BRAMPTON  , a

market town in the Eskdale parliamentary division of Cumberland, England, 9 M . E.N.E. of Carlisle, on a branch of the North Eastern railway . Pop . (1901) 2494 . It is picturesquely situated in a narrow valley opening upon that of the Irthing . The town ha s an agricultural trade, breweries, and manufactures of cotton and tweeds . The neighbourhood is rich in historical associations . Two miles N.E. of Brampton is the castle of Naworth, a fine example of a Border fortress . It was built in the reign of Edward III., by a member of the family of Dacre, who for many generations had had their stronghold here . Overlooking a deep wooded ravine, with streams to the east and west, the great quadrangular castle was naturally defended except on the south, where it was rendered secure by a double moat and drawbridge . By marriage in 1577 with Lady Elizabeth Dacre it passed into the hands of William Howard, afterwards lord warden of the Marches, the " Belted Will of Sir Walter Scott and the Border ballads, who acquired great fame by his victories over the Scottish moss-troopers . The castle, the walls of which have many secret passages and hiding-places, is inhabited, and in its hall are numerous fine pictures, including a portrait of Charles I. by Van Dyck .

Not far distant is Lanercost Priory, where in 1169 an Augustinian monastery was established . In 1311

Robert Bruce and his army were quartered here, and the priory was pillaged in 1346 by David, king of Scotland . From this time its prosperity declined, and at its dissolution under Henry VIII. it consisted only of a prior and seven canons . The Early English church has a restored nave, but retains much fine carving . The chancel is ruined, but the interesting crypt is preserved .