You can download this volume here - Electric Scotland

8
manuscript.
Rev. James Wilson
In 1887 a copy of the manuscript was printed 1
under the title of An Accompt of the most considerable Estates
and Families in the County of Cumberland^ from the Conquest
unto the beginning of
the
reign of K. James \the First], by John
Denton of Cardew. The print covers 159 octavo pages. Though
there were seven copies of the manuscript before the editor, no
attempt was made to collate them with a view of ascertaining the
best text. In some of the it is
copies stated that the account was
brought up to 1610, seven years before the author's death. This
brief sketch of environment may be taken as the general background
for a picture of the first historian of Cumberland.
Denton's legal training and special knowledge of the territorial
history of Cumberland gave him pre-eminence among his neighbours
as an authority on disputes about land and tithes. In course
of time he was embroiled with successive Bishops of Carlisle on
matters connected with the manor of Dalston, of which he was
one of the largest landowners. His official work as an agent for
concealed lands disturbed the social amenities of several families
in the county.
It may be truly said that before his death in 1617
John Denton was a mischievous influence in Cumberland.
There is a legend that Denton wrote his history during the
time of his imprisonment in the Tower upon a contest between
him and Bishop Robinson of Carlisle. The is
supposition very
unlikely. Refusal to do suit at the bishop's manor-court, or to
grind corn at the bishop's mills was scarcely an offence to merit
such high punishment. His visits to the Tower appear to have
been for another purpose ; he went there as one of the Queen's
agents to study the public records. We have c a note of suche
recordes as Mr. Denton hath scene and had notes of by warrant
of Mr. Attorney Generall, bearinge date the xxxth of January,
1600.' The document 2 is endorsed '
serches pro Regina by Mr.
Aturnye Geinralls warrant to Mr. Denton, 1600, 1601.' Those
who take the trouble to glance at the list of evidences consulted
by him will come away with unfeigned respect for his patience
and industry. All the chief classes of rolls and records from
the reign of King John to that of Edward IV., useful for his
business, were supplied to him. If the custody of the national
records then and now be compared, students, accustomed to
1 As one of its Tract Series by the Cumberland and Westmorland Archaeological
Society under the care of Mr. R. S. Ferguson, F.S.A., Chancellor of Carlisle.
2 S. P. Don. Elizabeth, vol. cclixix. folio 70.