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The chief object of the monks of Rushen, from the earliest times, appears to have been to get the Manx bishops consecrated at YORK instead of Trondhjem. In the yeare 1192, finding their building too small, the monks transferred themselves to Douglas for four years, during which Rushen Abbey was enlarged. The monks of Rushen lived by their labour, with great mortification; wore neither shoes, furs, nor linen, and eat no flesh except on journeys. The company consisted of twelve monks and an abbot, of whom the first was called Conanus. The Cistercian order had its beginning in 1098, though, probably, they were not planted here till six-and-thirty years after, by Evan, ABBOT of Furness. The abbey of Rushen being a Cistercian cell dependent on the abbey of Furness, received its abbots by appointment thence. The abbot, in right of his barony, was authorised to hold courts of "leet and baron," wherein his seneschal presided; but as some of the bishop's tenants had to pay customs, boons, suits and services to the Lord of the Isle, the southern deemster, with the comptroller and attorney-general, also attended to take notice of anything that might happen concerning the lord's interest. The abbey of Furness seems also for some time to have appointed to the bishopric of Man.
Wimond, who was Bishop of Man from 1113 to 1151, was a monk of Furness Abbey, as was also Nicholas de Meux, who was made bishop in 1203. The former, there is reason to believe, was of Manx descent. In the yeare 1257, Richard, Bishop of the Isles, consecrated the abbey church, (St. Mary of Rushen,) which had been commenced 130 years before. There are no clear traces of this portion of the building. This abbey is said to have been set on fire by a party of English at the period of the Reformation. The Church of Man seems always to have suffered from outward enemies. Every innovation in doctrine and discipline up to the present day has come, and seems likely to come, from the other side of the water.
There are one or two of a metamorphic rock, approaching to gneiss, and there is one at Kirk Bride (of doubtful age) of red sandstone, probably a block found in the northern drift. The name of the kirk and parish (Malew) is evidently a corruption of the name of the patron, St. Lupas, in honour of whom the kirk was dedicated, as appears by an inscription on an antique paten. After leaving the abbey of Rushen we may ascend the hill, and take the road into Castletown, which leads by the parish church of Malew, a modest kirk, with white washed walls and ancient bell-turret. A painted eastern window has recently been inserted, which casts a hallowed light within the church; and the antique granite font, which for some time had, outside of it, been catching the rain-water gathered from its roof, has been restored to the inside of the building, and occupies its proper place near the south door.
Rushen Castle itself, notwithstanding the antiquity popularly assigned to it, is probably not older than the thirteenth, and more likely, is of the fourteenth, century, although its original form of a plain, square keep, before the additions to its four faces, points to the period of Newcastle and Rochester Castles. The discrepancy may be, perhaps, explained by the circumstances of its builders being Scandinavian. It has, at least, been said to bear a striking resemblance to the Castle of Elsinore.
In 1333, Edward III. directed seizin to be made of the Isle of Man, then in possession of the Scots; but Edward Baliol presenting himself to him as his liege lord, did fealty for the same, and under him the Scots still retained the Island. The expulsion from Scotland of Edward Baliol, who had been intruded upon the throne by Edward III. in the place of David II., placed the Isle of Man again in the power of the Bruce family. At this time there appear to have been three parties claiming the Lordship of Man. Somerled's successors, who eventually emerged as the Lords of the Isles, were nominally under the sovereignty of Norway until the late thirteenth century.
First, the Murray family, who, as successors to Randolph, held it by the grant from Robert Bruce, and though driven from the actual possession, still styled themselves Lords of Man, and quartered the arms of the Island with their own certainly down to 1398, when the first Duke of Albany was created of that family.
Secondly, the Montacute family, deriving their claim from Affrica de Conaught, who, in the yeare 1305, had made over her presumed right to Sir Simon (Ic Monte-acuto, (Simon Montacute, or Montague,) by a deed of gift recorded by Sacheverell, out of the Chartulary of Castle Acre, of which the following is a translation" Affrica de Conaught" heir of the land of Man to all her friends & men of the same land health & love. In the yeare 1204, Hugh de Lacy entered Ulster with an army, gave battle to John de Councy, took him prisoner, and put him in chains, and subdued Ulster.Afterwards he gave John his liberty. John, on his delivery from prison, went to King Reginald, by whom he was received with distinction, because he was his brother-in-law. John de Courcy married a daughter of Gødred, called Affrica, who founded the monastery of St. Mary, of the Yoke of God.
The Montacute family, however, still retained their claim; and, in the yeare 1393, William, Earl of Salisbury, son of the former William, and grandson of Sir Simon Montacute, sold his right and title to Sir William Scroop, chamberlain to the king, and afterwards (1397) created Earl of Wiltshire.
The tenure of the Island by these nominees of the English king appears to have been of a very uncertain character. In the yeare 1308, Robert Bruce is said to have gained possession of the Isle, and to have made a grant of it to his nephew Randolph, Earl of Murray; but, if he did so, that his party were again driven out is clear from the Chironicon Manniæ, which states that, in the yeare 1313, " Robert, King of Scotland, anchored at Ramsa (Ramsey) with a numerous fleet, on the 18th of May, and on the Sunday following went to the monastery of Dubh-Glass (Douglas), where he spent the night. On the Monday following he laid siege to the castle of Russin (Rushen), which Lord Dungawi Macdowal" (Dugald Macdougal), called by Sachevereli Dingay IDowill, and in the Annals of Ulster Donegal O’Dowill, " held out against the aforementioned king till Tuesday after the Festival of St. Barnabas, when Robert took the fortress."
Of camps and small earthworks of the Historic period, besides those of earlier date still in use, the oldest recorded are those of Magnus, King of Norway (about 1098), of whom we read in the Chronicon Manniae that he obtained timber from Galloway and from Anglesey and erected many forts in the Isle of Man. That at Baldrine may be an example of this period, with others like it. Some round camps also have been considered Scandinavian in origin, such as that still to be traced at St. Mark's, at the head of the valley where the Silverburn arises, and one which was at Ramsey just north of the Ballure stream, on the brooghs now entirely washed away. Mannan's Chair, in German, and one or two others seem to have been somewhat similar, but on a larger scale; a notable earthwork is that at L'hergyrhenny, on the west shone of Snaefell, known as the Bow and Arrow Hedge. It is 10 feet high on the north side and 15 feet on the south; 12 feet wide at the base and 6 feet at the top. The ditch on the south is 9 feet to 12 feet wide, and can be traced almost right across a neck of land between two deep streams, for about 550 yards.
At Ballachurry, in Andreas, is a fort, probably erected by James, seventh Earl of Derby, about 1644. It is rectangular, enclosing a space 50 yards by 40 yards. The earthen walls are six yards thick, with four bastions at the corners, all surrounded by a wet fosse of ample dimensions. About the same date was built Fort Loyal, of small size, to command Ramsey Harbour, which in those days would be at the north end of the Mooragh. The low mound of its foundations can still be traced. Probably remains on Gob-ny-Ronnag, Port Lowaigue, and elsewhere round the coast, were then either erected or strengthened and restored to use. On St. Michael's Isle is a circular embattled fort of stone, over the doorway of which is carved a coronet, with the date " 1647." The walls are 8 feet thick, but not solid; it is badly in need of repair.
Of loose articles of the Historic period some deserve at least a passing notice. We may consider them under the heads of-Weapons, Coins, Furniture, Ornaments, Implements and Utensils. As regards the first, we have examples of cannon of the time of Henry VIII. and of Charles I. at Peel, and of Elizabeth at Castle Rushen. At Bishopscourt are two small cannon from ships' longboats taken from Thurot in an engagement off Ramsey at the end of the 18th century, and others in Jurby and Bride are of the same period. Iron swords and daggers from Maughold Churchyard, and a broadsword and spear from Ballaugh village are in the Edinburgh Museum. " A basket-handled sword of great size and battle-axe " were found in a stone coffin in Patrick; swords were found at Glen Meay, and a sword and spear-head at Ballachrink, Jurby, but we do not know where these now are. An iron dagger-handle from Michael is in the collection at Castle Rushen. A pike-staff found in Ballaugh curragh about 1859 is now lost.
At Peel Castle have been found stores of granite cannon balls, most of which have been recognised by Mr. Lamplugh as of Foxdale granite. A few stone, and one or two small iron cannon balls have been found also at Peel and in the north of the Island. The most notable historic weapon is the sword of state which used to be carried in procession before the sovereigns of Man, and is still borne before the Governor in the ceremonies at Tynwald. This was submitted to the authorities at the British Museum and considered to be of the 12th century. It is said to be exactly similar to that on the tomb of King John, and was thus described (Manx Society, vol. XIX., p. 21) :-" Near the rest on each side are the arms of Man with armour on the three legs, and in the centre of this is a curious triangle . . . In its present state it is three feet six inches and one-eighth in length, but the point having been at some time broken off by improper usage, it was no doubt some four or five inches longer originally," ending probably in a sharp point.
At Malew is a brass Crucifix of the twelfth century, and a silver Paten of 1525. As regards the latter, the Bernicle in the centre instead of an Agnus Dei, or Hand in Benediction, establishes it as pre-Reformation, about 70 others being known to be in existence.
In later historic times the corn was dried in small kilns attached to the farm. Thrashing was performed with a flail (" soost ") composed of two stout and straight branches, fastened together by a thong of hide. The portion held in the hands was called " laneraghyn," and the head or part which beat the corn, " slatt-boost." These have gone out of use within the last twenty years. Two men or women would -work together, having a. sheaf of corn spread out before them on the floor, which in that spot was made particularly strong and thick, as may still be seen in some old barns. In winnowing a sieve or tray, " Dollan-benalt," was used in the open air. This was made by bending a thin band of wood, the ends overlapping and tied together by ineans of a tendon run through small holes bored in the wood. Over this was spread a sheep or goat skin, sewn on to the band by cords plaited through the skin and holes in the wood. Being filled with grain this was carried to the door or into a field, a sack or something being spread underneath. The dollan was moved gently back-ward's and forwards so that the wind might blow the chaff away: In grading the grain, and in the process of meal sifting, similar trays, but perforated, were used, holes being made in the skin by boring with a small red-hot iron bar. The " Peick," very much like the dollan, but smaller and deeper, was used for holding bonnags, cakes, meal, and such like, and was generally kept on the " latts " in the kitchen.
Of this curious fact many evidences remain, and quantities of calcined stones are frequently found in different parts, which have either been left in heaps or used to fill up drains. But the most beneficial improvement has been made in the cultivation of garden produce for the market. Many acres round the different towns, but particularly Douglas and Castletown, are cultivated for public use, and the markets are almost overstocked with vegetables, and the common sorts of fruit. Till lately, the importation of sheep was limited to one hundred annually from England. The quantities of grain cultivated in the last few years have been such, as to supersede the necessity of importing that article, notwithstanding the increased population. The rate of labour is as yet very moderate, being. much under that established on the opposite counties of Cumberland and Lancashire. Potation crops are now well understood. The small breed of horses, for which Manx, in common with the out isles, was famous, is now almost extinct; but there is no deficiency of such as answer well for purposes of husbandry, and even those for the saddle are of late much improved.
One of the greatest impediments to successful exertion in agricultural pursuits, is found in the state of the public roads. In the vicinity of Douglas, and also near to Castletown and Ramsay, these have been put into a much better state than they formerly were; but in many parts of the island they are in a most deplorable condition, and sadly increase both the labour and expence of the farmer; the great error seems to consist in the manner repairs are attempted which is simply by carting a few loads of stones wherever a deep hole or rut calls for such a supply, and leaving it to the action of carriages to crush or level them, instead of following the mode adopted in England of spreading and binding the solid material with a layer of earth or gravel. Some adopt the mode of exporting their produce to Liverpool, or Whitehaven, where the returns may be more certain and prompt, but these are subject to severe drawbacks, from the risk at sea, and the heavy charges of freight and factors. The trees there of an old growth, are uncommonly fine, and the whole scene, as we have before observed, forms an agreeable contrast to the barren hills by which it is surrounded. Several other places embellish the neighberhood of Douglas, and give fair promise of future beauty, though none, with the exception of Mona Castle, can be classed above the rate of middling gentlemen's houses in England.
Straw taken from the flail without being broken ("gloyee") was turned into rope, " suggane." Such ropes of straw and bay are still used to secure thatches of cottages and stacks. They are made by " twisters," rods or branches of willow or ash, bent in V-shape, the thicker end elongated and revolving inside a hollow wooden handle. The other end is bent by a string tied to its point, and attached to the first at the point where it enters the handle. A portion of the straw or hay being made fast to the loop, the bent rod is twisted by one man walking backwards, while the other is engaged in teasing out the hay gradually and evenly. The long narrow spade used for digging peat is now seldom to be seen. Another implement gone out of use was the push-plough, of which there is a single example in Castle Rushen. This was used for breaking up hard ground before ploughing, much as the grub~ber is at the present time. Ling-drawers are stili to be met with. These resemble sickles, some being toothed, some plain. Blunt sickles also were used for drawing gibbons out of the sand. The " Lister " was a straight-pronged trident used for spearing flukes. Straight-pronged iron fomlis, or " grips," were made by the local blacksmiths for farm purposes also before the introduction of the modern curved steel forks. These were used also in digging gibbons (the lesser sand-eel, Ammodytes tobianus).