THE memoirs of a 17th-century Rydal landowner have been published following two decades of painstaking work.

The documents had at one time been missing for more than 200 years - until they were rediscovered at Carlisle Castle in 2001.

The memoirs are those of Sr Daniel Fleming (1633-1701) of Rydal Hall, who was one of the largest landowners in the region.

He served as high sheriff of Cumberland, justice of the peace for six counties, and MP for Cockermouth.

Sir Daniel was known to be a hoarder - and his papers fill more than 100 boxes at the Cumbria Archive Service.

He and his wife had 15 children, 13 of whom survived to adulthood. His notes show that he envisaged women being granted the right to vote.

The memoirs have been worked on by Scott Sowerby, who rediscovered them as a Harvard PhD student in 2001, and Noah McCormack.

A spokesman for the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, which has published the memoirs, said: "The Memoirs of Sir Daniel Fleming of Rydal Hall provide an immensely vivid insight into the local context during a turbulent period in British history, as well as the dramas within Sir Daniel’s private life as an overbearing father and champion feuder.

"Much of what he records is ‘news’ - notes about the weather, births and deaths, accidents and elections, and crimes and punishments.

"There is a whole section on Fleming's involvement in bringing to justice the notorious Smorthwait Gang, who terrorised the county for several years."

Visit tinyurl.com/6n675y27 to purchase the book.