button to main menu  Clarke's Survey of the Lakes, 1787

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Page 93:-
  Woodend
Next we see Wood-End, a dark, gloomy situation, exposed to the north wind, and deprived even of the beams of the mid-day sun; the gloominess of this spot is occasioned by the hill, which shelters Powter-How, and which shades the whole southern face of Wood-End.
  Wythop
A little farther enter the manor of Wythop, through a gate which serves for a mark;it is the property of Sir Frederick Vane Fletcher, Baronet, and is held of the King as part of the honour of Cockermouth Castle, paying annually one penny, or a red rose, with suit of court. There is a small demesne, Wythop-hall and several customary tenants, who pay arbitrary fines. The wood of Wythop-brow is very valuable, and the tenants claim hedge-boot, plough-boot, &c. in the lord's woods; there is here a small chapel of ease under Brigham, which is worth about L.25 per annum.
We now travel along Wythop-brow, on a good road, though not very much frequented, but made (as all the roads near the lakes are) for the conveniency of travellers; this road leads along a steep bank, covered from top to bottom with healthy, thriving oaks, which form a grateful and refreshing shade. Passing Beck Wythop and Smiddy Green, which form two beautiful little openings (as if from night to day) we come to Sawyers Cragg; here the road takes a curious turn, as may be seen from the plan, No VIII. Along this road is the best view of Bassenthwaite-Water and Vale, and the best station for this is a little before you come to Sawyers Cragg.
From hence the whole of the Lake is seen extending its silver bosom among the impending mountains. On the left is seen the peaceful village of Bassenthwaite Hawe[s] just emerging from the surrounding verdure; in front is Scarn-House, with all the little cottages, sprinkled (as if by the hand of chance,) beneath the skirts of Skiddow: we then see the elegant, new-built mansion of T. Storey, Esq; at Mire-House, whilst lofty Skiddow rears his azure head in awful, serene majesty, and crowns the pastoral scene.
From Sawyer-Cragg we descend a steep hill towards Peelwike; this serpentine road is better seen in the map, (plate VIII.) than I can describe it, and the reason of its remarkable turns is owing to a very steep rock, and a peat-mire at the high end of it, both of which are impassable. Then arrive at Ouzebridge, commonly pronounced Ewsbridge, a very good and commodious inn, where we will dine.
  Barony of Copeland
It may be expected by my readers, that I should say something more of the Barony of Copeland and Derwent-Fells; as we leave it here and shall not enter it again, I shall endeavour to satisfy their curiosity.
King William, commonly called the Conqueror, after his conquest of Cumberland, gave it as a kingdom to one of his followers, (viz.) Ranulph Meschiens a Norman, he gave him, besides, men and arms to defend himself and his property, from foreign invasion, and the turbulent inhabitants, who were fond of liberty. Ranulph, being in peaceable possession for a while, began to disperse his army, and plant them at different parts of the country, for the better improving of agriculture. He gave to his friends and officers, as was customary in those times, certain portions of land, which were generally on the borders of his kingdom, being such as he apprehended there would be the most trouble in keeping; reserving to himself the middle part, (viz. the Forest of Inglewood.)
Some say that here began the feudal tenure in England, but Cambden believes it was introduced by the Romans. I shall give it in his own words, page 533, (quoting Lampridius, he says) "Cum enim Alexander Severus, Imp. (ut est apud Lampridium) sola quae hostibus capta erant limitaneis ducibus et militibus donaset, Ita ut coram
"essent,
gazetteer links
button -- "Barony of Copeland and Derwent Fells" -- Barony of Copeland
button -- (Ouse Bridge Inn, Blindcrake)
button -- "Ouzebridge" -- Ouse Bridge
button -- Bassenthwaite Lake circuit
button -- "Sawyers Cragg" -- Saw Crag
button -- (station, Saw Crag)
button -- "Wood End" -- Woodend
button -- Wythop Old Church
button -- Wythop Woods
button -- "Wythop" -- Wythop
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