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Blea Tarn, Lakes
runs into:-    Bleamoss Beck
Blea Tarn
locality:-   Little Langdale
civil parish:-   Lakes (formerly Westmorland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   tarn
coordinates:-   NY29300441 (etc) 
1Km square:-   NY2904
10Km square:-   NY20
altitude:-   600 feet
altitude:-   183m

photograph
BSB21.jpg (taken 1.2.2010)  
photograph
BOD08.jpg (taken 3.9.2007)  
evidence:-   old map:- OS County Series (Wmd 25 11) 
placename:-  Blea Tarn
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:- Jefferys 1770 (Wmd) 
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.
image
J5NY20NE.jpg
outline with form lines; lake or tarn 
item:-  National Library of Scotland : EME.s.47
Image © National Library of Scotland
evidence:-   old map:- Cary 1789 (edn 1805) 
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Westmoreland, scale about 2.5 miles to 1 inch, by John Cary, London, 1789; edition 1805.
image
CY24NY20.jpg
"Blea Tarn"
outline with shore form lines; lake or tarn 
item:-  JandMN : 129
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old map:- Cooper 1808
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, Westmoreland ie Westmorland, scale about 9 miles to 1 inch, by H Cooper, 1808, published by R Phillips, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London, 1808.
image  click to enlarge
COP4.jpg
outline, shaded; lake 
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2007.38.53
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old text:- Green 1810
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Set of prints, soft ground etchings, Sixty Studies from Nature, by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, drawn 1808-10, published 1810.
image GN14p102, button  goto source
page 103:-  "... Langdale Pikes displaying vast grandeur, are soon in view; and between the Pikes and the eye, a little lake, called Blea Tarn, if unagitated, will reflect them; ..."
evidence:-   old text:- Wordsworth 1810
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Guide book, A Description of the Scenery of the Lakes, later A Guide through the District of The Lakes, by William Wordsworth, 1810-35.
image WW01pr08, button  goto source
page viii  "... to Blea Tarn. The scene in which this small piece of water lies, suggested to the Author the following description, (given in his Poem of the Excursion) supposing the spectator to look down upon it, not from the road, but from one of its elevated sides."
"--- "Behold!
Beneath our feet, a little lowly Vale,
A lowly Vale, and yet uplifted high
Among the mountains; even as if the spot
Had been, from eldest time by wish of theirs,
So placed, to be shut out from all the world!
Urn-like it was in shape, deep as an Urn;
With rocks encompassed, save that to the South
Was one small opening, where a heath-clad ridge
Supplied a boundary less abrupt and close;
A quiet treeless nook, with two green fields,
A liquid pool that glittered in the sun,
And one bare Dwelling; one Abode, no more!"
image WW01pr09, button  goto source
page ix  "It seemed the home of poverty and toil,
Though not of want: the little fields, made green
By husbandry of many thrifty years,
Paid cheerful tribute to the moorland House.
- There crows the Cock, single in his domain:
The small birds find in spring no thicket there
To shroud them; only from the neighbouring Vales
The Cuckoo, straggling up to the hill tops,
Shouteth faint tidings of some gladder place.""
"..."
evidence:-   old print:- Green 1814 (plate 13) 
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, uncoloured soft ground etching, Blea Tarn, Little Langdale, Westmorland, by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1814.
image  click to enlarge
GN0913.jpg
The Langdale Pikes behind. 
Plate 13 in Sixty Small Prints. 
printed at top right:-  "13"
printed at bottom:-  "BLEA TARN. / Published at Ambleside Augst. 1, 1814, by Wm. Green."
item:-  Armitt Library : A6656.13
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Green 1814 (plate 13) 
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, tinted soft ground etching, Blea Tarn, Little Langdale, Westmorland, by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1814.
image  click to enlarge
GN1013.jpg
The Langdale Pikes behind. 
Plate 13 in Sixty Small Prints. 
printed at top right:-  "13"
printed at bottom:-  "BLEA TARN. / Published at Ambleside Augst. 1, 1814, by Wm. Green."
item:-  Armitt Library : A6653.13
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Green 1815
placename:-  Blea Tarn
item:-  sheep
source data:-   Print, coloured aquatint, Blea Tarn, Little Langdale, Westmorland, by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1815.
image  click to enlarge
GN0512.jpg
Plate 13 in Lake Scenery. 
printed at upper right:-  "13"
printed at bottom:-  "BLEA TARN. / Published at Ambleside, June 1, 1815, by Wm. Green."
item:-  Armitt Library : A6646.12
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old map:- Otley 1818
placename:-  Blea tarn
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.
image
OT02NY20.jpg
item:-  JandMN : 48.1
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   descriptive text:- Otley 1823 (5th edn 1834) 
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.
image OT01P033, button  goto source
Page 33:-  "... Blea Tarn, lying on the high ground between the two vales of Great and Little Langdale, has a small sequestered farm adjoining, and called by its name. A view of this piece of water is enriched by the superb appearance of Langdale Pikes. ..."
evidence:-   old map:- Leigh 1830 map
source data:-   Map, Grasmere Rydal and Langdale, scale about 1.5 miles to 1 inch, engraved by Josiah Neele, 352 Strand, published by Leigh and Son, 421 Strand, London, about 1830.
image  click to enlarge
LE04.jpg
item:-  JandMN : 1.3
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   descriptive text:- Ford 1839 (3rd edn 1843) 
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Guide book, A Description of Scenery in the Lake District, by Rev William Ford, published by Charles Thurnam, Carlisle, by W Edwards, 12 Ave Maria Lane, Charles Tilt, Fleet Street, William Smith, 113 Fleet Street, London, by Currie and Bowman, Newcastle, by Bancks and Co, Manchester, by Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, and by Sinclair, Dumfries, 1839.
image FD01P037, button  goto source
Page 37:-  "..."
"Blea Tarn, the next object, is on the heights between the Langdales, and is enriched by the Pikes, Bowfell being in direct prospect,"
"'A quiet, treeless nook, with two green fields,
A liquid pool that glitter'd in the sun,
And on bare dwelling, one abode, no more!'"
evidence:-   old drawing:- Aspland 1840s-60s
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Drawing, pencil, Blea Tarn and the Langdale Pikes, Langdale, Westmorland, by Theophilus Lindsey Aspland, 1849.
image  click to enlarge
AS0154.jpg
"Blea Tarn"
item:-  Armitt Library : 1958.487.54
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old drawing:- Aspland 1840s-60s
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Drawing, pencil, Blea Tarn and hills, Little Langdale, Westmorland, by Theophilus Lindsey Aspland, 1849.
image  click to enlarge
AS0155.jpg
"Blea tarn"
item:-  Armitt Library : 1958.487.55
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old map:- Garnett 1850s-60s H
placename:-  Blea Tarn
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.
image
GAR2NY20.jpg
"Blea T."
outline with shore form lines, lake or tarn 
item:-  JandMN : 82.1
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Nelson 1853 (edn 1880s) 
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, uncoloured, Blea Tarn, Langdale, Westmorland, published by Thomas Nelson and Sons, London, 1853 edn 1880s?
image  click to enlarge
NS0319.jpg
On p.49 of Views of the English Lakes, and Tourists Guide to the English Lakes. 
printed at bottom:-  "BLEA TARN."
item:-  JandMN : 474.20
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print with text:- Pyne 1853
placename:-  Blea Tarn ???
source data:-   Print, tinted lithograph, Langdale Pikes, Great Langdale, Westmorland, by James Baker Pyne, engraved by W Gauci, published by Thomas Agnew and Sons, Manchester, Lancashire, 1853.
image  click to enlarge
PYN213.jpg
"PAINTED BY J. B. PYNE. / W. GAUCI LITH. / MANCHESTER, PUBLISHED BY THOMAS AGNEW & SONS, 1853. / Langdale Pikes / M & N HANHART IMPT."
From the descriptive text:-  "THIS view is taken looking due north from Blea Tarn, a lakelet on Little Langdale. The name Tarn implies a small sheet of water, usually high up among the mountains. Langdale Pikes ... The higher Pike is designated Harrison Stickle, and is 2400 feet in height; the lower one is known as Pike o' Stickle, amd is some hundred feet less elevation. Stickle signifies an abrupt, sharp, pyramidal peak; from the German word stachel, a sharp point. ..."
"Blea Tarn has been commemorated by Mr. Wordsworth in his "Excursion." he supposes the spectator to look down upon it, not from the road, but from one of its elevated sides:-"
""
""Beneath our feet a little lowly vale,"
"A lowly vale, and yet uplifted high"
"Among the mountains: even as if the spot"
"Had been from earliest time, by wish of theirs,"
"So placed to be shut out from all the world!"
"Urn-like it was in shape - deep as an urn,"
"With rocks encompassed, save that to the south"
"Was one small opening, where a heath-clad ridge"
"Supplied a boundary less abrupt and close;"
"A quiet, treeless nook, with two green fields,"
"A liquid pool that glittered in the sun,"
"And one bare dwelling - one abode, no more!""
item:-  Armitt Library : A6678.14
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Pyne 1853
source data:-   Print, coloured lithograph, Langdale Pikes, Great Langdale, Westmorland, by James Baker Pyne, engraved by W Gauci, published by Thomas Agnew and Sons, Manchester, Lancashire, 1853.
image  click to enlarge
PYN413.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : A6677.14
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old text:- Martineau 1855
item:-  poem; Excursion, The; stone, Blea Tarn
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.
image MNU1P148, button  goto source
Page 148:-  "... the valley in which Blea Tarn lies,- the scene of those books of Wordsworth's Excursion which relate to the Solitary. The very rough road scrambles up from Langdale, by Wall End, to the upland vale where the single farmhouse is, and the tarn, and the stone, "like a ship, with keel upturned," which is lodged in a stream near to the tarn. Some people have unaccountably fixed on the Bowder Stone to answer this description; but, besides that the Bowder Stone is far away, it rests on its edge, instead of its "keel" being "upturned." Since the Excursion was written, large plantations of larch have arisen; but they do not much ameliorate the desolation of the place. ..."
evidence:-   old print:- Nelson 1859
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, Nelson print, Blea Tarn, Little Langdale, Westmorland, published by T Nelson and Sons, London etc, 1859.
image  click to enlarge
NS0508.jpg
printed, bottom  "BLEA TARN."
printed, top  "Langdale Pikes"
item:-  Armitt Library : 2003.13.8
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Payn 1867
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Photograph, sepia, Blea Tarn, Little Langdale, Westmorland, by Garnett and Sproat, published by J Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, 1867.
image  click to enlarge
PN0321.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.43 of The Lakes in Sunshine, text by James Payn. 
printed at bottom:-  "BLEA TARN, LITTLE LANGDALE."
item:-  Fell and Rock Climbing Club : 184.21
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
item:-  snow
source data:-   Photograph, black and white, winter, Blea Tarn, Langdale, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s?
image  click to enlarge
HB0958.jpg
embossed at mount:-  "Herbert Bell / AMBLESIDE"
item:-  Armitt Library : 1958.4269
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
source data:-   Photograph, sepia, Blea Tarn in Little Langdale, the Langdale Pikes behind, Langdale, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s.
image  click to enlarge
HB0878.jpg
internegative at lower left:-  "H. Bell"
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS549
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
item:-  reflections
source data:-   Photograph, sepia, Blea Tarn and the Langdale Pikes, Langdale, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s.
image  click to enlarge
HB0914.jpg
internegative at lower left:-  "H. Bell"
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS589
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
item:-  reflections
source data:-   Photograph, sepia, Blea Tarn and the Langdale Pikes, Langdale, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s.
image  click to enlarge
HB0915.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS590
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Philip/Wilson 1890s
source data:-   Print, engraving, Blea Tarn and Langdale Pikes, published by George Philip and Son, London, Philip, Son and Nephew, Liverpool, Lancashire, and Titus Wilson, Kendal, Westmorland, about 1895.
image  click to enlarge
PW1E20.jpg
"BLEA TARN AND LANGDALE PIKES."
item:-  JandMN : 58.21
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Heaton Cooper 1905 (edn 1908) 
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, colour halftone, Blea Tarn and Langdale Pikes, Langdale, Westmorland, from a watercolour painting by Alfred Heaton Cooper, published by Adam and Charles Black, London, 2nd edn 1908.
image  click to enlarge
HC0169.jpg
Opposite p.210 of The English Lakes, painted by Alfred Heaton Cooper, described by William T Palmer. 
printed at tissue opposite the print:-  "BLEA TARN AND LANGDALE PIKES"
printed at signed lower right:-  "[A HEATON COOPER]"
item:-  JandMN : 468.69
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Heaton Cooper 1905 (edn 1908) 
placename:-  Blea Tarn
item:-  rain
source data:-   Print, colour halftone, A Sudden Shower, Blea Tarn, Langdale? Westmorland, from a watercolour painting by Alfred Heaton Cooper, published by Adam and Charles Black, London, 2nd edn 1908.
image  click to enlarge
HC0170.jpg
Opposite p.212 of The English Lakes, painted by Alfred Heaton Cooper, described by William T Palmer. 
printed at tissue opposite the print:-  "A SUDDEN SHOWER, BLEA TARN"
printed at signed lower left:-  "A HEATON COOPER"
item:-  JandMN : 468.70
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Reynolds 1915
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, colour halftone, Blea Tarn and Langdale Pikes, Westmorland, from a painting by Alfred Heaton Cooper, published by Adam and Charles Black, London, 1915.
image  click to enlarge
REY607.jpg
"A HEATON COOPER"
"BLEA TARN AND LANGDALE PIKES."
item:-  JandMN : 1071.7
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- MacBride 1922
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, colour, A Sudden Shower, Blea Tarn, by Alfred Heaton Cooper, published by Adam and Charles Black, 4-6 Soho Square, London, 2nd edn 1928.
image  click to enlarge
MB0126.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.181 in Wild Lakeland by MacKenzie MacBride. 
This looks like the Blea Tarn in Langdale? 
printed at bottom:-  "A SUDDEN SHOWER, BLEA TARN"
signed at lower left:-  "A. HEATON COOPER"
item:-  JandMN : 195.28
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- MacBride 1922
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, colour, Blea Tarn and Langdale Pikes, by Alfred Heaton Cooper, published by Adam and Charles Black, 4-6 Soho Square, London, 2nd edn 1928.
image  click to enlarge
MB0120.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.133 in Wild Lakeland by MacKenzie MacBride. 
printed at bottom:-  "BLEA TARN AND LANGDALE PIKES"
signed at lower right:-  "A. HEATON COOPER"
item:-  JandMN : 195.22
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Pearson 1900s
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, halftone photograph, The Langdale Pikes, across Blea Tarn, Westmorland, published by C Arthur Pearson, Henrietta Street, London, 1900s.
image  click to enlarge
PS1E45.jpg
On p.123 of Pearson's Gossipy Guide to the English Lakes and Neighbouring Districts. 
printed at bottom:-  "THE LANGDALE PIKES, ACROSS BLEA TARN. (p.122). / (pike o'Stickle is the summit to the left; Harrison Stickle to the right)."
item:-  Armitt Library : A1188.52
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Bogg 1898
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, engraving, Blea Tarn and Langdale Pikes, Lakes, Westmorland, by Gilbert Foster, published by Edmund Bogg, 3 Woodhouse Lane, and James Miles, Guildford Street, Leeds, Yorkshire, 1898.
image  click to enlarge
BGG166.jpg
Included on p.182 of Lakeland and Ribblesdale, by Edmund Bogg. 
item:-  JandMN : 231.66
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Blea Tarn and Langdale Pikes, Westmorland, engraved by M Jackson, published late 19th century?
image  click to enlarge
PR0348.jpg
On page 256 of The Land We Live In. 
printed at lower left:-  "M. JACKSON. SC"
printed at bottom:-  "11.- BLEA TARN AND LANGDALE PIKES."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.348
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Blea Tarn, Langdales, Lakes, by William Banks, engraved by W H Lizars, Edinburgh, published by Hudson and Nicholson, Kendal, Westmorland, 1850s-60s?
image  click to enlarge
PR0527.jpg
printed at bottom left, right, centre:-  "Willm. Banks / W. H. Lizars. / BLEA TARN. / Published by Hudson &Nicholson Kendal"
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.476
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   outline view:- Tattersall 1836 (version 1869) 
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, hand coloured, Blea Tarn, Langdales, Westmorland, drawn by George Tattersall, 1836, engraved by W F Topham, published by T J Allman, 463 Oxford Street, London, 1869.
image  click to enlarge
TAT203.jpg
Included in The Lakes of England, by W F Topham. 
printed at bottom:-  "BLEA TARN."
printed at bottom:-  "Black Pike. / Wetherlam. / Blake ridge. / Blakerigg."
item:-  Armitt Library : A1067.3
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   outline view:- Tattersall 1836
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, engraving, Blea Tarn, Westmorland, drawn by George Tattersall, engraved by W F Topham, published by Sherwood and Co, Paternoster Row, London, about 1836.
image  click to enlarge
TAT108.jpg
The print is captioned with mountain names and acts as an outline view. 
Tipped in opposite p.41 of The Lakes of England, by George Tattersall. 
printed at bottom:-  "BLEA TARN."
printed at bottom left to right:-  "Black Pike. / Wetherlam. / Blake ridge. / Blakerigg."
item:-  Armitt Library : A1204.9
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Rose 1832-35 (vol.1 no.25) 
source data:-   Print, engraving, Blea Tarn, Westmorland, by Thomas Allom, engraved by A W Graham, 1832.
image  click to enlarge
PR0405.jpg
Originally vol.1 no.25 in Westmorland, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland Illustrated, with descriptions by Thomas Rose, published by H Fisher, R Fisher, and P Jackson, Newgate, London, about 1835. 
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.398
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Goodwin 1887 (edn 1890) 
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, etching? Blea Tarn, from Lingmoor, Westmorland, by Harry Goodwin, published by Swan Sonnenschein and Co, Paternoster Square, London, 1890.
image  click to enlarge
PR1603.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.174 of Through the Wordsworth Country, by William Knight. 
printed at lower centre:-  "A liquid pool that glittered in the sun"
item:-  JandMN : 382.33
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Goodwin 1887 (edn 1890) 
placename:-  Blea Tarn
source data:-   Print, etching? Blea Tarn, with the Langdale Pikes, Westmorland, by Harry Goodwin, published by Swan Sonnenschein and Co, Paternoster Square, London, 1890.
image  click to enlarge
PR1604.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.178 of Through the Wordsworth Country, by William Knight. 
printed at lower centre:-  "Blea Tarn / two huge Peaks / That from some other vale peered into this."
item:-  JandMN : 382.34
Image © see bottom of page

photograph
BSC84.jpg (taken 1.2.2010)  
photograph
 Click to enlarge
BSC69.jpg (taken 1.2.2010)  
photograph
BSB14.jpg (taken 1.2.2010)  
photograph
BLK25.jpg (taken 17.11.2005)  
photograph
BXG91.jpg  Side Pike beyond.
(taken 3.9.2012)  
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