button to main menu   West's Guide to the Lakes, 1778/1821

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Page 149:-
and then they would be attacked in front and rear. That the Romans have had engagements at Kirkston-pass is evident, from the Roman arms that were lately found in the adjoining moss, and the many heaps of stones collected thereabouts, which have the appearance of barrows.
  Scots
These are the only passes amongst the mountains, that a body of Caledonians could attempt in their way to the south, and these could not be secured without a station at Keswick, and that could not be more advantageously placed, than where the town now stands, on the meeting of the roads from the surrounding stations, all being about an equal distance from it, and at such a distance as rendered a station there necessary, and the several castellums on Castle-crag, and Castle-hill, and Castlet, useful in giving notice, in order to guard these important posts. That no vestige is now visible of a station ever being there, nor any notice taken of it by Camden and Horsley, nor even atraditional (sic) record of its existence, are seeming difficulties, which put the negative on what has been advanced. But this may only prove, that no care was taken to preserve the memory of such remains, and that the town occupies the whole area of the station and that the station had been placed within the site of the town, probably in the lower part, facing the
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gazetteer links
button -- "Kirkston" -- Kirkstone Pass
button -- (roman fort, Keswick)

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