Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland
Part 14
"The chapel is a low, mean building, and stands in the parish of Grassmere. The inhabitants (who are land owners), as well as those in the parish of Winandermere, as those in the parish of Grassmere, have the right of nominating and presenting the curate. The rector of Grassmere usually nominated the curate, but the inhabitants of this and many other perpetual curacies in the north have, by custom, gotten it from the rectors of vicars; the reason is this: before the death of Queen Anne, many of the chapelries were not worth above three pounds a year, and the donees could not get persons properly qualified to serve them, so they left them to the inhabitants, who raised voluntary contributions for them in addition to their salary, with clothes yearly and whittlegate. Whittlegate is to have two or three weeks' victuals at each house, according to the ability of the inhabitants, which was settled amongst them so as that he should go his course as regular as the sun, and compleat it as annually."
The custom prevailed so late as 1858 in some country parishes; it is not a little curious that it has not been found to exist in any counties except Cumberland and Westmorland, though the Rev. J. Wharton, Stainmore, has informed the writer that it is recognised still in some parts of the United States.
The custom of barring out is probably unknown to the present generation of Cumbrian and Westmerian school-boys--at any rate in the sense in which it used to be observed. There exist numerous stories of the thoroughness with which the boys formerly maintained their supposed rights in this direction. The Rev. E. H. Sugden's sketch of the history of Arlecdon and Frizington shows how the observance was followed there every Christmas:--"The old men of the parish tell with delight their experiences and adventures in carrying out this old custom. One says he remembers the master entering the school by creeping down the chimney. Another tells of a boy hiding himself in the chimney when the master had forced the door open. It appears that during this period of expulsion the doors of the school were strongly barricaded within, and the boys who defended it like a besieged city were armed in general with elder pop-guns. In the meantime the master would make several efforts, both by force and stratagem, to regain his lost authority. If he succeeded, heavy tasks were imposed, and the business of the school went on as usual; but it more commonly happened that he was repulsed and defeated. The siege was continued three days, after which the terms of capitulation were proposed by the master, who usually pushed them under the door, and as a rule the boys accepted. These terms stipulated what hours and times should for the ensuing year be allotted to study, and what to relaxation and play. Securities were given by each side for the due performance of these stipulations, and the paper was then solemnly signed by both master and pupils.
"Mr. Sibson, of Whitehaven, formerly of this parish, relates the two following incidents in connection with this custom. On one occasion, Mr. C. Mossop endeavoured to enter the school. As soon as he put his hand on the window sill, intending to enter that way, a boy hit his hand with a red-hot poker, so that for many days he went about with it in a sling. On another occasion, Mr. Hughes, the master, took some slates off the roof, and succeeded in getting his legs and part of his body past the rafters, but he could get no further, and the boys with red-hot pokers burnt him severely before he could be rescued by his friends. In those days many young men attended the school during the winter time."
At Appleby, the "barring out" sometimes lasted for days, and the scholars slept in the schoolrooms. In most places the mutiny was apt to break out early on the morning of the day fixed for breaking up for the holidays. They defied the master by means of sundry cries, that at Kendal being:--
"Liberty, liberty, under a pin, Six weeks' holiday or _nivver_ come in."
Apparently the custom was killed in the old grey town at the beginning of this century by the then master, Mr. Towers meeting with a distressing mishap. He was contending with them, apparently for admittance, when his eye was accidentally destroyed, and the disaster served to bring about the abolition of the old custom.
Fine warm days of that Indian summer so often experienced in the two counties in September and October were devoted to "going a nutting," and the headmaster of Appleby Grammar School never refused a holiday at that season, provided that each scholar brought him a quart of "leamers"--nuts sufficiently ripe to leave the husks without compulsory treatment. As Christmas approached, the schoolmaster was "barred out" in orthodox fashion, until he agreed (and he only pretended to be loth to make the contract) to extend the coming holidays as long as his pupils demanded.
THE END
Index.
Acorn Bank, Privileges of tenants of, 67
Ale possets, 202
Allendale, Old school-days at, 250
Alms corn, Payments of, 88
Altar, Horn of the, at Carlisle, 74
Ambleside--curious church tradition, 49
Appleby, Privileges of burgesses of, 69; Barring out custom at, 254-255; Curious assize incident at, 7; Bull-baiting at, 195; Excommunication at, 102; Grammar School, 242; Public whipping at, 126-128; Stocks at, 125
Appleby Castle, Old corn measures at, 159-160; Curfew bell at, 238
Applethwaite (Windermere), Curious regulations at, 89
Apprentices and salmon, 178
Apprenticeship custom, An, 233
Archdeacon's Court, 59-60
Archery, 196-199
Arlecdon, Rector of, chasing a parishioner, 42; Church font used as water-trough, 50; Church, Dogs in, 63; Tradition concerning buried church, 133; An old school at, 249; Barring out custom at, 252
Armathwaite, Gibbeting of Whitfield at, 94
Armboth Hall, Skulls at, 147
" Web-stone at, 237
Armour in churches, 13, 34
Assessors of bread and ale, 89
Assize incident, A curious, 7
Atkinson, Execution of Captain, 97
Bampton, Arrangement of families in church, 53; Punishment of Quakers, 107-109
Barguest, The, 141
Barring out custom at school, 252-255
Barton, Probable fortified church at, 34; Curious manorial custom at, 80
Beacons, 10-13
Beating the bounds, 227
Bees, Telling the, 138
Beetham Church, Penance at, 111
Bell-gate at Dalston, 238
Bell-horses, 217, 238
Bell legends, 132
Bell, Mayor of Wreay's old silver, 201
Bells, Carlisle racing, 191
Bishop of Carlisle and cock-fighting, 195
Bishops excommunicated, 100
Bishops, Fighting, 22-28
Blackmail rent, 75
Bode, bodesmen, bodeword, bode-hill, 14
Boggles, 139
Bongate--A reminder of serfdom, 66
Boon services, 76-79
Bootle, Beacon at, 15
Border service, 9-16, 68-70, 229
Bridekirk, Excommunication at, 101
Brigham, Fortified church at, 33
Brough, Probable fortified church at, 34; Church font in private grounds, 50; Holly Night at, 205
Brougham, Curious horn at, 73; Countess's Pillar at, 223
Bull and boar, Obligation to keep, 87
Bull-baiting, 195
Burgh Barony Cup, Races for, 190
Burgh-by-Sands, Fortified church at, 30
Burrell Green, Luck of, 151
Burton, Curious dispute at, 40
"Burying the old wife" custom, 233
Calgarth skulls, 146
Caldbeck, Manorial customs at, 83
Carleton--A reminder of serfdom, 65
Carlisle, Watch and ward at, 19; Cathedral, Rioting in, 37; Cathedral used as a prison, 37; Charter Horn at, 74; Pillory and stocks at, 124; Racing Bells, 191
Cartmell Church, Troops quartered in, 37
Carriage money service, 89
Castleward, Service of, 71
Charms, 136
Charter Horn at Carlisle, 74
Chimney and hearth tax, 182-186
Church curiosities, 38-63; Stock, 51, 52; Holding manorial courts in, 58; Dog-whippers in, 60-63; Legends, 131-133, 139; Fined for not going to, 226
Churchwardens' duties, 51, 52, 107, 108, 226; Selection of, 245
Churchyards, Keeping swine out of, 60; Announcing sales in, 158
Churches, Fortified, 28-37; Armour in, 13, 34; Division of sexes in, 53; Seating arrangements in, 51; Swallowed by the earth, 131-132
Churning, Superstitions about, 137
Christmas festivals, 202
Clergy, Old-time, 40-46
Clergymen as publicans, 41; as schoolmasters, 248-252
Cliburn, A probable fortified church at, 34
Clifton, Old school-days at, 251
Clogs, 171
Cloth searchers, 164
"Clothe Dightinge," 163
Coaching days, The old, 213-216
Coals carried on horse-back, 217
Cockermouth tolls dispute, 83; Old manorial officers at, 90
Cock-fighting, 192-195, 201, 242
Cockpenny, 242, 243
Corby Castle, Radiant Boy of, 146
Cordwainers, Rules for, 164
Cornage, Service of, 15, 69, 70, 73
Coronation festivities, 205
Corryhole at Great Salkeld Church, 32
Councils, Old Parish, 230-232
Countess's Pillar at Brougham, 223
County guinea incident near Penrith, 20
Courts in church, Holding, 58
Courts, Old, 58, 90, 181
Crack Nut Sunday, 225
Croglin, Manorial customs at, 82
Crosby Garrett, A probable fortified church at, 33
Crosby-on-Eden, Old school-days at, 249
Crosby Ravensworth Church, Keeping dogs out of, 61
Cross Fell, Legend of, 132
Crosthwaite, Rivalry between Cockermouth and, 157
"Culyet," 52
Cumin tenure, 85
Cumwhitton, Manorial customs at, 82
Curfew Bell, Ringing the, 238
Customs, Old, 223-239; Old School, 240-255
Dacre Church, Curious custom at, 55
Dalston Church, Whipping dogs from, 61-62; Holy well at, 207
"Dalston Black-reeds," 194
Dearham Church tower used as a beacon, 32
Death stroke superstition, 137
Dissenters, Punishment of, 107-109
Dog-laws at Egremont, Old, 87
Dog-whippers in church, 60-63
Downies and Uppies at Workington, 200
Drengage tenements, 66
Drenges, 66
Dress, Old-time, 171-173
Drigg, Manorial customs at, 82
Drunkards, Punishment of, 119-121
Edenhall, Church tower used as a beacon, 13; Manorial customs at, 81; A possible plague stone at, 237
Eden Hall, Luck of, 148
Egremont, Manorial customs at, 77, 87, 90
Epidemics, Old-time, 235-238
Excommunication and penance, 98-119
Executions, Wholesale, for political offences, 97
Expeditious wagons, 216
Fairies, 137
Fairs, Old laws concerning, 155; Churchyard, 155-158
Farleton Knott beacon, 13
Festivities and sports, Old, 188-208
Fighting Bishops and Fortified Churches, 22-37
Firebote, 75
Fire, Old methods for quenching, 186
"First-foot" superstition, 147
Flimby, Old tenure at, 71
Fonts in private grounds, 50-51
Food-stuffs, Old-time, 174-178
Fools, Old-time, 232
Football, 199-200, 243
Forest Court at Hesket, 69, 73
Forestalling and regrating, Laws against, 165-167, 169
Fortified churches, 28-37
Foster-oats, An old manorial rent, 78
Free-bench, 81
Furth-neets at Orton and Ravenstonedale, 228-229
Gallows Hills, 94, 98
Gambling, Punishment for, 115
Gaol-life, Old-time, 122
Ghosts, 142-143
Giant's Cave Sunday, 207
Giant's Thumb at Penrith, 124
Gibbeting of criminals, 94-97
Gilcrux, Old tenure at, 70
Glassonby, Manorial customs at, 80
Glove service, 72
God's penny custom, 83
"Gospel side" of a church, 54
Gowrie Plot celebration, 203
Great Salkeld, Fortified church at, 31
Greenhue rent, 77
Greystoke, Anchorites at, 46; Sanctuary stone at, 115; "Pelican in her piety" at, 58; Church miserere used as church sign at, 58; Manorial customs at, 78, 80; Penance at, 113; Excommunication at, 101; Foot stocks at, 124; Gowrie Plot celebration at, 203; Gunpowder Plot celebration at, 203
Guilds and old trade societies, 162-4
Gunpowder Plot celebration, 203
Hack-pudding, 227
Halts, 218
"Hanging days," The, 123
Hanging, drawing, and quartering, 91, 97, 98
Harcla, The execution of Sir Andrew de, 91
Hawk service, The, 69, 70
Hawkshead, Dog-whippers at, 63
Hayton paupers hired to contractors, 234
Hedge-lookers, 89
Helton, Old Council at, 231
Heriots, 79, 85, 100
Hesket Thorn Court, 70, 73
Holme Cultram, Abbey of, also a fortress, 29; Petition of inhabitants to Cromwell, 29; Curious dispute at, 39; Old-time school life at, 244
Holy bell at Ravenstonedale, 114
Holy wells, 206-208
Holly Night at Brough, 205
Homage, Service of, 15, 65
Horn tenures, 73
Hospitals, Old-time, 211, 212
House-boot, 76, 82
House in two parishes, 228
Inglewood Forest, 70, 73, 74, 197, 212
Ireby, Manorial customs at, 77
Irthington, Old school-days at, 249
Jesters, Old-time, 232
Journeys, Some noteworthy old-time, 209-221
Judges, Perils of the King's, 212
Kaber Rigg Rising, The, 98
Kattstick and Bullvett, 199
Kendal, Scolds' bridle at, 115; Punishments at, 115-121; Watch and ward at, 17-19; Parson of moiety of church of, 38; Church incident at, 35-37; Bowmen, 198; Barring out custom at, 254
Kentmere, Reminders of Border service at, 229
Keswick, Bull-baiting at, 195; endowed school, 245
Kirkby Lonsdale, Church inscription at, 47; Bridge legend, 133; Sale of church font, 51
Kirkby Stephen, Curious tithe custom at, 56; A probable fortified church at, 34; Burial of Sir Andrew de Harcla at, 94; Fair, Proclamation at, 160; School ordinances, 240
Kirkby Thore, Penance at, 112
Kirkland, Unusual tenure at, 85
Kirkoswald, Curious church tower at, 47; Bull-baiting at, 195; Old manorial measures at, 160
Knitters, Famous, 228
Knur and spell, 199
Lancaster, Execution and gibbeting of Thomas, 95
Lanercost Abbey, Tragic origin of, 111
Langdale, Curate of, as alehouse keeper, 41
Langwathby Church, Armour in, 13, 34
Lawyers, Restrictions upon, 167
Leather searchers, 89
Legend of St. Bega, 131; Kirksanton, 131; Fisherty Brow, 132; Arlecdon, 133; Kirkby Lonsdale Bridge, 133; Concerning wolves, 135; Warthol Hall, 135; Calgarth skulls, 146; Armboth Hall, 147; Machell family, 142; Radiant Boy of Corby, 146
Legends and Superstitions, Some, 131-147
Leper windows, 45-46; Hospitals, 46
Lepers in Cumberland and Westmorland, 45-46
Levens, Luck of, 153
Levens Radish Feast, 208
Life in the old gaols, 122
Little Salkeld, Desecration of church at, 58
Long Marton, An infant rector of, 39
Lucks, 148-154
Manorial laws, 64-90
Market bells, 167
Markets and fairs customs, 155-168
Maskers, 202
Meat selling at church doors, 156; On Sundays, 165; Bequest, A, 177
Milling laws, Old, 76, 82, 83
Mill lookers, 89
Millom, Manorial jurisdiction at, 64; Penance at, 112
Minstrel galleries, Old, 181
Miracle workers, Supposed, 138
Mock Mayors, 200
Moor lookers, 89
Moota, Beacon at, 14
Morland, Manorial custom at, 75, 82
Mortuary rights of the Church, 100
Multuring, 83, 84
Muncaster, Luck of, 149
Musgrave Church font in private grounds, 50
Needfire superstition, 143-146
Newbiggin (Dacre), Curious custom at, 79
Newton Arlosh, Fortified church at, 30
Night watch, 245
Nunnery, Privileges of prioress and nuns of, 67
Nutgeld service, 71
Nut Monday, 225
Nutting days, School, 255
Old-time Home Life, 169-187
Old-time school life, 240-255
"Orders of the Watch," 11
Ormside, A probable fortified church at, 33
Orton, Probable fortified church at, 33; Sworn men at, 230; Stocks, 125
Pack-horses, 209, 210, 217, 219, 220, 221, 238
Parsonby, Manorial customs at, 77
Paupers hired to contractors, 234
Peat silver, 78
Peculiar contrivances, 171
Penance, Excommunication and, 98-119
Penrith Beacon, 12, 13
Penrith Church font in private grounds, 50; Plague-stones at, 235-237; Excommunication at, 103; Stocks and pillory at, 124; Races, 192-194; Badge of poverty at, 235
Penrith Fell, Ludicrous incident on, 27; Burial of excommunicates on, 104
Penthouses at Orton, 229
Peppercorn rents, 87
Pie Poudre Court at Kirkby Stephen, 161
Pillar, Countess's, 223
Pillions, Riding on, 217, 220
Pillory and stocks, 124, 125
Plague-stones, Old, 235-238
Plumpton, Manorial custom at, 82
Plowbote, 75
Poor people let out to contractors, 234
Porridge, A tribute to the value of, 169
Posset cups, 202
Pot fairs, 156
Poverty, The badge of, 235
Proclamations at fairs, 160-162
Punishments, Old-time, 91-129
Quakers, Punishment of, 107-109
Racing, Curiosities in horse, 190-193
Radiant Boy of Corby Castle, 146
Radish Feast at Levens, 208
Rapier dancers, 202
Ravenglass, Proclamation of fair at, 161
Ravenstonedale, Holding a Court in church at, 58; Sanctuary bell at, 114; Penance at, 110; Stocks at, 125
Rebel's Cap at Kendal, 35
Rector, An infant, 39
Refuge bell at Ravenstonedale, 114
Renwick tithe exemption, Curious, 88
Riding the stang at Ambleside, 128
Road, On the, 209-222
"Robin the Devil's" escapade, 35-37
Rod, Surrendering by the, 247
Rose tenure, 70, 72
Rowan tree superstition, 137
Running Gressom, 85
Rush-bearing custom, 224
Rushes and bents for churches, 59-61
Rushes, Curious belief about, 170
Rushlights, Old-time, 170
Sacrilege, Punishment at Appleby for, 113
Sales in churchyards, Announcing, 158
Salmon, Abundance and cheapness of, 177; as apprentices' food, 178
Sanctuary at Ravenstonedale, 114; Nunnery, 115; Greystoke, 115
Scale Houses, Peculiar tithe exemption at, 88
Scholars' badge of poverty at Penrith, 235
School customs, Old, 240-255
Schools in churches, 248-251
Schoolmasters, Old-time, 240-255
Scolds' bridles, 115
Seawake, Service of, 15, 71
Sebergham, A protest in rhyme at, 48; School in a mud hut at, 248
Sexton, A female, 45
Shearing days, 203
Sheriffesses of Westmorland, 2-4
Sheriffs' law suits with Appleby burgesses, 6
Sheriffwick, An Unparalleled, 1-8
Shrovetide festival at Wreay, 201
Silver-penny fines, 79
Skirsgill well custom, An old, 206
Skirwith, Manorial customs at, 76
Snow on Midsummer's Day, Legend of, 131
Soar-hawk tenure, 69
Sparket Mill, Peculiar obligation at, 86
Sports and Festivities, Old, 188-208
Spur service, 71, 72
Stang, Riding the, at Ambleside, 128
St. Bega, Legend of, 131
Steading stone at Thirlmere, 121
Stirrup tenure, 68
Stocks, 124, 125
Stockings, Curious method of treating, 171
Sunday markets, 156-158
Sunday observance, 225-226
Superstitions and Legends, 131-147
Surrendering by the rod, 247
Swine in churchyards, 60; Ringers, 89
Tailors, Rules for, 164
Tea, Curious methods of dealing with, 178
Telling the bees, 138
Tenures, Curiosities of, 64-90, 247
Thirlmere, Steading stone at, 121
Threlkeld, Manorial customs at, 76
Timber-lode, 75
Tithe exemption, Curious, 88
Toll-free, Rights of tenants and burgesses to go, 67
Tolls, An old dispute about, 83
"Tom Candlestick," 170
Toothache, Charm for, 136
Torpenhow, Old Council at, 230-244
Town and village watch and ward, 16-21
Trading Laws and Customs, Old 155-168
Traditions, 131-147
Troutbeck dole custom at Dacre, 55
Troutbeck (Windermere), Manorial jurisdiction at, 64
Tummel wheel'd carts, 218
Uppies and Downies at Workington, 200
Village schoolmasters, Old-time, 244-253
Waberthwaite Church, Dog-whippers at, 63
Warthol, Watching station at, 14
" Hall, Legend concerning, 135
Warwick, Old school-days at, 249
Watch and Ward, 9-21
Watch, Orders of the, 11
Watermillock, Manorial custom at, 81; Head Jurie, 51, 231
Webstone at Armboth, The, 238
Well festivals, 206-208
Wetheral, Manorial customs at, 78
Whipping of criminals, Public, 124-128
Whitbeck, Old customs at, 227
Whitehaven, Society of Archers, 198; Watch and ward at, 19; Public whipping at, 125
Whittlegate, The old custom of, 43, 44, 251
Wigton, Curious epitaph at, 157; Selling meat at parish church, 156
Wine, Curiosities concerning church, 54-55
Witch, Drowning of a supposed, 91; Mary Baynes, the Orton, 139; Lizzy Batty, the Brampton, 141
Witness man, Service of, 15
Woful Bank, Legend concerning, 135
Women as judges, 2
Workington Easter football play, 200
Wotobank, Legend concerning, 135
Wreay, Mock mayoral festivities at, 201
Wreck of the sea privilege at Millom, 84
Wrestling, 188-190
WILLIAM ANDREWS & CO., PRINTERS, HULL.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Paper communicated by Sir G. Duckett, July, 1879.
[2] "Sir Ewain; or, the Giant's Cave." Penrith, 1860.
[3] Historical Manuscripts Commissioners' Ninth Report.
[4] At Kirkby Stephen, September, 1871.
[5] "Annals of Kendal," 1832.
[6] 8th series, vol. 9, 1896.
[7] "Survey of the Lakes," 1789.
[8] Sayer.
[9] Sayer.
[10] "Bygone Punishments," 1898.
[11] "History and Traditions of Ravenstononedale," 1877.
[12] "Beneath Helvellyn's Shade," 1892.
[13] At Cockermouth, October 10th, 1867.
[14] The Rev. E. H. Sugden's "History of Arlecdon and Frizington," 1897.
[15] "Craven and North-West Yorkshire Highlands."
[16] "Traditions of Lancashire."
[17] _Carlisle Journal_, May, 1895.
[18] "Church Treasury of History, Custom, and Folk Lore," 1897.
[19] "The Manners and Customs of Westmorland, etc., in the Former Part of the Eighteenth Century."
[20] "Romantic Richmondshire," 1897.
[21] "The Parish Registers of Dalston," 1893.
[22] "Survey of the Lakes," by James Clarke. Penrith, 1789.
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