Kirkby Stephen's history is rich, and as part of what we hope will become a fascinating history section on KSO, we want to construct a comprehensive time line of the town's development. Anyone who would enjoy deploying their knowledge of local history to help us is welcome to get in touch. Please email info@kirkbystephenonline.org.uk  

Here are a few essential facts about the town to get us started, set out in bullet points. If you can add any information, please use the comment box below and press send. We'll enter your information in the appropriate place and update the Kirkby Stephen Story.

• At 660ft, Kirkby Stephen is the highest town on the River Eden. It is strung out along its Market Street.
• The name Kirkby is very common in the area, it comes from the Saxon word kirk, a church, and by, a town. Stephen came from the name of the saint to whom the church was dedicated.
• Terrifyingly, the town's location made it a juicy target for border raiders, which is why a short walk through the streets reveals a host of defensive strategies -- the high walls and narrow passageways included. There are hidden squares off the main thoroughfares where cattle could be moved to in times of danger, and, reportedly, more secret hiding places, such as a tunnel underneath Stoneshot Alley.
• In the time of King Edward III the town was granted its first market charter, in 1361. The charter really mattered, for without one the prosperity of any town could be strangled.
• Then in 1606, James I allowed the Earl of Cumberland one market on Monday and two fairs a year. Sheep, cattle and horses were the main items for sale, so things haven't changed enormously