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

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Page 172:-
goods and all moveables; the rigour of the season availed nothing; frost and snow was not a protection; whole villages were burned in the depth of Winter, and the inhabitants left without provision of any kind, but what they could get from the rivers, (which indeed are numerous and well stored with fish.) Their reflections must strike any thinking person with horror; but at the same time, the present state of ease, plenty, and tranquillity which the borderers enjoy, make a most striking contrast to shocking scenes.
A proclamation made at Penrith 14th June 1547, by order of Lord Wharton, for raising the power of the border.
'Forasmuch as the Governour of Scotland, their Queen, and others Noblemen of that realm repaired to Pebles upon a Sunday at night last, and also their ordnance coming from Edinburgh, of intent, with a great army of the whole body of the said realm of Scotland, to do some enterprize against the King's Majesty's possessions and subjects upon the West Marches: Therefore, Thomas Wharton, Knight, Lord Wharton Lord Warden of the West Marches of England for anempst Scotland, Captain of the King's Majesty's city of Carlisle, and one of his Highness's most honourable Council, strictly chargeth and commandeth, in his Majesty's name, That all his Highness's subjects, horsemen, and footmen, within the bounds of the said West Marches, prepare their arrediness, and come forward with ten days victuals, as hath been appointed, so as they may be at Carlisle upon Thursday next at noon; not failing hereof upon pain of death.
'Written at Carlisle this Tuesday the 14th of June 1547. God Save the King.'
Next day he sent the following Circular Letter, dated 15th June 1547. at Carlisle.
'After my hearty commendations unto you, when yesterday I wrote as well proclamations to be made at Penrith, as otherwise in the parts of Westmorland and Cumberland, for the beacons to burn, and the subjects to come forward, to be at Carlisle to-morrow at noon, for the defence and power of Scotland, and forasmuch as I am credibly informed this Wednesday, by intelligence from out of Scotland, that the governour, their Queen, ordnance, and munition, came to Pebles upon Saturday-night last as I wrote; where, and in those parts they continue; and as yet the governour hath not so great an army as he looked to have at this time, and therefore hath determined with a power to come to the town of Dumfries upon Saturday next, as is appointed; and to levy the garrisons in all parts over-against these West Marches, until they may levy a greater army to do the annoyance they may against the King's Majesty's realm, and possessions upon these marches: Trusting, with the leave of God, to put the borderers in these outward parts of these Marches in such watch and areadiness, as we shall be able to defend their sudden enterprizes; and that I would all his Majesty's subjects under my rule should live in as much quiet and preservation of themselves, and victuals, until the occasion shall come by the enemies, (for intelligence whereof I shall do as well as I can; the weightiness of this, the King's Majesty's service considered,) I require you to repair home to your own houses, with hearty thanks for your areadiness and diligence; and also desire you in his Majesty's name, to continue at your houses in like areadiness, with watch of beacons to come forwards, with ten days victuals, upon warning; and that none of his Majesty's loving subjects fail hereof, upon pain of death. Be the more earnest for your areadiness, for that the governour continueth on their borders, for anempst these Marches. And cause these be read openly to all the King's Majesty's subjects; every gentleman and officer, under his several rule, for their better knowledge of the same. And right heartily fare you well.
'From Carlisle this Wednesday the 15th of June, at four of the clock afternoon,
'To the Gentlemen West Marchers.
'Your loving Friend,
'THOMAS WHARTON.'
The reason of this hasty countermand, will appear by the following letter to Lord Eure.
Lord Wharton to Lord Eure, Lord Warden of the West Marches.
'Right Honourable and mine especial good Lord, after my most hearty commendations unto your good Lordship, advertising in the same, that the 13th June I received your letters of the 12th of the same, signifying the news from out of Scotland of the Governour and Queen's advancing towards Pebles, with others, as your friendly letters purporteth; for which I right heartily thank your Lordship; and to advertise you such news as I have from out of Scotland, I am informed, by sundry intelligence, that the Governour and Queen came to Pebles upon Sunday night, &c. (the same account as the letter to the West Marches,) advertising further your Lordship, that upon Saturday last afore day, John Maxwell, (the Lord Maxwell's
'brother,)
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