The village of Brigsteer is situated between the parishes of Helsington and Levens some three miles from Kendal.
The earliest permanent houses date from the 16th and 17th centuries, and include a mill. The Wheatsheaf Hotel, originally the Wheatsheaf Inn...had a smithy until the beginning of the 20th century.
St John's church which serves both Brigsteet and Helsington is actually in the parish of Helsington, and will be found sited at the top of the steep hill out of Brigsteet. Founded originally in 1726 and rebuilt in 1845, when at the same time the school was built.
The manor house of the parish was Helsington Laithes, and in 1341 belonged to one William of Thweng. It is though that part of the present house could be 15th century.
The oldest house here is Sizergh Castle....a very popular tourist attraction.
In the pele tower (the oldest part of the castle) is the Queens room...named after Catherine Parr, who as a youngster used to visit her Aunt Agnes and Uncle Thomas Strickland here...and the room above it is said to be haunted by the ghost of a widow and one of the early Strickland's. Apparently he was madly in love with his wife and very jealous, so when he was called upon to lead his men of to war (against the Scots) he was determined no other male eyes would light upon her. To ensure this he locked her in her room and threatened death to any of his staff who released her. The mistresses's hammerings and pleadings were subsequently ignored so frightened were they of their master. Days, then weeks and months went past and it was clear that the poor woman had gone mad...then silence. Now today, some 600 years later, the wails are still heard at times, pleading for release.
It is interesting to note that in 1300 a Strickland family married a de Wessington...so connecting them with the family from which George Washington sprang.
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