Friday 6 August 2010

Brindle

After exploring some more of the leafy lanes of Lancashire near Chorley we found ourselves in the small parish of Brindle which was established here well over 800 years ago, though its name has gradually morphed over the centuries, as our language does, from the Old English Burnhull, which means hill by the stream, to Brindle. It's claimed that the battle of Brunanburh was fought here between King Athelstan and a mixed force of Vikings and Northmen in 937, images of which can be found around the parish if you look closely. Other places claim as much including my own home patch of Livesey. The great Cuerdale treasure was discovered near to Brindle which perhaps adds some substance to the claim. It has a great traditional village pub called the Cavendish Arms, which dates back to the 1540s complete with a shady beer garden off to the side and a most singular bar: a desk and chest of drawers. The church of St James (in pre-Reformation days known as St. Helen’s) stands beside the pub, the oldest part still remaining being the tower shown here, built in the 15th Century, though the clock was a later addition made by Thomas Kirkhall of Bolton-le-Moors, 1637. Two of the original bells are still intact and operational. Much of the rest of the church has been rebuilt or restored.

1 comment:

  1. Wow how cool is that and to think those bells are still working. It's beautiful Thanks for sharing this. The photos are beautiful and thanks for the history lesson :) Excellent :)

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