Countess Pillar, Brougham

A monument erected in 1656 by Lady Anne Clifford of nearby Brougham Castle, to commemorate her final parting here from her mother. On the low stone beside it, money was given to the poor each anniversary of their parting.

The Brougham Pillar marks the place where Lady Anne Clifford, Countess of Dorset, bade farewell to her mother Margaret on 2 April 1616, at the gateway to Brougham Castle.

Soon afterwards, Margaret died and, in her memory, Lady Anne erected this pillar in 1656. She was particularly close to her mother, who was her only support during a long inheritance battle.

Lady Anne was born in 1590 at Skipton Castle and was the only surviving child of George Clifford, the 3rd Earl of Cumberland. When her father died his estate went to her uncle but Anne believed this land was rightly hers.

Highly intelligent and determined, she refused to compromise over the dispute, which she won in 1643 after 29 years.

Her family arms are displayed on the pillar. The family had owned land in Westmorland, now part of Cumbria, since the 13th century, including the nearby castles of Appleby and Brougham (an English Heritage site).

The pillar also has an inscription, describing the wishes of Lady Anne for money to be given to the poor of the parish in remembrance of her mother. A flat stone, where these alms were distributed on the anniversary of their final meeting, can be seen nearby.