The earliest phase of Samlesbury Hall dates to around 1325, when Gilbert de Southworth (Sir Gilbert de Southworth, Knight, Lord of Southworth, Croft, and Samlesbury, to give him his full title) constructed the Great Hall as his family seat, replacing a structure damaged during the Great Raid of 1322 by Scottish forces, a major raid carried out by Robert the Bruce during the First Scottish War of Independence.
Tag Archives: #Lancashire
The Tale of Bob Platt
Bob Platt weren’t a temperance fella in fact he’d a likin’ fer beer. Bur he ne’er used’t go beyond’t limit except once or twice durin’t year.
Northwest Recipes: Lancashire Hotpot
Back in the 17th century, the term “hotpot” didn’t refer to food at all; instead it described a hot spiced ale drink, sometimes mixed with spirits. The word gradually shifted meaning, and by the 1830s to 1840s, “hot-pot” or similar terms started appearing for meat stews in places like Liverpool.
The Common Bulrush
Bullrush spread via robust rhizomes underground, forming dense colonies that can dominate wetland edges, and flowering occurs from June to August, with wind-pollination ensuring widespread dispersal. Come autumn, the female spikes burst open, releasing fluffy seeds on the breeze, each equipped with a downy parachute for travel.
Sphagnum Moss, The Bog-builder
Sphagnum moss belongs to the genus Sphagnum, comprising over 30 species in the British Isles, many of which can be very challenging to distinguish.
The Black Seam Lancashire’s Coal Mining History
Lancashire has a long history of coal mining, dating back to the early Roman era at least, with small-scale exploitation of shallow seams and natural outcrops being archaeologically evident throughout the county.
Long-eared Owls
Long-eared owls, Asio otus, are one of our most secretive and elusive birds of prey. With their distinctive ‘ear’ tufts (which are actually feather extensions for camouflage and expression), striking orange eyes, and mottled brown plumage, these medium-sized owls are unmistakable, yet they are rarely seen, as they blend so well into the landscape and prefer to secrete themselves in dense foliage during the day.
Earthtongue Fungi
Earthtongue fungi, belonging primarily to the family Geoglossaceae, are a fascinating group known for their distinctive tongue- or club-shaped fruiting bodies that emerge from the soil in eerie-looking black or dark protrusions.
Northwest Nature and History 