BROUGHAM CASTLE

By Joe Jackson

Brougham Castle occupies a site of huge historical importance, situated by the river Eamont. The site was first occupied by the Roman fort of Brocavum. Its role was to guard the bridged river crossing, making it the most strategically military site south of Hadrian’s Wall in the Northwest. This role of guarding the river crossing would ultimately be continued by Brougham Castle.

The reign of King John had been chaotic at best, but his final years had England in anarchy and war.

In 1214 King John granted the lands of Brougham to Robert de Vieuxpont, one of his most trusted knights.

In 1215 John lost control of the country and King Alexander II of Scotland took advantage of this and sided with the English barons and invaded Cumberland and Westmorland. The town of Penrith was burned to the ground and the Scots occupied the two counties for a year until the death of King John and the end of the rebellion. After a treaty signed in York, the Scots left Cumberland and Westmorland and Robert de Vieuxpont set about building a new, strong castle at Brougham to help guard the river crossing.

It’s construction started in around 1217 and using the stone from the old Roman fort, he built a keep featuring timber curtain walls. The occupants of the old township of Brougham were moved to the west to clear the land around the castle and hence created the village of Eamont Bridge.

Robert died in 1264 without male heirs and his daughter married Rodger Clifford, a knight whose family lands were on the Welsh border. Rodger Clifford was succeeded by his son Robert Clifford who started extensive works, building the rest of the castle and its walls in stone. He also started the construction of the impressive gate house in 1309. During the Anglo-Scottish War, Robert proved himself a brutal knight and attacked and occupied Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries and Galloway, inflicting many injuries on the people there.

Robert was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. By this time, Brougham Castle had become one of the most impressive and strongest in Westmorland and the north. In the 15th century, during the War of the Roses, Penrith Castle and Brougham Castle were on opposing sides. The Cliffords at Brougham, fought for King Henry VI while Penrith was owned by the Nevilles, who sided with the house of York. In 1461 John Clifford was killed at the Battle of Towton and his lands and castles including Brougham were handed to the Nevilles. Brougham remained largely abandoned throughout the rest of the war but was given back to the Clifford family when King Henry VII won the throne.

Brougham castle saw its fair share of conflict. The final occasion being a small skirmish and siege against the parliamentarian forces during the Civil War. It was on this day that the Royalist troops in Penrith, upon hearing the shots coming from Brougham, abandoned Penrith Castle after setting it ablaze and destroying it to prevent it falling into the hands of the parliamentarians.

Today, the ruins of both Penrith and Brougham Castles are looked after by English Heritage and their impressive remains are open to the public.

Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England

Here is how you can find out about the latest bird flu situation in England and guidance for bird keepers and the public.

Latest situation

Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is in an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ). By law you must follow strict biosecurity rules to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading.

In England and Wales the AIPZ also means you must house your birds to protect them from bird flu.

In the United Kingdom, there have been 156 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 since 1 October 2022:

• 138 cases in England

• 14 cases in Scotland

• 3 cases in Wales

• 1 case in Northern Ireland www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avianinfluenza-latest-situation-in-england

There have been 272 cases of (HPAI) H5N1 in England since the H5N1 outbreak started in October 2021.

You should use this service to report dead wild birds if you find:

1 or more dead birds of prey (such as an owl, hawk or buzzard)

3 or more dead birds that include at least 1 gull, swan, goose or duck

5 or more dead wild birds of any species www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds

You can use this service to report other types or numbers of dead wild birds.