DACRE, a parish in LEATH ward, county of CUMBERLAND,
5 miles (S.W. by W.) from Penrith, comprising
the townships of Dacre, Great Blencow, Newbiggin,
Soulby, and Stainton, and containing 904 inhabitants.
The living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry
and diocese of Carlisle, rated in the king's books at £ 8,
endowed with £200 private benefaction, £200 royal
bounty, and £1200 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage
of the Crown. The chtirch is dedicated to St.
Andrew. A school was built in 174Q, by subscription,
in which four free children are educated, and others at a
small charge. A monastery existed here in the time of
Bede; and at this place, Constantino, King of Scotland,
and Eugenius, King of Cumberland, placed themselves
and their kingdom under the authority of King Athelstan.
Dacre castle was long the residence of an ancient
and noble family of that name: the main body of it, consisting
principally of four towers of excellent workmanship,
remains in a very perfect state. Lime-stone is obtained
here; and at Southwaite, in this parish, is a
mineral spring.