<P> Until the 12th century parishioners from across more or less the entirety of Dartmoor were brought to Lydford for burial . The path used to make this final journey is known as the' Lych way' . Many reports have been made of monks in white and phantom funeral processions seen walking along this path . </P> <P> The history from the 13th century centres round the castle, which is first mentioned in 1216, when it was granted to William Briwere, and was shortly afterwards fixed as the prison of the stannaries and the meeting - place of the Forest Courts of Dartmoor . A gild at Lideford is mentioned in 1180, and the pipe roll of 1195 records a grant for the reestablishment of the market . In 1238 the borough, which had hitherto been crown demesne, was bestowed by Henry III on Richard, earl of Cornwall, who in 1268 obtained a grant of a Wednesday market and a three days fair at the feast of St Petrock . The borough had a separate coroner and bailiff in 1275, but it was never incorporated by charter, and only once, in 1300, returned members to parliament . </P> <P> During the English Civil War, Lydford was the haunt of the then notorious Gubbins band, a gang of ruthless cut - throats and highwaymen, who took advantage of the turmoil of the times to ply their villainry . According to one account of the time: </P> <Dl> <Dd> Gubbins - land is a Scythia within England, and they pure heathens therein . Their language is the drosse of the dregs of the vulgar Devonian, They hold together like burrs: offend one and all will avenge their quarrel . </Dd> </Dl>

Who was involved in the lydford viking attack