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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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