BEWCASTLE, Cumberland - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"BEWCASTLE, a parish in Eskdale ward, in the county of Cumberland, 11 miles to the N. of Brampton, its post town. It is situated in a wild, mountainous country on the borders of Northumberland, and includes the townships of Bewcastle, Bailie, Bellbank, and Nixons. The name of the parish is derived from a castle founded here by a Norse baron named Bueth, shortly before the Conquest. The rivers Irthing and Leven take their rise here. Limestone and coal are found in this district, and some lead ore. Bewcastle was formerly a market town. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Carlisle, of the value of £120, in the patronage of the dean and chapter. The church, situated near the castle, is dedicated to St. Mary. In the churchyard is an ancient stone cross, or obelisk, with inscriptions, the origin and interpretation of which remained undiscovered until very recently. The stone is about 14 feet high, and when deciphered was found to commemorate Ælcfrid, king of Deira, the son of Oswy, king of Northumbria, who died about A.D. 665. The Presbyterians have a chapel here. Of the castle little now remains but the walls of the keep. It stood on the site of a Roman station on the Maiden Way to Scotland, which passed through this parish. Many coins, stones with inscriptions, and other Roman relics, have been found. The castle was a post of importance in the border wars, and was finally demolished in the reign of Charles I. The site belongs to Sir Frederick Graham, the lord of the manor. In the neighbourhood of Bewcastle there is much striking scenery, and several mineral springs. The parish is very large, extending over an area of about 30,000 acres." "BAILEY, (or Bailie), a township in the parish of Bewcastle, ward of Eskdale, in the county of Cumberland, 4 miles to the N.E. of Longtown. It is situated near the border of Scotland, on the banks of the river Line." "BELLBANK, a township in the parish of Bewcastle, Eskdale ward, in the county of Cumberland, 9 miles to the N. of Brampton. It is situated in a hilly district on the confines of Northumberland, near the Line river, a branch of the Esk. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in the collieries and iron-works." "NIXONS, a township in the parish of Bewcastle, ward of Eskdale, county Cumberland, 12 miles N.E. of Longtown. It is situated on the river White-Line, and is intersected by several good trout streams."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]