The situation of the Castle is delightful. It is built in the north-west angle of the town, upon a rock, commanding an extensive and beautiful prospect northward. On the west it is shaded by Gilbert Bourne, Bishop of Bath and Wells, then held the office till Mary's death. Sir John Williams, Lord Williams of Thame, co. of Oxon, on the accession of Queen Elizabeth: he died in the first year of her reign. Sir Henry Sidney, in the 2d of Elizabeth: he died, in 1586, at Ludlow. Henry Earl of Pembroke, son-in-law to Sir Henry Sidney. Edward Lord Zouch, who appears from Mr. Dovas ton's MS. to have been Lord President in 1602. Ralph Lord Eure, in 1610. William Lord Compton, af terwards Earl of North ampton, 1617. John Earl of Bridgewater, 1631, from Mr. Dovaston's MS. Prince Rupert. Richard Lord Vaughan, Earl of Carbery. Henry Marquis of Worcester, afterwards Duke of Beaufort. Sir John Bridgeman. Charles Earl of Macclesfield. P So Churchyard describes it: "It stands right well, and pleasant to the view, The Lords of the Marches, selecting the most agreeable and fertile parts of their territories, erected castles for their own residence, and towns for the accommodation of their sol a lofty hill, and washed by the river. It is strongly takes in a large compass of ground, in which were diers. It was in this manner that most of the present towns and castles on the frontier of Wales were built. Warrington's Hist. of Wales, 3d ed. vol. i. p. 379. 1 Grose's Antiquities. r Itinerary, Iter. iv. p. 79. Hodges's Hist. Acc. p. 54. Ilothard RA. delt. RH Cromek Sculp one sip of this Will bathe the drooping spirits in delight Beyond the blips of dreams. Be wise & Taste. Pub Oct.1799 by Edw Harding 98 Pall Mati laid out with much taste, by the munificence of the Countess of Powis. The exterior appearance of this ancient edifice bespeaks, in some degree, what it once has been. Its mutilated towers and walls still afford some idea of the strength and beauty which so noble a specimen of Norman architecture formerly displayed. In contemplating its ruin, however, sensations of regret and indignation will arise: for the Castle is now a melancholy monument, exhibiting the irreparable effects of remorseless pillage and unregarded dilapidation. DR. TODD. |