The small village of Great Salkeld will be found nestling on the western bank of the Eden valley, just over five miles from Penrith. Traces of Roman occupation hereabouts.
The oldest building here is the church of St Cuthbert's...itself standing on the site of what is thought to be an old wooden church. In 1380 a tower was added with walls 6 feet thick, and a narrow oak door which is reinforced by an iron grating and massive bolts...very much an indication that it was used as a look-out and a safe refuge from marauding Scots in times gone by. Beneath the ground floor is a vault or dungeon.
According to legend Dick Whittington loved this old church and despatched four bells to Great Salkeld. When, however, they reached Kirkby Stephen some misunderstanding arose. Whittington had expected the Salkeld people to go and collect them, but they failed to do this, and so the bells remained at Kirkby Stephen...and eventually appropriated by the Vicar of Kirkby Stephen.
According to many (but argued against by just as many) is the story that Dick Whittington was actually born in the village in 1358. He was three times Lord Mayor of London 1398,1406,1419. He was also Member of Parliament (in 1416) and upon his death in 1423 left his fortune for the re-building of Newgate Gaol (amonst others).
The first school here was actually in the church tower as early as 1515, though the school house proper was built in 1686.
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