The Last 'Battle' on English Soil, The Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.

This can hardly be counted as a piece if investigation work, more an information account that people from North of the Border or indeed, further south of Penrith in England (which is basically everywhere) may be unaware of. This revolves around the Jacobite Rising and the march south to take the English Crown By Charles Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie). They got as far as Derby but were then put into retreat and the final 'Battle' or skirmish took Place at Clifton. This is not intended to read as a history lesson as I am the wrong one to give it, however, it is a point of interest that most people travelling to Ullswater/Pooley Bridge via the M6 miss, yet they are only about a mile from it.

The information boards through the village

Saint Cuthbert's Church contains a memorial to the English Troopers who died and it is just through the gate and to the right.

St. Cuthbert's

The memorial placed in 2004

Moving further south into the village (which basically straddles the old A6) you now come upon the next point of interest which locates the 'battle'.

Kelter Well

Heading just further south in the village if you take the track to the left just past The George and Dragon Inn, you come across the Rebels Tree.

The Rebels Tree

Note above the flag of St. Andrew. Reputed to be buried here are 12 Jacobite soldiers who fell in the 'battle' or skirmish. This battle is also referred to in Walter Scott's Waverley historical novel at Chapter Fourteen, 'A Journey To London'.

The Marker/Memorial post

The wording

This last battle is also reputed to be the original source of the lament The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond, the rest of the Jacobites being incarcerated at Carlisle Castle.  

For those heading south from Pooley Bridge, it is merely a question of turning right onto the A6 and heading for ther Shap junction 39, just as easy as heading for junction 40; for those heading north, it is only a mile diversion to take in this piece of national history.

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