previously relied on with so much certainty. More than another century transpires before any fresh information can be gathered respecting the castle of Alnwick; but when we obtain it, it comes under a different form, being the evidence of inquisitions into its condition. This species of inquiry is the most complete and authentic that can be wished for; the most accurate and minute accounts having been left to us of the state of the building. Before presenting the reader with one of these descriptions of it, I will state that four such documents have been preserved, the earliest being taken February 22, 1538, by Richard Bellysys, Robert Collyngwood, and John Horslye, Esqs., with dyvers artificiers" with them. This survey, which I shall designate by the title of Bellysys' Survey, also extended over the castles of Bamborough, Dunstanborough, Warkworth, Harbottle, and Berwick; it was made in consequence of Henry Algernon, the sixth earl, having placed his lands in the hands of Henry VIII. when he died, his brother Sir Thomas having been attainted and executed under suspicion of being concerned in Aske's conspiracy. The lands were, however, regranted to his son Sir Thomas by Queen Mary, who held them till his execution at York. This survey speaks of the drawbridge of the outer ward,* thus establishing the fact that a fosse ran all round It is very probable that, before the keep could be entered, as many as three drawbridges had to be crossed: one before the barbican, another betwixt it and the chief gate-house, and a third to pass from the middle ward to the keep. This useful mode of security is called on the sheriff's account indiscriminately "pons" and "pons tornatilis." Thus: In una catena ad pontem, 13s. 4d. (at Magn. Rot. Pip. 19 Hen. II. And at Berkhampstead Castle, on this official's accounts we have mention made of it in one of the following entries. The outworks of this castle are seen in passing along the London and North-western Railway. 6 Hen. II. In liberacione ingeniatoris, 48s.; et in operacione castelli, 437. 6s. 8d. 19 Hen. II. In guarnistura castri de Berchamsted pro frumento non flagellato, 127.; et 5 tonellis vini, 100s.: et pro cordis et cablis ad puteum et mangonellum, 20s. ; et pro ferro et ascero, 22s. 6d. In operacione castelli et domorum et grangerii castri et pontis, 60l. 18. 4d.; et in liberacione militum servientium ejusdem castelli, 297. 48. 4d.; et in pardono p. b. r. Yvoni ingeniatori, 5s. 6d. In guarnistura castelli, pro 200 sumis frumenti ad mensuram de Waringford, 231. 198. 6d.; et pro 60 baconibus, 67.; et 20 pensis casei, 105s. Magn. Rot. Pip. Also in 1180, in the Great Roll of the Norman Exchequer: In operacionibus domorum et pontis et palicii castri de Amanvilla. (p. 3.) Pontem vero turneicium ante magnam portam et domos nostros in castro de Bamburg. Rot. Lit. Claus. 5 Hen. III. Precipimus tibi quod per visum et testimonium legalium hominum de balliva tua fieri facias pontem nostrum turneicium castri nostri Gloucestriæ versus pratum cum brethescia, &c. Rot. Lit. Claus. 6 Hen. III. |