England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Kirklinton St Cuthbert

The Parish

The parish of Kirklinton lies in the extreme north of Cumberland not too far from its border with Scotland. Kirklinton is located roughly 9 miles north of Carlisle and sits just under 2 miles northeast of the A6071 road which links Longtown with Brampton. Kirklinton is a very dispersed settlement there being no defined village at all within the parish, the parish name comes from the hamlet of Kirklinton which has a small loose cluster of arms gathered as well as both church and Hall. Kirklinton Hall sits north of the church and is described by Pevsner as a "spectacular and deeply sinister ruin", the late 17th century former home of the local Appleby family. The wider parish has many farms scattered across the landscape, a defensive measure against the almost constant Scottish Reivers of the area and there depredations, many of the farms are semi-fortified to this day. This far north cereals do not do well due to the climate but arable farming of other crops was nevertheless still widespread and mixed with typically cattle pastures. Kirklinton is drained southwestwards by the River Lyne which meets the Eskto the southeast of the border town of Gretna, both Esk & Eden together form the Solway Firth and lead to the Irish Sea. Kirklinton is sited at just 40 metres above the sea by the church & hall but the wider parish rises eastwards into the forerunners of the border hills rising to around 130 metres on the edges of Stapleton parish. Kirklinton parish was extremely extensive, covering almost 9,800 acres within which it would have supported a dispersed population of around 1,100 parishioners. Like most of Cumberland Kirklinton is not mentioned in Domesday Book which did not cover this area.

The Church

St Cuthbert's church sits in a fork of lanes roughly 1.75 miles northeast of the A6071 where the Heather Burn turns to meet the River Lyne, it is accompanied by a large farm and is a quarter mile or so south of Kirklinton Hall's ruins. Early gazetteers described the church as "a good specimen of the Norman style" but sadly that historical legacy was largely lost due to an almost complete rebuild in 1845, today's church would be largely unrecognisable to the participants in these marriages. The only 12th century relics left from before are some arches, one at the western end and those below the tower. Additionally a capital from the 12th century Norman Romanesque style building sits within the porch. Today's church is in the style described by Pevsner as "Commissioner's Gothic", a style frequently used in the speedy construction of new churches in the fast growing urban areas following the industrial revolution. Opposite the churchyard the verges have been well-worn indicating frequent usage for visiting and services. From the metal gates a flight of steps rises to the church which stands well above road-height. Whilst there are many tress within the churchyard they are concentrated to the north thus not impeding the photographers favoured aspects.