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Page 10
The absolute lordship of the Isle of Wight was given by William the
Conqueror to one William Fitz-Osborne (in reward for his services
at the battle of Hastings), "to be held by him as freely as he
himself held the realm of England"; but in consequence of the
defection of his descendant, it was resumed by the Crown. Henry I
granted it to the Earl of Devon, in whose family it long continued,
till the alienation of it was obtained by Edward I, for a
comparatively small sum. The last grant was to Edward de Woodville
in 1485; from which time there have been successively appointed by
the Crown,--wardens, captains--and governors of the island: but the
powers attached to the office have gradually declined, and at
present it is a mere title, unaccompanied by duty or, we believe,
emolument.--It is an amusing circumstance in the history of this
little spot, that it had once the high-sounding honor of having a
_King of its own!_--for the Duke of Warwick was so crowned by the
hands of Henry VI, in the year 1444,--but it would seem that the
glory of the name was all which his _Vectis_ Majesty derived from
his accession.
* * * * *
CHAPTER II.
Carisbrooke, Newport, Cowes, and Ryde.
* * * * *
As a stranger's attention is frequently diverted from noticing many
interesting features of a scene in the hurried moment of his visit,
an index >> is placed at the head of each section, pointing only to
the _most remarkable objects_--a peculiarity which, it is presumed,
will be found extremely useful to those who have little time to
spare for minute examination or research.
Our arrangement of the subjects supposes the reader to start from a
point nearly central, and pursue his tour of the island in a
regular progress, without frequently retrograding, or considerably
deviating either to the right or left. This order must prove
convenient for reference at all events, let the visitor commence
his journey from any of the principal towns.
* * * * *
CARISBROOKE CASTLE.
[Illustration: CARISBROOKE CASTLE, ISLE OF WIGHT.]
"Still farther in the vale a castle lifts
Its stately towers, and tottering battlements,
Drest with the rampant ivy's uncheck'd growth."
>>_The chief curiosities within the castle are_ ... THE KEEP, _the
immense_ WELL, _and the apartments which were the_ PRISON _of King
Charles I and his family_.
* * * * *
The high antiquity of this beautiful ruin, which occupies the crown of a
hill only one mile westward of Newport, renders it an object of the most
pleasing interest with all classes of visitors to the Isle of Wight; and
it is the only local specimen of ancient fortification deserving a
stranger's notice. It is known to have existed for at least fourteen
centuries, having in that long period been subjected of course to many
mutations. The Saxon chronicles mention it as a place of strength and
importance in the year 530, when Cerdic subdued the island; and it was
subsequently rendered almost impregnable, according to the mode of
fortification which prevailed among the Normans, by William
Fitz-Osborne, to whom the island was given by the Conqueror. And in the
reign of queen Elizabeth, it received the most substantial repairs and
ample additions; when the outer trenches and bastions were formed upon
the plan of those of Antwerp--circumscribing about 20 acres.
On our nearly reaching the top of the hill by the carriage-road, we see
first the ancient KEEP, peering above the rest of the ruins; and next,
the principal and well-guarded entrance to the interior of the fortress.
Passing through an ivied gateway, built in the reign of queen Elizabeth,
as appears by the legible inscription (40 E.R. 1520,) on a shield over
the arch: we proceed to another gateway in a spacious square building,
whose angles are strengthened by two noble round towers: this opens into
the interior area; had several prison rooms, and was armed with a
portcullis: but the whole of it is now in a sad condition,
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