Dufton documents and references

Record Office reference	Useful Documents
Register of Wetheral c 1120	Grant of Morland church to St Mary's at York by Ketel, and witnessed by his son William
Jordan Fantosme Chronicles	The chronicles of Jordan Fantosme, a twelfth century cleric, which record the English Scots border wars of 1158-1174.
23 Henry II Rol 6 Memb 2d	The 1176 pipe rolls for Westmorland
Just 1/979	1256 Westmorland Eyres
Just 1/986	1279 Westmorland Eyres.
Placita de Quo Waranto	1292 Assizes in Westmorland
Testamenta Karleolensia	1366 Will of the Rector of Dufton
D SHEFF 4/8	Bundle of deeds, freehold and copyhold documents. Plus various letters, wills and old documents for the Dufton families living at Morton Sceugh, Low Braithwaite and Thomas Close.
D HUDD 8/56/5	A magistrate's examination of an incident that occurred in 1762 at an inn in Haresceugh. John Dufton, a yeoman of Renwick was involved in a dispute over a claim to mining rights of Renwick Fell.
Ca/5/2/68	A bundle of documents about the sale of land at Willow Holme by William Dufton to the Duke of Devonshire. Williams solicitor has provided a family pedigree of the Dufton family, written in 1816.
D/Lons/L5/2/9/1-36	The Lowther manorial records from 1595 until 1803. Contains a wealth of information on the Dufton families living at Melkingthorpe during this period. Court Rolls, minute books of courts, tenants' list, and rental holdings.
Municipal records of Carlisle	Provides details of Richard Dufton of Itonfield who on the 19 July 1680 was in trouble with the butchers' guild for trading as a butcher contrary to the law.

Some useful Reference Books

The Struggle for Mastery, by David Carpenter

A compelling and detailed account of the history of Britain between 1066-1284, as Norman and Anglo-Saxon people struggle to establish dominion over one another. Describes all aspects of life in Britain after the Norman conquest.

Kings of the North, by Alexander Rose

The book traces the history of the Percy family, as they jostled for power and territory on the borders of medieval England and Scotland. Provides fascinating and detailed account of life in Cumbria and Northumbria during these early times.

Kings and Queens of the British Isles, by Thomas Cussans

Details the lives, the achievements and struggles of the monarchs. Excellent maps that show how the Cumbrian border switched between Scotland and England as a consequence of various historical events.

The Secret Valley, by Nicholas Size

Tells the story in the form of a historical novel of how the Cumbrians resisted the Norman occupation of their land.

The Northern Warrior, by Adrian Rogan

The true story of Andrew Harcla, the Earl of Carlisle, who was hung at Carlisle Castle by King Edward the second, for making an unauthorised truce with the Scots. The location of the story is the war stricken area around Dufton, and draws many parallels with the Dufton family in those harsh times.

A History of Cumberland and Westmorland, by William Rollinson

Concise and comprehensive account of all aspects of the history of the counties of Westmorland and Cumberland.

History of Penrith, by Ewanian

A very detailed history of Penrith and its neighbourhood from the earliest of times

Ploughing in Latin, by the people of Bampton

The book celebrates the parish of Bampton, its land, its people and its history. Bampton has been home to Dufton families over the centuries, many references and pictures relating to the family.

Land of the Lakes, by Melvyn Bragg

A comprehensive coverage of various aspects of Cumbria, including history, society, sport, legends and the arts.

Cumbrian Ancestors, by Cumbrian Archive Service

A book that identifies the many records that are available for family history researchers in Cumbria, and their location. provides an excellent map of the various parishes and their churches.

Manorial Records, by Eve McLaughlin

A useful booklet that provides good information about using manorial records.

Some Medieval Records for Family Historians, by Peter Franklin

Provides details about researching family history before 1538. Explains the purpose and content of useful early documents, and how to interpret them.

The Norman Rule in Cumbria 1092-1136, by Richard Sharpe

These are the lecture notes of Professor Richard Sharpe. He is able to go into great detail on events during this period. A time when the first Dufton families were making their appearance. The references at the end of his book provide an incredible amount of useful research information. Contains 1130 Pipe Roll entries for Carlisle and Westmorland.

The Story of Appleby in Westmorland, by Martin Holdgate

This superb book gives a detailed account of the town's history, and conveys vividly the way in which the town's fortunes ebbed and flowed.

The Northerners by JC Holt

A study in the reign of King John, the most troubled of a times. Gives a detailed account of events which involve the rebel barons and events leading to the signing of the Magna Carta. A time when the Duftons were prominent.

Brampton then and now, by Ian Parson

Provides references to the Dufton family members that lived in Brampton and ran many of the public houses in the town.

These may be of interest

The poem Daffodils, by William Wordsworth

This famous and much loved poem was inspired by the Wordsworth's visit to Gowbarrow, at the side of the lake at Ullswater. Ullswater is the most beautiful of lakes, and the views from Arthur's Pike high above the crags on the east shore are spectacular. Looking down this magnificent lake towards Gowbarrow, and with Helvellyn topped in mist is an unforgettable sight. It is a view that many Duftons will have seen over the centuries, as Arthur's Pike is but a short walk across Askham Fell and down to the villages of Askham, Lowther, Helton. Bampton and Melkingthorpe where the Duftons have lived since the earliest of times.

Michael, by William Wordsworth

Michael is the most moving of Wordsworth poems, and tells the story of Michael an old Cumbrian shepherd, whose son Luke leaves the fells for London, squanders his life, and then moves abroad. The shepherd is heart broken and interest in his farm and flock is lost. Even the sheep fold that Luke started to build for his father before he left the farm remains unfinished.

On the wall of the restaurant of the Tebay motorway service station on the M6 is a mural picture of a rather forlorn shepherd with his flock high up on Dufton Fell near High Cup Gill. It is difficult to look at this picture and not turn your thoughts to the old Michael .

Rheged the Movie

The film tells the story of a descendant of the son Luke in Wordsworth's poem Michael, who travels to Cumbria from his home in a distant land. He tries to find the home and farm of his ancestors, and is determined to complete the building of the sheep fold that Luke started to construct. Various threads of Cumbrian history are woven into the story, and the scenery used in the film is stunning.

Dufton documents and references

Dufton family history and genealogy website