Dalston is a small village located just south-west of Carlisle, and lies on the banks of the river Caldew.
Most of the buildings here date from the late 18th century when the 'Industrial Revolution' was brought to this quiet little village, by the emergence of four cotton mills and a flax mill...not over-looking a forge and two corn mills.
Rose Castle hereabouts is reached by passing through an arch crowned with a sculptured rose...the archway in fact is one of the oldest portions of the castle which itself dates back to the 13th century. The building is built of friendly red sandstone, and it seems that there was probably a stronghold of sorts on the site as early as 1230. There is certainly evidence that a Bishop was in residence as early as 1255. An ecclesiastical fortress was constructed in 1304 during the wars between England and Scotland. Edward Bruce arrived at Rose in 1314 after invading England by way of Carlisle. The castle itself was badly burned three times in the next thirty years by marauding Scots. At the beginning of the fifteenth century, Bishop William Strickland made extensive additions which included the tower named after him. The legendary Lady Anne Clifford visited the castle in 1673 and presented her portrait to Bishop Rainbow. She also gave him one of her famous locks inscribed with her initials A.P. standing for Anne of Pembroke, and the date. Today it is still used to secure the main door.
Today, though farming and textiles are still prevalent, Dalston in comparison is somewhat relaxed in atmosphere. The sandstone building of the church of St Michael...with its Norman origins dominates the eastern end of the square, and is approached by entering through a lychgate. The story of the church begins with the Normans and ends with much restoring and re-building in the last two centuries. At the bottom of some of the walls is 12th century masonry, and among the 13th century remains in the chancel are lancet windows, the priests doorway, and a low window near it. An old stone seat runs alon the south aisle wall and in the wall of the modern porch is part of an ancient coffin stone with shears and four circles as well as a cross. Here too is a richly carved Norman capital. It's not too surprising to find in this churchyard the graves of two Bishops of Carlisle, for we are but three miles from Rose Castle, their chief seat for seven centuries. Here lies Edward Rainbow, bishop for 20 years after the Restoration and famous as a preacher, his grave marked by an upright stone on the south wall. Bishop Hugh Percy of the last century has a fine cross.
Dalston Hall in its park lies a mile down the valley..the buildings of its main front, irregular and delightful, were chiefly built in the 16th and 17th centuries. The house still has its defensive tower of the 15th century, with coats of arms and an inscription in reversed lettering telling how it was put up by John Dalston and his Elizabeth. It is now a hotel and also has a large static caravan park in the grounds. Close by is an ancient rampart and ditch known as the Bishops Dyke.
Amongst the villages better known personalities was John Denton, who from Cardew Hall wrote a history of Cumberland in the 16th century. Dalston was also the birthplace of Susanna Blamire (1747-1794) the 'Muse of Cumberland' who wrote songs in Scottish dialect and lovely poems about Cumbrian country life.
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