Coordinates: 54°31′32″N 2°19′08″W / 54.52561°N 2.31875°W / 54.52561; -2.31875

Brough
Brough  Brough shown within Cumbria
OS grid reference	NY794145
Shire county	Cumbria
Region	North West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Police	Cumbria
Fire	Cumbria
Ambulance	North West
EU Parliament	North West England
List of places: UK • England • Cumbria

Brough or Brough under Stainmore is a village and civil parish in the Eden district of Cumbria, England, on the western fringe of the Pennines. The village is on the A66 trans-pennine road, and the Swindale Beck, and is about eight miles (13 km) south-east of Appleby. Brough is situated five miles (8 km) north-east of Kirkby Stephen and twenty-eight miles (45 km) north-east of Kendal on the A685.

Brough lies within the historic boundaries of the ancient county of Westmorland. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 680.

The village is on the site of the Roman fort of Verterae, or Verteris, on the Roman road linking Carlisle with Ermine Street. The area of the rectangular fort, which once occupied the land to the south of the Swindale Beck, is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument [1]. Brough Castle was originally built in the 11th century within the northern part of the former fort.

Brough has historically been divided into Market Brough, to the north, and Church Brough, to the south and centred on the castle and St Michael's Church. In 1977 this division was made physical by the construction of the Brough bypass dual carriageway, taking the A66 away from the village main street.

St Michael's Church also dates back to the Norman period, and may have suffered during William I of Scotland's attack on the castle in 1174. The church was enlarged in the 14th century, and again in the early 16th, when most of the existing structure was built. The tower was constructed by Thomas Blenkinsop of Helbeck in 1513. Repairs and improvements continue to this day. Further information can be found at [2]

Traditionally, on Twelfth Night, a burning holly tree (subsequently, ash trees were used) would be carried through the village, followed by a brass band. When the flames had partially gone out, the villagers would try to bring the tree to a pub, where the party would continue until the early hours of the morning. ^[1][2] The village was also the venue for a popular fair on the second Thursday of March. ^[3]

[edit] References

1. ^ "Holly Night at Brough", The Every-day Book and Table Book; or, Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs, and Events, Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Days, in Past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Months, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac, Including Accounts of the Weather, Rules for Health and Conduct, Remarkable and Important Anecdotes, Facts, and Notices, in Chronology, Antiquities, Topography, Biography, Natural History, Art, Science, and General Literature; Derived from the Most Authentic Sources, and Valuable Original Communication, with Poetical Elucidations, for Daily Use and Diversion. Vol III., ed. William Hone, (London: 1838) p 26-27. Retrieved on 2008-06-06
2. ^ "Westmoreland", British Popular Customs Present And Past, p 35. Retrieved on 2008-06-06
3. ^ "March Fair, at Brough, Westmoreland", The Every-day Book... , ed. William Hone, (London: 1838) p 317-19. Retrieved on 2008-06-11