Page:A tour through the northern counties of England, and the borders of Scotland - Volume II.djvu/239

 [ 227 ]

funera virtus and frequent representations of tiis crest, the ragged staff. The name of Cesar's Tower, Lancaster's Buildings, and the Leicester apartments, distinguish the parts of these extensive ruins, that were erected at different times. The first of these was built about the year i i 20, by the Norman Baron Galfridus de Clifton, treasurer to Kine Henry I. who also founded the monastery for black canons, near the church. King John obtained possession of the castle from this baron's grand- son; and in the crown it continued till Henry III. granted it to Simon de Montford Earl of Leicester, having first expended large sums upon its walls, and ornamented its chapel. But the ambition of Montford (for when was a royal favourite ever found faithful?) placing him at the head of the discontented barons, after a successful battle at Lewes, he was at length defeated near Evesham, and killed; and his son and a few adherents escap- ing from the field of battle, fled to K en i! worth, and shut themselves up in the fortn ss. For six months did the persevering gallantry oi Henry de I Is -.tings defend the castle against all the forces of the king; nor would it have yielded at last to his arms, had not that irresistible enemy famine at- tacked them within the walls, and forced them to preserve their lives by a surrender. Becoming

�� �