2 24 History of the 



that the bulk of them came south, from the mother-district of 

 CHtheroe. 



That there was this intercourse in those early days there can be 

 no question — an intercourse amounting to association and inter- 

 marriage, and commerce (using the word in its original sense) 

 between the two, by reason of identity of circumstances, interests 

 and natural affinity. 



The district from Burnley and Blackburn to Clitheroe, Pendle, 

 and beyond, was more accessible to and from Rossendale than any 

 other of the adjacent districts. There are no fewer than three 

 direct roads at the present time leading from Rossendale to 

 Burnley, and thence branching off to Blackburn to the left, 

 namely : — Through Crawshawbooth ; through Newchurch, Lumb 

 and Water ; and by way of Broadclough, Bacup. And although 

 these roads, as they exist at present, are of comparatively recent 

 construction, yet, there can be no manner of doubt, that there have 

 been, from days immemorial, footpaths or tracks in the same 

 direction. All the lime for building purposes was brought from 

 Clitheroe by way of these tracks on the backs of horses, or 

 " lime gals " as they were called, until within comparatively recent 

 times. 



Again, it is well known, that before the erection in 151 1 (3d 

 Henry VIII.) of the Chapel of Ease (as it was originally called), at 

 Newchurch, the Castle and Church of Clitheroe was the Parish 

 Church of Rossendale. And although the distance was great, 

 about fifteen miles as the crow flies, and the way in those days 

 leading between Rossendale and the said Parish Church was " very 

 foul, painful and hillous " (quoting the description given in the 

 decree of the Duchy Chancellor 4th Edward VI.), the inhabitants 

 of Rossendale, or such of them as were not too infirm to under- 

 take the journey, regularly attended the mother church at Clitheroe. 

 Rossendale marriages were solemnized there, infants from the 

 Forest were taken there to be christened, and the dead were 

 carried hence to Clitheroe to be buried. Associations of this kind 

 are the most binding in human nature. There was thus a constant 



