Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-11-03
Ludlow Castle-A Tale OF Chiv.
a. airy.


Ludlow Castle-A Tale OF Chiv.
airy.
English Correspondence Detroit Free Press
Ludlow has history going back to
aboriginal times. Secluded. quiet and
undisturbed now, by the turmoil of the
day-formerly it was one Of the chief
strongholds in Great Britain. Its situ-
alton in the marshes OF Wales was as
thorn in the sides of the valiant Cymri.
Many a time have the Welshmen made
glorious assaults upon it, and many
time have its defenders sailed out to re-
sist fierce border raids from Welsh and
English alike. Ambition has made it
the scene Of stirring events. Warriors
have fought over it, bards have sung
Of it, and love and herOism have en-
shrined it with the glamor of romance.
| Much of the old castle yet remains
standing-a conspicuous feature of the
hillside. Times powerful hand has
not yet leveled all its towers. The ex-
tensive green inclOsure Of the outer
walls is used as an archery ground.
Judging by what I saw, interest in that
old English accomplishment is still
maintained in the neighborhood. Some
| fifty targets in the castle court engaged
the attention Of numerous fair compet-
itors with their squires, all in appropri
ate costume-including, ,ofcourse, many
in Lincoln green. Tents about the field
for the use of the archers, seats for the
audience, banners and music, gave a
holiday aspect to the scene. Leaving
the archers to the excitement of their
contest and the applause of their friends,
the spectators, / undertook an eXplO-
ration of the castle, guided by the Gus
todian. Welooked at the chapel, which
dates from the Norman age; at the dun
geons, which have held in gloom and
darkness the victims of cruel barons;
at the ruined kitchens, with devices for
roasting oxen whole; and at the we'll,
whose wonderful depth, according to
tradition, conceals much gold and treas
ure. The roofless banquet hall, in
which the first representation of Mil
toms "Comus" was given-for the poet
WAS at one time denizen of the castle
and the room in which that marvel
of his age, the renowned Sir Philip
Sidney was born-have for visitors an
especial interest. Sidney's father was
for many years Governor of the castle.
Following the custodian about the
battlements, where the feet of armed
men have worn the stones, and up the
highest tower, seated myself upon an
entrance which commanded wide
prospect and encouraged the keeper to
talk. After a climb to such height,
rest and story are not unwelcOme. /
cannot rememb Der how many royal per-
sonages made the castle their home or
little of the many contests in which it
figured, but one of the stories of the
keeper made an impression on me. AS
recall the narrative it ran about thus:
A TALE OF CHIvALRY.
About the year 1865 one JOce de Dinan,
the Lord of Ludlow, was at feud with
Sir Walter De Lacy, neighbOring
border chieftain. Joce mustered his
strength and made war upon the De
Lacy, and encounters between the fol-
lowers of the two barons were numer-
Gus and bloody. Some time before this
youth named Fitz Warine was placed
by his father with Joce as page, to
the end that lie might be educated and
practiced in all knightly exercises by
the renowned warrior who was then
lord Of castle.
1t happened one summers day that
Joce himself ascended to the tower, and
saw emerge from the distant cover of a
wood, far upon the hill slopes to the
eastward, the force of Sir Walter De
Lacy. There were banners and knights
in all the apparel of war. The baron
lost little time in armin and mounting,
and sailed forth to drive back De La
cy's men.
There was fierce combat of course,
i'm which De Lacy lost his banner and
then took to flight. Joce pursued him
holly, and as De Lacy was wounded,
oner had not three knights suddenly
come to the rescue OF their chief.
From the window of their drawing
room i'm the castle JOce's wife and two
daughters, Sebilla and Hawyse, looked
at the battle and wept at the change in
the fortunes of the day. 1t was while
they were filling the castle with their
cries that the youth Fitz Warine en-
tered the apartment. He endeavOred
to comfort them in their distress, but
Hawyse, one nf the daughters, turned
upon him, unbranded him with staying
under the shelter Of the castle in such
q time Of need. Stung by her vehem-
ence, Fitz Warine hastily donned dis
carded helmet, seized a Danish battle
ax-an old tropy displayed in the room
mounted cart horse that he found in
the court yard, and thus armed and ap-
pareled rushed from the postern in
headlong haste. He came just in time
for the rescue, and being fresh and eag-
er. while his opponents were worn with
long fighting, cut down one of the foe,
and not only saw d Joce. but captured
both De Lacy and the knight Arnold
de Lisle. There was joy in the castle
at this result, and for a time feasting
and pleasure. The two captives, De
Lacy and Arnold, were prisOned in q
lower portion of the tower.
Among the ladies of Joce's household
was a very handsome young woman,
Marion de la Bruere, who, in passing
| by the grated window where the two
prisoners chafed under their confine-
ment, had gradually felt an interest in
/ them, and in fact had been smitten with