Kendal town and castle walk

Описание: The Romans built a fort at Watercrook just south of Kendal. A civilian settlement grew up beside it. The fort’s garrison would have provided a market for locally made goods. But the fort was abandoned in the late 3rd century.

In later centuries a settlement grew up at Kendal. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.

The Normans built a wooden castle on Castle Howe. Kendal Castle was built in stone in the early 13th century.

Kendal became a town in 1189 when King Richard I granted the baron the right to hold markets on Saturdays. (In those days there were no shops and you had to go to a market to buy and sell goods). Soon Kendal was a thriving town.

However, in 1210 a force of Scots led by the Earl of Fife attacked the town. They massacred many of the inhabitants, including women and children who had sought refuge in the church.

But Kendal recovered and in the 14th century, it became known for its wool industry. In the town were fullers and dyers. (Before it was dyed wool was fulled. That meant it was pounded in a mixture of clay and water to clean it). Wool was stretched on a frame called a tenter to ensure even drying and to prevent shrinkage, so we have the street name Tenterfell.

Meanwhile, Kendal Grammar School was founded in 1525. Sandes Hospital (almshouses) was built in 1659. Kendal Museum opened in 1796. Abbot Hall was built in 1759. It became an art gallery in 1962.

Ye Old Fleece Inn in Kendal dates from 1634.

In 1792 mass manufacturing of snuff began in Kendal. (Snuff is a tobacco product that was either inhaled through the nose or chewed).

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