Kirkoswald Castle

Just across the river Eden from Great Salkeld is the charming village of Kirkoswald.

What many people, even locals, don't always appreciate is that the village has a castle!

Well the remains of one anyway.

So what is the history here?

Well

1. Look to the west of church where there is a large double ditch enclosure in the middle of which is a platform, 50m by 20m within a ditch up to 8 m wide.
2. There was reputed to have been a large wooden tower here.
3. The licence to crenalate was given in 1201 to Hugh de Morville ( just one before he died).
4. The house was said to have then been burnt by the Scots in 1314.
5. Lord Dacre then took possession and substantial stone buildings were erected.
6. However their lands were forfeited for rebellion in 1569 and in the early 17th century the stones were plundered by Lord William Howard for the building of Naworth Castle.
7. By 1688 it was mainly a heap of stones and some ruined towers.

Cumbria - in Scotland or England?

This little piece of history often amuses our guests and might one day be a trivial pursuit question.

Back in 1136 King Stephen of England was forced to cede Cumbria to David 1st of Scotland. However far from heralding an influx of Scots the existing Norman lords were allowed to remain as long as they acknowledged their new over lord.

But all this changed in 1154 when a stronger King sat on the English throne, Henry II, and Scotland was no longer in a strong position under King Malcolm. This led to Cumbria returning to England in 1157.

So you see Cumbria ( or Cumberland as it then was) was the county which moved!