|
Skinburness
INSCRIBED ROMAN ALTAR FOUND NEAR SKINBURNESS.
... MR. URBAN, - I have read with much interest in your
October number, bearing particularly on the inscribed Roman
altar which I lately picked up on the sea-shore between
Silloth and Skinburness. The finding of this relic confirms,
I think, Dr. Bruce's statement referred to at page 34 of his
second edition of "The Roman Wall," viz., "A military way
ran along the coast from this station (Moresby, near
Whitehaven), by way of Maryport, to the extremity of the
wall at Bowness."
I also think it very probable the Romans used the creek or
harbour at Skinburness. In confirmation of this, the
following extract from the second volume of Nicolson and
Burn's "History of Westmorland and Cumberland," p.117, would
almost lead to the infernce that the town and harbour of
Skinburness existed in the time of the Romans:-
"In the year 1301, Bishop Hatton being informed that the
inhabitants of the village or town near the port of
Skinburness were at a great distance from all manner of
Divine service, grants a power to the abbot and convent of
Holm Cultram to erect a church there which should be endowed
with all manner of tithes and enjoy all parochial rights.
The abbot and convent to have the power of advowson, and the
bishop of Carlisle and his successors all ordinary
jurisdiction."
The town of Skinburness was at this time not only privileged
with a market, but seems also to have been the chief place
for the king's magazines in these parts for supplying the
armies then employed against the Scots. But the case was
most miserably altered very soon after. For in 1305, we find
it thus mentioned in the parliament records:-
"At the petition of the abbot, requesting that whereas he
had paid a fine of 100 marks to the king for a fair and
market to be had in Skinburness, and now that town, together
with the way leading to it, is carried away by the sea, the
king would grant that he may have such fair and market at
his town of Kirkeby Johan instead of the other place
aforesaid, and that his charter upon this may be renewed. It
is answered, Let the first charter be annulled, and then let
him have a like charter in the place as he desireth. ... And
for the same reason, as it seemeth, the church was also
removed to Kirkeby Johan or Newton Arlosh."
So much for the interest which the finding of a portion of
an inscribed Roman altar near Skinburness has already led
to. - I am, &c.
CHARLES WILKINSON.
Bank House, Kendal,
Oct. 16, 1866.
|