Gents Mag 1814 part 2 p.627

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	Gentleman's Magazine 1814 part 2 p.627 of her last parting in this place with her good and pious mother, the Right Honourable Margaret Countess Dowager of Cumberland, the 2nd of April, 1616. In memory whereof she also left an annuity of four pounds to be distributed to the poor within this parish of Brougham every 2nd day of April for ever, upon the stone table here hard by. Laus Deo.' A few paces towards the South is the base of a small stone table, the upper part of which has been thrown down, and lies near the spot: how long it has been in this state, I know not; but with very little trouble it might be replaced, and both preserved from destruction. Gratitude to the benevolent distributor of so many charities would, I think, be alone sufficient to preserve this and all other of her works from wanton demolition; and when we reflect on the doubly pious intention of this little monumental tribute, as expressed in the inscription, it is a duty absolute and indispensable. This exalted female character (the daughter of George Clifford, third Earl of Cumberland, by Margaret Russell his wife,) was born at Skipton Castle on the 30th of January, 1590. She first married William Sackville, Earl of Dorset, and afterwards Philip Hubert, Earl of Pembroke, who died in the year 1649. After his death the Countess devoted her attention to many pious works, and the restoration of six of her noble castles, which had suffered delapidations during the civil wars. Of these, SKIPTON, in Yorkshire first claimed her notice, it being the place of her birth, and which was afterwards her chief residence. The situation of this building, although not very commanding, is nevertheless beautiful, and much admired for the finely-diversified scenery which surrounds it. The chief entrance is through a gate protected by four round towers, a short distance North-east of the church, near the market-place. It has been much altered from its original state, and now forms a convenient lodge. On entering the court-yard, a large and ponderous square building presents itself, with a venerable circular tower at each angle: within this is a small ancient quadrangle, picturesque from its variety of windows, buttresses, &c. and a fine old yew tree standing in the centre. The parts of the castle now inhabited are attached to the North and East of these more antient apartments, the whole forming a picturesque group. Skipton Church is a spacious handsome structure, consisting of body and chancel, with a well-proportioned tower at the West end, and is entered by a porch on the South side. Some portions of it are antient, but the prevailing style is that of Henry VII. The interior contains nothing remarkable but several monuments of the Clifford family. BROUGHAM CASTLE, near Penrith in Westmorland, was repaired by the Countess Dowager of Pembroke in the year 1651, having been in a dilapidated state nearly five and thirty years. After her death it was entirely neglected, and all the materials sold for £.100 to two attorneys in Penrith. It is now a mouldering venerable ruin on the banks of the river Eden. The keep and chapel are the most prominent features, the former of which is very ancient, of massy construction, having several circular arches in front, and has probably been considerably higher. To the North-east angle is attached a gateway of less antient erection. The chapel was very small; part of the East window, stalls, and holy-water recess, with large corbels of the roof, remain. The old church at Brougham, being considered in a dangerous state, was taken down, and rebuilt by the Countess of Pembroke, in the year 1659. BROUGH, (or Brough under Stanimore (sic), to distinguish it from other places of a similar name,) one stage on the London side of Appleby, is a town of no great importance, except that its Castle was one of the number belonging to the great Duchess of Pembroke; it is a fine remain, on a grand and commanding situation, towards the North of the town. A great fire happened here before the year 1521, which destroyed nearly all the internal timber work, with the lead roofs, &c. But the Duchess began to repair these extensive damages in 1660, and over the gate placed an inscription to that effect, which has long since been beaten down and destroyed. The strength of this Castle was very great. In addition to its defence by Nature, it had several deep fosses with high banks and ramparts between, the whole rising with very steep ascent. With APPLEBY I shall conclude, being the last of the four castles I visited
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	-- Brough Castle
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	-- Brougham Castle
	-- Countess Pillar

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