King Canute gave the Bishop's Palace area to the church in 1020.
Wear Chare, the Batts, Dial Stobb Hill and Jock's Row were
mentioned as early as 1373.
The area used to contain lots of workman's cottages, which were
known as Jock's Row and used to stretch along the riverbank up to
Jock's Bridge. Many of these cottages were washed away in the great
flood of 1771 when the river rose 8 feet higher than it is now.
The Batts' population mainly consisted of the 'wandering
community' and I remember, in my younger days, many a traveller
stopping off on their way to Appleby fair for a little rest and
recuperation.