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Cockermouth Castle, Cockermouth
Cockermouth Castle
locality:-   Cockermouth
civil parish:-   Cockermouth (formerly Cumberland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   castle
coordinates:-   NY12243086
1Km square:-   NY1230
10Km square:-   NY13

photograph
BVY52.jpg (taken 24.2.2012)  
photograph
BYP55.jpg (taken 21.6.2013)  
evidence:-   old map:- OS County Series (Cmd 54 4) 
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.
"Castle / Dungeons / Piazza / Gateway Tower / [Hag Tower] / ..."
evidence:-   old map:- Ogilby 1675 (plate 96) 
source data:-   Road strip map, hand coloured engraving, the Road from Kendal to Cockermouth, and the Road from Egremond to Carlisle, scale about 1 inch to 1 mile, by John Ogilby, London, 1675.
image
OG96m040.jpg
In mile 43, Cumberland. 
castle on the right of the road in Cockermouth. 
item:-  JandMN : 22
Image © see bottom of page
source data:-   Road strip map, hand coloured engraving, the Road from Kendal to Cockermouth, and the Road from Egremond to Carlisle, scale about 1 inch to 1 mile, by John Ogilby, London, 1675.
image
OG96Bm10.jpg
In mile 14, Cumberland.  "ye Cast:"
a castle beyond the River Cocker, right of the road. 
item:-  JandMN : 22
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   descriptive text:- Bowen 1720 (plate 261) 
source data:-   Road strip map, uncoloured engraving, pl.261, the end of the road from Kendal to Cockermouth and the road from Egremont to Carlisle, scale about 2 miles to 1 inch, published by Emanuel Bowen, St Katherines, London, 1720.
image
B261m10.jpg
"The Castle is mostly ruinous except that part where ye D. of Somersets Auditor keeps his Courts twice a year, & an apartment over ye Gates where is a large Dining Room, with other Chambers. Tho' his Grace has built a very convenient New House &c for his Bayliffs residence."
item:-  Dove Cottage : Lowther.36
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   descriptive text:- Defoe 1724-26
placename:-  
source data:-   Tour through England and Wales, by Daniel Defoe, published in parts, London, 1724-26.
"... At Cockermouth there is a castle which belongs to the same family [Piercy Family], ..."
evidence:-   old print:- Buck 1739
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, The North West View of Cockermouth Castle, in the County of Cumberland, drawn and engraved by Samuel and Nathaniel Buck, published 1739.
image  click to enlarge
BU0204.jpg
printed, top  "THE NORTH-WEST VIEW OF COCKERMOUTH CASTLE, IN THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND."
printed, bottom  "THIS castle was built soon after the Conquest, by William de Meschines, who first possess'd the Honour of Cockermouth by the Gift of his Brother Ranulph Earl of Cumberland. From the said William it came, for want of Male Issue, to Gilbert Pipard, and from Him, for the like Cause to Richard Lucy, by whose female Issue it became vested, in the Reign of K. Rich. II. A.D. 1384, in the Family of the Percies Earls of Northumberland, in which it continued till Josceline the last Earl, who left only a Daughter, married to His Grace Charles Seymour Duke of Somerset, who is, in Her Right, the present prroprietor. / 1. Cockermouth. - Saml. &Nathl. Buck delin. et Sculp: Publish'd according to Act of Parliament March 26th. 1739."
item:-  Armitt Library : 1959.67.4
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   descriptive text:- Simpson 1746
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-   Atlas, three volumes of maps and descriptive text published as 'The Agreeable Historian, or the Compleat English Traveller ...', by Samuel Simpson, 1746.
image SMP4P196, button  goto source
"Cockermouth-Castle, belonging to his Grace Charles Seymour, Duke of Somerset, Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter, who marry'd, for his first Lady, Catharine, sole Heiress of the Family of the Piercys, Earls of Northumberland, by whom he had this Estate with other large Possessions; ..."
evidence:-   old map:- Gents Mag 1751
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Map of the Black Lead Mines in Cumberland, and area, scale about 2 miles to 1 inch, by George Smith, published in the Gentleman's Magazine, 1751.
image
GM1304.jpg
"The Castle"
tower 
item:-  JandMN : 114
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old map:- Donald 1774 (Cmd) 
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, 3x2 sheets, The County of Cumberland, scale about 1 inch to 1 mile, by Thomas Donald, engraved and published by Joseph Hodskinson, 29 Arundel Street, Strand, London, 1774.
image
D41230J.jpg
"Castle / Castle Garth"
wall etc on hill 
item:-  Carlisle Library : Map 2
Image © Carlisle Library
evidence:-   old map:- Donald 1774 (Cmd) 
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, 3x2 sheets, The County of Cumberland, scale about 1 inch to 1 mile, by Thomas Donald, engraved and published by Joseph Hodskinson, 29 Arundel Street, Strand, London, 1774.
image
D4NY13SW.jpg
"Castle"
large building; a castle 
item:-  Carlisle Library : Map 2
Image © Carlisle Library
evidence:-   old text:- Clarke 1787
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
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.
image CL13P105, button  goto source
Page 105:-  "..."
"I do not find any ancient authors mention a castle here [Castlerigg], Speed, who speaks of twenty-five in Cumberland, hath found out every one I ever heard or knew of, except Kirkoswald; how that has escaped him I cannot tell. I shall here put down their names, and, as well as I can, their most ancient owners, and supposed founders."
"..."
image CL13P106, button  goto source
Page 106:-  "..."
"22. COCKERMOUTH, - A noble building, with the arms of Moulton and Percy."
"..."
evidence:-   old text:- Camden 1789
item:-  coat of arms
source data:-   Book, Britannia, or A Chorographical Description of the Flourishing Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by William Camden, 1586, translated from the 1607 Latin edition by Richard Gough, published London, 1789.
image CAM2P170, button  goto source
Page 170:-  "..."
"... Cokarmouth, a plentiful market town and castle of the earls of Northumberland. The town is handsomely built, but stands low between two hills, on one of which is the church, and on the other overagainst it the strong castle, over whose gate are the arms of Molton, Humfranville, Lucy, and Percy."
evidence:-   old text:- Camden 1789 (Gough Additions) 
source data:-   Book, Britannia, or A Chorographical Description of the Flourishing Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by William Camden, 1586, translated from the 1607 Latin edition by Richard Gough, published London, 1789.
image CAM2P183, button  goto source
Page 183:-  "... The castle [Cockermouth], built by Waltheof first lord of Allendale, and son of Gospatrick earl of Northumberland t. Conq. or by William de Meschines lord of the honor of Cockermouth, stands on an artificial hill, is square, and has several towers. On each side the second gate two spacious dungeons. It was burnt in the civil war. The town gives title of viscount to the earl of Egremont, to whom the castle came by the Percies as to them from the Lucies and Pipards."
evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag
item:-  dungeon; gaol
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.
image G7900930, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1790 p.930  "Review of New Publications"
"... Observations Relative Chiefly to Picturesque Beauty ... William Gilpin ..."
"..."
"What would our modern philosophers say to the following manly and true remarks on the dismal dungeons of Cockermouth castle, II. 150? "It makes one shudder to think of a human creature shut up in those chambers of horror. How dreadful would it be for the people of these more polished times to be carried back into those barbarous periods when these savage practices existed! And yet there is such a correspondence throughout the whole system of manners in each aera, that people are happier, perhaps, under the entire habits of any one age than they would be under a partial change, even though that change were for the better. If we could all bear the mixture with such savage contemporaries, they would perhaps be as much discomposed with our polished manners. Nor did they feel, as we should, a compassion for that barbarous treatment which they were ready to suffer themselves from the chance of war.""
"..."
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.
image G799Eng1, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1799 opp p.281 
image  click to enlarge
G799E01.jpg
"North View of COCKERMOUTH CASTLE."
evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag 1799
item:-  coat of arms; Molton Family; Humphranville Family; Lucy Family; Percy Family
source data:-   image G7990281, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1799 p.281  "Staindrop, June 11."
"Mr. URBAN,"
"WITH this you will receive a drawing of Cockermouth castle, Cumberland; which I took but a few days ago; and, as I am informed no similar view has ever been published, I apprehend it will readily find a place in your valuable Miscellany. This castle stands upon a hill South of the river Dirwent, and West of the Cocker; it is very strong, and the walls are 600 yards in compass. On the East side, over the gate-way, are the arms of the Moltons, Humphranvilles, Lucys, and Percys. In this place are the remains of a vaulted cellar, and some walls of a chapel. It is supposed to have been built soon after the Conquest by William de Meschines."
"S. R."
evidence:-   old text:- Capper 1808
source data:-   Gazetteer, A Topographical Dictionary of the United Kingdom, compiled by Benjamin Pitts Capper, published by Richard Phillips, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London, 1808; published 1808-29.
image CAP116, button  goto source
"[Cockermouth] ... contains the ruins of a very ancient castle; which, from its situation and approach, must have been of great strength; it was chiefly destroyed when taken by the parliament forces in 1648. It belongs to the earl of Egremont, who takes the title of baron from the town. ..."
evidence:-   old print with text:- Farington 1816
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
item:-  Civil War; siege, Cockermouth
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving and descriptive text, Cockermouth, Cumberland, drawn by Joseph Farington, engraved by J Landseer, published by T Cadell and W Davies, Strand, London, 1816.
image  click to enlarge
FA0423.jpg
printed, bottom left, right, centre  "Drawn by J. Farington R.A. / Engraved by J. Landseer A.R.A. / Cockermouth. / London Published March 7, 1816, by T. Cadell &W. Davies, Strand."
Descriptive text:-  "VIEW OF COCKERMOUTH."
"..."
"Cockermouth Castle, the ancient baronial seat of the Lord of Allerdale, stands on a bold eminence, near the confluence of the rivers Cocker and Derwent. It is supposed to have been built soon after the Conquest; but there is no part of the present building which exhibits the architecture of so early a period. Cockermouth Castle is said to have been surrendered to King Henry IV. It is erroneously stated, in the History of this County by Nicolson and Burn, that it was made a garrison for the King in 1648, and that it was taken and burnt by the Parliamentary forces. It appears by Whitelock and Rushworth, that the castle being held by Lieutenant Bird, as Governor for the Parliament, was besieged for some weeks by a party of Cumberland Royalists, and that it was relieved by Colonel Ashton, who was sent out of Lancashire by Cromwell for that purpose. An entry in the registry of burials for the chapelry states, that the siege was laid against Cockermouth Castle in August, 1648, and the castle relieved the 29th of September, in which time were slain of the besiegers George Bucke, and one person only is said to have been shot in the garrison. It is probable, that, the castle, if not dismantled, was suffered to go to ruin after the civil war. A small part of it only is now habitable. In 1688 the only habitable part was the gateway and the court-house, where the Christmas sessions were held."
"..."
item:-  Armitt Library : A6666.23
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag
item:-  siege, Cockermouth Castle
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.
image G819A506, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1819 part 1 p.506 
From the Compendium of County History:-  "1648. ... Cockermouth castle, under Lieutenant Bird, was besieged by the Royalists, from August to September 29, when the siege was raised by a detachment of Parliamentarians from Lancashire, under Colonel Ashton. ..."
evidence:-   old print:- Fielding and Walton 1821 (plate 36) 
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-   Print, coloured aquatint, Cockermouth Castle, Cockermouth, Cumberland, drawn by Theodore H A Fielding, published by R Ackermann, 101 Strand, London, 1821.
image  click to enlarge
FW0136.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.238 in A Picturesque Tour of the English Lakes. 
item:-  Dove Cottage : 1993.R566.36
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 OT01P083, button  goto source
Page 83:-  "Remains of Castles of a more permanent construction are to be seen at Cockermouth, ... Part of that at Cockermouth has been repaired and is inhabited; ..."
evidence:-   descriptive text:- Ford 1839 (3rd edn 1843) 
item:-  bowling green
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 FD01Pr10, button  goto source
"... The Norman conquerors, however, seem to have left this tract [The Lakes] wholly to itself: all the remains of the castles being found on the outskirts, as Egremont, Cockermouth, Brougham, and Kendal. ..."
image FD01P083, button  goto source
Page 83:-  "..."
"The castle stands on a bold elevation, strong by nature, between the Derwent and the Cocker, where it was built soon after the conquest, by Waldieve, first lord of Allerdale. It forms an irregular square, inclosed by strong walls, and defended at the entrance by a portcullis, drawbridge, and moat. On each side of the gate-way leading to the interior court is a deep dungeon. The south-west front, of which much still remains, stood on the brink of the precipice above the rivers, where appears to have been the state-room, and other apartments in the great tower. Under this tower is a vault thirty feet square, lighted by a small grated window, and approached by a descent of twelve steps, the roof upheld up by a single octagonal pillar, which branches out into ribs supporting the groining. This castle was kept in repair till the civil war, when it was reduced by the Parliamentarian forces and dismantled; since then it has lain in ruins, with the exception of the gate-house and the court-house at the east angle, which are kept in repair for the occasional residence of the lord of the manor. There is a bowling-green within"
image FD01P084, button  goto source
Page 84:-  "the walls. The gate-way tower is ornamented with the arms of the Umfranvilles, Multons, Lucies, Percies, and Nevilles, for to all these families this fortress has by turns belonged; the main body is covered with ivy, and with the walls and other towers forms a good study. ..."
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.
image G856A505, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1856 part 1 p.505  "Dr. Bruce, on the part of His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, presented to the society a copper coin, intended to serve as the representative of half-a-crown, and issued to replenish the ebbing exchequer of Charles the First. The piece was found at Cockermouth Castle."
evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag
item:-  roman inscription; inscription, roman; roman fort, Papcastle
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.
image G866A201, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1866 part 1 p.201  "Antiquarian Intelligence and Proceedings of Learned Societies."
"-- Quid tandem velat
Antiqua miscere novis?"
"Notes of the Month"
"Cockermouth Castle, Cumberland. - The Rev. Dr. Bruce has brought before the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, an inscription upon a stone slab, excavated last summer at Cockermouth Castle, which is generally believed to be indebted for most of its material to the ruins of Papcastle, once a strong Roman fortified post, the original name of which has not been satisfactorily ascertained. The upper part of the inscription, apparently to the extent of three or four lines, is entirely wanting: the first line of what remains is very defective, and a word in the fourth has been so mutilated as to be rendered almost, if not quite, illegible; but the most material part is perfectly clear, and is as follows, with the exception that some of the letters are combined or in ligature:"
"....G AVG. II....
NVM. FRISON
VM. ABALLAV
ENSIVM .....
. XIIII KAL ET XIII KAL
NOV. GOR. II. ET POMPEI.
COS. ET ATTICO ET PRETE
XTATO COS. V. S. L. M."
"- numerus Frisonum Aballavensium ..... decimo quarto Kalendis et decimo tertio Kalendis Novembris Gordiano secundo et Pompeiano consulibus et Attico at Pretextato consulibus votum solventes (or solverunt) lubenter ,merito."
"The G in the first line has probably formed part of LEG (legatus); and it is equally probable the letters indicated after AVG. were PR. PR. (propraetor) followed by ET; the full sense being that some person of official rank on some public occasion had dedicated, in discharge of a vow to some deity or deities, a building, in conjunction with a numerus of the Aballavensian Frisiones, on the fourteenth and thriteenth calends November, in the consulates of Gordian (second time consul) and Pompeianus, and of Atticus and Pretextatus, answering to A.D. 214, when Gordianus Pius was emperor."
"The inscription enables us to understand that a body of Frisiones had been quartered sufficiently long at a station called Aballava to acquire the surname Aballavenses. This Aballava is recorded in the Notitia among the stations per lineam valli as being garrisoned, under a praefect, by a numerus of Moors, called Aurelian. But it is somewhat remark-"
evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag 1866
source data:-   image G866A202, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1866 part 1 p.202  "[remark]able that, while all the stations upon the wall from the first or easternmost have been identified without much, if any, doubt, Aballava has hitherto baffled the inquiries and explorations of the most active and expert invesigators. Horsley placed it at Watch-cross or Watch-close, a locality altogether wanting in the indicia of a permanent military post. The late Rev. John Hodgson, with more show of reason, locates it at Stanwix, but chiefly from its position in the Notitia, the fourteenth station from Wallsend; Petriana, the thirteenth, being Walton Chesters. He remarks "that it had its name from contiguity to the wall, I cannot doubt; for alla, falla, and balla, in the old language of Britain and the present speech of Ireland, are synonymous to vallum in Latin and wall in English." a Dr. Bruce, who more than any one has studied the wall and its stations, hesitates to identify the site of Aballava, and also of some other stations to the west of Petriana. Papcastle, where, no doubt, the inscription under consideration was originally found, is away from the the line of the wall, and of course has no claim to be considered as Aballava; but it falls into another series of the Notitia stations, the sites of most of which have by no means been positively ascertained; and, notwithstanding researches from Camden to the present day, much remains to reward careful and personal explorations. A valuable instalment will no doubt be given in Dr. Bruce's third edition of his "Roman Wall," now passing through the press, which will contain, among much additional matter, a full and illustrated of Mr. Clayton's discovery of the remains of a Roman bridge over the North Tyne at Chesters, the Cilurnum of the Notitia."
"The Frisiones of this inscription are no doubt the Frisiani of the rescript of Trajan found at Sydenham, of whom lapidary records have been dsicovered at Binchester and at Melandra Castle; and at the same time they are probably the same as the Frixagi of the Notita stationed at Vindobala on the Wall."
"... ..."
"a The Roman Wall and South Tindall, p.219."
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
source data:-   Photograph, black and white, entrance, Cockermouth Castle, Cockermouth, Cumberland, by Herbert Bell, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s.
image  click to enlarge
HB0440.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS95
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
source data:-   Photograph, black and white, Cockermouth Castle, Cockermouth, Cumberland, by Herbert Bell, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s.
image  click to enlarge
HB0439.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS94
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
item:-  coat of arms
source data:-   Photograph, b/w, Cockermouth Castle, Cockermouth, Cumberland, by Herbert Bell, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s?
image  click to enlarge
HB0320.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS679
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
source data:-   Photograph, b/w, Cockermouth Castle, Cockermouth, Cumberland, by Herbert Bell, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s?
image  click to enlarge
HB0321.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS680
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
item:-  sluice gear
source data:-   Photograph, b/w, Cockermouth Castle, Cockermouth, Cumberland, by Herbert Bell, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s?
image  click to enlarge
HB0322.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS681
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Bradley 1901
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-   Print, uncoloured lithograph, Cockermouth Castle, Cockermouth, Cumberland, by Joseph Pennell, published by Macmillan and Co, London, 1901.
image  click to enlarge
BRL120.jpg
On page 100 of Highways and Byways in the Lake District, by A G Bradley. 
printed at bottom:-  "Cockermouth Castle."
item:-  JandMN : 464.20
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   site plan:- Curwen 1913
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-   Site plan, Plan of Cockermouth Castle, Cockermouth, Cumberland, by John F Curwen, published for the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society by Titus Wilson, Kendal, Westmorland, 1913.
image  click to enlarge
CW0123.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.132 of The Castles and Fortified Towers of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire North of the Sands, by John F Curwen. 
printed at lower left:-  "PLAN OF / COCKERMOUTH CASTLE / John F. Curwen / 30.vi.1910"
item:-  Armitt Library : A782.23
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Curwen 1913
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-   Print, halftone photograph, Cockermouth Castle, the Gatehouse, Cockermouth, Cumberland, published for the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society by Titus Wilson, Kendal, Westmorland, 1913.
image  click to enlarge
CW0122.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.130 of The Castles and Fortified Towers of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire North of the Sands, by John F Curwen. 
printed at bottom:-  "COCKERMOUTH CASTLE: THE GATEHOUSE."
item:-  Armitt Library : A782.22
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"COCKERMOUTH CASTLE (RESIDENCE OF LORD EGREMONT) / / CASTLEGATE / COCKERMOUTH / ALLERDALE / CUMBRIA / I / 71652 / NY1224830886"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Occupies the north side of the outer ward, formerly separate cottages, now 1 house, late Georgian in character, stone, 2 storeys, 8 sash windows on upper floor, 3 doors and sashes on ground floor, most windows 12-paned with plain stone architrave. Slate roof and stone chimneys, the east end adjoining the Gatehouse."
"The inhabited parts of Cockermouth Castle form a group with the uninhabited parts."
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"COCKERMOUTH CASTLE (UNINHABITED PARTS) / / CASTLEGATE / COCKERMOUTH / ALLERDALE / CUMBRIA / I / 71651 / NY1221230882"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Ancient Monument (Scheduled). The site is on a promonotory between the Rivers Cocker and Derwent, and there has been a castle since before 1221. The Hall, 1360, Flag Tower 1387, Gatehouse rebuilt circa 1400. Full curtain walls and 2 wards. Masonry in good order externally. Ref. Curwen, "Castles", p, 127. An important building in a fine setting."
"The inhabited parts of Cockermouth Castle form a group with the uninhabited parts"
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"BOWLING GREEN HOUSE IN GROUNDS OF COCKERMOUTH / / CASTLEGATE / COCKERMOUTH / ALLERDALE / CUMBRIA / II / 71657 / NY1237830896"
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"SOUTHERN RANGE OF BUILDINGS, ADJOINING THE FLAG TOWER (INCLUDING GARAGES, STORE ROOMS AND CASTLE COTTAGE / / CASTLEGATE / COCKERMOUTH / ALLERDALE / CUMBRIA / I / 71655 / NY1224330839"
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"GARDEN WALLS OF THE CASTLE SOUTH OF BOWLING GREEN HOUSE / / CASTLEGATE / COCKERMOUTH / ALLERDALE / CUMBRIA / II / 71658 / NY1233430859"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Mainly old brick, probably C18. High walls enclosing the former bowling green and separating the Castle grounds from the street."
"The inhabited parts of Cockermouth Castle form a group with the uninhabited parts."
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"OUTER GATEHOUSE / / CASTLEGATE / COCKERMOUTH / ALLERDALE / CUMBRIA / I / 71653 / NY1227130882"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"C14, vaulted, with round arch and spiral stair. The upper rooms communicate with Lord Egremont's house and also the east range of buildings."
"The inhabited parts of Cockermouth Castle form a group with the uninhabited parts"
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"LORD EGREMONT'S ESTATE OFFICE AND THE OFFICE OF THE WESTMORLAND GREEN SLATE COMPANY / / CASTLEGATE / COCKERMOUTH / ALLERDALE / CUMBRIA / I / 71654 / NY1227030857"
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"PUMP INSIDE THE OUTER GATEHOUSE / / CASTLEGATE / COCKERMOUTH / ALLERDALE / CUMBRIA / I / 71656 / NY1226230876"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Square stone pier with chamfered panelled corners and curved capping. Iron curved handle and wooden pipe. Stone trough, square with circular basin."
"The inhabited parts of Cockermouth Castle form a group with the uninhabited parts."
evidence:-   old print:- Goodwin 1887 (edn 1890) 
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-   Print, etching? Cockermouth Castle, Cumberland, by Harry Goodwin, published by Swan Sonnenschein and Co, Paternoster Square, London, 1890.
image  click to enlarge
PR1572.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.2 of Through the Wordsworth Country, by William Knight. 
printed at lower centre:-  "Cockermouth Castle / -the shadow of those towers / That yet survive, a shattered monument / O feudal sway -"
item:-  JandMN : 382.2
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Green 1819
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-   Print, soft ground etching, Cockermouth Castle, Cumberland, by William Green, 1820, published by R Lough and Co, Chronicle Office, Finkle Street, Kendal, and others, 1820.
image  click to enlarge
GN0129.jpg
Tipped in opposite vol.2 p.294 of The Tourist's New Guide, by William Green. 
printed at bottom right, centre:-  "Vol.2, page 294, line 3. / COCKERMOUTH CASTLE. / Published at Ambleside, by Wm. Green, 1820."
item:-  Armitt Library : A1141.30
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Robertson 1911
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-   Print, lithograph? Cockermouth Castle, from a watercolour by Arthur Tucker, published by Chatto and Windus, London, 1911.
image  click to enlarge
RSN107.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.20 of Wordsworthshire by Eric Robertson. 
Jenning's brewery in front? 
printed at bottom:-  "COCKERMOUTH CASTLE"
signed at painting lower left:-  "Arthur Tucker"
item:-  JandMN : 197.7
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Cockermouth Castle, Cumberland, published early 19th century?
image  click to enlarge
PR0445.jpg
printed at bottom:-  "Cockermouth Castle."
item:-  private collection : 109
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, North View of Cockermouth Castle, Cumberland, drawn by Stephens Robson, published by the Gentleman's Magazine, London, 1799.
image  click to enlarge
PR0270.jpg
printed at top right:-  "Gent. Mag. April 1799. Pl.II p.281."
printed at bottom left, centre:-  "Stephens Robson del. June 1798. / North View of COCKERMOUTH CASTLE."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.270
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print with text:- Hearne and Byrne 1786
source data:-   Print, engraving, Cockermouth Castle, drawn by Thomas Hearne, engraved by William Byrne and M A Rooker, published by T Hearne and W Byrne, London, 1786.
image  click to enlarge
BMZ80.jpg
Plate 12 ?from the Antiquities of Great Britain, published 1786-1807; with descriptive text:-  "COCKERMOUTH CASTLE"
"Is seated on an artificial mount at the confluence of the rivers Cocker and Derwent: the walls are of considerable extent, and bear evident marks of its being formerly a place well calculated for defence."
"Concerning the founder of this Castle authors differ; some attribute its origin to Waldeof, first Lord of Allerdale, and son of Gospatrick Earl of Northumberland, in the time of William the Conqueror. By others we are told it was built by William de Meschines, who enjoyed the Honour of Cockermouth by gift of his brother Ranulph Earl of Chester, to whom the Conqueror had given the whole county of Cumberland."
"The baronial Honour of Cockermouth, with that of Egremont, descended by marriages to the De Lucies, and to the Percies of Northumberland; and afterwards to Charles Seymour Duke of Somerset, and finally to the present Earl of Egremont."
"During the civil war in the reign of Charles I. this Castle was garrisoned for the King; but being besieged and taken, was burnt, since which the inside has remained in ruins."
"The exterior walls of this Castle are nearly square, and are decorated by several towers and bastions of the same figure, and one of a circular form that stands at the west end, and overlooked the conflux of the rivers. The interior part of the Castle is divided by the remaining walls into three distinct areas; the least of which affords an ample garden, for the use of the person who inhabits an apartment in the outer area, and takes care of the Castle."
"The Print represents the north-east aspect, and entrance to the Castle. Over the gate are seen five shields, four of them, according to Cambden, bear the arms of the Moultons, Humfranvilles, Lucies, and Percies, and the other is said to belong to the Nevils. In this Tower, over the gate-way, are some habitable rooms, which are furnished for the convenience of the auditor who holds his courts in this Castle."
"The View was taken in 1777."
item:-  Dove Cottage : Lowther.43
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print with text:- Lowther 1780s-90s
source data:-   Print, engraving, Cockermouth Castle, Cockermouth, Cumbria, engraved by DL, 1775; with descriptive text:-
image  click to enlarge
BMZ83.jpg
"COCKERMOUTH CASTLE, CUMBERLAND."
"(PLATE I.)"
"THIS was the baronial castle of the honour of Cockermouth, built, as is supposed, soon after the Conquest by William de Meschines, who possessed that honour by gift of his brother Ranulph, earl of Cumberland; to whom the Conqueror gave all that part of Cumberland called Copeland, lying between the Duddon and the Derwent."
"FROM the said William this honour, for want of heirs male, came to Gilbert Pipard; and from him, for the like cause, to Richard de Lucy; whose daughter and co-heiress marrying Thomas de Moulton, had issue a son Anthony, who took upon him the name Lucy; and to him, as it appears in Madox's Baronia, this honour, together with the manor of Pappe Castle, were granted by Edward III. in the second year of his reign. This Anthony dying without issue, his estates devolved to his sister Maud, who first married Gilbert de Umfraville, and afterwards Henry de Percy, earl of Northumberland. She did, by a fine levied in the Octaves of St. John Baptist, in the reign of King Richard II. A.D. 1384, settle the castle and honour of Cockermouth, with a large proportion of her inheritance, upon her husband and his heirs male, with diverse remainders to the family of the Percy's, upon condition that they should always bear the arms of Lucy, which are, gules, three luces or pikes, hauriant, argent, in all shields, banners, ensigns, and coats of arms whatsoever, quarterly with their own. In this family it continued till Joceline, the last earl, leaving only a daughter, she carried it in marriage to Charles Seymour, duke of Somerset; and by the death of Algernon (the last duke) without heirs male, it descended, together with the title of earl of Egremont, to Sir Charles Wyndham, Bart. whose son is the present proprietor."
"OTHER accounts attribute the building of this castle to Waldof, first lord of Allerdale, son of Gospatrick, earl of Northumberland, cotemporary with William the Conqueror. Waldof, it is said, resided first at Pappe Castle in this neighbourhood; which he afterwards demolished, and with the materials erected this edifice."
"THIS castle stands on the west side of the Coker, on a mount, seemingly artificial, near the Darwent. The dimensions of the walls, which form nearly a square, are computed about 600 yards in compass; they are flanked by several square towers. The entrance is on the east side over a bridge. Over the outer gate are five shields of arms; four of them are said to be those of Moulton's, Umfraville's, Lucy's, and Percy's. In this gate are some inhabitable rooms, wherein the auditor holds a court twice every year."
"WITHIN the walls are two courts: in the first are some small modern tenements inhabited by a person who takes care of the castle. From this court, through a gate, is the entrance into a second. On each side of this gate are two deep dungeons, each capable of holding fifty persons; they are vaulted at the top, and have only a small opening in order to admit the prisoners, who either descended by a ladder, or were lowered down with ropes. On the outside of the gate, just even with the ground, are two narrow slits; one on each side, sloping inwards. Down these were thrown the provisions alloted for the wretched beings confined there, who had no other light or air but what was admitted through these chinks."
"WITHIN the second court stood the mansion, now in ruins. The Kitchen, as it is called, makes a picturesque appearance. It has one of those monstrous chimneys, so common in old mansions, which serve to give an idea of the ancient hospitality. Under it is a groined vault, said to have been the chapel, supported near the middle by a large polygonal column, and lighted by only one window."
"DURING the civil war it was garrisoned, anno 1648, for the king; and being besieged and taken, was burned, and never since repaired; although the present earl has caused the outer walls to be new pointed, and the rubbish to be removed from the inner court."
"This view, which represents the north-east aspect, was drawn anno 1774."
item:-  Dove Cottage : Lowther.46
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print with text:- Lowther 1780s-90s
source data:-   Print, engraving, Cockermouth Castle, Cumberland now Cumbria, engraved by Sparrow, 1775; with descriptive text:-
image  click to enlarge
BMZ84.jpg
"COCKERMOUTH CASTLE, CUMBERLAND."
"PLATE II."
"THE former view exhibited the outside of this Castle; this shews the inside of its inner Court, view'd nearly in the contrary direction."
"THE great room called the kitchen is here very perspicuous. Towards the right hand, and near its top, appear the remains of a stair-case."
"THE small door near the middle of the Plate, with an inner arch appearing just above the wall, is tat which leads to the stair-case, descending into the chapel."
"UNDER the largest of the two pointed arches, towards the right hand, lies the passage to and from the outer court."
"This view was drawn anno 1774."
item:-  Dove Cottage : Lowther.47
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Lowther 1780s-90s
source data:-   Print, engraving, Cockermouth Castle, in Cumberland, late 18th century.
image  click to enlarge
BMZ85.jpg
item:-  Dove Cottage : Lowther.48
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Lowther 1780s-90s
source data:-   Print, engraving, Cockermouth Castle, Cockermouth, Cumbria, late 18th century.
image  click to enlarge
BMZ82.jpg
item:-  Dove Cottage : Lowther.45
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Lowther 1780s-90s
source data:-   Print, engraving, North West View of Cockermouth Castle, Cockermouth, Cumberland, late 18th century.
image  click to enlarge
BMZ81.jpg
item:-  Dove Cottage : Lowther.44
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Cockermouth Castle, Cumberland, engraved by Sparrow, published by Samuel Hooper, 1783.
image  click to enlarge
PR0209.jpg
printed at top right:-  "25"
printed at bottom right, centre:-  "Sparrow Sc. / Cockermouth Castle, Pl.2. / Published 21 Augt. 1. 1783 by S. Hooper"
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.209
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Cockermouth Castle, Cumberland, published by Samuel Hooper, 1783.
image  click to enlarge
PR0208.jpg
printed at top right:-  "Pl.1."
printed at bottom:-  "COCKERMOUTH CASTLE. / Pub'd 21 Decr. 1783 by S. Hooper"
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.208
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, The North West View of Cockermouth Castle, Cumberland, about 1769.
image  click to enlarge
PR0183.jpg
Included in vol.3 p.11 of a set of castle pictures? 
printed at bottom:-  "The North West View of Cockermouth Castle, in the County of Cumberland."
printed at top left of page:-  "Vol.III pa.11."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.183
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Cockermouth Castle
source data:-   Print, hand coloured engraving, Cockermouth Castle, Cumberland, published mid 18th century?
image  click to enlarge
PR0269.jpg
printed at bottom:-  "COCKERMOUTH CASTLE, in CUMBERLAND."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.269
Image © see bottom of page
hearsay:-  
 Built by Waltheof, son of the earl of Dunbar, 1134. The outer gatehouse was built 1440, by Lord Percy. Generally closed to visits.
notes:-  
 motte and bailey, curtain wall, towers, gateways, moat

Perriam and Robinson 1998

Perriam, D R &Robinson, J: 1998: Medieval Fortified Buildings of Cumbria: CWAAS:: ISBN 1 873124 23 6; plan and illustrations; motte and bailey, curtain wall, towers, gateways, moat
Bradbury, J Bernard: 1983: Cockermouth in Pictures, 3 the Castle
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