Barony of Westmorland
54°34′41″N 2°29′20″W / 54.578°N 2.489°W The Barony of Westmorland (medieval Westmarieland or Westmaringaland) also known as North Westmorland, the Barony of Appleby, Appleshire or the Bottom of Westmorland, was one of two
While the Barony of Westmorland is part of the historic County of Westmorland, the latter covers a wider area. To avoid confusion, the barony has often been known by alternative names, including North Westmorland and names based on its largest town, Appleby, including the Barony of Appleby and Appleshire. It was also referred to as the Bottom of Westmorland because it is mostly made up of the low ground of the valley of the River Eden, surrounded by hills and mountains.[1]
The barony has survived in various forms into modern times, but originated as a
The county named Westmorland thus formed out of two feudal barony, including one with the same name, in several steps in the generations after the English permanently captured this territory in competition with Scotland. At first it appears that the "Barons" of Kendal were actually tenants of the lord who possessed north Westmorland at the time. But
As mentioned above, it was 13 years later in 1203 that the barony of Westmorland was granted for 4 knight's fees.
The division of Westmorland into two administrative wards, east and west, was much later, and as in other parts of England, large parishes split into smaller one over time also. However a rough list of old parishes corresponding to the two wards is as follows:
- East Ward: Appleby, Orton (once "Overton"), "Ravenstonedale", "Warcop".
- West Ward: (sometimes spelled as "Hepp" in old documents).
References
- ^ a b "North Westmorland: The barony of Appleby", The Later Records relating to North Westmorland: or the Barony of Appleby, 1932, pp. 1–2
- ^ Sanders, I.J. English Baronies: A Study of their Origin & Descent 1086-1327, Oxford, 1960. pp.103-4, Appleby, pp23-24, Burgh-by_Sands.
External links
- Records of North Westmorland: extensive extracts from the records of the barony, arranged by parish. First edited by John Curwen, here part of British History Online.
- Cumbria County History Trust: Appleby (nb: provisional research only – see Talk page)