both parish clerk and schoolmaster, and that he
+should have for his wages for every copyhold tenement and lease within the
+parish paying above 18d. rent, fourpence, and for every cottager and
+under-tenant twopence, to be collected yearly at Easter by the clerk, who
+was to be chosen by the sixteen men and approved by the ordinary. In
+addition, the schoolmaster was to have a quarterly sum for each scholar as
+the sixteen men from time to time directed. That scheme was recorded in
+1777 as being still in operation.
+
+In another place it has been shown how the sworn men had often a great
+share in the selection of the churchwardens and other officials. Their
+duties also extended to the procuring of money for educational purposes.
+It was ordered by Commissioners in the thirteenth year of Elizabeth,
+concerning the endowed school at Keswick, "that whereas two pence for
+every fire-house hath been paid to the parish clerk yearly, and also
+certain ordinary fees for night-watch, burials, weddings, and, moreover,
+certain benevolences of lamb wool, eggs, and such like, which seem to grow
+up to a greater sum than is competent for a parish clerk; the eight men
+shall herafter take up the said two pence a house for the use of a
+schoolmaster, paying thereout to the parish clerk yearly 46s. 8d." In the
+time of King James it was found on inquiry by a Commission of Pious Uses,
+"that the eighteen sworn men had from time immemorial laid a tax for the
+maintenance of the schoolmaster, and other occasions of the parish, and
+appointed the schoolmaster, and made orders for the government of the
+school, and that the inhabitants had by a voluntary contribution raised a
+school stock of L148 2s. 3-1/2d., nevertheless that Dr. Henry Robinson,
+Bishop of Carlisle, Henry Woodward, his Chancellor, and Giles Robinson,
+brother of the said Bishop, and Vicar of Crosthwaite, had intermeddled,
+and that the said Bishop, sometimes by authority of the High Commission
+for Ecclesiastical Causes, sometimes as a justice of the peace for the
+county, and sometimes by his power as ordinary, had interrupted the orders
+of the eighteen men, and had committed thirteen of them to prison.
+Therefore the commissioners restore the eighteen men to their authority
+concerning the appointing of a schoolmaster, and the government of the
+school."
+
+Among the curious bequests known to have been made at various times by
+residents in the two counties, not the least noteworthy was that of the
+Vicar of Raughton Head, Mr. Sevithwaite, who, at his death in 1762, left
+L20 to the school; and another L20, the interest whereof, after the death
+of his widow, was to be laid out yearly in purchasing Bishop Beveridge's
+"Thoughts upon Religion," and the Bishop of Man's "Essay for the
+Instruction of the Indians," to be given to the poor housekeepers of the
+parish.
+
+Among the curiosities of tenure in addition to those already mentioned in
+a previous chapter, was that of surrendering by the rod. In the summer of
+1750 "John Sowerby surrendered to the lord of the manor (of Castle
+Sowerby) by the hands of his steward _by the rod_ a messuage at Sowerby
+Row ... to the use and behoof of Joseph Robinson and his assigns according
+to the custom of the manor; conditioned to pay yearly to three trustees L5
+for the use of a schoolmaster within the liberty of Row Bound to be chosen
+by the trustees." As in most other places, the schoolmaster had to teach
+certain children for a very small sum per quarter, and the parents in
+better circumstances had to pay 2s. 6d. per quarter for each child.
+
+How faithfully some of the clerical schoolmasters performed their duties
+during long periods may be proved from numerous sources. One entry, a
+burial, will suffice--from the Mardale register of 1799:--
+
+    "Richard Hebson, in ye 75th year of his age. He was 53 years master of
+    the Free School at Measand, and 51 years the pastor of this Chapelry.
+    Singularly remarkable for his faithful, assiduous, and conscientious
+    discharge of the duties of both these stations."
+
+At the beginning of the eighteenth century there were in the diocese of
+Carlisle few schools other than those held in the all too frequently
+dilapidated parish churches. In most cases the curates were the only
+schoolmasters, and it was as an encouragement to those clerics that the
+parishioners took it in turn to provide the curate with a "whittlegate."
+Much interesting information about the old-time schools and schoolmasters
+may be found in Bishop Nicolson's Visitation Miscellany. One man, who
+afterwards became examining chaplain to Bishop Law, used to keep school at
+Sebergham in a mud hut. Of another cleric, the Rev. T. Baxter, who was
+incumbent of Arlecdon in the first half of last century, it is recorded,
+in Mr. W. Dickinson's "Reminiscences of West Cumberland," that he "taught
+the parish school in the chancel of the parish church, on an earthern
+floor, without fire either in summer or winter." Bishop Nicolson's
+descriptions speak eloquently of the poverty of some parishes:--"The quire
+at Warwick, as in many other places, is shamefully abused by the children
+that are taught in it. Their present master is Thomas Allanson, a poor
+cripple, remov'd hither from Rockliff, who has no settled salary, only
+12d. per quarter and his diet, and would be thankful for ye commendum of
+ye clerk's place; which, he saies, would bring him an addition of about
+six shillings p. an."
+
+Of Irthington he wrote:--"The quire is here (as before) miserably spoil'd,
+on the floor, by the school boyes; and so vilely out of repair in the roof
+that 'tis hazardous comeing in it."
+
+Crosby-on-Eden was a little better than the former place:--"Mr. Pearson,
+the school master, has no certain and fixed salary. He teaches the
+children in the quire; where the boys and girls sit on good Wainscot
+Benches, and write on the communion table, too good (were it not appointed
+to a higher use) for such a service." Here is a picture with regard to
+Cumwhitton, not calculated to make people really wish for the old days
+about which some grow enthusiastic:--"The south window is unglazed and
+starves the whole congregation as well as the poor children; who are here
+taught (for the present) by the parish clerk, a man of very moderate
+qualification. Mr. Robley, their new curate, is not yet resident among
+them; but will shortly come, and take the office of teaching out of this
+illiterate man's hand."
+
+In a parish not far from the Cumberland border--Allendale--the curates of
+West Allen High and St. Peter's Chapels were certainly as recently as
+1835, and probably still later, obliged to teach the miners' children for
+1s. 6d. per quarter each, in consideration of certain annual payments.
+These were five shillings from each miner of one description, and
+half-a-crown from those of another, which they, in common with the
+incumbent of Allenheads Chapel, received as ministers of the respective
+chapels.
+
+It was certified in 1717 that while at that time there was no divine
+service performed in the parish of Clifton, some three miles from
+Workington, "formerly every family in the two hamlets [of Great and Little
+Clifton], being about forty in number, paid 6d. each to one that read
+prayers, and taught the children to read, and the rector gave L2 a year,
+and officiated there every sixth Sunday, but that these payments had then
+ceased for above 40 years last past."
+
+Reference was made in a previous paragraph to the custom of whittlegate as
+applying to schoolmasters. From the former chapter on church curiosities
+it will have been noted that the clergy occasionally had recourse to that
+method of supplementing their scanty incomes. As it often happened that
+the schoolmaster and parson were one and the same individual, difficulties
+were thereby removed. At any rate the following extract from Clarke's
+"Survey" of over a century ago has an interesting bearing on the subject.
+Writing of Ambleside, of which the Rev. Isaac Knipe, M.A., was curate and
+schoolmaster, he remarks:--
+
+    "The chapel is a low, mean building, and stands in the parish of
+    Grassmere. The inhabitants (who are land owners), as well as those in
+    the parish of Winandermere, as those in the parish of Grassmere, have
+    the right of nominating and presenting the curate. The rector of
+    Grassmere usually nominated the curate, but the inhabitants of this
+    and many other perpetual curacies in the north have, by custom, gotten
+    it from the rectors of vicars; the reason is this: before the death
+    of Queen Anne, many of the chapelries were not worth above three
+    pounds a year, and the donees could not get persons properly qualified
+    to serve them, so they left them to the inhabitants, who raised
+    voluntary contributions for them in addition to their salary, with
+    clothes yearly and whittlegate. Whittlegate is to have two or three
+    weeks' victuals at each house, according to the ability of the
+    inhabitants, which was settled amongst them so as that he should go
+    his course as regular as the sun, and compleat it as annually."
+
+The custom prevailed so late as 1858 in some country parishes; it is not a
+little curious that it has not been found to exist in any counties except
+Cumberland and Westmorland, though the Rev. J. Wharton, Stainmore, has
+informed the writer that it is recognised still in some parts of the
+United States.
+
+The custom of barring out is probably unknown to the present generation of
+Cumbrian and Westmerian school-boys--at any rate in the sense in which it
+used to be observed. There exist numerous stories of the thoroughness with
+which the boys formerly maintained their supposed rights in this
+direction. The Rev. E. H. Sugden's sketch of the history of Arlecdon and
+Frizington shows how the observance was followed there every
+Christmas:--"The old men of the parish tell with delight their experiences
+and adventures in carrying out this old custom. One says he remembers the
+master entering the school by creeping down the chimney. Another tells of
+a boy hiding himself in the chimney when the master had forced the door
+open. It appears that during this period of expulsion the doors of the
+school were strongly barricaded within, and the boys who defended it like
+a besieged city were armed in general with elder pop-guns. In the meantime
+the master would make several efforts, both by force and stratagem, to
+regain his lost authority. If he succeeded, heavy tasks were imposed, and
+the business of the school went on as usual; but it more commonly happened
+that he was repulsed and defeated. The siege was continued three days,
+after which the terms of capitulation were proposed by the master, who
+usually pushed them under the door, and as a rule the boys accepted. These
+terms stipulated what hours and times should for the ensuing year be
+allotted to study, and what to relaxation and play. Securities were given
+by each side for the due performance of these stipulations, and the paper
+was then solemnly signed by both master and pupils.
+
+"Mr. Sibson, of Whitehaven, formerly of this parish, relates the two
+following incidents in connection with this custom. On one occasion, Mr.
+C. Mossop endeavoured to enter the school. As soon as he put his hand on
+the window sill, intending to enter that way, a boy hit his hand with a
+red-hot poker, so that for many days he went about with it in a sling. On
+another occasion, Mr. Hughes, the master, took some slates off the roof,
+and succeeded in getting his legs and part of his body past the rafters,
+but he could get no further, and the boys with red-hot pokers burnt him
+severely before he could be rescued by his friends. In those days many
+young men attended the school during the winter time."
+
+At Appleby, the "barring out" sometimes lasted for days, and the scholars
+slept in the schoolrooms. In most places the mutiny was apt to break out
+early on the morning of the day fixed for breaking up for the holidays.
+They defied the master by means of sundry cries, that at Kendal being:--
+
+  "Liberty, liberty, under a pin,
+  Six weeks' holiday or _nivver_ come in."
+
+Apparently the custom was killed in the old grey town at the beginning of
+this century by the then master, Mr. Towers meeting with a distressing
+mishap. He was contending with them, apparently for admittance, when his
+eye was accidentally destroyed, and the disaster served to bring about the
+abolition of the old custom.
+
+Fine warm days of that Indian summer so often experienced in the two
+counties in September and October were devoted to "going a nutting," and
+the headmaster of Appleby Grammar School never refused a holiday at that
+season, provided that each scholar brought him a quart of "leamers"--nuts
+sufficiently ripe to leave the husks without compulsory treatment. As
+Christmas approached, the schoolmaster was "barred out" in orthodox
+fashion, until he agreed (and he only pretended to be loth to make the
+contract) to extend the coming holidays as long as his pupils demanded.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+Index.
+
+
+  Acorn Bank, Privileges of tenants of, 67
+
+  Ale possets, 202
+
+  Allendale, Old school-days at, 250
+
+  Alms corn, Payments of, 88
+
+  Altar, Horn of the, at Carlisle, 74
+
+  Ambleside--curious church tradition, 49
+
+  Appleby, Privileges of burgesses of, 69;
+    Barring out custom at, 254-255;
+    Curious assize incident at, 7;
+    Bull-baiting at, 195;
+    Excommunication at, 102;
+    Grammar School, 242;
+    Public whipping at, 126-128;
+    Stocks at, 125
+
+  Appleby Castle, Old corn measures at, 159-160;
+    Curfew bell at, 238
+
+  Applethwaite (Windermere), Curious regulations at, 89
+
+  Apprentices and salmon, 178
+
+  Apprenticeship custom, An, 233
+
+  Archdeacon's Court, 59-60
+
+  Archery, 196-199
+
+  Arlecdon, Rector of, chasing a parishioner, 42;
+    Church font used as water-trough, 50;
+    Church, Dogs in, 63;
+    Tradition concerning buried church, 133;
+    An old school at, 249;
+    Barring out custom at, 252
+
+  Armathwaite, Gibbeting of Whitfield at, 94
+
+  Armboth Hall, Skulls at, 147
+
+    "   Web-stone at, 237
+
+  Armour in churches, 13, 34
+
+  Assessors of bread and ale, 89
+
+  Assize incident, A curious, 7
+
+  Atkinson, Execution of Captain, 97
+
+
+  Bampton, Arrangement of families in church, 53;
+    Punishment of Quakers, 107-109
+
+  Barguest, The, 141
+
+  Barring out custom at school, 252-255
+
+  Barton, Probable fortified church at, 34;
+    Curious manorial custom at, 80
+
+  Beacons, 10-13
+
+  Beating the bounds, 227
+
+  Bees, Telling the, 138
+
+  Beetham Church, Penance at, 111
+
+  Bell-gate at Dalston, 238
+
+  Bell-horses, 217, 238
+
+  Bell legends, 132
+
+  Bell, Mayor of Wreay's old silver, 201
+
+  Bells, Carlisle racing, 191
+
+  Bishop of Carlisle and cock-fighting, 195
+
+  Bishops excommunicated, 100
+
+  Bishops, Fighting, 22-28
+
+  Blackmail rent, 75
+
+  Bode, bodesmen, bodeword, bode-hill, 14
+
+  Boggles, 139
+
+  Bongate--A reminder of serfdom, 66
+
+  Boon services, 76-79
+
+  Bootle, Beacon at, 15
+
+  Border service, 9-16, 68-70, 229
+
+  Bridekirk, Excommunication at, 101
+
+  Brigham, Fortified church at, 33
+
+  Brough, Probable fortified church at, 34;
+    Church font in private grounds, 50;
+    Holly Night at, 205
+
+  Brougham, Curious horn at, 73;
+    Countess's Pillar at, 223
+
+  Bull and boar, Obligation to keep, 87
+
+  Bull-baiting, 195
+
+  Burgh Barony Cup, Races for, 190
+
+  Burgh-by-Sands, Fortified church at, 30
+
+  Burrell Green, Luck of, 151
+
+  Burton, Curious dispute at, 40
+
+  "Burying the old wife" custom, 233
+
+
+  Calgarth skulls, 146
+
+  Caldbeck, Manorial customs at, 83
+
+  Carleton--A reminder of serfdom, 65
+
+  Carlisle, Watch and ward at, 19;
+    Cathedral, Rioting in, 37;
+    Cathedral used as a prison, 37;
+    Charter Horn at, 74;
+    Pillory and stocks at, 124;
+    Racing Bells, 191
+
+  Cartmell Church, Troops quartered in, 37
+
+  Carriage money service, 89
+
+  Castleward, Service of, 71
+
+  Charms, 136
+
+  Charter Horn at Carlisle, 74
+
+  Chimney and hearth tax, 182-186
+
+  Church curiosities, 38-63;
+    Stock, 51, 52;
+    Holding manorial courts in, 58;
+    Dog-whippers in, 60-63;
+    Legends, 131-133, 139;
+    Fined for not going to, 226
+
+  Churchwardens' duties, 51, 52, 107, 108, 226;
+    Selection of, 245
+
+  Churchyards, Keeping swine out of, 60;
+    Announcing sales in, 158
+
+  Churches, Fortified, 28-37;
+    Armour in, 13, 34;
+    Division of sexes in, 53;
+    Seating arrangements in, 51;
+    Swallowed by the earth, 131-132
+
+  Churning, Superstitions about, 137
+
+  Christmas festivals, 202
+
+  Clergy, Old-time, 40-46
+
+  Clergymen as publicans, 41;
+    as schoolmasters, 248-252
+
+  Cliburn, A probable fortified church at, 34
+
+  Clifton, Old school-days at, 251
+
+  Clogs, 171
+
+  Cloth searchers, 164
+
+  "Clothe Dightinge," 163
+
+  Coaching days, The old, 213-216
+
+  Coals carried on horse-back, 217
+
+  Cockermouth tolls dispute, 83;
+    Old manorial officers at, 90
+
+  Cock-fighting, 192-195, 201, 242
+
+  Cockpenny, 242, 243
+
+  Corby Castle, Radiant Boy of, 146
+
+  Cordwainers, Rules for, 164
+
+  Cornage, Service of, 15, 69, 70, 73
+
+  Coronation festivities, 205
+
+  Corryhole at Great Salkeld Church, 32
+
+  Councils, Old Parish, 230-232
+
+  Countess's Pillar at Brougham, 223
+
+  County guinea incident near Penrith, 20
+
+  Courts in church, Holding, 58
+
+  Courts, Old, 58, 90, 181
+
+  Crack Nut Sunday, 225
+
+  Croglin, Manorial customs at, 82
+
+  Crosby Garrett, A probable fortified church at, 33
+
+  Crosby-on-Eden, Old school-days at, 249
+
+  Crosby Ravensworth Church, Keeping dogs out of, 61
+
+  Cross Fell, Legend of, 132
+
+  Crosthwaite, Rivalry between Cockermouth and, 157
+
+  "Culyet," 52
+
+  Cumin tenure, 85
+
+  Cumwhitton, Manorial customs at, 82
+
+  Curfew Bell, Ringing the, 238
+
+  Customs, Old, 223-239;
+    Old School, 240-255
+
+
+  Dacre Church, Curious custom at, 55
+
+  Dalston Church, Whipping dogs from, 61-62;
+    Holy well at, 207
+
+  "Dalston Black-reeds," 194
+
+  Dearham Church tower used as a beacon, 32
+
+  Death stroke superstition, 137
+
+  Dissenters, Punishment of, 107-109
+
+  Dog-laws at Egremont, Old, 87
+
+  Dog-whippers in church, 60-63
+
+  Downies and Uppies at Workington, 200
+
+  Drengage tenements, 66
+
+  Drenges, 66
+
+  Dress, Old-time, 171-173
+
+  Drigg, Manorial customs at, 82
+
+  Drunkards, Punishment of, 119-121
+
+
+  Edenhall, Church tower used as a beacon, 13;
+    Manorial customs at, 81;
+    A possible plague stone at, 237
+
+  Eden Hall, Luck of, 148
+
+  Egremont, Manorial customs at, 77, 87, 90
+
+  Epidemics, Old-time, 235-238
+
+  Excommunication and penance, 98-119
+
+  Executions, Wholesale, for political offences, 97
+
+  Expeditious wagons, 216
+
+
+  Fairies, 137
+
+  Fairs, Old laws concerning, 155;
+    Churchyard, 155-158
+
+  Farleton Knott beacon, 13
+
+  Festivities and sports, Old, 188-208
+
+  Fighting Bishops and Fortified Churches, 22-37
+
+  Firebote, 75
+
+  Fire, Old methods for quenching, 186
+
+  "First-foot" superstition, 147
+
+  Flimby, Old tenure at, 71
+
+  Fonts in private grounds, 50-51
+
+  Food-stuffs, Old-time, 174-178
+
+  Fools, Old-time, 232
+
+  Football, 199-200, 243
+
+  Forest Court at Hesket, 69, 73
+
+  Forestalling and regrating, Laws against, 165-167, 169
+
+  Fortified churches, 28-37
+
+  Foster-oats, An old manorial rent, 78
+
+  Free-bench, 81
+
+  Furth-neets at Orton and Ravenstonedale, 228-229
+
+
+  Gallows Hills, 94, 98
+
+  Gambling, Punishment for, 115
+
+  Gaol-life, Old-time, 122
+
+  Ghosts, 142-143
+
+  Giant's Cave Sunday, 207
+
+  Giant's Thumb at Penrith, 124
+
+  Gibbeting of criminals, 94-97
+
+  Gilcrux, Old tenure at, 70
+
+  Glassonby, Manorial customs at, 80
+
+  Glove service, 72
+
+  God's penny custom, 83
+
+  "Gospel side" of a church, 54
+
+  Gowrie Plot celebration, 203
+
+  Great Salkeld, Fortified church at, 31
+
+  Greenhue rent, 77
+
+  Greystoke, Anchorites at, 46;
+    Sanctuary stone at, 115;
+    "Pelican in her piety" at, 58;
+    Church miserere used as church sign at, 58;
+    Manorial customs at, 78, 80;
+    Penance at, 113;
+    Excommunication at, 101;
+    Foot stocks at, 124;
+    Gowrie Plot celebration at, 203;
+    Gunpowder Plot celebration at, 203
+
+  Guilds and old trade societies, 162-4
+
+  Gunpowder Plot celebration, 203
+
+
+  Hack-pudding, 227
+
+  Halts, 218
+
+  "Hanging days," The, 123
+
+  Hanging, drawing, and quartering, 91, 97, 98
+
+  Harcla, The execution of Sir Andrew de, 91
+
+  Hawk service, The, 69, 70
+
+  Hawkshead, Dog-whippers at, 63
+
+  Hayton paupers hired to contractors, 234
+
+  Hedge-lookers, 89
+
+  Helton, Old Council at, 231
+
+  Heriots, 79, 85, 100
+
+  Hesket Thorn Court, 70, 73
+
+  Holme Cultram, Abbey of, also a fortress, 29;
+    Petition of inhabitants to Cromwell, 29;
+    Curious dispute at, 39;
+    Old-time school life at, 244
+
+  Holy bell at Ravenstonedale, 114
+
+  Holy wells, 206-208
+
+  Holly Night at Brough, 205
+
+  Homage, Service of, 15, 65
+
+  Horn tenures, 73
+
+  Hospitals, Old-time, 211, 212
+
+  House-boot, 76, 82
+
+  House in two parishes, 228
+
+
+  Inglewood Forest, 70, 73, 74, 197, 212
+
+  Ireby, Manorial customs at, 77
+
+  Irthington, Old school-days at, 249
+
+
+  Jesters, Old-time, 232
+
+  Journeys, Some noteworthy old-time, 209-221
+
+  Judges, Perils of the King's, 212
+
+
+  Kaber Rigg Rising, The, 98
+
+  Kattstick and Bullvett, 199
+
+  Kendal, Scolds' bridle at, 115;
+    Punishments at, 115-121;
+    Watch and ward at, 17-19;
+    Parson of moiety of church of, 38;
+    Church incident at, 35-37;
+    Bowmen, 198;
+    Barring out custom at, 254
+
+  Kentmere, Reminders of Border service at, 229
+
+  Keswick, Bull-baiting at, 195;
+    endowed school, 245
+
+  Kirkby Lonsdale, Church inscription at, 47;
+    Bridge legend, 133;
+    Sale of church font, 51
+
+  Kirkby Stephen, Curious tithe custom at, 56;
+    A probable fortified church at, 34;
+    Burial of Sir Andrew de Harcla at, 94;
+    Fair, Proclamation at, 160;
+    School ordinances, 240
+
+  Kirkby Thore, Penance at, 112
+
+  Kirkland, Unusual tenure at, 85
+
+  Kirkoswald, Curious church tower at, 47;
+    Bull-baiting at, 195;
+    Old manorial measures at, 160
+
+  Knitters, Famous, 228
+
+  Knur and spell, 199
+
+
+  Lancaster, Execution and gibbeting of Thomas, 95
+
+  Lanercost Abbey, Tragic origin of, 111
+
+  Langdale, Curate of, as alehouse keeper, 41
+
+  Langwathby Church, Armour in, 13, 34
+
+  Lawyers, Restrictions upon, 167
+
+  Leather searchers, 89
+
+  Legend of St. Bega, 131;
+    Kirksanton, 131;
+    Fisherty Brow, 132;
+    Arlecdon, 133;
+    Kirkby Lonsdale Bridge, 133;
+    Concerning wolves, 135;
+    Warthol Hall, 135;
+    Calgarth skulls, 146;
+    Armboth Hall, 147;
+    Machell family, 142;
+    Radiant Boy of Corby, 146
+
+  Legends and Superstitions, Some, 131-147
+
+  Leper windows, 45-46;
+    Hospitals, 46
+
+  Lepers in Cumberland and Westmorland, 45-46
+
+  Levens, Luck of, 153
+
+  Levens Radish Feast, 208
+
+  Life in the old gaols, 122
+
+  Little Salkeld, Desecration of church at, 58
+
+  Long Marton, An infant rector of, 39
+
+  Lucks, 148-154
+
+
+  Manorial laws, 64-90
+
+  Market bells, 167
+
+  Markets and fairs customs, 155-168
+
+  Maskers, 202
+
+  Meat selling at church doors, 156;
+    On Sundays, 165;
+    Bequest, A, 177
+
+  Milling laws, Old, 76, 82, 83
+
+  Mill lookers, 89
+
+  Millom, Manorial jurisdiction at, 64;
+    Penance at, 112
+
+  Minstrel galleries, Old, 181
+
+  Miracle workers, Supposed, 138
+
+  Mock Mayors, 200
+
+  Moor lookers, 89
+
+  Moota, Beacon at, 14
+
+  Morland, Manorial custom at, 75, 82
+
+  Mortuary rights of the Church, 100
+
+  Multuring, 83, 84
+
+  Muncaster, Luck of, 149
+
+  Musgrave Church font in private grounds, 50
+
+
+  Needfire superstition, 143-146
+
+  Newbiggin (Dacre), Curious custom at, 79
+
+  Newton Arlosh, Fortified church at, 30
+
+  Night watch, 245
+
+  Nunnery, Privileges of prioress and nuns of, 67
+
+  Nutgeld service, 71
+
+  Nut Monday, 225
+
+  Nutting days, School, 255
+
+
+  Old-time Home Life, 169-187
+
+  Old-time school life, 240-255
+
+  "Orders of the Watch," 11
+
+  Ormside, A probable fortified church at, 33
+
+  Orton, Probable fortified church at, 33;
+    Sworn men at, 230;
+    Stocks, 125
+
+
+  Pack-horses, 209, 210, 217, 219, 220, 221, 238
+
+  Parsonby, Manorial customs at, 77
+
+  Paupers hired to contractors, 234
+
+  Peat silver, 78
+
+  Peculiar contrivances, 171
+
+  Penance, Excommunication and, 98-119
+
+  Penrith Beacon, 12, 13
+
+  Penrith Church font in private grounds, 50;
+    Plague-stones at, 235-237;
+    Excommunication at, 103;
+    Stocks and pillory at, 124;
+    Races, 192-194;
+    Badge of poverty at, 235
+
+  Penrith Fell, Ludicrous incident on, 27;
+    Burial of excommunicates on, 104
+
+  Penthouses at Orton, 229
+
+  Peppercorn rents, 87
+
+  Pie Poudre Court at Kirkby Stephen, 161
+
+  Pillar, Countess's, 223
+
+  Pillions, Riding on, 217, 220
+
+  Pillory and stocks, 124, 125
+
+  Plague-stones, Old, 235-238
+
+  Plumpton, Manorial custom at, 82
+
+  Plowbote, 75
+
+  Poor people let out to contractors, 234
+
+  Porridge, A tribute to the value of, 169
+
+  Posset cups, 202
+
+  Pot fairs, 156
+
+  Poverty, The badge of, 235
+
+  Proclamations at fairs, 160-162
+
+  Punishments, Old-time, 91-129
+
+
+  Quakers, Punishment of, 107-109
+
+
+  Racing, Curiosities in horse, 190-193
+
+  Radiant Boy of Corby Castle, 146
+
+  Radish Feast at Levens, 208
+
+  Rapier dancers, 202
+
+  Ravenglass, Proclamation of fair at, 161
+
+  Ravenstonedale, Holding a Court in church at, 58;
+    Sanctuary bell at, 114;
+    Penance at, 110;
+    Stocks at, 125
+
+  Rebel's Cap at Kendal, 35
+
+  Rector, An infant, 39
+
+  Refuge bell at Ravenstonedale, 114
+
+  Renwick tithe exemption, Curious, 88
+
+  Riding the stang at Ambleside, 128
+
+  Road, On the, 209-222
+
+  "Robin the Devil's" escapade, 35-37
+
+  Rod, Surrendering by the, 247
+
+  Rose tenure, 70, 72
+
+  Rowan tree superstition, 137
+
+  Running Gressom, 85
+
+  Rush-bearing custom, 224
+
+  Rushes and bents for churches, 59-61
+
+  Rushes, Curious belief about, 170
+
+  Rushlights, Old-time, 170
+
+
+  Sacrilege, Punishment at Appleby for, 113
+
+  Sales in churchyards, Announcing, 158
+
+  Salmon, Abundance and cheapness of, 177;
+    as apprentices' food, 178
+
+  Sanctuary at Ravenstonedale, 114;
+    Nunnery, 115;
+    Greystoke, 115
+
+  Scale Houses, Peculiar tithe exemption at, 88
+
+  Scholars' badge of poverty at Penrith, 235
+
+  School customs, Old, 240-255
+
+  Schools in churches, 248-251
+
+  Schoolmasters, Old-time, 240-255
+
+  Scolds' bridles, 115
+
+  Seawake, Service of, 15, 71
+
+  Sebergham, A protest in rhyme at, 48;
+    School in a mud hut at, 248
+
+  Sexton, A female, 45
+
+  Shearing days, 203
+
+  Sheriffesses of Westmorland, 2-4
+
+  Sheriffs' law suits with Appleby burgesses, 6
+
+  Sheriffwick, An Unparalleled, 1-8
+
+  Shrovetide festival at Wreay, 201
+
+  Silver-penny fines, 79
+
+  Skirsgill well custom, An old, 206
+
+  Skirwith, Manorial customs at, 76
+
+  Snow on Midsummer's Day, Legend of, 131
+
+  Soar-hawk tenure, 69
+
+  Sparket Mill, Peculiar obligation at, 86
+
+  Sports and Festivities, Old, 188-208
+
+  Spur service, 71, 72
+
+  Stang, Riding the, at Ambleside, 128
+
+  St. Bega, Legend of, 131
+
+  Steading stone at Thirlmere, 121
+
+  Stirrup tenure, 68
+
+  Stocks, 124, 125
+
+  Stockings, Curious method of treating, 171
+
+  Sunday markets, 156-158
+
+  Sunday observance, 225-226
+
+  Superstitions and Legends, 131-147
+
+  Surrendering by the rod, 247
+
+  Swine in churchyards, 60;
+    Ringers, 89
+
+
+  Tailors, Rules for, 164
+
+  Tea, Curious methods of dealing with, 178
+
+  Telling the bees, 138
+
+  Tenures, Curiosities of, 64-90, 247
+
+  Thirlmere, Steading stone at, 121
+
+  Threlkeld, Manorial customs at, 76
+
+  Timber-lode, 75
+
+  Tithe exemption, Curious, 88
+
+  Toll-free, Rights of tenants and burgesses to go, 67
+
+  Tolls, An old dispute about, 83
+
+  "Tom Candlestick," 170
+
+  Toothache, Charm for, 136
+
+  Torpenhow, Old Council at, 230-244
+
+  Town and village watch and ward, 16-21
+
+  Trading Laws and Customs, Old 155-168
+
+  Traditions, 131-147
+
+  Troutbeck dole custom at Dacre, 55
+
+  Troutbeck (Windermere), Manorial jurisdiction at, 64
+
+  Tummel wheel'd carts, 218
+
+
+  Uppies and Downies at Workington, 200
+
+
+  Village schoolmasters, Old-time, 244-253
+
+
+  Waberthwaite Church, Dog-whippers at, 63
+
+  Warthol, Watching station at, 14
+
+    "  Hall, Legend concerning, 135
+
+  Warwick, Old school-days at, 249
+
+  Watch and Ward, 9-21
+
+  Watch, Orders of the, 11
+
+  Watermillock, Manorial custom at, 81;
+    Head Jurie, 51, 231
+
+  Webstone at Armboth, The, 238
+
+  Well festivals, 206-208
+
+  Wetheral, Manorial customs at, 78
+
+  Whipping of criminals, Public, 124-128
+
+  Whitbeck, Old customs at, 227
+
+  Whitehaven, Society of Archers, 198;
+    Watch and ward at, 19;
+    Public whipping at, 125
+
+  Whittlegate, The old custom of, 43, 44, 251
+
+  Wigton, Curious epitaph at, 157;
+    Selling meat at parish church, 156
+
+  Wine, Curiosities concerning church, 54-55
+
+  Witch, Drowning of a supposed, 91;
+    Mary Baynes, the Orton, 139;
+    Lizzy Batty, the Brampton, 141
+
+  Witness man, Service of, 15
+
+  Woful Bank, Legend concerning, 135
+
+  Women as judges, 2
+
+  Workington Easter football play, 200
+
+  Wotobank, Legend concerning, 135
+
+  Wreay, Mock mayoral festivities at, 201
+
+  Wreck of the sea privilege at Millom, 84
+
+  Wrestling, 188-190
+
+
+WILLIAM ANDREWS & CO., PRINTERS, HULL.
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[1] Paper communicated by Sir G. Duckett, July, 1879.
+
+[2] "Sir Ewain; or, the Giant's Cave." Penrith, 1860.
+
+[3] Historical Manuscripts Commissioners' Ninth Report.
+
+[4] At Kirkby Stephen, September, 1871.
+
+[5] "Annals of Kendal," 1832.
+
+[6] 8th series, vol. 9, 1896.
+
+[7] "Survey of the Lakes," 1789.
+
+[8] Sayer.
+
+[9] Sayer.
+
+[10] "Bygone Punishments," 1898.
+
+[11] "History and Traditions of Ravenstononedale," 1877.
+
+[12] "Beneath Helvellyn's Shade," 1892.
+
+[13] At Cockermouth, October 10th, 1867.
+
+[14] The Rev. E. H. Sugden's "History of Arlecdon and Frizington," 1897.
+
+[15] "Craven and North-West Yorkshire Highlands."
+
+[16] "Traditions of Lancashire."
+
+[17] _Carlisle Journal_, May, 1895.
+
+[18] "Church Treasury of History, Custom, and Folk Lore," 1897.
+
+[19] "The Manners and Customs of Westmorland, etc., in the Former Part of
+the Eighteenth Century."
+
+[20] "Romantic Richmondshire," 1897.
+
+[21] "The Parish Registers of Dalston," 1893.
+
+[22] "Survey of the Lakes," by James Clarke. Penrith, 1789.
+
+
+
+
+  LIST OF PUBLICATIONS OF
+  WILLIAM ANDREWS & CO.,
+  5, FARRINGDON AVENUE, LONDON.
+
+
+"Valuable and interesting."--_Times._
+
+"Readable as well as instructive."--_The Globe._
+
+"A valuable addition to any library."--_Derbyshire Times._
+
+"There is a charm about the chapters seldom found in works dealing with
+antiquarian lore, for they are never dry and always entertaining. The
+illustrations are a splendid feature. These county histories call for
+appreciation and deserve every success."--_Birmingham Daily Gazette._
+
+
+The Bygone Series.
+
+In this series the following volumes are included, and issued at 7s. 6d.
+each. Demy 8vo, cloth gilt.
+
+These books have been favourably reviewed in the leading critical journals
+of England and America.
+
+Carefully written articles by recognised authorities are included on
+history, castles, abbeys, biography, romantic episodes, legendary lore,
+traditional stories, curious customs, folk-lore, etc., etc.
+
+The works are illustrated by eminent artists, and by the reproduction of
+quaint pictures of the olden time.
+
+  BYGONE BERKSHIRE, edited by Rev. P. H. Ditchfield, M.A., F.S.A.
+  BYGONE CHESHIRE, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND, by Daniel Scott.
+  BYGONE DURHAM, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE GLOUCESTERSHIRE, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE HAMPSHIRE, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE HERTFORDSHIRE, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE LINCOLNSHIRE (2 vols), edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE MIDDLESEX, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE NORFOLK, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE NORTHUMBERLAND, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, by William Stevenson.
+  BYGONE SCOTLAND, by David Maxwell, C.E.
+  BYGONE SOMERSETSHIRE, edited by Cuming Walters.
+  BYGONE SOUTHWARK, by Mrs. E. Boger.
+  BYGONE STAFFORDSHIRE, edited by William Andrews.
+  BYGONE SUFFOLK, edited by Cuming Walters.
+  BYGONE SURREY, edited by George Clinch and S. W. Kershaw, F.S.A.
+  BYGONE SUSSEX, by W. E. A. Axon.
+  BYGONE YORKSHIRE, edited by William Andrews.
+
+
+England in the Days of Old.
+
+BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth extra, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations._
+
+CONTENTS:--When Wigs were Worn--Powdering the Hair--Men Wearing
+Muffs-Concerning Corporation Customs--Bribes for the Palate--Rebel Heads
+on City Gates--Burials at Cross Roads--Detaining the Dead for Debt--A
+Nobleman's Household in Tudor Times--Bread and Baking in Bygone
+Days--Arise, Mistress, Arise!--The Turnspit--A Gossip about the
+Goose--Bells as Time-Tellers--The Age of Snuffing--State
+Lotteries--Bear-Baiting--Morris Dancers-The Folk-Lore of Midsummer
+Eve--Harvest Home--Curious Charities--An Old-Time Chronicler--Index.
+
+    "A most delightful work."--_Leeds Mercury._
+
+    "Mr. Andrews has the true art of narration, and contrives to give us
+    the results of his learning with considerable freshness of style,
+    whilst his subjects are always interesting and
+    picturesque."--_Manchester Courier._
+
+    "The old customs, domestic habits, and dress of our forefathers
+    described in these chapters are too much neglected by historians, and
+    a study of them will while away a leisure hour very pleasantly."--_The
+    Times._
+
+
+Bygone Punishments.
+
+BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth gilt, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations._
+
+CONTENTS:--Hanging--Hanging in Chains--Hanging, Drawing, and
+Quartering--Pressing to Death--Drowning--Burning to Death--Boiling to
+Death--Beheading--The Halifax Gibbet--The Scottish
+Maiden--Mutilation--Branding--The Pillory--Punishing Authors and Burning
+Books--Finger Pillory--The Jougs--The Stocks--The Drunkard's
+Cloak--Whipping and Whipping-Posts--Public Penance--The Repentance
+Stool--The Ducking Stool--The Brank, or Scold's Bridle--Riding the
+Stang--Index.
+
+    "A book of great interest."--_Manchester Courier._
+
+    "Full of curious lore, sought out and arranged with much
+    industry."--_The Scotsman._
+
+    "Mr. Andrews has produced a most entertaining book, without departing
+    from authenticated facts, there is no moralising, and the writer never
+    obtrudes himself. The result is a work well worth a place on a
+    bookshelf, and readable to a degree."--_Eastern Morning News._
+
+
+Literary Byways.
+
+BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth gilt, 7s. 6d._
+
+CONTENTS:--Authors at work--The Earnings of Authors--"Declined with
+Thanks"--Epigrams on Authors--Poetical Graces--Poetry on Panes--English
+Folk Rhymes--The Poetry of Toast Lists and Menu Cards--Toasts and
+Toasting--Curious American Old-Time Gleanings--The Earliest American
+Poetess: Anne Bradstreet--A Playful Poet: Miss Catharine Fanshawe--A
+Popular Song Writer: Mrs. John Hunter--A Poet of the Poor: Mary Pyper--The
+Poet of the Fisher-Folk: Mrs. Susan K. Phillips--A Poet and Novelist of
+the People: Thomas Miller--The Cottage Countess--The Compiler of "Old
+Moore's Almanack": Henry Andrews--James Nayler, the Mad Quaker, who
+claimed to be the Messiah--A Biographical Romance: Swan's Strange
+Story--Short Letters--Index.
+
+    "Readable and entertaining."--_Notes and Queries._
+
+    "Turn where you will, there is information and entertainment in this
+    book."--_Birmingham Daily Gazette._
+
+
+Curious Epitaphs.
+
+COLLECTED AND EDITED WITH NOTES
+
+BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth extra, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations._
+
+CONTENTS:--Epitaphs on Tradesmen--Typographical Epitaphs--Epitaphs on Good
+and Faithful Servants--Epitaphs on Soldiers and Sailors--Epitaphs on
+Musicians and Actors--Epitaphs on Sportsmen--Bacchanalian
+Epitaphs--Epitaphs on Parish Clerks and Sextons--Punning
+Epitaphs--Manxland Epitaphs--Epitaphs on Notable Persons--Miscellaneous
+Epitaphs--Index.
+
+    "A most entertaining collection."--_Newcastle Daily Chronicle._
+
+    "A book that is sure to be widely read and appreciated."--_People's
+    Journal._
+
+    "It is an entertaining and instructive work, it may fairly be regarded
+    as the best on its subject, and it will take a permanent place in our
+    literature."--_Hull Critic._
+
+
+Curious Church Customs.
+
+EDITED BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth extra, 7s. 6d._
+
+CONTENTS:--Sports in Churches--Holy Day Customs--Church Bells: When and
+Why They were Rung--Inscriptions on Bells--Laws of the Belfry--Ringers'
+Jugs--Customs and Superstitions of Baptism--Marriage Customs--Burial
+Customs--Concerning the Churchyard--Altars in Churches--The Rood Loft and
+its Uses--Armour in Churches--Beating the Bounds--The Story of the
+Crosier--Bishops in Battle--The Cloister and its Story--Shorthand in
+Church--Reminiscences of our Village Church--Index.
+
+    "A thoroughly excellent volume."--_Publishers' Circular._
+
+    "A handsomely got up and interesting volume."--_The Fireside._
+
+    "We are indebted to Mr. Andrews for an invaluable addition to our
+    library of folk-lore, and we do not think that many who take it up
+    will slip a single page."--_Dundee Advertiser._
+
+
+Ecclesiastical Curiosities.
+
+EDITED BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth gilt, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations._
+
+CONTENTS:--The Church Door--Sacrificial Foundations--The Building of the
+English Cathedrals--Ye Chapell of Oure Ladye--Some Famous Spires--The Five
+of Spades and the Church of Ashton-under-Lyne--Bells and their
+Messages--Stories about Bells--Concerning Font-Lore--Watching Chambers in
+Churches--Church Chests--An Antiquarian Problem: The Leper
+Window--Mazes--Churchyard Superstitions--Curious Announcements in the
+Church--Big Bones Preserved in Churches--Samuel Pepys at Church--Index.
+
+    "An interesting and engrossing volume."--_Church Bells._
+
+    "It consists of studies by various writers in the history, customs,
+    and folk-lore of the Church of England. Whilst it will appeal most
+    strongly to those who are given to antiquarian and ecclesiological
+    inquiry, it contains much that should prove of interest to any
+    intelligent reader. The various contributions give evidence of
+    diligent and discriminating research, and embody much old-world lore
+    that is curious and instructive."--_Aberdeen Free Press._
+
+
+The Church Treasury of History, Custom, Folk-Lore, etc.
+
+EDITED BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations._
+
+CONTENTS:--Stave-Kirks--Curious Churches of Cornwall--Holy Wells--Hermit
+and Hermit Cells--Church Wakes--Fortified Church Towers--The Knight
+Templars: Their Churches and their Privileges--English Mediaeval
+Pilgrimages--Pilgrims' Signs--Human Skin on Church Doors--Animals of the
+Church in Wood, Stone, and Bronze--Queries in Stones--Pictures in
+Churches--Flowers and Rites of the Church--Ghost Layers and Ghost
+Laying--Church Walks--Westminster Waxworks--Index.
+
+    "The book will be welcome to every lover of archaeological
+    lore."--_Liverpool Daily Post._
+
+    "It is a work that will prove interesting to the clergy and churchmen
+    generally, and to all others who have an antiquarian turn of mind, or
+    like to be regaled occasionally by reading old-world customs and
+    anecdotes."--_Church Family Newspaper._
+
+
+Bygone Church Life in Scotland.
+
+EDITED BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth gilt, 7s. 6d._
+
+CONTENTS:--The Cross in Scotland--Bell Lore--Saints and Holy Wells--Life
+in the Pre-Reformation Cathedrals--Public Worship in Olden Times--Church
+Music--Discipline in the Kirk--Curiosities of Church Finance--Witchcraft
+and the Kirk--Birth and Baptisms, Customs and Superstitions--Marriage Laws
+and Customs--Gretna Green Gossip--Death and Burial Customs and
+Superstitions--The Story of a Stool--The Martyrs' Monument,
+Edinburgh--Index.
+
+    "The volume is certain to receive a welcome from Scotsmen at home and
+    abroad."--_Daily Chronicle._
+
+    "Every sentence in the book is either instructive or amusing, and it
+    should consequently find many appreciative readers. It contains a vast
+    amount of traditional and historical lore referring almost to every
+    district of Scotland. There are some artistic illustrations,
+    especially those of Glasgow Cathedral and views of ancient portions of
+    that city from the pencil of David Small."--_Dundee Advertiser._
+
+
+Lore and Legend of the English Church.
+
+BY THE REV. GEO. S. TYACK, B.A.
+
+_Crown, Cloth extra, 7s. 6d. Numerous Illustrations._
+
+CONTENTS:--Introduction--The Building of the Church--The Church
+Steeple--The Churchyard--Graves and Funerals--The Nave--The Pulpit and the
+Lectern--The Font--Folk-Lore and Customs of Marriage--The Chancel and the
+Choir--Alms and Offerings--Conclusion--Index.
+
+    "A work that will be read with much interest."--_Somerset Herald._
+
+    "A handsome and substantial volume."--_Birmingham Daily Gazette._
+
+    "The volume could scarcely be too warmly commended."--_Staffordshire
+    Advertiser._
+
+    "A valuable addition to the splendid series of books on church
+    curiosities published by Messrs. William Andrews & Co."--_Church
+    Family Newspaper._
+
+
+A Book About Bells.
+
+BY THE REV. GEO. S. TYACK, B.A.
+
+_Crown, Cloth extra, 3s. 6d._
+
+CONTENTS:--Invention of Bells--Bell Founding and Bell Founders--Dates and
+Names of Bells--The Decoration of Bells--Some Noteworthy Bells--The Loss
+of Old Bells--Towers and Campaniles--Bell-Ringing and Bell-Ringers--The
+Church-Going Bell--Bells at Christian Festivals and Fasts--The Epochs of
+Man's Life Marked by the Bells--The Blessings and the Cursings of the
+Bells--Bells as Time-Markers--Secular Uses of Church and other
+Bells--Small Bells, Secular and Sacred--Carillons--Belfry Rhymes and
+Legends--Index of Subjects, Index of Places.
+
+    "Covers the whole field of bell-lore."--_Scotsman._
+
+    "'A Book About Bells' can be heartily commended."--_Pall Mall
+    Gazette._
+
+    "A most useful and interesting book.... All who are interested in
+    bells will, we feel confident, read it with pleasure and
+    profit."--_Church Family Newspaper._
+
+
+The Grotesque in Church Art.
+
+BY T. TINDALL WILDRIDGE.
+
+ONLY 400 COPIES PRINTED, AND EACH COPY NUMBERED.
+
+_Quarto Cloth extra, 16s. 6d. Many illustrations._
+
+CONTENTS:--Introduction--Definitions of the Grotesque--The Carvers--The
+Artistic Quality of Church Grotesques--Gothic Ornament not
+Didactic--Ingrained Paganism--Mythic Origin of Church Carvings--Hell's
+Mouth--Satanic Representations--The Devil and the Vices--Ale and the
+Alewife--Satires without Satan--Scriptural Illustrations--Masks and
+Faces--The Domestic and Popular--Animal Musicians--Compound
+Forms--Nondescripts--Rebuses--Trinities--The Fox in Church Art--Situations
+of Grotesque Ornament in Church Art--Index.
+
+    "The book is one which will appeal strongly to book-lovers; for the
+    edition is a handsome one, exquisitely printed and profusely
+    illustrated, and the edition is strictly limited to four hundred
+    copies."--_Sheffield Daily Telegraph._
+
+
+The Miracle Play in England.
+
+An Account of the Early Religious Drama.
+
+BY SIDNEY W. CLARKE, BARRISTER-AT-LAW.
+
+_Crown, 2s. 0d. Illustrated._
+
+CONTENTS:--The Origin of Drama--The Beginnings of English Drama--The York
+Plays--The Wakefield Plays--The Chester Plays--The Coventry Plays--Other
+English Miracle Plays--The Production of a Miracle Play--The Scenery,
+Properties, and Dresses--Appendix--The Order of the York Plays--Extract
+from City Register of York, 1426--The Order of the Wakefield Plays--The
+Order of the Chester Plays--The Order of the Grey Friars' Plays at
+Coventry--A Miracle Play in a Puppet Show--Index.
+
+    "An admirable work."--_Eastern Morning News._
+
+    "Mr. Clarke has chosen a most interesting subject, one that is
+    attractive alike to the student, the historian, and the general
+    reader.... A most interesting volume, and a number of quaint
+    illustrations add to its value."--_Birmingham Daily Gazette._
+
+
+Legal Lore: Curiosities of Law and Lawyers.
+
+EDITED BY WILLIAM ANDREWS.
+
+_Demy, Cloth extra, 7s. 6d._
+
+CONTENTS:--Bible Law--Sanctuaries--Trials in Superstitious Ages--On
+Symbols--Law under the Feudal System--The Manor and Manor Law--Ancient
+Tenures--Laws of the Forest--Trial by Jury in Old Times--Barbarous
+Punishments--Trials of Animals--Devices of the Sixteenth Century
+Debtors--Laws Relating to the Gipsies--Commonwealth Law and
+Lawyers--Cock-Fighting in Scotland--Cockieleerie Law--Fatal
+Links--Post-Mortem Trials--Island Laws--The Little Inns of
+Court--Obiter--Index.
+
+    "There are some very amusing and curious facts concerning law and
+    lawyers. We have read with much interest the articles on Sanctuaries,
+    Trials in Superstitious Ages, Ancient Tenures, Trials by Jury in Old
+    Times, Barbarous Punishments, and Trials of Animals, and can heartily
+    recommend the volume to those who wish for a few hours' profitable
+    diversion in the study of what may be called the light literature of
+    the law."--_Daily Mail._
+
+
+Divine Song in its Human Echo.
+
+Or, SONG AND SERVICE.
+
+A Series of Short, Plain Sermons on Old-Fashioned Hymns.
+
+BY THE REV. J. GEORGE GIBSON.
+
+_Crown, Cloth gilt, 7s. 6d._
+
+"This volume contains thirty-seven sermons on old-fashioned hymns, and
+when we say that each discourse averages about ten octavo pages, printed
+in good-sized type, it will be seen that they are entitled to be called
+short. The Rector of Ebchester is an adept at the production of short
+sermons, and the line he has adopted in this instance is an extremely
+happy one. It is a conception that appeals to a great multitude, and the
+hymns which give the cue to the reflections form a large variety of
+well-known spiritual songs, the favourites, indeed, in communities of
+every name. Some of the sermons, indeed, most of them, have been prepared
+for anniversaries and special occasions, and all are such as might be
+expected from a man who is an undoubted lover of hymns. Their brevity
+excludes prolixity, and terse summaries of facts, sharp statements of
+doctrine, succinctness of argument, and directness of appeal characterise
+the whole."--_Newcastle Daily Leader._
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Passages in italics are indicated by _italics_.
+
+Superscripted characters are indicated by {superscript}.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland, by Daniel Scott
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BYGONE CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND ***
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