CARLISLE, a parliamentary and municipal borough, the capital of Cumberland, 301 miles N.N.W. from London; N. Lat. 54. 54, W. Long. 2. 55. It is situated on an eminence nearly inclosed by three streams, the Eden, the Caldew, and the Peteril, which are crossed by several handsome bridges. It is supposed to be of British origin, and seems to have been a Roman station, though not one of great importance. It was first fortified about the time of Agricola, but the erection of the castle does not date beyond the time of William Rufus. In border warfare Carlisle suffered severely; it was taken by David King of Scots, and afterwards besieged unsuccessfully by William the Lion. In the civil wars it declared for Charles I., and suffered from the armies of the Commonwealth. In 1745 it surrendered to Prince Charles Stuart; and, on being retaken by the Duke of Cumberland, was the scene of many cruel severities upon the conquered. After the junction of the two crowns it fell into decay, but has made rapid increase during the present century. Pop. (1801) 10,221; (1821) 15,476; (1841) 23,012; (1851) 27,484.
The principal business of the town consists in the manufacture of cotton goods and gingham; and a considerable profit is derived from the coasting trade of Port-Carlisle on the Solway Frith, and of Bowness which communicates with Carlisle by a ship canal 11 miles long. The vessels belonging to the port in 1852 numbered 35, with a tonnage of 2023, besides two steam vessels of small burden. The coasting-trade (1852) employed 243 sailing and steam vessels, which entered with a tonnage of 32,554; while 442 cleared, with a tonnage of 41,155.
The municipal government of Carlisle is vested in a mayor, 10 aldermen, and 30 councillors. Since Edward I. it has returned two members to parliament. It is the see of a bishop (income £3000), and contains an ancient cathedral in various styles of architecture, in the interior of which is a monument erected to Dr. Paley, who was archdeacon of Carlisle. Besides the cathedral, there are four other Established churches, and several places of worship for Independents, Presbyterians, Baptists, Wesleyans, &c. Its educational establishments comprise the National, British, Fawcett, (so called from Rev. John Fawcett, late of St. Cuthbert's Church,) industrial and private schools; its scientific and literary institutions include two literary associations, a mechanics' institute, public library, news-rooms, &c.; its charities consist of an infirmary, fever hospital, dispensary, and humane society. A county-court is held at Carlisle. The court-houses were erected at a cost of £100,000. Among the more recent buildings, the custom-house, the fish-market, the news-room, and the railway station, have added considerably to the improvement of the town. A market is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and fairs in August
and September. A considerable part of the ancient castle still remains, and it is now used as quarters for the garrison. Towards the north are the apartments in which Mary Queen of Scots was confined after the battle of Langside. The earldom of Carlisle is one of great antiquity, and is held by a branch of the Howard family.