Mallerstang

Chapelry and township in Kirkby Stephen parish, East ward, Westmorland.

Acreage:

8,380 acres [3,391 ha], consisting largely of unenclosed fell commons totalling 6,444 acres [2,608 ha].


Population:

in range 200-250 for most of 19th and early 20th centuries (temporarily inflated to 585 in 1871 by influx of workers constructing Settle-Carlisle railway); declined across later 20th century to stand at 87 in 2001.


Landownership:

Mallerstang chase was hunting forest of barons of Westmorland and descended with barony (see Appleby). Pendragon Castle, guarding the valley, built by barons probably in 12th century; restored by Lady Anne Clifford 1660; dismantled 1685.


Economy:

pastoral farming (11 vaccaries in early 14th century); mining (lead, copper, tin, coal) in mid-19th century (had ceased by 1885); limestone quarrying and lime-burning; sandstone quarrying.


Places of worship:

chapel of ease at Outhgill (modern dedication St Mary); rebuilt by Lady Anne Clifford 1663; thatched until restoration 1768. Wesleyan Methodist chapel, also at Outhwaite, built 1878; closed late 20th century.


Schools and other institutions:

school at west end of chapel from 17th century (charitable endowment by Lady Anne Clifford); schoolroom built adjacent to chapel 1826; replaced by Board school in Outhwaite 1877; closed c.1969 and later used briefly as village hall; then sold. Village hall and reading room, the Travers Institute (named after Travers McIntire (d. 1920), vicar), built c.1920; closed 1970s; later demolished.