DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6913#0197
ludlow castle, shropshire.
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rect, an order came down for unroofing the buildings, and stripping them of their
lead. Decay, of course, soon ensued. No care being employed to preserve the
furniture, it was gradually seized by any one who chose to take it: and the only
relics which I know to exist, are two richly embroidered carpets in the chancel of
the church, which are said to have covered the council board in days of yore.
The Earl of Powis, who already possessed the Castle in virtue of a long lease,
acquired the reversion in fee, by purchase from the crown, in the year 1811.
Description of the Castle, by the Rev. H. Owen.—Ludlow, whether
considered as to the beauty of its situation, the neatness of its streets, or the two
grand objects which it possesses in its Castle and Church, may very justly be ranked
in the first class of the smaller English towns. It is seated on an eminence, com-
manding views on every side of great beauty. On the summit is a handsome
market cross, from whence the streets, which are generally spacious and well built,
branch off in easy declivities.
The church is a stately cathedral-like structure, with a light and lofty central
tower. In the choir and chapels are very large remains of painted glass, and there
are many fine tombs of the vice-presidents, chief justices, and other principal
officers of the Council of Wales.
The celebrated Castle stands at the north western extremity of the town, and is
a very noble remain of feudal magnificence. The most advantageous view of this
venerable palace, is from the road to Oakeley Park. Here the Castle appears in
front, forming a stately group of square embattled towers, crowning an abrupt rock,
which rises high from a bosom of tufted foliage. Beneath is the clear meandering
Teme, foaming under the walls over a craggy bed, and thence winding its silent
course, placid and deep, till lost in the rich extensive valley on the left; beyond
appears the town with its lofty church, and on the right, some wild eminences, the
whole scene finely bounded by distant, varied, mountainous tracts.
A wide, handsome street leads from the town to the Castle. The chief entrance
is by a low pointed arch, worked within one of much more lofty dimensions, which
is almost the only remain of the original outward gate. This opens to the ballium,
or base-court, a large irregular area of about three acres. On the left is a long
range of stone building, said to have been the stables, on which appear the arms of
Queen Elizabeth, and of the Earl of Pembroke, who was Lord President in the
latter part of her reign. On the right of the gate are other ruinous buildings,
10/
rect, an order came down for unroofing the buildings, and stripping them of their
lead. Decay, of course, soon ensued. No care being employed to preserve the
furniture, it was gradually seized by any one who chose to take it: and the only
relics which I know to exist, are two richly embroidered carpets in the chancel of
the church, which are said to have covered the council board in days of yore.
The Earl of Powis, who already possessed the Castle in virtue of a long lease,
acquired the reversion in fee, by purchase from the crown, in the year 1811.
Description of the Castle, by the Rev. H. Owen.—Ludlow, whether
considered as to the beauty of its situation, the neatness of its streets, or the two
grand objects which it possesses in its Castle and Church, may very justly be ranked
in the first class of the smaller English towns. It is seated on an eminence, com-
manding views on every side of great beauty. On the summit is a handsome
market cross, from whence the streets, which are generally spacious and well built,
branch off in easy declivities.
The church is a stately cathedral-like structure, with a light and lofty central
tower. In the choir and chapels are very large remains of painted glass, and there
are many fine tombs of the vice-presidents, chief justices, and other principal
officers of the Council of Wales.
The celebrated Castle stands at the north western extremity of the town, and is
a very noble remain of feudal magnificence. The most advantageous view of this
venerable palace, is from the road to Oakeley Park. Here the Castle appears in
front, forming a stately group of square embattled towers, crowning an abrupt rock,
which rises high from a bosom of tufted foliage. Beneath is the clear meandering
Teme, foaming under the walls over a craggy bed, and thence winding its silent
course, placid and deep, till lost in the rich extensive valley on the left; beyond
appears the town with its lofty church, and on the right, some wild eminences, the
whole scene finely bounded by distant, varied, mountainous tracts.
A wide, handsome street leads from the town to the Castle. The chief entrance
is by a low pointed arch, worked within one of much more lofty dimensions, which
is almost the only remain of the original outward gate. This opens to the ballium,
or base-court, a large irregular area of about three acres. On the left is a long
range of stone building, said to have been the stables, on which appear the arms of
Queen Elizabeth, and of the Earl of Pembroke, who was Lord President in the
latter part of her reign. On the right of the gate are other ruinous buildings,