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Bishop of Barf, Above Derwent
Bishop of Barf
site name:-   Barf
civil parish:-   Above Derwent (formerly Cumberland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   rocks
coordinates:-   NY21802645
1Km square:-   NY2126
10Km square:-   NY22


photograph
BWT11.jpg (taken 13.6.2012)  
photograph
BMX39.jpg (taken 23.10.2006)  

story:-  
Rock pinnacle 7 feet high, regularly whitewashed by the landlord of the Swan Hotel. A fee used to be paid to patrons who helped, a shilling and a quart of ale.
The 'good story' is that the Bishop of Derry, newly appointed and on his way to Whitehaven then Ireland, rode his pack pony up the Barf towards the summit of Lord's Seat, to demonstrate his faith - or for a wager made at the Swan Inn, 1783. At the height of this rock, they fell, and both were killed. The bishop was buried on the mountain side at the scree called The Clerk, lower down).
This sore thumb was once called The Monk, promoted to The Abbott, then The Bishop and then the story was created.

personal
person:-   clergyman
 : Derry, Bishop of
place:-   burial place (hearsay)
date:-   1783

see:-    Clerk, Above Derwent

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