Gents Mag 1907 part 1 p.170
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Gentleman's Magazine 1907 part 1 p.170
Grasmere." Formerly the river was crossed by means of stepping-stones at low tide. As the two churches of Muncaster and Waberthwaite, on opposite sides of the river, were served by the same cleric, the reverend gentleman had to fit in his discourse with the state of the tide, and it is related that on more then one occasion he was urged by the clerk to hasten as the tide was coming in over the bar. The family of Pennington (the family name of the Lords of Muncaster) came originally from Pennington in Lancashire, and most of the Penningtons served their country in some way or another. The first Pennington who emerged into history was Gamel de Pennington, he who first removed from Lancashire to Muncaster, or Moelcastre, as it was originally called. Tradition says that the family at first took up its abode at a residence now known as Walls Castle, quite close to the ancient harbour of Ravenglass, then an important place. Walls Castle is in itself most interesting. For many years it was believed that it was merely a relic of medieval times. However, the Cumberland and Westmoreland Antiquarian Society took the matter up, and by a series of excavations in 1881 they proved beyond doubt that the ruins are those of Roman house. The walls still stand some fourteen feet high in places, so it is evident that the original Roman who built it could not have been of the tribe of Jerry with which we are so cursed to-day. Here, probably, the Penningtons dwelt till some time in the Middle Ages, when they betook themselves to the Roman Tower, a mile further up the hill, which by this time had become metamorphosed into the usual "pele tower" style of residence adopted by the nobles and gentlemen of the Border country. Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and North Lancashire have many fine examples of these fortified manor-houses and castellated residences, whose existence is due to the proximity of the lawless moss-troopers, who pillaged the border counties. None of them, however, can compare with Muncaster for beauty of situation. |
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gazetteer links
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-- (ford, Waberthwaite) | ||
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-- Muncaster Castle | ||
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-- "Walls Castle" -- Glannoventa | ||
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