Furness Abbey was founded in 1123 by Stephen, Count of Boulogne, for the Order of Savigny. It was built on the Furness Peninsula south of Dalton-in-Furness (before the development of todays Barrow-in-Furness).
The Treaty of York, made between the kings Henry III of England and Alexander II of Scotland, was signed at York on 25 September 1237. The treaty affirmed that Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmorland were subject to English sovereignty. The Anglo-Scottish border established in this treaty remains largely unchanged to modern times (later adjustments were made around the 'Debatable Lands' around the Solway Firth, and Berwick-upon-Tweed). However, the treaty didn't prevent centuries of conflict between England and Scotland.
Piel Castle was first built as a motte and bailey castle in the early 14th century. It is thought to have been built for Furness Abbey to protect their trading goods and cargos safe from pirates and raiders. Over time the fortification were exended, using cobbles from the island and red sandstone from the mainland.
The Battle of Solway Moss took place on the 24th of November 1542 near Arthuret, about 7 miles north of Carlisle, just south of the border with Scotland. King James V of Scotland sent an army of around 17,000 troops into England to burn the countryside north of Carlisle - in retaliation for the burning of Roxburgh and Kelso by the English in October. The English forces of around 3,000 men led by Lord Wharton were vastly outnumbered. However, the Scottish forces were disorganised and didn't have a clear chain of command (King James remained in Scotland). The Scots found themselves trapped between the River Esk and peat bogs of the Moss; many were drowned or captured by the victorious English forces.
The Barrow Monument on the summit of Hoad Hill in Ulveston was completed on 9 January 1851. The 100ft tall monument to Sir John Barrow (1764 – 1848) was built of limestone quarried from nearby Birkrigg Common. It was modelled on Eddystone Lighthouse (Devon) which was built in 1759 by John Smeaton. The Barrow Monument has an spiral staircase of 112 steps leading up to the lantern chamber. Whilst built to resemble a lighthouse it has never had a functioning light. (Source: Ulverston Town Council)
The Lake District was made a UNSECO World Heritage Site on the 9th July 2017, following a sucessful bid by the Lake District National Park Partnership - a collaboration of 25 organisations.
"Three key themes underpinned the bid for World Heritage Site status, recognising the Lake District National Park as a cultural landscape of international significance. These include world ranking examples of identity - the dramatic farmed landscape; inspiration - art, literature and love of the place. This in turn sparked the birth of conservation - people fought and invested to look after this special corner of England." (National Trust)
Cumbria County Council and 6 district councils were replaced by two unitary authorties - Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council on 1st April 2023. The "Cumbria (Structural Changes) Order 2022" had been made under the provisions of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. Cumbria remains as a ceremonial county.
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Furness Abbey - Founded
Treaty of York, 1237
Piel Castle established
Battle of Solway Moss
Barrow Monument, Ulveston - completed
Hadrian’s Wall designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Lake District becomes a World Heritage Site
Cumbria County Council replaced by 2 new Unitary Authorities
Co-Curate is a project which brings together online collections, museums, universities, schools
and community groups to make and re-make stories and images from North East England and Cumbria.
Co-Curate
is a trans-disciplinary project that will open up 'official' museum and 'un-officia'l co-created
community-based collections and archives through innovative collaborative approaches using
social media and open archives/data.
