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

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  antiquities
Of antiquities, British or Roman, and historical associations, this country is rather barren. The mountains themselves, and the fastnesses which they afforded, were a sufficient barrier; and there was little in the frowning masses, or in the deep, intricate, and unexplored glens, which wound amongst them, to tempt invaders from the fertile vales and rich alluvial plains which lie around them and along the coast. A few Druidical circles are found here and there, and rare though distinct traces of Roman forts and camps are observable. The Norman conquerors, however, seem to have left this tract wholly to itself: all the remains of the castles being found on the outskirts, as Egremont, Cockermouth, Brougham, and Kendal. Even the religious enthusiasm of monachism scarcely advanced within the shadow of the mountains, much less penetrated into their secluded dales. Furness, Calder, St. Bees, and Holme Cultram abbeys, are all in the open country. For a long period, indeed, the population must either have been extremely small, or their religious interests neglect-
gazetteer links
button -- Brigham
button -- "Brougham Castle" -- Brougham Castle
button -- "Calder Abbey" -- Calder Abbey
button -- Cockermouth Castle
button -- Egremont Castle
button -- Furness Abbey
button -- Greystoke
button -- Holme Coultram Abbey
button -- Kendal Castle
button -- Kendal
button -- "Crosthwaite parish" -- Keswick
button -- "Saint Bees" -- St Bees
button -- "St Bees Abbey" -- St Mary and St Bega's Church
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