SETTLE, a market-town in the parish of GIGGLESWICK,
western division of the wapentake of STAINCLIFFE-and-EWCROSS,
West riding of the county of
YORK, 59 miles (W. by N.) from York, and 234 (N. W.
by N.) from London, containing 1508 inhabitants. The
name of this town is derived from the Saxon word
Sell, a seat: its situation is singular and picturesque,
at the base of an almost perpendicular limestone rock,
which rises to the height of two hundred feet; it is
neat and well built, the houses being chiefly of stone;
the streets are partially paved, and the inhabitants are
well supplied with water from numerous springs and
wells. There is a subscription library and news-room.
The surrounding vale consists of rich pastures, and is enclosed
on each side by a long range of craggy mountains,
including the lofty elevations of Pendle hill on
the south, of Pennigant on the north, and Ingleborough
on the north-west. Considerable business is done in
the cotton trade, and there are several roperies and a
paper manufactory. The market is on Tuesday; fairs
are held on April 26th, Whit-Tuesday, August 18th and
the two following days, and Tuesday after October 27th;
in addition to which there are fairs every alternate
Tuesday from Easter to Whitsuntide, for lean cattle,
and every second Monday in the year for fat cattle. A
constable is appointed annually at a court baron of the
lord of the manor, which is always held once, and
sometimes twice, a year. There are places of worship
for Independents and Wesleyan Methodists. A National
school is supported by voluntary contributions.