PAPCASTLE, a village and a township in Bridekirk parish, Cumberland. The village stands on the river Derwent, 1 mile N W of Cockermouth; occupies the site of the Roman station Derventium; contained the seat of the Lords of Allerdale, prior to the erection of their castle at Cockermouth; and now has good houses, a bridgeover the Derwent, and a post-office under Cockermouth. Many Roman relics, including coins, urns, inscribedstones, and parts of baths and other buildings, have been found at it; and traces of the Roman station are adjacent. The township contains also the hamlet of Goat, and comprises 1, 216 acres. Real property, £4, 465. Pop., 736. Houses, 171.

(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))