Buttermre in January

January afternoon walking round Buttermere lake

Shouldn't need to say lake

Mere means Water

Like saying Butterwater Lake

Enough of that

 

Buttermere was not in the 'Doomsday Book'

Intended to count and record every hamlet and town

 

There is only one entrance to the valley at low level

Two roads over the mountains and two walkers tracks

The approach from the north over the hills was

At the time they were collating the information

Through bogey land using paths known only to the locals

The soldiers became bogged down and had to make camp

Over night they were all killed in their beds, by unknown locals

 

Some time later another patrol was despatched

They were spotted from the summit of Robinson

A picket was set at the entrance to the valley

Through a narrow wooded defile

Up the Rannerdale Valley

Ditches were dug across the new way

Covered with rushes. The bottom had spikes

 

When the men in tin suits on horseback walked over them and fell in

The were spiked; Those who were not: were l

Killed by the Brits

Youths were given a potion made from 'Magic Mushrooms"

To make them fearless
Striped off their serks

The beserkers went with knives held over their heads

Running under the remaining horses to cut their bellies

The men in tin suits were helpless on the ground

 

No one ever got to count Buttermere for the great 'Doomsday Book'

 

Author's Note

Serks An old name for shirt /smock
Beserkers given the magic mushrooms - fearless (No shirt) fighters

Reviews

[Dave Brown]

A very interesting account.
You must be a history buff which is something I have always enjoyed, more inclined to the aspect of conflict rather than to the ways of those seeking peace
why do men continue to fight
even today the stupidity goes on but it does make good (?) reading provided you are far enough away in either time or distance

[Wild Rose]

Ah I was a Voluntary Warden for thr Lake District National Park Authority for a while > This was the area I covered most & we ran a series of guided walks

[Chris Shaw]

Your poem is so informative Wild Rose, quite a read. That potion of magic mushrooms did the trick then. What imagery you have given me with that onslaught. Your posted image a treat to look at. Thank you and have a nice week-end.

Chris

[Wild Rose]

Thank you: I am looking for nice images to use
Buttermere is often referred to as "The Secret Valley": The only place not mentioned in the Doomsday Book
Magic Mushrooms: They say it gives you a feel ing of invincibility; stronger than the modern hallucinating drugs, without being addictive > They grow wild in places and are not illegal

[Chris Shaw]

Your photographs are stunning.

[Wild Rose]

Thanks > I do edit them for the best result
Had one rejected from the only comp I entered the winner (a woodland autumn view was too red to be real due (in my mind) to over applying red tone. So thought In the old days B&W pics were edited in the dark room > So why not in the PC

[Neville]

What an absolutely compelling account of previously unknown events.. to me anyway.. am sure some clever beggar already knew tho... an education and a half.... spot on my friend...Neville

[Wild Rose]

That is what comes of taking on voluntary (or full time) jobs showing people round Places like "The Lake District" or stately homes - You learn some interesting items for the visitors
Will be adding a few more similar items as time goes on
THanks for the visit and comment

[Neville]

My pleasure...

[Onlyme]

I enjoyed this read even thou sad and poignant. Travelling into your mind's eye and following the route. These people took in the past. Following history and times are gone with said lost souls.

[Wild Rose]

Sad those boys lost/gave their lives
The King had decreed that every place should be listed in his book ("The Doomsday Book") Buttermere was never counted and included in the book - Case of simple unarmed people outwitting the authorities and armed men in "tin suits"

[Onlyme]

That is sad and tragic to hear. It should have been included in the Doomsday book. But history deletes and omits a lot of factual true things.