ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 



who had conscientious scruples about conformity. At first the castle or 

 citadel of Carlisle was utilized by the sheriff for this purpose, though as 

 a matter of fact few were committed to his custody. After the attainder 

 and condemnation of Philip Howard, earl of Arundel, in 1589, when 

 his estates escheated to the Crown, 1 the castle of Greystoke was used for 

 some years as the special place where the local recusants were lodged, and 

 within the limits of the ample park of which they were confined. 

 Francis Mountain was the keeper of the recusants of Greystoke, 2 at least 

 from 1592 to 1594, the ordinary diet of the Fleet prison being allowed 

 for their maintenance. But the arrangement did not last long, for the 

 Lady Arundel regained possession of Greystoke in 1601, and afterwards 

 became an occasional resident at the castle. 



It is worthy of notice that Lord Scrope, warden of the western 

 marches, showed a greater zeal for bringing recusants to conformity than 

 the bishop of Carlisle, his colleague in these matters. In a letter to 

 Walsingham 3 on 8 February 1583-4, he pleaded for the issue of a com- 

 mission to himself and Bishop May to call before them Francis Dacre 

 and his wife and Thomas Denton of Warnell and his wife, who were 

 ' of late mytche drawne and persuaded from relegyon,' to examine them 

 when they received the Communion during the past six months, and 

 also to make a general call to all suspected persons and their wives 

 within the diocese for a public Communion, in order that a good under- 

 standing might be obtained how they stood affected to the church. But 

 some time elapsed before his wishes were gratified. In January 1596-7, 

 the bishop of Carlisle took action through his chancellor to find out 

 from the churchwardens the names of the recusants in the various 

 parishes of the diocese and the dates when they were last presented for 

 recusancy. The return of Chancellor Dethick, endorsed ' recusants in 

 Cumberland and Westmerland in the diocess of Carlisle, dated Januarie 

 1596, but received May 1597,' is a document of the greatest interest in 

 showing the extent of nonconformity at this period. It is as follows : 



'Jan. 1597. Presentment of recusants in the diocese of Carlisle. The present- 

 ment by the churchwardens of the recusants within the dioces of Carlisle in Januarye 

 1596. Cumberland, Crostwhait : Mr. Frauncis Radcliffe of Darwaine water, esquier, 

 and Issabell his wife, with his tenn children and his servauntes, George Blenkinsopp, 

 Francis Hetherington, Robert White and one Albanye, servingmen, Issabell Hutchinson, 

 Grace Fetherston and one Myrable, with the base begotten daughter of S r George 

 Radcliffe, knight, the Ladie Katherine Radcliffe (mother to ye said Mr. Frauncis Rad- 

 cliffe), a verie old woman : xiii moneths. Seburham : Mrs. Anne Denton the wife of 

 Thomas Denton esquier recusant : ii moneths. Wetherall : George Skelton gentle- 

 man and Anne his wife, recusants : viii moneths. Warwick : Helene Warwick the 

 wife of Thomas Warwick of Holme yate gentleman, recusant by her own confession : 

 iiii years. Westmerland, Petterdale, a chappell of Barton : , Mrs. Fraunces Lancaster 

 the wife of Mr. Lancelott Lancaster, gentleman, recusant : vi moneths. Aslcham : 

 Mrs. Martha Sanfoorde the wife of Thomas Sanfoord esquier, and Fraunceis Teasdale 



The Lives of Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel, and Ann Dacres bis wife, ed. Duke of Norfolk, E.M., 

 1857, pp. 89-95. 



' In the parish register there is a record of the baptism of the children ' of Mr. Francis 

 Mountaine then being at that present Keeper of the recusants at Graistoke castle.' 



a S.P. Dom. Eliz. Add. xxviii. 59. 



85 



