Old Cumbria Gazetteer - Calgarth Hall, Windermere


	Calgarth Hall, Windermere
	Calgarth Hall
civil parish:-	Windermere (formerly Westmorland)
county:-	Cumbria
locality type:-	buildings
locality type:-	haunted house
coordinates:-	SD39809963
1Km square:-	SD3999
10Km square:-	SD39

evidence:-	old map:- OS County Series (Wmd 32 3) placename:- Calgarth Hall
source data:-	Maps, County Series maps of Great Britain, scales 6 and 25 inches to 1 mile, published by the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, Hampshire, from about 1863 to 1948.

evidence:-	old map:- Saxton 1579 placename:- Cowgarthe
source data:-	Map, hand coloured engraving, Westmorlandiae et Cumberlandiae Comitatus ie Westmorland and Cumberland, scale about 5 miles to 1 inch, by Christopher Saxton, London, engraved by Augustinus Ryther, 1576, published 1579-1645. Sax9SD39.jpg Building, symbol for a hamlet, which may or may not have a nucleus. "Cowgarthe" item:- private collection : 2 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	old map:- Speed 1611 (Wmd) placename:- Cowgarth
source data:-	Map, hand coloured engraving, The Countie Westmorland and Kendale the Cheif Towne, scale about 2.5 miles to 1 inch, by John Speed, 1610, published by George Humble, Popes Head Alley, London, 1611-12. SP14SD39.jpg "Cowgarth" circle, buildings item:- Armitt Library : 2008.14.5 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	old map:- Jansson 1646 placename:- Cowgarth
source data:-	Map, hand coloured engraving, Cumbria and Westmoria, ie Cumberland and Westmorland, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, by John Jansson, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1646. JAN3SD39.jpg "Cowgarth" Buildings and tower. item:- JandMN : 88 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	old map:- Seller 1694 (Wmd) placename:- Cowgarth
source data:-	Map, hand coloured engraving, Westmorland, scale about 8 miles to 1 inch, by John Seller, 1694. click to enlarge SEL7.jpg "Cowgarth" no symbol item:- Dove Cottage : 2007.38.87 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	old map:- Morden 1695 (Cmd) placename:- Cowgarth
source data:-	Map, uncoloured engraving, Cumberland, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Robert Morden, 1695, published by Abel Swale, the Unicorn, St Paul's Churchyard, Awnsham, and John Churchill, the Black Swan, Paternoster Row, London, 1695-1715. MD12SD39.jpg "Cowgarth" Circle. item:- JandMN : 90 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	presumably old map:- Morden 1695 (Wmd) placename:- Cowgarth
source data:-	Map, hand coloured engraving, Westmorland, scale about 2.5 miles to 1 inch, by Robert Morden, published by Abel Swale, the Unicorn, St Paul's Churchyard, Awnsham, and John Churchill, the Black Swan, Paternoster Row, London, 1695. MD10SD39.jpg "Cowgarth" Circle. item:- JandMN : 24 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	probably old map:- Bowen and Kitchin 1760 placename:- Camgarth
source data:-	Map, hand coloured engraving, A New Map of the Counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland Divided into their Respective Wards, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin et al, published by T Bowles, Robert Sayer, and John Bowles, London, 1760. BO18SD29.jpg "Camgarth" circle, tower item:- Armitt Library : 2008.14.10 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	old map:- Jefferys 1770 (Wmd) placename:- Cow Garth
source data:-	Map, 4 sheets, The County of Westmoreland, scale 1 inch to 1 mile, surveyed 1768, and engraved and published by Thomas Jefferys, London, 1770. J5NY40SW.jpg "Cow Garth" circle, labelled in italic lowercase text; settlement, farm, house, or hamlet? item:- National Library of Scotland : EME.s.47 Image © National Library of Scotland

evidence:-	descriptive text:- West 1778 (11th edn 1821) placename:- Calgarth Park item:- skull; skulls of Calgarth
source data:-	Guide book, A Guide to the Lakes, by Thomas West, published by William Pennington, Kendal, Cumbria once Westmorland, and in London, 1778 to 1821. goto source Page 63:- "[Windermere] ... Calgarth-park [2] and Rayrigg grace its banks." "[2] The old mansion here is built much in the style of Levens and Sizergh. Some of the rooms have been elegantly finished; but having been a long time in the possession of farmers, who occupy but a part of it, it is much gone out of repair, and has on the whole but a melancholy appearance. This circumstance, in concurrence with the superstitous notions which have ever been common in country places, and the particulars mentioned below, have probably given rise to a report, which has long prevailed, that the house is haunted. And many are the stories of frightful visions, and mischievous deeds, which the goblins of the place are said to have performed to terrify and distress the harmless neighbourhood. These fables are not yet entirely disbelieved. Spectres are still seen, and there are two human skulls, which have lain in the window of a large room as long as can be remembered, whose history and reputed properties are far too singular not to contribute something to this story of the haunted house, and to let them pass over in this note." "It has been a popular tale in these parts, of immemorial standing, that these skulls formerly belonged to two poor old people, who were unjustly executed for a robbery; that, to perpetuate their innocence, some ghost brought them there, and that they are for that end indestructible, and, in effect, immoveable. For, it is said, to what place soever they were taken, or however used, they were still presently seen again in their old dormitory, the window. As the report goes, they have been buried, burnt, powdered, and dispersed in the wind, and upon the lake, several times to no purpose, as to their removal or destruction. So far says common fame. Certain it is human remains still exist. And it would be thought an impeachment of the taste and curiosity of the nymphs and swains of the neighbouring villages, if they could not say they had once seen the skulls of Calgarth." "As a more rational account of the matter, (though still lame and unsatisfactory,) is told by some, that there formerly lived in the house a famous doctress who had two skeletons by her, for the usual purposes of her profession; and the skulls happening to meet with better preservation than the rest of the bones, they were accidentally honoured with singular notice. But be their origin what it may, their legend is too whimsical and improbable to deserve being recorded, otherwise than as an instance of the never-failing credulity of ignorance and superstition." "Calgarth-park was purchased by Dr. Watson, the late bishop of Llandaff, who built an elegant mansion thereon, which, with the other improvements in that fine situation, makes it one of the most elegant places of residence in this country." "..." goto source Page 71, footnote:- "On the banks of Windermere-water, have been lately built many elegant villas; by ... the late Bishop of Llandaff, Calgarth; ... These objects, as works of art, most of which are done in styles suitable to their situation, give an air of consequence to the country, ..."

evidence:-	old map:- Crosthwaite 1783-94 (Win/Ble) placename:- Calgarth
source data:-	Map, uncoloured engraving, An Accurate Map of the Grand Lake of Windermere, scale about 2 inches to 1 mile, by Peter Crosthwaite, Keswick, Cumberland, 1783, version published 1819. CT9SD39Z.jpg "Calgarth / Bp. Watson's" block, building/s item:- Armitt Library : 2008.14.102 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	probably old map:- West 1784 map placename:- Calgarth
source data:-	Map, hand coloured engraving, A Map of the Lakes in Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, engraved by Paas, 53 Holborn, London, about 1784. Ws02SD49.jpg item:- Armitt Library : A1221.1 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	old text:- Clarke 1787 placename:- Crowgarth placename:- Calfgarth placename:- Coldgarth placename:- Cawgarth item:- chimney piece; plaster ceiling; coat of arms; skulls of Calgarth
source data:-	Guide book, A Survey of the Lakes of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire, written and published by James Clarke, Penrith, Cumberland, and in London etc, 1787; published 1787-93. goto source Page 133:- "..." "... land at Crowgarth. Here the artist will have the best landscape near this Lake, ..." "Whilst the landscape-painter is here exercising his pencil, let the antiquarian go to the farm-house at Crow-garth, alias Calf-garth, alias Cold-garth, now commonly called Caw-garth, be it which it will. Here are, in alto relievo over the dining-room fire-place, two good devices, remarkably well executed, (in oak-wood) one of Sampson sleeping upon Delilah's lap, whilst the Philistines are cutting off his hair. (Judges, chap. xiii.) The other, a representation of Jeptha meeting his daughter, with harp and timbrel, &c. after his rash vow, (Judges, chap. xi.) In the parlour, upon the ceiling, are several devices, particularly the Wiverne, which, according to Guillim, p.262. is the arms of Drake." "This estate belonged many years to a family of the name of Phillipson. Mr Machel says, the first he meets with was Robert Philipson, in King Henry the III's. time. The estate continued in the name and family till the year 1714, when it ended in daughters, who sold the estate to Mr Taylor; so it must have been in the name and family five hundred years: A long time, indeed, considering the intestine feuds and quarrels in these parts! The original name seems to have been Therlwall, (so it appears to me that Mr Machel must have been mistaken, when he calls them Philipsons as late as Henry the III's. time,) as appears by the grant of Robert Cook, Esq; Clarencieux, King of arms in 1581, where he says, "For as much as Rowland Philipson, alias Therlwall of Calgarth in the county of Westmorland;" and further on says, "which Rowland was descended of a younger brother, forth of the house of Therlwall in the county of Northumberland; which said Rowland, by reason of the Christian name of one of his" goto source Page 134:- ""ancestors, was called Philip, the younger son of the said Philip was called Philip-son, and so continueth the same surname, &c." How this name was changed from Therlwall to Philipson, the reader may easily perceive. We find many of them active persons in their country's troubles: there was one of them nick-named Robin the Devil, from the following story:" "The large island on Winandermere Lake belonged to Robin's brother, Huddleston Philipson , who being at the siege of Carlisle, left the care of the family treasure to Robin; this he kept in the strong house upon the island, which was on that account besieged by Col. Briggs, one of Cromwell's commanders. This siege continued eight or ten days, and the place was gallantly defended by Robin till his brother returned from Carlisle, after the siege of that city was raised. The day after Huddleston returned, which was Sunday, Robin, with three or four of his best men, set out for Kendal to take vengeance on some persons of the opposite party there: they passed the watch and rode into the church, up one isle and down another; not seeing the person they went to look for, Robin attempted to retire, but was seized on by the guards. They unhorsed him, and broke his girths, and used every other method to prevent him mounting again; his companions, however, making a desperate attack upon them, relieved him. He then placed the saddle upon the back of his horse without girths, and at one leap seated himself in it; in this situation he and his comrades killed the sentinels, and arrived safe at the island about two o'clock. Many other desperate adventures are related of Robin, who, after a tiresome and dangerous course of life, was killed in battle at Washfort in Ireland." "At Crowgarth were two human sculls, of which many strange stories are told: they were said to belong to persons whom Robin had murdered, and that they could not be removed from the place where they then were; that when they were removed they always returned, even though they had been thrown into the Lake; with many other ridiculous falsehoods of the same stamp: some person, however, has lately carried one of them to London, and as it has not yet found its way back again, I shall say nothing more on so very trivial a subject."

evidence:-	old map:- Clarke 1787 map (Windermere N) placename:- Cawgarth
source data:-	Map, A Map of the Northern Part of the Lake Winandermere and its Environs, scale about 6.5 ins to 1 mile, by James Clarke, engraved by Samuel John Neele, 352 Strand, published by James Clarke, Penrith, Cumberland and in London etc, 1787. CLASD49E.jpg "Cawgarth / P. TAYLOR Esqr." item:- private collection : 10.10 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	old map:- Cary 1789 (edn 1805) placename:- Cow
source data:-	Map, uncoloured engraving, Westmoreland, scale about 2.5 miles to 1 inch, by John Cary, London, 1789; edition 1805. CY24SD49.jpg "Cow" block/s, labelled in italic lowercase; house, or hamlet item:- JandMN : 129 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	road book:- Cary 1798 (2nd edn 1802) placename:- Calgarth
source data:-	Road book, itineraries, Cary's New Itinerary, by John Cary, 181 Strand, London, 2nd edn 1802. goto source click to enlarge C38317.jpg page 317-318 "Near Ambleside, at Calgarth, is a Seat of the Bishop of Llandaff." item:- JandMN : 228.1 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	old text:- Gents Mag placename:- Calgarth House
source data:-	Magazine, The Gentleman's Magazine or Monthly Intelligencer or Historical Chronicle, published by Edward Cave under the pseudonym Sylvanus Urban, and by other publishers, London, monthly from 1731 to 1922. goto source Gentleman's Magazine 1805 p.919 "... Beneath us, in a marshy bottom, stood the heavy edifice of Calgarth House, the residence of the Bishop of Llandaff; a station so unhappily selected, as to exclude every interesting view of the enchanting scenery that surrounds it."

evidence:-	old map:- Otley 1818 placename:- Calgarth
source data:-	Map, uncoloured engraving, The District of the Lakes, Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Jonathan Otley, 1818, engraved by J and G Menzies, Edinburgh, Scotland, published by Jonathan Otley, Keswick, Cumberland, et al, 1833. OT02NY30.jpg item:- JandMN : 48.1 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	descriptive text:- Otley 1823 (5th edn 1834) placename:- Calgarth Park
source data:-	Guide book, A Concise Description of the English Lakes, the mountains in their vicinity, and the roads by which they may be visited, with remarks on the mineralogy and geology of the district, by Jonathan Otley, published by the author, Keswick, Cumberland now Cumbria, by J Richardson, London, and by Arthur Foster, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, 1823; published 1823-49, latterly as the Descriptive Guide to the English Lakes. goto source Page 4:- "... Calgarth-Park, formerly the residence of the late Bishop of Landaff, has a lowly, ... situation. ..."

evidence:-	old text:- Gents Mag
source data:-	Magazine, The Gentleman's Magazine or Monthly Intelligencer or Historical Chronicle, published by Edward Cave under the pseudonym Sylvanus Urban, and by other publishers, London, monthly from 1731 to 1922. goto source Gentleman's Magazine 1825 part 1 p.410 From the Compendium of County History:- "'In Calgarth's sole domain a mansion stands, Which down the lake*a partial view commands, Young fattening herds the rounded pastures fill, Each flank is covered by a wooded hill, ..."

evidence:-	old text:- Gents Mag 1825 item:- skulls, Calgarth
source data:-	goto source Gentleman's Magazine 1825 part 1 p.515 From the Compendium of County History:- "CALGARTH was the property of the learned Bp. Watson, who added greatly to the natural beauties of the estate. Some of the rooms in the old hall have remains of their former elegance. Amongst the spirits which haunted these melancholy walls, was one which had the custody of two sculls, which could nether be broken to pieces, or carried to any place, but their guardian would be able to re-unite them, or recover them to their dormitory on one of the window-sills."

evidence:-	old map:- Ford 1839 map placename:- Calgarth Hall
source data:-	Map, uncoloured engraving, Map of the Lake District of Cumberland, Westmoreland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, published by Charles Thurnam, Carlisle, and by R Groombridge, 5 Paternoster Row, London, 3rd edn 1843. FD02SD39.jpg "Calgarth Hall" Building and park. item:- JandMN : 100.1 Image © see bottom of page

	Gents Mag 1849

evidence:-	old map:- Garnett 1850s-60s H placename:- Calgarth Hall
source data:-	Map of the English Lakes, in Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, 1850s-60s. GAR2NY30.jpg "Calgarth Hall" block, building item:- JandMN : 82.1 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	old text:- Martineau 1855
source data:-	Guide book, A Complete Guide to the English Lakes, by Harriet Martineau, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, and by Whittaker and Co, London, 1855; published 1855-76. goto source Page 43:- "... just beyond Troutbeck Bridge. Presently, he will pass on the left hand, the gate of Calgarth, Bishop Watson's house, now inhabited by Edward Swinburne, Esq. ..."

evidence:-	old map:- Prior 1874 map 1 placename:- Calgarth Old Hall
source data:-	Map, uncoloured engraving or lithograph? Winander Mere, scale about 2.5 miles to 1 inch, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, 1874. click to enlarge PI03M1.jpg "Calgarth Old Hall" block/s; building/s item:- private collection : 133.1 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s item:- panelling; plaster ceiling; spinning wheel; chair; fireplace
source data:-	Photograph, black and white, Calgarth Hall, interior, Windermere, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s. click to enlarge HB0437.jpg item:- Armitt Library : ALPS92 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s placename:- Calgarth Hall item:- chimney
source data:-	Photograph, Calgarth Hall, Windermere, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1895. click to enlarge HB0171.jpg Vol.2 no.171 in an album, Examples of Early Domestic and Military Architecture in Westmorland, assembled 1910. ms at bottom:- "171. Calgarth Hall. Windermere. K." item:- Armitt Library : 1958.3166.65 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s placename:- Calgarth Hall item:- panelling; spinning wheel; fireplace; plaster ceiling; ceiling
source data:-	Photograph, Calgarth Hall, the Drawing Room, Windermere, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1895. click to enlarge HB0172.jpg Vol.2 no.172 in an album, Examples of Early Domestic and Military Architecture in Westmorland, assembled 1910. ms at bottom:- "172. Calgarth Hall. The Drawing Room. Windermere. K." item:- Armitt Library : 1958.3166.66 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s placename:- Calgarth Hall item:- plaster ceiling; ceiling; beasts
source data:-	Photograph, Calgarth Hall, Ceiling of the Drawing Room, Windermere, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1895. click to enlarge HB0173.jpg Vol.2 no.173 in an album, Examples of Early Domestic and Military Architecture in Westmorland, assembled 1910. ms at bottom:- "173. Calgarth Hall. Ceiling of the Drawing Room. Windermere. K." item:- Armitt Library : 1958.3166.67 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	site plan:- Historical Monuments 1936 placename:- Calgarth Hall
source data:-	Site plan, uncoloured lithograph, Calgarth Hall Windermere, Westmorland, scale about 1 to 290, published by Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, London, 1936. click to enlarge HMW144.jpg On p.245 of the Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Westmorland. printed, bottom "CALGARTH HALL / WINDERMERE" RCHME no. Wmd, Windermere 1 item:- Armitt Library : A745.145 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	database:- Listed Buildings 2010 placename:- Calgarth Hall
source data:-	courtesy of English Heritage "CALGARTH HALL / / / WINDERMERE TOWN / SOUTH LAKELAND / CUMBRIA / I / 351661 / SD3988199668"

ghost story:-	Myles Philipson, magistrate, owned Calgarth Hall and estate but wanted land owned by Kraster and Doreen Cooke to enlarge his lands. They refused his offers to purchase, so he invited them to dinner. Next day he had the Cookes arrested for stealing from the dinner service, and the false witness of him and other dinner guests got the Cookes hanged. Doreen cursed the magistrate:-
	"Guard thyself, Myles Philipson; thou thinkest thou hast managed grandly, but that tiny lump of land is the dearest a Philipson has ever bought or stole, for you will never prosper, neither will your breed - your schemes will wither, the side you take will lose, Philipsons will own no land, and while Calgarth shall stand we will haunt it night and day. Never will ye be rid of us."
	The Philipson Family was haunted by two skulls, which crushed, burned, destroyed, always returned to a ledge at the top of the stairs. Squire Philipson failed to rid himself of the reminders of his wickedness. After his death the skulls appeared only at Christmas and the anniversary of the execution, until the Bishop of Llandaff exorcised the ghosts.

	Gibson, Alexander Craig, Dr: 1869: Folkes Speech of Cumberland Robertson, Dawn & Koronka, Peter: 1992: Secrets and Legends of Old Westmorland: Pagan Press (Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria) &Cumbria CC (library service) Strickland, Miss:: How Will it End?

notes:-	hall
	Perriam, D R &Robinson, J: 1998: Medieval Fortified Buildings of Cumbria: CWAAS:: ISBN 1 873124 23 6; plan and illustration

hearsay:-	... the skulls are walled up in a recess at the top of the stairs ...
	Palmer, J H & McIntire, W T (ed): 1945: Historic Farmhouses in and around Westmorland: Westmorland Gazette (Kendal, Westmorland)

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