46 TROUTBECK. 



ridge of the Troutbeck hills, as any one may see 

 who will climb the mountain called, for this reason, 

 High Street, What a sight it must have been — 

 the pioneers felling the trees, and paving the way, 

 and the soldiers following, with their armour and 

 weapons gleaming in the sun, while the trembling 

 natives cowered in the forest below, — listening 

 now to the blows of the workmen, and now to the 

 warlike music of the troops, marching up from 

 Kendal ! After Romans and Saxons were gone, 

 the valley was a great park, and the inhabitants 

 were virtually serfs, in danger of the gallows, 

 (which had a hill to itself, named after it to this 

 day,) at the will and pleasure of the one great man. 

 In the course of time, — that is a great many cen- 

 turies ago, — the valley was disparked and divided 

 among the inhabitants, only one very large estate 

 being left,— the new park containing 2,000 acres. 

 Tradition tells of a giant, "a man of amazing 

 strength," who lived in Troutbeck Park, in the time 

 of Edward VI. He begged from house to house till 

 he came there, but finding an empty dwelling he 

 took possession. This house had been forfeited to the 

 Crown, and was of so little value that he remained 

 for some time undisturbed. At last a tenant was 

 found, and came to take possession ; but the giant 

 who was ^' quite uncivilized, and knew no law but 

 strength," prevented him. Upon this he was sent 

 for to London, where he so pleased the king by his 

 feats of strength that he was promised anything he 

 might ask for. His petition was for the house in 

 Troutbeck, the paddock behind it to get peat for 

 fuel, and liberty to cut wood in Troutbeck Park. 

 This was readily granted him. It is said the King 



