The lords and lordships of the English West March : Cumberland and Westmorland from circa 1250 to circa 1350
Cumberland and Westmorland differed significantly from the rest of Mediaeval England. They were subjected to the English crown later than the rest of England and as a result the lordships of the region retained extensive powers comparable to those exercised on the March of Wales. Thus local lords played a larger role in government than elsewhere and they also enjoyed political dominance. Seigneurial officials bore the main burden of law enforcement. Cumbria evolved its own customs for law enforcement but crime remained a serious problem. In the early reign of Edward I the region enjoyed peace but since lordship there was of limited financial value, it was also largely neglected by its lords. In Cumberland, especially, absentee lordship was common. In Westmorland the Clifford family, which had gained land there, attempted to establish local dominance. This resulted in disputes both with the borough of Appleby and the lords of Kendale. Robert de Clifford was able to complete his family's acquisition of land in the reign of Edward II but these gains were temporarily negated by the rebellion and forfeiture of his son Roger IV in 1322.The outbreak of war caused enormous material damage and rendered absentee lordship
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History
The lords and lordships of the English West March : Cumberland and Westmorland from circa 1250 to circa 1350. Cumberland and Westmorland differed significantly from the rest of Mediaeval England. They were subjected to the English crown later than the rest of England and as a result the lordships of the region retained extensive powers comparable to those exercised on the March of Wales. Thus local lords played a larger role in government than elsewhere and they also enjoyed political dominance. Seigneurial officials bore the main burden of law enforcement. Cumbria evolved its own customs for law enforcement but crime remained a serious problem. In the early reign of Edward I the region enjoyed peace but since lordship there was of limited financial value, it was also largely neglected by its lords. In Cumberland, especially, absentee lordship was common. In Westmorland the Clifford family, which had gained land there, attempted to establish local dominance. This resulted in disputes both with the borough of Appleby and the lords of Kendale. Robert de Clifford was able to complete his family's acquisition of land in the reign of Edward II but these gains were temporarily negated by the rebellion and forfeiture of his son Roger IV in 1322.The outbreak of war caused enormous material damage and rendered absentee lordship
lord lordship english west march circa circa differ significantly rest mediaeval england subject english_crown later rest england region retain extensive power comparable exercise thus local lord play large role government elsewhere also enjoy political dominance seigneurial official bore main burden law enforcement cumbria evolve custom law enforcement crime remain serious problem early reign edward region enjoy peace since lordship limit financial value also largely_neglected lord especially absentee lordship common family gain land attempt_establish local dominance result dispute borough lord able complete family acquisition land reign edward gain temporarily negate rebellion son the outbreak_war cause enormous material damage render absentee lordship