This is a record of the lecture delivered to the Society by Professor Richard Sharpe,FBA, in 2005 at Carlisle. It uses the charters of William II and Henry I to investigate the extent of royal administration in Cumberland in comparison with Northumberland. Immediately after William II's conquest of Carlisle in 1092,it is impossible to be sure what structures were put in place,though there is a possibility that Ivo Taillebois (d.1094) was for a short time in charge. By 1101 Ranulf Meschin had charge of both Carlisle and Appleby with wide but undefined powers under the king. He surrenders his role in 1121-2,and from then until (it is argued)1133 Cumberland and Westmorland were run by minor local officials answerable to the Exchequer (as can be seen in the pipe roll of 1129-30).It is further argued that the creation of a bishopric for this area in 1133 went along with establishing for the first time normal shire institutions in Cumberland, including a sheriff, who remained in office under Scottish rule after 1136.

Thanks to Richard Sharpe's insights we now have a much clearer understanding of the nature of, and the shifts in, authority and power in the Anglo-Scottish Borders during a crucial stage in their history. Extensive notes and references are included.

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