Religious History
The above image show the ancient crosses at St Bridget's, Beckermet - Saxon (l) and Anglo-Norse(r)
Detailed accounts of all the monastic houses in the former counties of Cumberland and Lancashire appeared in the introductory volumes of the original Victoria County Histories of the two counties, published in 1905 and 1908 respectively. These can be accessed below. No volume for Westmorland was published.
Houses of Austin Canons: The Priory of Carlisle
Houses of Austin canons: The priory of Lanercost
Houses of Austin canons: The priory of Cartmel
Houses of Austin canons: The priory of Conishead
Houses of Cistercian monks: The abbey of Holmcultram
Houses of Cistercian monks: The abbey of Calder
Houses of Benedictine monks: The priory of St Bees
Houses of Benedictine monks: The priory of Wetheral
Houses of Benedictine nuns: The nunnery of Armathwaite
Houses of Benedictine nuns: The nunnery of Seton or Lekeley
The friaries: Carlisle, Penrith and Appleby
Hospitals: St Nicholas, Carlisle
Hospitals: St Sepulchre, Carlisle
Hospitals: Wigton, Bewcastle, Caldbeck and Keswick
Monks: Dacre Abbey
founded before 731;destroyed c.875 by Vikings; refounded before 926; Parish Church of St Andrew built to the south of the site.
An article in Wikipedia gives a schedule of places, including possible sites in Westmoreland with some elements of their history and with extensive source references.
Gilbertine Canons: Ravenstonedale Priory
founded before c.1200;dissolved 1539(?); Parish Church of St Oswald built immediately to the south of the site
Premonstratensian Canons: Shap Abbey
daughter of Cockersand;(community founded at Preston Patrick before 1192(?)); transferred 1201 (1199), built (during the reign of Henry II) by Thomas Fitz Gospatrick; dissolved 1540; granted to Thomas Lord Wharton 1544/5
Click here for links to our Gallery of Incumbent Clergy Boards
Below appear some further links to other papers relevant to the Religious History of the County
