Dolfin of Carlisle facts for kids

Dolfin was an important person in the area of Cumbria around the year 1092. He was likely the oldest son of Gospatric, who was a very powerful leader in northern England during the 11th century. Gospatric was even an earl of Northumbria for a short time when William the Conqueror first became king. Dolfin's younger brothers were Waltheof and Gospatric II, Earl of Lothian.

Dolfin's Role in Carlisle

In 1092, something big happened in Carlisle. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, an old historical record, tells us that King William Rufus of England drove Dolfin out of Carlisle. Dolfin had been in charge of that land before the king arrived.

King William Takes Control

King William Rufus came with a large army. He wanted to take control of Carlisle and make it part of England. After Dolfin was expelled, King William quickly started building a strong castle in the city. He also brought many new settlers from other parts of England to live and farm the land around Carlisle.

The old record says:

In this year king William with a great army went north to Carlisle and restored the town and built the castle; and drove out Dolfin, who ruled the land there before. And he garrisoned the castle with his vassals; and thereafter came south hither and sent thither a great multitude of [churlish] folk with women and cattle, there to dwell and till the land.

This means King William put his own loyal followers, called vassals, in charge of the new castle. He then sent many ordinary people, or churlish folk, with their families and animals to live and work in the area.

Who Ruled After Dolfin?

A few years later, around 1098, a new leader took over the region. This was Ranulf le Meschin, who would later become the earl of Chester. He became the main person in charge of the area where Dolfin once ruled.

Dolfin's Family and Background

Most historians believe that Dolfin was indeed the son of Earl Gospatric. However, some historians, like William Kapelle, have wondered if it was a different Dolfin.

Gospatric's Connection to Cumbria

Dolfin's father, Gospatric, seems to have been a ruler in the area of Cumberland (which is now part of Cumbria) even before Dolfin. This was during the time of another important leader named Earl Siward. Some historians, including Alan Orr Anderson, have also suggested that Dolfin might have been placed in charge of the region by Malcolm III of Scotland, the Scottish king. This shows that the control of this border region was often changing hands between English and Scottish leaders.