Egremont is a small market town (charter from 1267) inland from St Bees.
Here William de Meschines built his castle in 1135.The gatehouse and the surviving curtain wall survive today from the original building, and the herring bone pattern of the stone-work is very typical of the Norman period. It was one time home of the deLucy family. Between the inner and outer courts is the stern ruined front of the great hall which has stood since about 1270 and has still a row of open windows and a doorway, the most effective part of the castle seen from the town, silhouetted against the sky. From this meagre fragment of a great stronghold is a fine view of the town and the distant mountains.By one of the paths bringing us down from it is a piece of a cross believed to be some 700 years old.
The legend here of the horn which could be blown only by the true Lord of Egremont was told by Wordsworth. Hubert de Lucy, brother of the true Lord Sir Eustace, villainously assumed possession of the castle when he thought that he had successfully organised the murder of his brother who was away on the Crusades. Sir Eustace returned when his brother was feasting, and blew the horn. Exit Hubert in haste by a side door!
A bugle horn, stringed, is carved on the tomb of Sir John Hudleston who died in 1493 at Millom, representing his deBoyvill ancestry. The de Boyvills were kinsfolk of the powerful William de Meschine and were lords of Millom. The town has typically wide Cumbrian streets built apparently originally to accommodate market stalls.
Egremont was once a busy haematite iron mining area, and this would have supplied the industries around Workington and Whitehaven. Records here show that mining was popular here in Norman days. The only ore mine still working is Florence Mine nearby. Specimens of ore are on sale here and underground visits can be made by prior arrangement.
The church dating from about 1220 has been restored and contains early sculptures. Wordsworth enthusiasts will remember his ode 'The Boy of Egremont'... meaning in effect...young William de Romilly, nearest in succession to the throne of Scotland.
The 16th century Lowes Court is now a gallery on the main street combining an interesting gallery, with regularly changing exhibitions, a local crafts shop, and the town's Tourist Information Centre.
In late autumn the town celebrates the very popular 'Crab Fair' which goes back seven centuries, when the Lord of Egremont started a tradition of giving away crab apples. The apple-carts still make this 'generous' gesture, these days showering the spectators with crab apples from lorries and trailers.Another famous amusement held at the same time, for which Egremont is renowned is the celebrated 'gurning' competition, where contestants try to pull the ugliest face framed in a horse collar. There is also a pipe smoking event, a greasy pole competition when youngsters try to scale a 30 feet high vertical slippery pole, along with the singing of hunting songs.
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