By JOSEPH NICOLSON, Efq; and RICHARD. BURN, LL. D IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: PRINTED FOR W. STRAHAN; AND T. CADELL, IN THE STRAND. PRE FAC E. VA ARIOUS collections have been made from time to time by inquifitive and learned men, concerning the history and antiquities of the Counties of Weftmorland and Cumberland, fome with an intention of publication, others to gratify private curiofity. By the favour of the prefent proprietors, thefe are now collected, digested, and offered to the public view: it being judged more eligible that the following work fhould come abroad in its prefent ftate, however imperfect, than to wait for further information, whilst the prefent materials are perishing. The right reverend Dr. WILLIAM NICOLSON lord bishop of Carlisle (whom we mention in the first place) made a collection of materials towards a general hiftory of the said two counties; confifting of, 1. A topographical defcription and hiftory of the county of Cumberland. 2. A collection from books, manufcripts, and records for an hiftory of the bishops, priors, deans, and chapter of Carlisle. 3. Collections for a monafticon of the faid diocefe. 4. Hiftory of all the rectories and vicarages in the diocese of Carlisle, extracted chiefly from the registers of the several bishops at Rose. 5. Mifcellany account of the state of the churches, parfonage and vicarage houses, and other things remarkable, in the feveral parishes within the diocese of Carlisle, taken in his parochial vifitation in the year 1703. All these are now at Hawkfdale in the poffeffion of his nephew Jofeph Nicolfon efquire. Tranfcripts of feveral of thefe in four folio volumes, the faid learned prelate caused to be depofited in the library of the dean and chapter of Carlifle. Towards the ecclefiaftical part of fo much of the two counties as lies within the diocese of Chefter, we have received affiftance from bishop GASTRELL'S manufcript account of the faid diocefe of Chester, with continuations by the late commiffary STRATFORD: Now in the poffeffion of Mr. James Collinfon of Lancafter. VOL. I.. a Mr. |