Hawkshead

"HAWKSHEAD, a parish and small market town in the hundred of Lonsdale North of the Sands, county Lancaster, 5 miles S. of Ambleside, 6 W. of Windermere railway station, and 13 W. of Kendal, by crossing the lake. This parish, which is of considerable extent, being 9 miles in length by 5½ wide, is divided into four townships: Hawkshead, Claife, Satterthwaite, and Monk Coniston with Skelwith. It is bounded on the W. by Coniston Lake, on the N. by Elter Water and the river Brathay, on the E. by Lake Windermere, and on the S. by the parish of Colton, which was separated from it in 1680. It was constituted a parish in the reign of Elizabeth, by Archbishop Sandys, a native of the place, having been previously a chapelry under Dalton-in-Furness. About one-third of the land is enclosed as pasture: the rest is occupied by woods, interspersed with lakes, waterfalls, and fells. The town of Hawkeshead was formerly incorporated, and during the existence of Furness Abbey, was governed by a bailiff appointed by the abbot, who dispensed justice for the whole of that district in a court-room over the gateway of a house belonging to the abbots. It is now only a considerable village, where petty sessions are held fortnightly in the town hall; also a manor court. The houses, many of which are old, are somewhat scattered, standing near the head of Esthwaite Water, a small lake, in the centre of a valley almost surrounded by the fells of Furness. The borders of the lake are adorned with numerous villas and farmhouses; and on Priest's Pott, a circular pool at the head of Esthwaite Water, is a floating islet, containing trees and shrubs. The lands belong to various gentlemen in the neighbourhood, who have seats scattered in various parts, but chiefly bordering on the lakes of Windermere and Coniston. Slate and building stone are quarried, the former for exportation. Iron, copper, and other minerals occur, and the copper mines and slate quarries are worked to a considerable extent. In the village is a book club and musical institution; also an horticultural show is held annually, and an agricultural show every three years. In the township of Claife is the Ferry Hotel, near the banks of Windermere Lake, where boats are kept, and where also is the "Station," commanding magnificent prospects of the lake scenery, with painted windows representing the various seasons of the year. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Carlisle, value £150, in the patronage of the Duchy of Lancaster. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, is an ancient and noble structure, covered with rough cast, and built about the time of the Norman Conquest. It was much altered in the reigns of Elizabeth and Charles I., when it was partially rebuilt. It contains a number of interesting monuments and brasses, some very ancient; also a register chest containing documents as far back as 1568. In addition to the parish church, there are three district churches at Satterthwaite, Brathay, and Low Wray, the livings of all which are perpetual curacies, varying in value from £120 to £40. The Society of Friends have a meeting-house at Colthouse, in the township of Claife, and the Baptists a chapel at Hawkeshead Hill. The parochial charities produce about £16 per annum. There is a free grammar school, founded and endowed by Archbishop Sandys in 1585, the income of which from endowment now amounts to £200 per annum, with residence for the master, and a library for the use of the students. At this school Wordsworth the poet, Dr. Walker, Dr. King, and other eminent men, received their early education. A new National school has been lately built, and there are other schools in the several townships. The Duke of Buccleuch is lord of the manor. The old hall of the abbots of Furness is still standing. Monday is market day. Fairs are held on the 2nd October, Easter Monday, and the Monday before Holy Thursday."