Knott a Problem Traditional Geocache
Brackenthwaites: Cache has been stolen. I haven't had a chance to replace it yet and Royal Oak reviewer seems keen that it is archived.
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Size: 
(regular)
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Short, very steep walk uphill from Hause Point along side Crummock Water. Parking available at Hause Point in National Trust car park. Best visited in spring when Bluebells are out!
This geocache is dedicated to Earl Boethar, the Nordic leader that beat the Normans at the Battle of Rannerdale c 1105.
The Buttermere valley was chosen as HQ for Earl Boethar’s army due to the natural defences provided by the fells all around it. So difficult was it to get to Buttermere (Boethar’s Lake) in Norman times that it became known as the “secret valley”.
Eventually however, the Normans found the secret valley and amassed a large army at Cockermouth under the leadership of William Meschin. The Normans marched down through Lorton to Brackenthwaite, where they beat Boethar’s men, but incurred huge losses in doing so. Boethar’s army then withdrew further down the valley to ambush the Normans at Rannerdale.
They had previously hidden the road that went beside the lake around Rannerdale Knotts and constructed another track that led directly up Rannerdale in its place. Meanwhile, the valley had been fortified and once the Normans started up the track, part of Boethar’s army came up behind them, trapping them in the steep sided valley.
The remainder of Boethar’s men then swept down from the slopes of Rannerdale Knotts and Whiteless Pike to slaughter the Norman army in a pitched battle. After this, the Normans never again tried to conquer this part of the country and eventually made peace with them instead.
Cache originally contained usual swaps and emergency GPS batteries as well as Earl Boethar travel bug
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Orgjrra gjb unyirf bs ynetr pyrsg obhyqre.