Warwick Castle.—Earl of Warwickdetails

WARWICK CASTLE,

NEAR WARWICK, WARWICKSHIRE.—EARL OF WARWICK.

Cymbeline, King of Britain, is by some supposed to have built the first stronghold that existed on the site of the grand and historic pile of Warwick Castle.

The Romans have had its original foundation assigned to them by others.

Ethelfleda, a daughter of Alfred the Great, is yet again considered by other antiquarians to have been the foundress of the first Castle that was built here, but however that may be, it seems to be understood that in the year 915 she caused the donjon to be made, which was a strong tower or platform upon a large and high mound of earth, artificially raised—such being usually placed towards the side of a castle or fort which is least defensible.

William the Conqueror bestowed the place upon one of his followers, named

Henry de Newburgh, whom he at the same time created Earl of Warwick. It next passed to one of the family of

Beauchamp. The last female heir of that line conveyed it by her marriage to the celebrated

Richard Neville, the “King Maker,” who assumed the title of Earl of Warwick. Upon his decease, his daughter having married the Duke of Clarence, the latter was allowed by the King, Edward IV., to take the vacant dignity. The Castle was much strengthened and ornamented by him, but upon his forfeiture it was granted to the family of

Dudley, during whose possession of the seat it was visited by Queen Elizabeth in one of her “Progresses,”; and the following somewhat characteristic story relative to the event is related of Her Majesty:—

“The bailief, rising out of the place where he knelid, approchid nere to the coche or chariott wherin her Maiestie satt, and coming to the side thereof, kneling downe, offered unto her Maiestie a purse very faire vrought, and in the purse twenty pounds, all in sovereignes, which her Maiestie putting furth her hand recevid, showing withall a very benign and gracious countenance.”; “And therewithall offered her hand to the bailief to kisse, who kissed it, and then she deliverid to him agayne his mase, which she kept on her lappe all the tyme of the oracyon. And after the mase deliverid, she called Mr. Aglionby to her, and offered her hand to him to kisse, withall smyling said, ’Come hither, little recorder; it was told me that youe

Get unwatermarked version
Buy print-size file for commercial or other use