Page:The National Gazetteer - A Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands, Volume 1.djvu/109

Rh - ARCTNDEL. 99 ASAPH, ST. borough, a bonding port, and a station on the -Brighton and South Coast railway, situated on the navigable river Arun, 6 miles to the N. of the port of Little Hampton, 10 miles to the E. of Chiehester, and 70 miles from London by railway, or 55 miles by Epsom and Dorking. Its name indicates its situation in the "dale" of the "Arun." It is a very ancient place, and its castle was bequeathed by Alfred the Great to his nephew Adhelm. After the Conquest, it camo into the possession of Roger de Montgomery, who rebuilt it. In 1097, it was held a short time by William II. Robert do Belemo having rebelled against Henry I., the castle was besieged and taken by the king's forces. It was here that Adeliza, the widow of Henry I., entertained Queen Maud in 1139. The castle caino afterwards to the Fitzalans, and from them, by marriage, to the Howard family, who still hold it. It was the object of several assaults dur- ing the civil war of the 17th century, being taken by Waller and garrisoned for the parliament, retaken by the royalists under Lord Hopton, and soon after by AValler. It was on this last occasion that the eminent divine, Chillingworth, was made prisoner. The building sustained great injury from these assaults, and lay in ruins till the commencement of the present century. It is at present the chief palace of his grace the Duke of Norfolk, who is hereditary Earl Marshal, and is held by him under a peculiar tenure, being the only earldom by tenure yet remaining. It was much improved by the late Duke of Norfolk, and is now a magnificent residence. It is situated on the summit of the hill on the slope of which the town stands. The prospect from it is wide and beautiful, over the level landscape, the sea, and the Isle of Wight. It is one of the finest examples of a baronial residence in the kingdom. Of the ancient building, all that remains is the keep, the entrance gateway, and parts of the walls. The keep, or Bevis Tower, is circular, and has a central dungeon reached by a staircase. The northern and western sides of the fortress are defended by a fosse. The restoration was made as much as possible in conformity with the style of the old remains. The interior is finished and decorated in the most splendid style. The Barons' Hall, modelled after Westminster and other famous halls, has a roof of chestnut wood, stained windows with family portraits, and on the end window a view of the signing of the Great Charter, executed by Backler. The library, which is 120 feet in length and 30 feet in breadth, resembles a Gothic aisle. In the chapel Eoman Catholic service is performed. The castle is surrounded by a park of great extent, with noble woods, and scenery of varied beauty. The park alone comprises 1,145 acres, and contains many hundreds of deer. By the generosity of the duke the public are admitted, and in the summer months it is much frequented by visitors. The possession of this castle gives the title of carl without creation : it is the only place, except, perhaps, the castle of Abergavenny, that does so. The town is generally well built, and has a pleasant aspect. It is on both sides of the river, which is crossed by a stone bridge of three arches. The river is navigable up to the town for vessels of 150 tons burden ; those of larger size unlade at Little Hampton, 4J miles distant, at the mouth of the Arun. About fifty vessels belong to the port, and they are chiefly employed in the coasting trade. The principal exports are timber, corn, bark, &c. ; the imports, coal, fruit, &c. In 1813, a canal was constructed, connecting the Arun with the river Wey, a feeder of the Thames ; and in 1828 was opened the Portsmouth and Arun canal. Its length from the Arun to Chichester harbour is 12 miles, and it pusses Bamham, Merston, and Donnington, having in its course four locks, and a fall of 21 feet. Arundel is a borough by prescription. Its first charter of incorporation was granted by Queen Elizabeth. Under the Reform Act it is governed by a mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors, with the style of the " mayor and burgesses of the borough of Arundel ;" and its parliamentary and lunicipal boundaries are co-extensive. The town had le privilege of returning two members to parliament OB early as the reign of Edward I., which it continued CO 1 to exercise till the Reform Act. It now returns ono member. The mayor is returning officer, and judge at the court leet. The revenue of the borough is about 380, and its population, according to the census of 1861, 2,488, against 2,748 in 1851, showing a decrease of 260 in the decennial period ; the number of inhabited houses had also fallen from 552 to 529. Petty sessions are held, and polling for the county takes place here. The town is the scat of a County Court district. The living is a vie.* in the dioc. of Chichester, vaL 199, in the patron, of the Earl of Albemarle. The church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. It is a large cruciform structure, in the perpendicular style, with a low tower at the centre. The chancel, which belongs to the Duke of Norfolk, contains in its north aisle, formerly the Lady Chapel, many ancient and interesting monuments. There are several brasses, the earliest being of the year 1382, and a stained portrait of an archbishop. Tho church, which belonged at first to an alien priory, was made collegiate in the reign of Richard II. Some build- ings near tho church have been converted into a Roman Catholic chapel. The remains of a hospital, or Maison Diai, founded by Richard Fitzalan, now servo as a malt-house. Near the bridge is the ruined chapel of the ancient priory. There are slight traces of a Black Friary, founded in tho reign of Edward II. There is a theatre, a savings-bank, and an elegant townhall, erected by the Duke of Norfolk, to whom most of the parish belongs. The river is noted for the grey mullets which frequent it in summer. It belongs to the duke. Mar- kets are held on Monday and Saturday, and a cattle market every second Monday in each month. Fairs tako place on the 14th May, the 21st August, the 25th Sep- tember, and the 17th December, principally for pedlary. AH.UNDELL MILLS, a vil. in the bar. of Ibane and Barryroe, in tho co. of Cork, prov. of Munster, Ireland, 2 miles from Clonakilty. ARUNDELLSAMPFORD. &eSAMproRDARiTNDELL. ARVAGH, a vil. in the par. of Killashandra, and bar. of Tullyhanco, in the co. of Cavan, prov. of Ulster, Ireland, 10 miles to the S.W. of Cavan. It is situated on the borders of tho co. of Longford, on Lough Garty and other small lakes, not far from the hill of Brace. The living is a perpet. cur. in the dioc. of Kilmorc, Ardagh, and Elphin, val. 92, in the patron, of the incumbent. The church is modem. There is a police- station, and a market is held on Friday. Earl Goslbrd is the proprietor of the place. There are two chapels and several schools. Fairs are held in every month except February, July, and October. ARYANS, ST., a par. partly in the upper div. of the hund. of Caldicott, partly in the upper div. of the hund. of Ragland, in the co. of Monmouth, 2 miles to the N.W. of Chepstow. It is pleasantly situated on tho banks of the river Wye, which bounds tho parish on the N.E., and contains the hmlt. of Portcasseg. Tho living is a perpet. cur. in the dioc. of Llandaff, val. 53, in the patron, of the Duke of Beaufort. There arc ruins of two chapels, which were dedicated to SS. Kingsmark and Lawrence. To the E. of St. Arvans is Piercefield Park, formerly tho seat of Valentine Moms, Esq. Tho grounds, which lie at a considerable elevation above tho river, extend in length 3 miles, and embrace a charming variety of scenery, hill, vale, wood, and water. A precipice bounds them on the S.W., and to the N. is Wyndcliff Hill, towering far above the park. In tho house are four pieces of Gobelin tapestry, which belonged, it is said, to Louis XVI. The views from different parts of the grounds are very fine over the Wye and the Severn, and the hills of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Somersetshire. ARWERTON, Suffolk. Set ERWARTON. ARYHOLME, a tnshp. joined with Howthorpe, in the par. of Hovingham, wap. of Ryedale, in tho North Riding of the co. of York, 7 miles to the N.W. of New Malton. ASAPH, ST., a par., city, and seat of a bishopric, chiefly in the Rhuddlan div. of the hund. of Rhuddlan, in the co. of Flint, but partly also in tho hunds. of Isdulas and Yale, in the co. of Denbigh, North Wales,