The Bailiwick of Ennerdale Est 1251 - Hon. George Mentz JD MBA CWM

Ennerdale Environmental Sites - Fells, Crags, Rivers, Etc.

This is the parish and manor boundary map of Ennerdale, showing its historic extent relative to neighboring valleys (Wasdale, Eskdale, Lorton, Kinniside, and Lamplugh). Based on this map and Ordnance Survey topography, here’s what falls within or forms the natural boundaries of the Bailiwick or Liberty of Ennerdale:

🏔️ Fells and Crags (within or bordering Ennerdale)

• Great Borne (616 m) – western boundary fell, marking the ridge toward Loweswater.

• Starling Dodd, Red Pike, and High Stile – southern ridgeline enclosing upper Ennerdale.

• Steeple and Pillar (892 m) – major central fells within Ennerdale’s upper reaches.

• Haycock, Caw Fell, and Iron Crag – along the south and southeast parish boundary with Wasdale.

• Crag Fell and Lank Rigg – northern and eastern perimeter hills.

• Bowness Knott – prominent outcrop overlooking Ennerdale Water.

These collectively form the Ennerdale Horseshoe, a natural cirque enclosing the dale.

💧 Lakes and Waters

• Ennerdale Water (Lake) – the central lake of the Liberty, fully within its boundary.

• River Liza – flows the full length of the valley from headwaters below Great Gable to Ennerdale Water, then east to the outflow at Ennerdale Bridge.

• Smithy Beck and Deep Gill – northern tributaries descending from Crag Fell.

• Raven Crag Beck and Grike Gill – feeding from the northern slopes.

• Loft Beck – one of the upper tributaries near Haycock.

Ennerdale is unusual because the entire hydrological basin of the River Liza lies within its ancient liberty, giving the lordship full watercourse continuity.

🏞️ Rivers and Valleys Forming Natural Boundaries

• To the north – the watershed dividing Ennerdale from Loweswater and Lorton Vale.

• To the south – the ridges descending toward Wasdale Head and Eskdale.

• To the east – Scarth Gap Pass and Black Sail Pass, historic crossings to Buttermere and Wasdale.

• To the west – Ennerdale Bridge village marks the traditional outlet and lower liberty limit.

📜 Summary of Territorial Character

The Bailiwick of Ennerdale represents a complete valley lordship — bounded by mountain ridges on every side and drained by a single river to a single outlet. It includes the entire Ennerdale Water catchment, its fells, crags, and pastures, making it one of the few self-contained natural and jurisdictional valleys in England. Its isolation and completeness likely contributed to its recognition as a “liberty” or “forest bailiwick” in royal grants.

Would you like me to overlay or annotate this same map with the modern names of the fells, lakes, and boundaries (i.e., a labeled Ennerdale heritage map)? I can generate that for you visually.