Winton, Westmorland

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Winton
Westmorland
Millennium monument - geograph.org.uk - 526440.jpg
Millennium Monument
Location
Grid reference: NY784105
Location: 54°29’24"N, 2°20’4"W
Data
Population: 327  (2011 (incl. Kaber)))
Post town: Kirkby Stephen
Postcode: CA17
Dialling code: 01768
Local Government
Council: Westmorland & Furness
Parliamentary
constituency:
Penrith and The Border

Winton is a Westmorland village found a mile and a half north of Kirkby Stephen and three miles south of Brough. The 2011 census recorded a population of just 327 souls here.

The name 'Winton' is from the Old English language and here may be from the word Wyntuna meaning a pasture farmstead. It is first recorded in 1094, shortly after the Norman Conquest, during a period known as the 'Harrying of the North'.[1]

During the Middle Ages, Winton was at the centre of the sheep rearing in the Eden Valley, where the flocks moved across the hills into pastures new. More controversial was the part played by the Archbishop of York in dealing with invasions by Scots armies, raiding, looting and burning, sheep-stealing. On 5 October 1357 the local bishop was required to accept the redemption of King David Bruce of Scotland, for the Suffragan Michael of York held sway in the mountains of the West March.[2][3]

On 12 April 1659, the village of Winton was at the centre of the Westmorland witch trials, during which several women were hanged at Appleby General Sessions, found guilty of bewitching Margaret Bousefield.

Both Kirkby Stephen and the village of Winton had a grammar school each, where its major benefactor was a Cambridge educated teacher. Richard Burn helped found the free school that took all children from the neighbouring parishes.

Outside links

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References