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Page 93:-
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Woodend
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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.
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Wythop
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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.
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Barony of Copeland
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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
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"essent,
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gazetteer links
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-- "Barony of Copeland and Derwent Fells" --
Barony of Copeland
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-- (Ouse Bridge Inn, Blindcrake)
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-- "Ouzebridge" -- Ouse Bridge
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-- Bassenthwaite Lake circuit
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-- "Sawyers Cragg" -- Saw Crag
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-- (station, Saw Crag)
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-- "Wood End" -- Woodend
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-- Wythop Old Church
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-- Wythop Woods
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-- "Wythop" -- Wythop
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