Armed clergy in 1610 The old hymn ‘Onward Christian soldiers,’ written in 1865, may have been figurative. In earlier centuries, it wasn’t. You only have to think of the stories about the Vikings...Read More
St Anne’s Hospital, also known as Lady Anne’s almhouses, is a famous part of Appleby. (Though sadly, I didn’t take a photo last time I visited the town). But I now have a puzzle to share… Look...Read More
Thomas Smith, Bishop of Carlisle, has featured on this blog already. I didn’t then mention Thomas Smith’s library. When he died, in 1702, Bishop Thomas Smith left his library to Carlisle Cathedral...Read More
The following examples of slander (and an allegation of witchcraft) were found in a manorial court book, and all come from 1691. Manor courts The manor was Inglewood (Forest), in Cumberland. Manor cou...Read More