Grade I Listed, 12th century and one of only a small number of fortified churches in Cumbria, St Michaels represents many layers of history, built on the site of the Roman Fort of Aballava, alongside the line of Hadrian’s Wall. It suffered turbulent times during cross-Border warfare and later at the hands of the notorious Border reivers – and there are many visible architectural features in the church today from those days. The powerful Plantagenet King Edward I (known as Longshanks) lay in State in St. Michael’s, following his death nearby on Burgh Marsh in July 1307. The Royal Court came to Burgh Church, with the King’s heir, to pay homage and for ten days during that time Burgh Church was at the centre of events which shaped the life of the Nation.Take a ‘Walk Through Time’ along the churchyard path, which features a granite time-line of significant events down the centuries. Stand in the atmospheric medieval tower where villagers sheltered during Border warfare, and see the Norman carvings of creatures and the interesting illustrated historical display panels.