Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/186

130 on the Geology of Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset, 1839, p. 203, says, "Continuing a course from Broadclist to Exeter, along the boundary of the Series, red sand-stones and conglomerates are observed to rest upon the edges of the older rocks to that city, where another patch of similar igneous rock occurs, forming the hill on which Rougemont castle is situated."

This castle is not indeed mentioned in the Domesday Survey, as is the castle of Oakhampton in this county, and the castles of Trematon and Dunhevet or Launceston, in Cornwall: perhaps it was not completed until the following reign, as Henry de Knyghton insinuates; but no one views its elevated massive gateway, with its triangular-headed openings, without pronouncing it to be an early specimen of the Norman architecture in this country.

To Baldwin de Molis, or De Brioniis, or De Sap, who had married Albreda, the Conqueror's niece, was assigned the charge of superintending the work; and the custody of the castle, with the Sheriffalty of Devon, was also granted him as an hereditary appendage to his Barony of Oakhampton. The historian, however, of Ford Abbey contends that this grant was made to Richard, the son of the said Baldwin. From the Patent Rolls, the Charter Rolls, and the Close Rolls of King John, it is evident that this sovereign at least exercised the power of appointing the Governor of the Castle at pleasure; that the expenses of repairing the fortifications, of sinking the well, of making the fosse, and the costs of maintaining the garrison, were defrayed by the Crown.

Scarcely had the Conqueror breathed his last, on 9th Sept. 1087, ret. 64, when England was threatened with the calamity of a disputed succession. Robert was the eldest son, though not the favourite one like William, of the deceased monarch. According to Ralph de Diccto, the majority of