Brampton History

The town of Brampton, a name thought to be derived from the Old English word for Brambles or Broom, first began almost 2000 years ago when the Romans built a fort here and by the 7th century the Angles were living on the site.

The early Christians were the next to visit and made their mark by building Brampton Old Church a mile outside of the existing centre near to the beautiful River Irthing. Brampton's importance continued to grow following the decision of King Henry to grant the town a Market Charter in 1252. As time passed Brampton once again played an important part in history when Bonnie Prince Charlie, en-route to London with his army of Highland Rebels stayed in Brampton during the siege of Carlisle. It is rumoured that the French Ambassador was quartered here before the army marched into Carlisle on the 17th of November 1745 and the Young Pretender declared his right to claim the monarchy of England and Scotland for his father. It was just one year later in 1746 that six of Bonnie Prince Charlie's men were hanged from the Capon Tree and a memorial to this event still stands in the town to this day.

The late 18th century brought further prosperity for Brampton as the Newcastle to Carlisle Military Road was completed in 1758; the cotton weaving activities of this time and subsequent coal mining in the fells to the south of the town resulted in the building of most of the buildings still standing in its centre.