button to main menu  Gents Mag 1848 part 1 p.376

button introduction
button list, 2nd qtr 19th century
button previous page
Gentleman's Magazine 1848 part 1 p.376
Nicolson's MS. collections relative to ancient neighbouring families, written in 1675. "Next adjoining Squire Browham, ancient heir male of all the Squire Browhams of Browham Hall, in Westmoreland, built him a very fine house at Scales, and lives there," &c. He married the heiress of the Lamplughs, and was succeeded by his grandson, John Brougham, of Brougham, Scales Hall, and Highhead Castle, in Cumberland, the latter property coming by his mother, the heiress of the Richmonds. John Brougham died 1756, and was succeeded by Henry Brougham, his brother, whose son Henry was father to the present representative of the family, Henry Lord Brougham and Vaux, ex-Chancellor, &c. His Lordship's grandmother was sister to Robertson the historian.
The panoramic views from the towers and the terrace over the richly wooded and picturesque neighbourhood embrace also many objects of great historic interest: the more ancient fortress of Brougham Castle, in ruins, forfeited in King John's stormy reign, and subsequently a favourite residence of of the Cliffords, Earls of Westmorland; the druidical circle of Mayburgh, of such uncertain and remote antiquity; the moated mound called "Kiing Arthur's Round Table:" the village of Clifton, celebrated for the skirmish interwoven by Sir Walter Scott into the charming romance of Waverly; Clifton Hall, an old border tower; Yanwath Hall, also embattled, and with two towers; Penrith, with its ruined castle, Beacon Hill, and Giant's Gravestones; the Countess's Pillar, where the celebrated Anne, Countess of Dorset, Pembroke, and Montgomery, the heiress of the Cliffords and the Vescis, so well known for her reparation of her castles, even during Cromwell's lifetime, and her subsequent stern answers to the political application from the corrupt court of Charles II., last parted with her good and pious mother.
These are a few, hastily enumerated, amongst the many scenes and objects of interest which present themselves within view from the leads of this favoured mansion; and when we remember that the hall, as before stated, stands upon the Roman station from which its name is derived; that the family have been here located from the time of the Heptarchy; that the various buildings show remains of architecture, from the ponderous Norman workmanship, through successive centuries, to the renovations of the present day; and, in addition to this, that the domain is in the far-famed county of Westmorland, and within a bowshot of Cumberland, and surrounded by scenery scarcely equalled, certainly not excelled, whether we take the rich home views or the more distant serrated ridges of its mountain horizon, - it must be allowed that, either in historic or romantic interest of situation, scenic beauty of locality, or picturesque character of the edifice, Brougham Hall has few rivals.
Faithfully yours,
GEO. SHAW.
St. Chad's Uppermill, Saddleworth, Manchester.
button criticised
gazetteer links
button -- Brougham Hall

button to main menu Lakes Guides menu.