FOURNESS, in Loynsdale, Lancashire, is a tract,
between the Kent, Leven, and Dudden sands, which
runs north parallel with the west sides of Cumberland
and Westmoreland; and on the south runs out into
the sea as a promontory. Here, as Mr Camden ex-
presses it, "the sea, as if enraged at it, lashes it more
furiously, and in high tides has even devoured the shore,
and made three large bays; viz. Kentsand, into which
the river Ken empties itself; Levensand and Dudden-
sand, between which the land projects in such a man-
ner that it has its name hence; Foreness and Foreland,
signifying the same with us as promontorium anterius
in Latin." Bishop Gibson, however, derives the name
of Fourness or Furness, from the numerous furnaces
that were there anciently, the rents and services of
which (called Bloomsmithy rents) are still paid. This
whole tract, except on the coast, rises in high hills and
vast piles of rocks called Fourness-Fells; among which
the Britons found a secure retreat, trusting to these
natural fortresses, though nothing was inaccessible to
the victorious Saxons; for we find the Britons settled
here 228 years after the arrival of the Saxons:
because at that time Egfrid king of Northumberland
gave St Cuthbert the land called Curthmell, and all the
Britons in it, as is related in his life. In these mount-
ainous parts are found quarries of a fine durable blue
slate to cover buildings with, which are made use of
in many other parts of the kingdom. Here are several
cotton mills lately erected; and if fuel for fire were
more plentiful, the trade of this country would much
increase: but there being no coals nearer than Wigan
or Whitehaven, and the coast duties high, firing is ra-
ther scarce, the country people using only turf or peat,
and that begins to be more scarce than formerly. In
the mosses of Fourness much fir is found, but more
oak: the trunks in general lie with their heads to the
east, the high winds having been from the west. High
Furness has ever had great quantities of sheep, which
browse upon the hollics left in great numbers for them;
and produces charcoal for melting iron ore, and oak
bark for tanners use, in great abundance. The forests
abound with deer and wild boars, and the legh or
scote, or large stags, whose horns are frequently found
under ground here. The low or plain part of Fourness,
which is so called to distinguish it from the woody or
mountainous part, produces all sorts of grain, but prin-
cipally oats, whereof the bread eaten in this country
is generally made; and there are found here veins of
a very rich iron ore, which is not only melted and
wrought here, but great quantities are exported to
other parts to mix with poorer ores. The three sands
above mentioned are very dangerous to travellers, by
the tides and the many quicksands. There is a guide
on horseback appointed to Kent or Lancaster sands at
10l. per ann. to Leven at 6l. per ann. out of the pub-
lic revenue; but to Dudden, which are most danger-
ous, none; and it is no uncommon thing for persons
to pass over in parties of 100 at a time like caravans,
under the direction of the carriers, who go to or fro
every day. The sands are less dangerous than formerly,
being more used and better known, and travellers
never going without the carriers or guides. "Furnis
abbey up in the mountains," was begun at Tulket in
Amouderness 1124, by Stephen earl of Boulogne,
afterwards king of England, for the monks of Savigni
in France, and three years after removed to this val-
ley, then called Bekangesgill, or, "the vale of night-
shade." It was of the Cistercian order, endowed with
above 800l. per ann. Out of the monks of this abbey, Mr Camden informs us, the bishops of the Isle of Man, which lies opposite to it, used to be chosen by ancient custom; it being as it were the mother of many monasteries in Man and Ireland. Some ruins, and part of the fosse which surrounded the monastery, are still to be seen at Tulket. The remains at Fourness breathe that plain simplicity of the Cistercian abbeys; the chapter-house was the only piece of elegant Gothic about it, and its roof has lately fallen in. Part of the painted glass from the east window, representing the crucifixion, &c. is preserved at Windermere church in Bowness, Westmoreland. The church (except the north side of the nave), the chapter-house, refectory, &c. remain, only unroofed.