BOWNESS, a parish in the ward and county of
CUMBERLAND, comprising the townships of Anthorn,
Bowness, Drumburgh, and Fingland, and containing
1220 inhabitants, of which number, 471 are in the township
of Bowness, 12 miles (W. N. W.) from Carlisle.
The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese
of Carlisle, rated in the king's books at £21. 13. ll.,
and in the patronage of the Earl of Lonsdale. The
church is dedicated to St. Michael. The village stands
on a rocky promontory, commanding a fine view of the
Solway Frith, on the coast of which it is situated, and
occupies the site of the Roman station Tunnocellum,
where, according to the Notitia, a marine cohort (cohors
prima Mlia Classica) was placed. At the distance of
about a mile was the western extremity of the Picts' wall,
vestiges of which are conspicuous in various parts ot
the parish, as well as of Gabrosentum, another Roman
station. Coins and various other relics of the Romans,
among which was an image of the god Terminus, have
been discovered; and from the foundations of houses
and streets which cultivation has exposed to the view,
this place has evidently been of greater extent than it
is at present. The ship canal from Carlisle terminates
near the village. Thomas Pattinson, in 1785, gave
£610, directing the interest to be applied for the instruction
of children belonging to this and some neighbouring
parishes, which has been accordingly done.