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Dunmail Raise, St John's Castlerigg etc
Dunmail Raise
civil parish:-   Lakes (formerly Westmorland)
civil parish:-   St John's Castlerigg and Wythburn (formerly Cumberland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   hill
locality type:-   pass
locality type:-   boundary feature
locality type:-   county boundary feature
locality type:-   battle site
coordinates:-   NY32721170 (about) 
1Km square:-   NY3211
10Km square:-   NY31


photograph
BRR53.jpg (taken 7.10.2009)  
photograph
BRR54.jpg (taken 7.10.2009)  

evidence:-   old map:- OS County Series (Cmd 76 1) 
placename:-  Raise Gap
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:- OS County Series (Wmd 18 8) 
placename:-  Dunmail Raise
placename:-  Pass of Dunmail Raise
placename:-  Raise Gap
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:-   poem:- Drayton 1612/1622 text
placename:-  
item:-  Dunmail Raise Stones
source data:-   Poem, Poly Olbion, by Michael Drayton, published by published by John Marriott, John Grismand and Thomas Dewe, and others? London, part 1 1612, part 2 1622.
image DRY6P164, button  goto source
page 164:-  "... Dunbalrase ...
From whose stone-trophied head, ..."

evidence:-   old map:- Drayton 1612/1622
placename:-  Dunbalrase Hill
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, Cumberlande and Westmorlande, by Michael Drayton, probably engraved by William Hole, scale about 4 or 5 miles to 1 inch, published by John Mariott, John Grismand, and Thomas Dewe, London, 1622.
image
DRY520.jpg
"Dunbalrase hill"
Hillock, gentelman sitting on top. 
item:-  JandMN : 168
Image © see bottom of page

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
OG96m015.jpg
In mile 18, Westmerland. 
Road ascends a great hill. 
item:-  JandMN : 22
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   descriptive text:- West 1778 (11th edn 1821) 
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.
image WS21P210, button  goto source
Addendum; Mr Gray's Journal, 1769 
Page 210:-  "..."
"Oct. 8. I left Keswick, and took the Ambleside road, ..."
"... soon after a beck near Dunmail-raise, where I entered Westmorland a second time: ..."

evidence:-   old text:- Clarke 1787
placename:-  Rays Gap
placename:-  Dunmail Rays
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 CL13P118, button  goto source
Page 118:-  "..."
"It is a pleasant enough road thro' these openings of the mountains, not being steep or troublesome, to Rays-Gap, or Dunmail-Rays, as it is called in all the old boundary rolls. Some will tell you that it had its name from Dunmail King of Cumberland, who in conjunction with Llewellyn King of South Wales, fought a battle with Edmund our Saxon King, and Malcolm King of Scots at this place; ..."

evidence:-   old map:- Clarke 1787 map (Ambleside to Keswick) 
placename:-  Dunmail Rays
placename:-  Ray's Gap
source data:-   Map, A Map of the Roads Lakes etc between Keswick and Ambleside, scale about 2.5 ins to 1 mile, by James Clarke, engraved by S J Neele, 352 Strand, published by James Clarke, Penrith, Cumberland and in London etc, 1787.
image
CL9NY31A.jpg
"Dunmail Rays or Ray's Gap"
item:-  private collection : 10.9
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Wilkinson 1810 (plate 16) 
placename:-  Dulmail Raise
item:-  cart
source data:-   Print, uncoloured soft ground etching, Dulmail Raise, on the Ambleside Road, Cumberland, by Joseph Wilkinson, engraved by William Frederick Wells, published by R Ackermann, Repository of Arts, 101 Strand, London, 1810.
image  click to enlarge
WKN116.jpg
Plate 16 in Select Views in Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Lancashire. 
printed at bottom left, right, centre:-  "Revd. Jos: Wilkenson delt. / W: F: Wells sc. / Dulmail Raise, on the Ambleside Road. / ... / Published Octr. 1. 1810. by R. Ackermann. 101. Strand. London."
item:-  Fell and Rock Climbing Club : MN4.16
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old text:- Green 1814
placename:-  Dunmail Raise
source data:-   Set of prints, soft ground etchings, Sixty Small Prints, with text, A Description of a Series of Sixty Small Prints, by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1814.
image GN09p12, button  goto source
page 12:-  "... at the intersection of the sweeping lines, is Dunmail Raise, a considerable heap of stones, dividing Westmorland and Cumberland; under which see the zig-zag road from Ambleside to Keswick: ..."

evidence:-   old print:- Green 1815
item:-  cattle
source data:-   Print, coloured aquatint, Grasmere, Westmorland, by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1815.
image  click to enlarge
GN0528.jpg
Dunmail Raise behind. 
Plate 30 in Lake Scenery. 
printed at upper right:-  "30"
printed at bottom:-  "GRASMERE. / Published at Ambleside, June 1, 1815, by Wm. Green."
item:-  Armitt Library : A6646.28
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old map:- Otley 1818
placename:-  Raise
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
OT02NY31.jpg
item:-  JandMN : 48.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   outline view:- Otley 1823 (5th edn 1834) 
placename:-  Raise Gap
source data:-   Print, woodcut outline view, The Mountains of Grasmere and Rydal, by Jonathan Otley, Keswick, Cumberland, 1830.
image  click to enlarge
OT2E03.jpg
Printed on p.15 of A Concise Description of the English Lakes, by Jonathan Otley, 5th edition, 1834.  "MOUNTAINS OF GRASMERE AND RYDAL: as seen from Red-Bank Head."
"Hammer Scar / Silver How / Ullskarth, Wythburn head / Helm Crag and Stile / Littledale Pike, Skiddaw / Raise Gap / Calva in Caldbeck Fells / Part of Helvellyn / Seat Sandal / Grisedale Hause / Great Rigg, Fairfield / Green-head Ghyll / Forest Side / Nab Scar / Scandale Fell / Rydal Park / Cawdale Moor / Loughrigg Fell"
item:-  JandMN : 48.4
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   outline view:- Otley 1823 (5th edn 1834) 
placename:-  Raise Gap
source data:-   Print, woodcut outline view, Mountains North East of Windermere, by Jonathan Otley, Keswick, Cumberland, 1830.
image  click to enlarge
OT2E11.jpg
Printed on p.99 of A Concise Description of the English Lakes, by Jonathan Otley, 5th edition, 1834.  "MOUNTAINS NORTH-EAST OF WINDERMERE, as seen from Bowness."
Mountains are listed:-  "High Raise / Ullskarth, Wythburn Head / Loughrigg Fell / Stile / Raise Gap / Nab Scar / Great Rigg / Fairfield / Rydal Park / Wansfell Pike / Red Screes / Cawdale Moor / Threshthwaite Mouth / High Street / Froswick / Ill Bell / Yoak / Applethwaite Fell"
item:-  JandMN : 48.12
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 OT01P110, button  goto source
Page 110:-  "The long hill of Dunmail Raise is next to be ascended. It rises to the height of 750 feet above the level of the sea; and yet it is the lowest pass through a chain of mountains which extends from Black Combe on the southern verge of Cumberland, into the county of Durham. Having overcome the steepest part of the road, Skiddaw begins to shew his venerable head in the distance; and here is a retrospect over Grasmere vale, and through a vista of mountains, extending as far as Hampsfield Fell, near the sands of Lancaster. At the highest part of the road, a wall separates the counties of Westmorland and Cumberland;"

evidence:-   old print:- Westall 1830s
placename:-  Raise Gap
source data:-   Print, aquatint panorama, The Vale of Grasmere, from White Moss, Westmorland, drawn and engraved by William Westall, published by R Ackermann, 96 Strand, London, 1832.
image  click to enlarge
WTL310.jpg
"Ambleside Road. Coniston Old Man. Dale end. The Wyke. Silver how. Kilbarrow, Mr. Barker's. Cordale Pike. farm, Pavement End. Easedale. Grasmere Church & Village. Helm crag. Steel fell. The Raise gap. Seat Sandel, the Southern extremeity of Helvellin. / Drawn & Engraved by W. Westall A.R.A. / The Vale of Grasmere, from White Moss. / [outline sketch showing the position of the next two items in the caption] Allen Bank, many years the residence of Mr. Wordsworth. Butterlip how. [outline sketch locating the next four items] Raven crag. Skiddaw. Dunmail Raise. Keswick Road. / Published by R. Ackermann, 96 Strand. 1832."
item:-  Armitt Library : A6658.10
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Ford 1839 (3rd edn 1843) 
placename:-  Raise Gap
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 FD01P044, button  goto source
Page 44:-  "..."
"... From hence [Swan Inn] the road is a long and gradual ascent, mounting in mazy serpentines to the Raise Gap; the steepest part of the road is from Highbroad Rain, through the turnpike, to a long dreary pass, through which the wind sweeps in piercing blasts. On the left brawls along the Rothay or Raise Beck, over which towers the naked Helm Crag. On the right of the Raise Gap, is a stream that divides the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland, and in wet weather presents a number of fine falls."
image FD01P045, button  goto source
Page 45:-  "..."
"On the left are Steel Fell, the green cove of Wythburn Head, and Nab Scar, and on the right are the bulwarks and buttresses of Helvellyn. ..."

evidence:-   old drawing:- Aspland 1840s-60s
placename:-  Dunmail Raise
source data:-   Drawing, pencil, Old Woman Cowering, Helm Crag and Dunmail Raise, Westmorland, by Theophilus Lindsey Aspland, 1857.
image  click to enlarge
AS0510.jpg
"Looking up Dunmail raise / rock on the N. side of Helm crag."
page number  "8"
item:-  Armitt Library : 1958.389.10
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old map:- Garnett 1850s-60s H
placename:-  Dunmail Raise
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
GAR2NY31.jpg
"Dunmail Raise"
pass between hachures 
item:-  JandMN : 82.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Pyne 1853
source data:-   Print, tinted lithograph, Grasmere, from Loughrigg Fell, Westmorland, by James Baker Pyne, engraved by W Gauci, published by Thomas Agnew and Sons, Manchester, Lancashire, 1853.
image  click to enlarge
PYN217.jpg
"PAINTED BY J. B. PYNE. / W. GAUCI LITH. / MANCHESTER, PUBLISHED BY THOMAS AGNEW & SONS, 1853. / Grasmere, from Loughrigg Fell. / M & N HANHART IMPT."
item:-  Armitt Library : A6678.18
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Pyne 1853
source data:-   Print, coloured lithograph, Grasmere, from Loughrigg Fell, Westmorland, by James Baker Pyne, engraved by W Gauci, published by Thomas Agnew and Sons, Manchester, Lancashire, 1853.
image  click to enlarge
PYN417.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : A6677.18
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old text:- Martineau 1855
item:-  altitude, Dunmail Raise
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 MNU1P068, button  goto source
Page 68:-  "From the Swan, the road to Keswick ascends Dunmail Raise;- a steep pitch of road, though its highest point is only 720 feet above the sea. On the right there is a stream which divides the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland; and on either hand rise the mountains of Steel Fell and Seat Sandal."

evidence:-   old text:- Martineau 1855
item:-  altitude, Dunmail Raise
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 MNU1P179, button  goto source
Page 179:-  "PASSES."
": : Height above the Level of the Sea"
"Dunmail Raise : West. &Cumb. : 720"

evidence:-   old print:- Nelson 1853 (edn 1880s) 
source data:-   Print, chromolithograph, Grasmere, Westmorland, published by Thomas Nelson and Sons, London, 1880s?
image  click to enlarge
NS0326.jpg
At the end of Views of the English Lakes, and Tourists Guide to the English Lakes. 
printed at bottom:-  "GRASMERE"
item:-  JandMN : 474.27
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
source data:-   Photograph, b/w, Grasmere lake, Dunmail Raise, etc, Grasmere, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s?
image  click to enlarge
HB0281.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS638
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Green 1809
source data:-   Print, soft ground etching, Grasmere, Westmorland, by William Green, published by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, and Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme, Paternoster Row, London, 1809.
image  click to enlarge
GN0351.jpg
Plate 51 in Seventy Eight Studies from Nature. 
printed in introductory pages to set of prints:-  "Number 51. This view of the lake and vale of Grasmere is from the side of Loughrigg Fell, below the road to Langdale Chapel from Ambleside. ... at the intersection of the sweeping lines of Steel Fell and Seat Sandal is Dunmail Raise [Stones], ... the zigzag line below the raise is part of the road between Keswick and Ambleside."
printed at bottom:-  "GRASMERE. / Published Ambleside, Augst. 1st. 1809, by W. Green."
item:-  Armitt Library : A6637.51
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- 
source data:-   Print, chromolithograph, Grasmere, Westmorland, published by T Nelson and Sons, London, 1900s?
image  click to enlarge
PR0162.jpg
From a set of prints, The Scenery of the English Lakes 
printed at lower right:-  "T. NELSON &SONS"
printed at bottom left:-  "GRASMERE"
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.162
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Harwood 1895
placename:-  Dunmail Raise
source data:-   Print, halftone photograph, Head of Thirlmere and Dunmail Raise, Cumberland, by Meisenbach, published by Henry Blacklock and Co, Albert Square, Manchester, 1895.
image  click to enlarge
HRW302.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.36 of the History and Description of the Thirlmere Water Scheme, by Sir John James Harwood. 
printed at bottom:-  "HEAD OF THIRLMERE AND DUNMAIL RAISE"
printed at lower right:-  "Meisenbach"
item:-  Armitt Library : A660.4
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Dunmail Raise
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Grasmere, from Dunmail Raise, Westmorland, drawn by Dastin? published late 19th century?
image  click to enlarge
PR0346.jpg
On a page of The Land We Live In. 
printed at lower left:-  "[ D]ASTIN"
printed at bottom:-  "9.- GRASMERE, FROM DUNMAIL RAISE. DERWENT WATER AND CONISTON IN THE DISTANCE."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.346
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   outline view:- Black 1856 (23rd edn 1900) 
placename:-  Raise Gap
source data:-   Print, lithograph, Outline Views, Windermere - Mountains as seen from the North End of Belle Isle, Windermere, and Mountains as seen from Biscay How, Bowness, by J Flintoft, Keswick, Cumberland, engraved by R Mason, Edinburgh, Lothian, about 1900.
image  click to enlarge
BC08E1.jpg
"... 2 Raise Gap ..."
item:-  JandMN : 37.4
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   outline view:- Black 1856 (23rd edn 1900) 
placename:-  Raise Gap
source data:-   Print, lithograph, Outline Views, Grasmere and Coniston - Mountains as seen from Redbank, Grasmere, and Mountains as seen a little beyond Tent Lodge on the Road from Coniston to Ulverstone, by J Flintoft, Keswick, Cumberland, engraved by R Mason, Edinburgh, Lothian, about 1900.
image  click to enlarge
BC08E3.jpg
"... 6 Raise Gap ..."
item:-  JandMN : 37.12
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Pyne 1853
source data:-   Grasmere from Loughrigg Fell drawn by James Barker Pyne, 1848-1853, lithographed by T Picken, 1859.
image  click to enlarge
PY08.jpg
"Grasmere from Loughrigg Fell"
item:-  JandMN : 97.9
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Sylvan 1847
placename:-  Dunmaile Raise
item:-  shooting
source data:-   Print, engraving, Dunmaile Raise, Cumberland, published by John Johnstone, Paternoster Row, London, et al, 1847.
image  click to enlarge
SYL137.jpg
On p.151 of Sylvan's Pictorial Guide to the English Lakes. 
printed at bottom:-  "DUNMAILE RAISE."
item:-  Armitt Library : A1201.37
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Harwood 1842
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Dunmail Raise, Cumberland, engraved and published by John and Frederick Harwood, 26 Fenchurch Street, London, about 1842.
image  click to enlarge
HRW210.jpg
printed at bottom left, centre:-  "London, J &F. Harwood, 26, Fenchurch Street. / Dunmail Raise, Cumberland."
item:-  JandMN : 166.10
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   outline view:- Black 1841 (3rd edn 1846) 
placename:-  Raise Gap
source data:-   Print, engraving, outline view, Mountains as seen from the North End of Belle Isle, Windermere, and Mountains as seen from Bisket How, Bowness, by J Flintoft, Keswick, Cumberland, engraved by R Mason, Edinburgh, about 1844.
image  click to enlarge
BC02E1.jpg
"... 2 Raise Gap ..."
item:-  JandMN : 32.3
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   outline view:- Black 1841 (3rd edn 1846) 
placename:-  Raise Gap
source data:-   Print, engraving, outline view, Mountains as seen from Red Bank, Grasmere, and Mountains as seen a little beyond Tent-Lodge on the Road from Coniston to Ulverston, by J Flintoft, Keswick, Cumberland, engraved by R Mason, Edinburgh, Lothian, about 1846.
image  click to enlarge
BC02E3.jpg
"... 6 Raise Gap ..."
item:-  JandMN : 32.5
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Raise Gap
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Grassmere from the Raise Gap, Westmorland, drawn by W Westall, published by Edward Moxon, Dover Street, London, 1840.
image  click to enlarge
PR0158.jpg
printed at bottom left, centre:-  "W. Westall, ARA. delt. / GRASSMERE, / from the Raise Gap. / London. Edwd. Moxon, Dover Street, 1840."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.158
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   outline view:- Tattersall 1836 (version 1869) 
placename:-  Dunmail Hause
source data:-   Print, hand coloured, Grasmere, from Loughrigg Fell, 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
TAT205.jpg
Included in The Lakes of England, by W F Topham. 
printed at bottom:-  "GRASMERE, / from Loughrigg Fell."
printed at bottom:-  "Silver How. / Hammar Scarr. / The Carrs. / Easdale. / Helm Crag. / Steel Fell. / Dunmail Hause. / Helvellyn. / Seat Sandal. / Fairfield."
item:-  Armitt Library : A1067.5
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   outline view:- Tattersall 1836
placename:-  Dunmail Hause
source data:-   Print, engraving, Grasmere, Westmorland, drawn by George Tattersall, engraved by W F Topham, published by Sherwood and Co, Paternoster Row, London, about 1836.
image  click to enlarge
TAT110.jpg
The print is captioned with mountain names and acts as an outline view. 
Tipped in opposite p.43 of The Lakes of England, by George Tattersall. 
printed at bottom:-  "GRASMERE."
printed at bottom left to right:-  "Silver How. / Hammar Scarr. / The Carrs. / Easdale. / Helm Crag. / Steel Fell. / Dunmail Hause. / Helvellyn. / Seat Sandal. / Fairfield."
item:-  Armitt Library : A1204.11
Image © see bottom of page


photograph
Click to enlarge
CEA05.jpg  From Seat Sandal.
(taken 28.9.2015)  

notes:-  
A local saying, south of the pass, is:-
"nothing good ever came over the Raise"
Perhaps a folk memory of the Border Wars.

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