Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/89

Rh, and in administering refreshments to their intrepid defenders.

For nine days was the castle thus defended; but, finding there was no hope of holding out longer, a parley was demanded, and the castle surrendered on honourable terms. But when the besiegers had taken possession, one article alone, that of sparing the lives of the inhabitants was observed. They destroyed the fine paintings, took the ladies and children to Shaftesbury, whither five cart-loads of their richest furniture and hangings were carried in triumph. The castle, the park, every thing was destroyed; and the loss of the earl of Arundel, on this occasion, was computed at one hundred thousand pounds.

Conceiving their prisoners insecure at Shaftesbury, it was proposed to remove them to Bath, which, at that time was infected both with the plague and small-pox. Lady Arundel, alarmed for her children, remonstrated against this barbarous purpose, determined that force only should effect it; and, afraid of exciting the indignation of the people, her adversaries relinquished the design, though they cruelly separated her from her young children, who were carried captives to Dorchester.

Lady Arundel is buried with her husband, near the altar of an elegant chapel, at Wardour Castle. Under the inscription on their tomb is this verse from the Proverbs:

"Who shall find a valiant woman? The price of her is as things brought from afar off, and from the uttermost coast. The heart of her husband trusteth in her."

. ARUNDEL,