Crosby Ravensworth and the Eden Valley

Crosby Ravensworth lies at the start of the Eden Valley proper. It's a remote village with a small green, stream and its surrounded by lovely limestone fells. There are wonderful views to the west when you climb the hills ( not a difficult walk).

Tourists rarely find there way over here and the most excitement you will see is often the local farmer rounding up his sheep.

However there was once a large hall here...and a murder.Best that we quote directly..

" In 1286 John le Frauncey and Robert de Appleby killed Nicholas de Hastings in the ditch outside the gate of Crosby Ravensworth Hall".

We have no record of what the dispute was or what punishment was meted out to the killers.

But it offers a small glimpse back into a more violent time.

The Hall itself was purchased by Sir John Lowther and repaired by his son in law back in 1682.

Nowadays it is mostly demolished.

Kirkoswald Castle

Just across the river Eden from Great Salkeld is the charming village of Kirkoswald.

What many people, even locals, don't always appreciate is that the village has a castle!

Well the remains of one anyway.

So what is the history here?

Well

1. Look to the west of church where there is a large double ditch enclosure in the middle of which is a platform, 50m by 20m within a ditch up to 8 m wide.
2. There was reputed to have been a large wooden tower here.
3. The licence to crenalate was given in 1201 to Hugh de Morville ( just one before he died).
4. The house was said to have then been burnt by the Scots in 1314.
5. Lord Dacre then took possession and substantial stone buildings were erected.
6. However their lands were forfeited for rebellion in 1569 and in the early 17th century the stones were plundered by Lord William Howard for the building of Naworth Castle.
7. By 1688 it was mainly a heap of stones and some ruined towers.