Norwich bulletin., 1919-06-21
sooNEck CASTLE.

Dear Social Corner Sisters: l wrote quite a short time ago about the the Andernach Castle, that my brother wrote about. This is another letter about a castle by the name of Sooneck Castle. This castle is situated back of the Rhine on lonely height and was erected by Archbishop Williges of fMainz in the year 1915. It had for many years an evil name for it be- came in the middle ages one of the strongkolds of the robber barons. It was here he defied kings and emper- ors until Rudolph of Hapsburg came to the throne. He captured the castle. destroyed it, and hanged about 30 of the robber gang. The castle was re- built in the fourteenth century: it's present form, however, dates only from 1884,
 Willigis was the only son of a poor wheelwright. >- Fortune smiled upon him, and, when he had risen to the po- sition of Archbishop of Mainz. some of the proud citizens of that city found it hard to take orders from a man | who had a lowly origin, and was not i even ashamed of it. Some of the more malicious took white chalk and drew
 pictures of wheels on all the doors of l the archbishop's house.
 Willigis was surprised but not es-
 pecially disturbed when he discovered what had been done. He then order | ed a painter to come and paint on the
 same doors white wheels on a scarlet i background; and underneath he or dered the inscription to be written: ''Willigis, Willieis. in your high sta tion, remenaF the lowly place from which " nave risen." White wheels
 on a scarlet back ground have been
 the coat of arms for the Bishop ot
 Mainz ever since that day.
 Castle Sooneck was known as a
 robbers nest and many terrible stories
 relate to it's earliest history. One o.
 these is known as the Blind Arch. . er.''
 Siebold, the Lord of Castle Sooneck
 was a rapacious baron At carousa
 one evening, for the amusement of tn,
 leering knights and Wanton women he stood up and. leaning against tn, banquet table, said: Brave knight. | and fair ladies, I have a monster hid den in this castle which you shall hay, 7 the pleasure of seeing. A servant le, into the banquet hall Hans Veit Firt
 steneck, known, when his star was il r the ascendent. as the best marksnal } on the Rhine. Siebold, continuing hi after dinner speech said: This maj i anu ] SIleTSu OH d luRu TOT llIe ant death, he lost and I won; and I fet ] my ancient grudge by putting out hi eyes, Look at those vacant cavi ) ties" he continued, "tile report ha :? gone abroad that he can hit the mar
 with his cross bow. guided only by tn sound. He shall have the opportunit 1 to make a public exhibition of hi
 skill, for chivalry still flourishes a r Sooneck," and turning to the blin , archer, he said:
 Here is a goblet. will drop it O
 the floor when you hear it fall. shoo l and if the arrow finds it, freedom i 7, yours"
 Z | The archer took the cross bow, ~ gleam of joy spread over his counten o ance. He was ready. Siebold, at tn
 l moment the baron let the goblet fal cried. Shoot" The same instant a ' arrow pierced the barons mouth H ! fell dead across the banquet table The wild eyed knights and wanto ! women, frightened at the sight of th dead host, fled like terrified demor e out of the hall.
 v ETHEIYN