Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-19
Memories of Kenllworth.
lscottish AmerlcanD

Keullvorth-now a crumbling ruln-has
been I'm turn a baronial stronghold, an
historical fortress, and magnificent cas-
tellated dwelling. Princes have Toasted III
fits halls and kings languished in its dun
eeons. It's feudal glories and regal spleh-
dours, however, have long since departed
It's once lofty towers lie buried Deheath
the green turf; and sheep feed peacetuily
to-day where heroes fought-'now, III
deadly earnest of siege and storm, ana
now in games OF chivalry, and beauty
dealt the prize which valor won" wall
flowers blooming profuseiy' ana IlIihs - Cno
air with sweet perfumes, spring from
eyeryledPe and crevice OF the Ma5slVe
walls &rom which the royal banner ol
England has proudly foated, and tne
standard OF rebellion been often deidntIy
unfurled during the stormy and tuIpuien'
reigns Of the Plantagenets ana Iuuots'
Ivy and briers clothe what Tune anu uc
vastating hands have left or the mishty
structure once the home or kings anu
mobiles. The irritating sound OF n p aia s,,
organ grinding away in the helBHpOi nc
village breaks In most incOngfuously on
a scene for centuries associated with Dugie
call and trump Of war The destructlon
of romance however, is the price We pay
for moderniZation. so ground once u"
yersed by the very flower or EnsNsh ~
bllitv-fair maidens and hlgh-D0tn ual''. ~,
richly arrayed I'm the costly fashlon Oh
their day, and attended by belted KnisntS
IN hose and doublet, taking part IN state
ly Dageant-is now hurriedly Visiteu' u,
passant by the modern tourlst-hidle anu
female-who very often arrives ana ue-
parts on q bicycle, a vehicle emlhchuy
nracticaI but distinctly subversive or TO
mantle and traditional ASSOCIATION. III
tie browse to-day IN marshy meduoWs
once covered by the waters ot 'ne 20,
and pleasant lake. which rlppieu ioul JUN,
two sides of the castle. pair OF ped
cocks. summing themselves on the south.
ern wall seem. indeed. 10 be a reno lput
the only one) Of ornamental BaiuehS'
noble terraces, and gay parterres' -,
The Pleasance, in when trad,.IVn saS1
Queen FIIzabeth took great delight. ana
where romance has pictured her nStenihb
10 the gallantries and batteries OF ner am
bilious and INSCRIPTIONS faVorltG, he
Earl OF Leicester, Is now usea as a hi 49,,
en- garden and orchard or w s1.eT 81 -, 80 -
also speaks Of the Inflated Amy RoDsat ! /.
viewing this richly-ornamented gIounu
from her lonely room in Mervyns rover,
and has laid the scene OF her meeting WIN
the Queen in one OF its grottos.
But, though ruin, what spieIuhi
one N Isl dear TO every lover or antiquity
and rich beyond Description IN hls'oilea'
and traditional interest,".
The names still attached 10 the different
portions OF the building serve 10 date
them and endless memories cllhb " eaSii'
Henry the First. in accordance with the
state policy OF his time, conferred the
manor OF KenilwOrth on his falthtul al
herent. Geoffrey de clinton, who, also
following the policy of his day. Dullt the
strong fortress known as caesar )
Tower" 10 defend himself from the IN
habitants OF the surrounding country;
thus proving that the tenure OF England
by the Conqueror and his immediate FOL
lowers was held only by military force.
He received numerous other possessions
from Henry but after completing ABOUT
the year lI20 his strong keeps. the origl-
nal part OF this far-famed structure, ne
made II his chief abode. HE much de-
lighted In il by reason OF its spacious
woods and pleasant lake lying amonSs,
them" The pleasant lake was drained
by CrornwelPs officers Che hac seized the
castle during the civil wars. ana gwen
the manor 70 several OF his ofncers); an
they cut down the woods, Destroyer me
park. and divided the land among them:
Some idea OF the enormous strength OF
this keep may be gathered from the iac'
that. though the oldest part or the rum
Il Is still the strongest and most perfect:
At the northwest angle or this tower w.
placed the great clock, made memorsrte
during Queen Elizabeth's visit 10 TIE
Earl OF Leicester In 1875.
As a proof of the hospttable spirit OF
the Earl, 1.-The cloc bell sang not a mote
all the while her Highness was thear u
cioc stood still withal: the hands OF po'n