Author: Harriet
Jacobite occupation: Carlisle 1745
The Jacobite rising of 1745 greatly affected Cumberland and Westmorland. This is Carlisle’s story. In my post on the celebrations at the opening of the Carlisle Canal, in 1823, I mentioned that one... Read More
Holly, a unique Westmorland tradition
A look into a Twelfth Night tradition, involving holly, in Westmorland leads to the story of a worthy Cumbrian Character. But in this post, it’s all about the holly! Holly, a Brough-under-Stainmore ... Read More
Flooding: Carlisle 1822; Whitehaven 1827
Flooding is topical after Storm Bella lashed the UK with roaring winds and heavy rain overnight last night (December 26, 2020). So this post is a look back at previous winter storms, flooding, damag... Read More
Christmas 1843 in Cumbria
Charles Dickens’ arguably most-popular work, A Christmas Carol, was published in 1843. It was also the year of the first Christmas card. So, how did folk in Westmorland celebrate Christmas 1843?’ ... Read More
Hubert Crackanthorpe and Leila Macdonald
The last Crackanthorpe to be recorded on Cumbrian Characters was a tragic one. And the short version is that Hubert Crackanthorpe was an author who died young, likely as a result of suicide. With fact... Read More
A toast (or 40) to the Carlisle Canal
The opening of the Carlisle Canal in 1823 was a cause (or excuse!) for great celebration. And a lot of people were keen to raise a toast to – well, anyone and everyone they could think of. More than... Read More
Dr Anthony Peat, the Workington obelisk
Dr Anthony Peat spent his life ‘in incessant toil for the relief of human suffering’. He was ‘the doctor of all classes, and his kindness to the poor was a notable feature of his character’. ... Read More
The Dearham Riot: ‘headstrong passion’ in 1863
The Dearham Riot of August 4, 1863 doesn’t occupy much, if any space in history books. For which reason, it seems a topic worthy of some space on Cumbrian Characters. If the idea of the village of D... Read More