Muncaster Castle, Muncaster | ||
Muncaster Castle | ||
locality:- | Muncaster | |
civil parish:- | Muncaster (formerly Cumberland) | |
county:- | Cumbria | |
locality type:- | castle | |
locality type:- | haunted house | |
locality type:- | garden | |
coordinates:- | SD10359634 | |
1Km square:- | SD1096 | |
10Km square:- | SD19 | |
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BNT92.jpg (taken 5.6.2007) BTO16.jpg (taken 24.9.2010) |
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evidence:- | old map:- OS County Series (Cmd 82 11) placename:- Muncaster Castle |
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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. |
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evidence:- | old map:- Saxton 1579 placename:- Momaster |
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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. Sax9SD09.jpg Church, symbol for a parish or village, with a parish church. "Momaster" item:- private collection : 2 Image © see bottom of page |
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evidence:- | old map:- Speed 1611 (Cmd) placename:- Momaster |
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source data:- | Map, hand coloured engraving, Cumberland and the Ancient Citie
Carlile Described, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by John Speed,
1610, published by J Sudbury and George Humble, Popes Head
Alley, London, 1611-12. SP11SD19.jpg "Momaster" circle, building, tower item:- private collection : 16 Image © see bottom of page |
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evidence:- | old map:- Jansson 1646 placename:- Momaster |
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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. JAN3SD19.jpg "Momaster" Buildings and tower. item:- JandMN : 88 Image © see bottom of page |
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evidence:- | probably old map:- Morden 1695 (Cmd) placename:- Moncaster |
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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. MD12SD09.jpg "Moncaster" Circle. item:- JandMN : 90 Image © see bottom of page |
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evidence:- | descriptive text:- Simpson 1746 placename:- Moncaster |
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source data:- | Atlas, three volumes of maps and descriptive text published as
'The Agreeable Historian, or the Compleat English Traveller
...', by Samuel Simpson, 1746. goto source "... Moncaster, near Whitehaven, the Seat of Sir Joseph Pennington, one of the Knights of the Shire in the present Parliament. ..." |
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evidence:- | old map:- Donald 1774 (Cmd) placename:- Moncaster Hall |
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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. D4SD19NW.jpg "Moncaster Hall / Sir Joseph Penington" house, and park, also the church item:- Carlisle Library : Map 2 Image © Carlisle Library |
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evidence:- | old map:- West 1784 map placename:- Moncaster house |
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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. Ws02SD09.jpg item:- Armitt Library : A1221.1 Image © see bottom of page |
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evidence:- | old print with text:- Farington 1816 placename:- Muncaster Castle item:- Luck of Muncaster |
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source data:- | Print, uncoloured engraving and descriptive text, Muncaster Castle and Eskdale, Cumberland,
drawn by Joseph Farington, engraved by John Pye, published by T Cadell and W Davies,
Strand, London, 1815. click to enlarge FA0408.jpg printed, bottom left, right, centre "Drawn by J. Farington R.A. / Engraved by John Pye. / Muncaster Castle and Eskdale. / London Published Septr. 15, 1815, by T. Cadell &W. Davies, Strand." Descriptive text:- "VIEW OF MUNCASTER CASTLE." "THE Manor of Muncaster is known to have belonged to the Pennington family as early as the reign of Henry II. Sir John Pennington in the reign of Henry VI. is said to have secreted that unhappy monarch in his flight from his enemies; and the tradition of the family is, that on quitting Muncaster he presented his host with a small glass vessel, still preserved in the family, and called the Luck of Muncaster, to the preservation of which a considerable degree of superstition has attached. This Sir John Pennington is said to have been a distinguished military character, and to have commanded the left wing of the English army in an expedition against Scotland. His grandson, of the same name, was in the battle of Flodden Field. Another descendant, of the same name, was Admiral to King Charles I. and much trusted by that monarch in naval affairs. Sir William Pennington, grandson of the last-mentioned Sir John, was created a Baronet in 1676. Sir John Pennington, the fifth Baronet, was, in 1783, created Lord Muncaster, of the kingdom of Ireland; he died in 1813, leaving only one surviving daughter, married to Lord Lindsay, son of the Earl of Balcarras, when the title of Muncaster and the Muncaster estates, being settled on male heirs, devolved to his brother, General Lowther Pennington, now Lord Muncaster." "Muncaster Castle, which retains the principal tower of the ancient fortified mansion, though it has lost its original form, was nearly rebuilt by the late Lord Muncaster. It stands on an eminence, nearly surrounded by beautiful plantations, and commanding in front a fine view of the Vale of Esk, flanked on each side, and terminated in front, by the wildest mountain scenery. In the house are several family pictures, and a curious portrait of Thomas Skelton, the fool of Muncaster, who is said to have lived in the family at the time of the civil wars, and of whose sayings there are many traditional stories." "The River Esk, which gives its name to Esk-dale, is formed by some small streams which rise near Bow-fell; it falls into the sea at Ravenglass, after a course of about thirteen miles." item:- Armitt Library : A6666.8 Image © see bottom of page |
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evidence:- | descriptive text:- Ford 1839 (3rd edn 1843) placename:- Muncaster Castle |
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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. goto source Page 13:- "..." "... The stream of this vale [Eskdale] passes under the woody steeps, on which stands Muncaster Castle, the handsome residence of the Penningtons, seated on the northern banks, amidst beautiful walks and gardens, with a spacious walk, whilst the neighbouring hills enrich the view with their covering of forest trees. ..." |
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evidence:- | old map:- Ford 1839 map placename:- Muncaster Castle |
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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. FD02SD19.jpg "Muncaster &Castle" Building and park. item:- JandMN : 100.1 Image © see bottom of page |
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evidence:- | old print:- Bradley 1901 placename:- Muncaster Castle |
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source data:- | Print, uncoloured lithograph, Muncaster Castle, Muncaster, Cumberland, by Joseph Pennell,
published by Macmillan and Co, London, 1901. click to enlarge BRL142.jpg On page 182 of Highways and Byways in the Lake District, by A G Bradley. printed at lower right:- "Joseph Pennell" printed at lower left:- "AG" printed at bottom:- "Muncaster Castle." item:- JandMN : 464.42 Image © see bottom of page |
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evidence:- | old text:- Gents Mag |
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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 1907 part 1 p.169 "..." "Muncaster Castle and Hardknott" "THERE is, perhaps, no more beautiful dwelling-place in this country than the Castle of Muncaster. It is a solid pile of red sandstone and granite buildings clustered round an old tower of Roman origin, called Agricola's Tower, the walls of which are nine feet, or thereabouts, in thickness. It stands high on the fellside on a kind of shoulder of the hill, gazing out over the valley of the Esk, out to sea to the west, away up to the mountain land, Sca Fell and his brethren, to the east." "The origin of Muncaster fades away into the mists of tradition. The original Roman Tower was said to have been built to guard St. Michael's ford over the Esk, ..." |
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evidence:- | old text:- Gents Mag 1907 |
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source data:- | goto source Gentleman's Magazine 1907 part 1 p.170 "..." "The family of Pennington (the family name of the Lords of Muncaster) came originally from Pennington in Lancashire, and most of the Penningtons served their country in some way or another. The first Pennington who emerged into history was Gamel de Pennington, he who first removed from Lancashire to Muncaster, or Moelcastre, as it was originally called." "..." "... Here [Walls Castle], probably, the Penningtons dwelt till some time in the Middle Ages, when they betook themselves to the Roman Tower, a mile further up the hill, which by this time had become metamorphosed into the usual "pele tower" style of residence adopted by the nobles and gentlemen of the Border country. Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and North Lancashire have many fine examples of these fortified manor-houses and castellated residences, whose existence is due to the proximity of the lawless moss-troopers, who pillaged the border counties. None of them, however, can compare with Muncaster for beauty of situation." "..." |
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evidence:- | old text:- Gents Mag 1907 item:- Luck of Muncaster |
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source data:- | goto source Gentleman's Magazine 1907 part 1 p.171 "... It is said that King Henry VI., when he fled from his enemies in 1461, was refused asylum at Irton Hall, and was found by a shepherd wandering on the fell at the spot where Chapels now stands. The shepherd brought him in" click to enlarge G907E01.jpg "safety to Muncaster, whose master, Sir John Pennington, took him in and concealed him. "Henry VI.'s room" is still at the Castle, and there is also a portrait of him painted on a wooden panel, in which he is represented as holding the glass goblet known as the "Luck of Muncaster" in his hand." "The Luck of Muncaster is still in existence. It is a curiously-shaped vessel of greenish glass, studded with gold and white spots. It has no stem, being more of a bowl than anything else, and is about six inches in diameter by two and a half in height. It has been used at baptisms" |
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evidence:- | old text:- Gents Mag 1907 |
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source data:- | goto source Gentleman's Magazine 1907 part 1 p.172 "of members of the noble family to which it was given as a token of the gratitude of the fugitive King Henry." "The first of the Penningtons to be elevated to the peerage was Sir John, fifth baronet, who was created Baron Muncaster in 1783. It is said that when he entered into possession of Muncaster Castle on his elevation to the peerage, he found it still surrounded by a moat and defended by a portcullis. The house was in such a ruinous condition that he was obliged to rebuild it almost entirely, with the exception of the pele tower." "..." |
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evidence:- | old photograph:- Seascale 1920s-30s placename:- Muncaster Castle |
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source data:- | Photograph, halftone, Muncaster Castle, Cumberland, by Seascale Advertising Association,
in a guide book, Seascale for Health and Holidays, published by Edward Burrow and
Son, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, 1920s-30s. click to enlarge SES111.jpg item:- JandMN : 1079.11 Image © see bottom of page |
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evidence:- | database:- Listed Buildings 2010 placename:- Muncaster Castle |
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source data:- | courtesy of English Heritage "MUNCASTER CASTLE / / A595 / MUNCASTER / COPELAND / CUMBRIA / I / 76270 / SD1035596332" |
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source data:- | courtesy of English Heritage "Large house incorporating (C13?) fortified tower in the south-west corner; remodelled and enlarged 1862-66 by Anthony Salvin for the 4th Lord Muncaster. Coursed rubble with quoins and sandstone detailing; embattled parapets, some carried on cavetto eaves. Graduated slate roofs; corniced stone chimneys. U-shaped plan with tower at end of each arm; mainly 2 and 3 storeys. Main entrance on south side in full-height porch. Scattered fenestration, mainly C19, of multi-light stone-mullioned (and transomed) windows. Very fine interior includes panelled Hall, drawing room (with decorative plasterwork to segmental ceiling), and octagonal library with galleries. For detailed description, see Pevsner, BUILDINGS OF ENGLAND : CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND pp165 and 166 (1980 edition)." |
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evidence:- | database:- Listed Buildings 2010 |
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source data:- | courtesy of English Heritage "MONUMENT NORTH EAST OF MUNCASTER CASTLE / / A595 / MUNCASTER / COPELAND / CUMBRIA / II / 76267 / SD1107897490" |
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source data:- | courtesy of English Heritage "Eyecatcher, probably mid C18. Rough-dressed granite boulders with quoins; battered, with banding between floors. Pyramidal roof of stone blocks. 3 stages, octagonal in plan c65 ft high. Intended to appear medieval when viewed from a distance but lacks fine detailing. Entrance has pointed head and splayed jambs. Oculi to each side between the lower stages light the ground floor. 1st floor probably entered externally through opening on north-west face; blind Latin crosses to remaining faces. 2nd floor has small window, in rusticated surround, to each face. Interior: Spiral, domical vaults to ground and 1st floors; niches of varying size to ground-floor walls. Said to mark the place where shepherds found Henry VI wandering the Fells after the battle of Towton in 1461." |
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evidence:- | database:- Listed Buildings 2010 |
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source data:- | courtesy of English Heritage "ENTRANCE GATEWAY AND WALLS TO NORTH OF MUNCASTER CASTLE / / A595 / MUNCASTER / COPELAND / CUMBRIA / II / 76271 / SD0978696642" |
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source data:- | courtesy of English Heritage "Entrance gateway and walls; 2 builds, probably late C18/early C19. Ashlar gateway has parapet; rough-dressed quoins and surrounds. Splayed walls of random rubble with chamfered copings. Gateway has taller central section with coat-of-arms and Pennington badges above semicircular-headed carriage arch; wrought-iron gates with scrollwork panels. Piers, square in plan with caps, to inner ends of walls." |
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evidence:- | old postcard:- placename:- Muncaster Castle |
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source data:- | Postcard, sepia coloured photograph, south view of Muncaster Castle, Muncaster, Cumberland,
published mid 20th century? click to enlarge PH0076.jpg printed at top:- "Ravenglass, Muncaster Castle, South View" item:- JandMN : 944 Image © see bottom of page |
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evidence:- | old postcard:- placename:- Muncaster Castle |
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source data:- | Postcard, sepia coloured photograph, the terrace, Muncaster Castle, Muncaster, Cumberland,
published mid 20th century? click to enlarge PH0077.jpg printed at top:- "Ravenglass, The Terrace Muncaster Castle" item:- JandMN : 945 Image © see bottom of page |
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evidence:- | old postcard:- placename:- Muncaster Castle |
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source data:- | Postcard, sepia coloured photograph, north view of Muncaster Castle, Muncaster, Cumberland,
published mid 20th century? click to enlarge PH0078.jpg printed at top:- "Ravenglass, Muncaster Castle, North View" item:- JandMN : 946 Image © see bottom of page |
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evidence:- | old print:- Morris 1866-80 (vol.3 no.9) placename:- Muncaster Castle |
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source data:- | Print, coloured lithograph, Muncaster Castle, Muncaster, Cumberland, about 1880? click to enlarge PR0103.jpg printed at bottom centre:- "MUNCASTER CASTLE." item:- Dove Cottage : 2008.107.103 Image © see bottom of page |
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evidence:- | old print:- Rose 1832-35 (vol.3 no.26) placename:- Muncaster Castle |
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source data:- | Print, uncoloured engraving, Muncaster Castle, Cumberland, drawn by G Pickering, engraved
by T Jeavons, published by Fisher, Son and Co, London, 1835. click to enlarge PR0040.jpg vol.3 pl.26 in the set of prints, Westmorland, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland Illustrated. printed at bottom left, right, centre:- "G. Pickering. / T. Jeavons. / MUNCASTER CASTLE, CUMBERLAND. / FISHER, SON &CO. LONDON, 1835." item:- Dove Cottage : 2008.107.40 Image © see bottom of page |
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evidence:- | old print with text:- Farington 1816 (plate 26) placename:- Muncaster Castle item:- Luck of Muncaster |
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source data:- | Print, uncoloured engraving, Muncaster Castle and Eskdale, drawn by Joseph Farington,
engraved by John Pye, published by T Cadell and W Davies, Strand, London, 1815. click to enlarge BNV38.jpg Plate 26 in The Lakes of Lancashire, Westmorland and Cumberland ... with text by Thomas Hartwell Horne:- "VIEW OF MUNCASTER CASTLE. / THE Manor of Muncaster is known to have belonged to the Pennington family as early as the reign of Henry II. Sir John Pennington, who lived in the reign of Henry VI., is said to have secreted that unhappy monarch in his flight from his enemies; and the tradition of the family is, that on quitting Muncaster he presented his host with a small glass vessel, still preserved in the family, and called the Luck of Muncaster, to the preservation of which a considerable degree of superstition is attached. This Sir John Pennington is said to have been a distinguished military character, and to have commanded the left wing of the English army in an expedition against Scotland. His grandson, of the same name, was in the battle of Flodden Field. Another descendant, of the same name, was Admiral to King Charles I. and much trusted by that monarch in naval affairs. Sir William Pennington, grandson of the last-mentioned Sir John, was created a Baronet in 1676. Sir John Pennington, the fifth Baronet, was, in 1783, created Lord Muncaster, of the Kingdom of Ireland; he died in 1813, leaving only one surviving daughter, married to Lord Lindsay, son of the Earl of Balcarras, when the title of Muncaster and the Muncaster estates, being settled on male heirs, devolved to his brother, General Lowther Pennington, now Lord Muncaster. / Muncaster cstle, which retains the principal tower of the ancient fortifiied mansion, though it has lost its original form, was nearly rebuilt by the late Lord Muncaster. It stands on an eminence, nearly surrounded by beautiful plantations, and commanding in front a fine view of the Vale of Esk, flanked on each side, and terminated in front, by the wildest mountain scenery. In the house are several family pictures, and a curious portrait of Thomas Skelton, the fool of Muncaster, who is said to have lived in the family at the time of the civil wars, and of whose sayings there are many traditional stories. ..." item:- private collection : 75 Image © see bottom of page |
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BNT93.jpg Coat of arms, Pennington Family, 1861. (taken 5.6.2007) BNT94.jpg (taken 5.6.2007) BTE42.jpg Main gate. (taken 13.7.2010) BTE43.jpg Coat of arms on main gate. (taken 13.7.2010) BMB35.jpg (taken 11.5.2006) |
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hearsay:- |
The house encloses a 14th century pele tower, and a castle built by Gamel de Mulcasre,
1258. The modern house was built 1862-63 by Anthony Salvin for the 4th Lord Muncaster. |
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After the defeat of the House of Lancaster at the Battle of Hexham, 1463, Sir John
Pennington sheltered Henry VI for nine days. As reward the king gave Sir John a glass
bowl, enamelled in white and gold, which is regarded as a luck bowl. In the church
is a tablet:- |
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"Holie Kinge Harrye gave Sir John a brauce wrkyd glass cuppe ... Whyles the familie
shold keep hit unbrecken they shold gretely thryve" |
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ghost story:- |
The Tapestry Room is haunted by the ghost of a young carpenter. Sir Francis Pennington
had his jester, Thomas Skelton, kill the man who had courted his daughter. Thomas
presented his master with the young man's head. The jester is said to have been evil.
But his jesting gave rise to the term tomfoolery ... |
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hearsaystory:- |
The grounds of the castle are haunted by the ghost of Mary Bragg, sometimes seen crossing
the road at Chase Corner. Mary came from Ravenglass and loved a footman at the castle.
A rival, the housekeeper, hired a coachman and groom to collect Mary on pretext that
the footman was ill, and needed her. At Chase Corner they stopped the coach, shot
Mary and buried her in Hirst Plantation. A boy discovered the body but was sworn to
silence, and Mary's corpse thrown into the River Esk. At the inquest on her body,
which was washed up some days later, it was decided she had been drowned and her disfigured
face caused by the chigling of eels; a cover up. The ill doers didn't escape: the
housekeeper was ostracised, the groom went mad, and the coachman was later hanged
as a highwayman. |
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Longville, Tim &Corbett, Val (photr): 2007: Gardens of the Lake District: Lincoln,
Frances (London) |
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notes:- |
early tower and hall included in later house |
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Perriam, D R &Robinson, J: 1998: Medieval Fortified Buildings of Cumbria: CWAAS::
ISBN 1 873124 23 6; plan and illustration |
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