Waberthwaite

Waberthwaite
Cumberland
Waberthwaite church
Location
Grid reference:	SD172802
Location:	54°19’52"N, 3°22’18"W
Data
Population:	230  (2011)
Post town:	Millom
Postcode:	LA19
Dialling code:	01229
Local Government
Council:	Cumberland
Parliamentary constituency:	Copeland

Waberthwaite is a parish of scattered hamlets on the estuary of the River Esk as it emerges ino the Irish Sea on the west coast of Cumberland. Waberthwaite is near to and overlooks Muncaster Castle and the village of Ravenglass. It is well known for its Cumberland sausages.

The parish church is St John's Church.

History

The name of Waberthwaite is apparently Norse: the common suffix 'thwaite' is the Old Norse þveit, meaning "clearing" or "meadow". A suggestion has been made that the first element odf the name is of a common origin with the local Wyberg family, which name appears to come from the Old Norse viberg meaning 'holy mountain'.

In the 12th century, Arthur Boyvill, third Lord of Millom, gave the manor of Waberthwaite to the husband of his daughter, who assumed the name of "de Wayburthwait". Waberthwaite was the north western boundary of the lordship of Millom.

Later in a deed of 1392 Thomas de Berdesey granted to Sir Richard de Kyrkeby, the manor of "Wayburthwayt", and the advowdson (the right to appoint the vicar) of the church of St James (now St John). The advowdson remained in the hands of the Kirkbys until about 1608, when it passed to the Pennington family, who also became Lords of the manor.

Gallery

• 
  St John's Church, Waberthwaite, from across the Esk
• 
  The large cross shaft - 10th century or earlier.
• 
  Waberthwaite church and cross
• 
  View of both cross shafts

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Waberthwaite)

• Waberthwaite on 'Millomweb'