MELMERBY, a parish in LEATH ward, county of
CUMBERLAND, 8 miles (N. E. by E.) from Penrith,
containing 250 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in
the archdeaconry and diocese of Carlisle, rated in the
king's books at £12. 11. 5., and in the patronage of
Mrs. Pattenson. The church, built of red freestone,
is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. This place had
anciently a market and a fair; a feast is held annually
on Old Midsummer-day. In the parish are two
springs, one sulphureous, and the other chalybeate.
There are extensive strata of limestone, and some freestone,
and a lead-mine has been worked some years, but
it is not very productive. The Roman road called the
Maiden way is visible here; its width is twenty-one
feet. On the eastern side of the parish is Hartsidfe
Fell, a lofty mountain rising one thousand three hundred
and twelve feet above the village, over which
passes a new road from Alston to Penrith. The Helm
winds blow here with great violence.