A HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND 



April 1653, Cumberland was at first represented by Sir Patrick Curwen 

 and Sir George Dalston, the former of whom had been first elected in 

 1625, and the latter had been member since 1620.' They were both 

 ardent royalists, and were excluded as such under the disabling order of 

 1 645, their places being taken by William Ermyn and Richard Tolson ; 

 the latter was probably one of the Tolsons of Bridekirk near Cocker- 

 mouth, which was a stronghold of the Puritan party. Only one of the 

 members for Carlisle was rejected, as Richard Barwise was already 

 known as a supporter of the revolutionary movement. The next parlia- 

 ment to be summoned was that which lived in history under the name 

 of the Barebones Parliament. It was a nominated assembly called 

 together on the authority of Cromwell alone. 2 For the purpose of this 

 parliament, the four northern counties were grouped together, and four 

 members were allotted to them. One of these was Colonel Charles 

 Howard, who has been already named as having purged his delinquencies 

 by the payment of a fine. Since that time, however, he had fought at 

 Worcester on the parliamentary side and done very gallant service, 

 ' though at his personal smarts.' He would seem now to have enjoyed 

 the entire confidence of the Protector, for he was also made a member 

 of the new Council of State. 3 Before this he had been appointed 

 governor of Carlisle. In the parliament of 1654 two members were 

 once more assigned to Cumberland, and Colonel Howard and Mr. 

 William Brisco were elected, as they were again in that of 1656. 

 When Cromwell determined in 1657 to form a second or upper house, 

 Howard was called to it as Baron Gillesland and Lord Morpeth, one of 

 the few peerages that Cromwell bestowed. He is marked as being in 

 attendance when the Houses met in 1658.' After the Protector's death 

 Howard remained one of the close advisers of his son Richard, the 

 county being represented by Sir Wilfrid Lawson and Mr. Brisco. In 

 the Convention of 1 660 Colonel Howard resumed his place as member 

 for Cumberland with Sir Wilfrid as his colleague. It was this assembly 

 that decreed the restoration of Charles II. To the new parliament of 1 66 1 

 the county sent its old representatives, Sir Patrick Curwen and Sir George 

 Fletcher. Sir Patrick's former colleague, Sir George Dalston, who had 

 represented Cumberland for more than thirty years, did not live to see 

 the king's return. He died in 1657 respected by parliament and loved 

 by kings, a leading man, prevailing by his great reputation of justice and 

 integrity." 



The legislation of the early parliaments of Charles II. produced 

 some notable changes in the political obligations of the inhabitants of 

 Cumberland, and almost brought them into line with the rest of the 



1 Parliaments of England (Blue Book), i, 450, 463, 487. 

 Masson, Life of Milton, iv. 501. 



3 Gardiner Commonwealth and Protectorate, ii. 259. 



4 Masson, Life of Milton, v. 323. 



s Bishop Jeremy Taylor preached his funeral sermon on 28 September 1657, which was printed in 

 1658 under the title of ' A Sermon preached at the Funerall of that worthy Knight S r George Dalston 

 of Dalston in Cumberland.' 



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