When I mentioned the name of the owner of
Rydal-hall, George observed that Le Fleming had an
ancient sound, and he inquired if the family was not
old and of foreign origin. " The family of the
Flemings," I replied, " is one of the most ancient
and honourable in these parts. Sir Michael le Fleming
was related to Baldwin, Earl of Flanders, brother-
in-law of the Conqueror, and was sent by him to assist
William in England. His ser vices were repaid with
large grants of land in Furness. Rydal came into the
family in the reign of Henry W¥: by marriage with
Isabel, a co-heiress of Sir John de Lancaster, of How-
gill castle ; and it has been the principal seat of the
Flemings ever since. Sir Daniel Fleming, who was
created a baronet in 1705, made large collections of
materials for the history of his own family, and also
of the counties of Westmoreland, Cumberland, and
Lancaster, which are still in existence at Rydal-hall.
Like several other members of his family, he repre-
sented the county of Westmoreland in the House of
Commons. The present owner of the hall is the relict
of the late baronet.
Just beyond Rydal-hall, the valley contracts and
turns abruptly to Jhe left, through a defile formed by
the northern point of Loughrigg-fell on one side, and
Nab-scar on the other. At the foot of the latter is



106 VIEW FROM LOUGHRIGG.
