Millom History Group

15/10/2026

The origins of the Huddleston Coat of Arms -gone on about this legend so many times and get asked all the time about the story. The Meschine brothers defo were on the First Crusade, their names are listed in Charters at the seige of Nicaea in 1097. The Cumbrian Meschine family actually found their origins in Bayeaux, where their family name was de Bricassart. Will write more on this fascinating family connection to William the Conquerer and how the storming Norman’s came to settle up in our neck of t’woods.

15/10/2026

And so to the Ancient Manor of Millom (included a couple of outlying areas too but will do an another on Ulpha etc).

Extract from Bulner’s 1883 History and Topography Directory for West Cumberland.

This is epic for family historians, local historians, landowners and fellow geeks. Click, zoom and enjoy 😊

14/10/2026

🤩

12/10/2026

Really could have chose a better weather day for these 🤣

The Plug and the Froggy - Could make a good book title!

Click and zoom in information board pic 😊

We all grew up with the Froggy!

11/10/2026

Absolute classic from Darren this week 😊 the Harrying of the North is a period of history I’ve been fascinated by given the natural terrain of the North Lakes was the alleged final ‘Shield Ring’ of the Danes. Lucky ‘Milum’ dwellers could maybe have escaped by sea, who knows? Brilliant Darren, just brilliant!

Terrible weather and I'm off to put some incredible old abandoned s...

07/10/2026

Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Richard III) at Carlisle Castle

During the 1470s, Richard, Duke of Gloucester governed Carlisle Castle through his positions as Warden of the West March and Sheriff of Cumberland. This started with his appointment as Warden of the West March in August 1470 by his brother, Edward IV to replace Richard, Earl of Warwick who had launched a rebellion against the king. This helped dismantle Warwick's power in the north whilst giving his trusted brother more power.

On 18th February he was appointed Sheriff of Cumberland "durante vita" (for life), a rare honour as this position usually changed annually. Prior to his appointment Sir Christopher Moresby and Sir William Parr (1471), Sir John Huddleston (1472), Sir William Leigh (1473) and Sir Richard Curwen (1474) held this position. William Parr replaced Moresby upon the return of Edward IV from exile.

These positions were given up when he was crowned King Richard III in 1483.

📸: De Ireby's Tower at Carlisle Castle where Richard, Duke of Gloucester carried out administrative tasks.

07/10/2026

Well we had to go and look for skeletons and stone circles didn’t we? 😂

St Michael’s Church Bootle - Meg went nuts for foxes of the bushey tailed variety 😂 🦊 and smells delightful now after rolling 😂🙈

Passed this beautiful place literally 1000s, probably 10,000s of times, for work amd pleasure but only ever been inside once before, totally loved the place (and we visit a lot of churches!). The cleanest one we’ve been in as well!

Massive photo dump…

07/10/2026

Bootle and Corney Fell information from Bulmer’s History, Topography and Directory of West Cumberland 1883. Again, Click and Zoom 😊

07/10/2026

Entry for Bootle, Cumberland in the 1894 Kelly’s Directory.

Realise these are available to read online but there’s something delightful in opening these (ancient to me!) directories and reading the small print. They also smell amazing as well 😂

I’ve Jackson, Hird, Sim, Brockbank and other associated surnames from Bootle and surrounding areas in my tree, but I think this entry will interest so many Bootle homeowners, landowners and longstanding families too.

Click, zoom, and enjoy 😊