button to main menu   Ford's Description of the Lakes, 1839/1843

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Page 103:-
are various buildings for infantry. An inner area was originally defended by a half-moon battery, now removed, though the gate-way remains, through which is the approach to the great keep, at present used as an armoury. The angular tower in which Mary of Scotland was imprisoned, has, after having been appropriated to barracks, lately been taken down. This fortress is now used as the depôt of an infantry regiment, and a small detachment of artillerymen are stationed to take care of the armoury. There is something very interesting in its appearance, and it is chiefly valuable as a massy feature, giving character to the distant appearance of the city.
  Carlisle Cathedral
The Cathedral is a noble building, deprived, indeed, of the greatest part of its nave. What remains is of ever-enduring Norman architecture, with low round pillars and circular arches; it is now very neatly fitted up as the parish church of St. Mary. The transepts are narrow, without aisles, and of the same style; from the south end the cloisters originally extended; the north transept is used as the consistory court. The choir is supported on clustered piers, with enriched capitals, from which spring eight pointed arches; above is an elegant triforium of three openings, and a clerestory, which once had a rich parapet, pierced with foliated circles, but wantonly destroyed. The tabernacle work or stalls is of very elegant carved oak, black with age. The pulpit and throne are modern, and not so rich in design. The roof is
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