Transactions of the Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society 21 (series 3)

Contents List.

Between 2018 and 2019 the Lunesdale Archaeology Society investigated a prehistoric settlement in the Lune Gorge, located 3.5km to the south of Tebay. The project involved non-invasive geophysical and photogrammetric surveys followed by targeted excavation of six trenches across identified features. The settlement comprised two enclosures defined by abutting banks, which contained several circular and sub-circular platforms and earthworks. The banks were dated through radiocarbon determination to the late second/early first centuries BC, and thus predated the Roman occupation of the area. Excavation of internal features uncovered the foundations and floors of several circular structures interpreted as dwellings, possible livestock pens and/or storage facilities. The pottery assemblage and radiocarbon dating give a suggested occupation date for these structures in the second and early third centuries AD, contemporary with occupation of the Roman fort at Low Borrowbridge, which lies less than 1km to the north of the settlement. The presence within the assemblage of high status Samian ware pottery and South-East Dorset Black Burnished ware, widely used by the Roman army, suggests possible trading links with the fort. Further dating evidence from the excavations shows activity on the site in the Early Medieval period (fifth to sixth centuries AD) though it is not clear whether this was continued occupation, later reoccupation of the site, or transitory utilisation.

This paper reviews the inscription on the Ilam Pan. It is suggested that the vessel was manufactured in Carlisle between about 122 and about 140. Possible reasons for the absence of the fort name Aballava/Burgh-by-Sands are considered, with human agency or error being suggested. The use of the word vallum is reviewed and the evidence relating to the word rigor is investigated; its use as a specific technical surveying term is stressed. There can be little doubt that Draco was the man who commissioned the pan. The appearance of rigore on the inscription points to the possibility that he was a surveyor who took part in the planning of Hadrian's Wall. As it is therefore likely that he would have been a legionary, it is possible that Aelius was not the name of Hadrian's Wall but the nomen of Draco.

This is the first of a two-part article which provides a detailed historicisation of the later medieval outlaw ballad of Adam Bell. It draws upon textual and contextual evidence to demonstrate that Bell reflects the socio-political conditions prevalent in early 15th century Cumberland. In particular, there are shown to be striking similarities between the violence depicted in Bell and that which was prevalent in Carlisle and its environs at this time. These themes raise doubts regarding conventional scholarly attempts to view Bell as an appendage of the later medieval Robin Hood tales, which will be discussed comparatively in the second part of this article to be published in the next issue of Transactions.

This article provides a discussion and edition of previously unpublished accounts relating to the dissolution of Furness Abbey in 1537. Submitted by Robert Southwell, commissioner for the dissolution of Furness, to the Court of Augmentations in late 1537, they describe the proceeds realised from the sale of the abbey’s possessions, including its plate, vestments and corn and also the costs incurred while suppressing the abbey. The accounts augment existing sources for the suppression of this great monastery.

The King George III Topographical Collection was assembled during the second half of the 18th century and presented to the nation in 1828. Of more than 40,000 items in the collection, some 400 relate to Cumbria, and from these a selection has been made which throws new light upon contemporaneous interest in both antiquarianism and topography during the period following the Jacobite Rebellion. The selected items include a plan of a bog-burst in 1772; a map of the military road made between Newcastle and Carlisle c.1750; a map made by General Roy of the River Esk; a sequence of plans for improving the fortifications at Carlisle; some sketches by the Cumbrian antiquary, George Smith, intended for publication in the Gentleman's Magazine; and an anonymous sketch of an inscription from Appleby.

The 19th century growth of the Lake District hotel trade was driven by increased leisure time, allied to improvements in road and rail services making the lakes and mountains accessible on the doorstep of the fast-growing industrial towns and cities of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Northumberland and Durham. This was preceded by a change in perception about the Lake District, partly arising from publicity given to celebrity visitors, be they Romantic poets or royalty. There has been little research on how the hotel trade responded to the challenge. This article explores the development of two signature Borrowdale hotels and shows how simple inns were transformed, 'new builds' undertaken and how traditional Cumbrian farming families became dynasties of Lakeland hoteliers.

This paper tells, from a Cumbrian perspective, the story of the Klondike Gold Rush in what is now Canada's Yukon Territory. It describes how overnight the name Klondike, and its association with gold and untold riches, fired the imagination of the people of Cumbria and led to its rapid assimilation into Cumbrian culture. The word was widely used locally to name prize animals, machines, ships, mines, societies and places, and featured as a theme in many songs, stories, advertisements, plays, and pageants. More significantly it induced many Cumbrians from many walks of life to cross the Atlantic and seek their fortunes in the gold fields. Their experiences, successes and failures are here described from contemporary sources and letters.

This short paper discusses documentary and photographic evidence and the results of work commissioned by Waberthwaite Local History Group carried out by Eden Heritage Ltd and Nottingham Tree Ring Dating Laboratory. It concludes that there has been a church at Waberthwaite since at least the 13th century and that the earliest architectural feature of the church as it stands today dates from the 15th century. Dating of roof timbers suggests that the major part of the present roof was built in the mid 16th century and it was extended over 150 years later. Evidence found in the roof supports this suggestion. The church interior underwent significant modifications in the early 19th century and has remained substantially unchanged into the 21st century.

A monument to a horse called Midge at Holme Park in New Hutton is shown to have been set up by William Robinson, an attorney with practices in London and Kendal.

James Robert Phillips, a Cumbrian by birth, was killed leading an embassy to Benin City in 1897. The fate of his entourage led to the Benin 'punitive expedition' and the subsequent sack of Benin City. Phillips's death was followed by the raising of funds for memorials in England and West Africa. Committees were established for that purpose in Cumbria and London and included old boys from Uppingham School where he had been educated. One of these was Canon H.D. Rawnsley who was a key figure in memorialising Phillips and celebrating his role in Britain's 'civilising mission' in West Africa. Cumbria's memorial is now located in Carlisle Cathedral.

The following projects represent archaeological work undertaken in the county and for which a report was received during 2019. The list was compiled by Mark Brennand and Jeremy Parsons, Cumbria County Council, with information on projects in the Lake District supplied by Eleanor Kingston, Lake District National Park Authority.

Contents List.