Joseph Mallord William Turner

The subject of Mayburgh Henge, or ‘Penrith Table’ as it was referred to, was proposed by Robert Cadell and Sir Walter Scott as a possible frontispiece illustration to The Bridal of Triermain, volume 11 of Scott’s Poetical Works.1 The alternative suggestions were ‘Skiddaw’, and either ‘Namworth Castle’ (Naworth Castle) or Castle Rock near St Johns-in-the-Vale as the vignette illustration.

All of these subjects are recorded between folios 18 verso–30 of this sketchbook (D25796–D25819). Mayburgh Henge is sketched on folios 24 verso–28 and 28 verso–29. The sketches include panoramic views of the earthwork from several angles, studies of the stone from the four points of the compass, and views of the hills in the distance. Although Turner tried out a few different views he seems to have been quite confident in his choice of viewpoint, sketching it three times.

On 6 August, while Turner was at Abbotsford with Scott and Cadell, Mayburgh was finally selected to be the vignette rather than frontispiece illustration. Turner’s sketches use the circular mound to create a strong oval composition with obvious potential for a vignette; seeing these may have convinced Scott and Cadell to use this subject in that format.

Jan Piggot identified this and the following seven pages as depicting Mayburgh Henge (folios 26 verso–30).2 To these can be added folios 24 verso–26 which show similar sites.

The drawing on this and the following page (folios 27) formed the basis of Turner’s watercolour, Mayburgh circa 1832 (whereabouts unknown).3 Standing on the southern end of the circular earthwork bank, we look down upon the henge with its single remaining standing stone (there were originally four). Trees fringe most of the banks though there is apparently a gap where Turner stood to make the picture and another at the right where the eastern entrance to the site is. There is no sign of the building (probably Penrith Castle) which is shown on folio 25 verso (D25810), and which was incorporated at the top left of the final design. In the distance at the centre of the drawing is Beacon Hill, with its beacon dark against the sky north of Penrith at the far right of the present page.