134 BERRY POMEROY CASTLE. 



they inspire. Eight hundred years have rolled away since this 

 spacious hall was thronged with the retainers of feudal splendour, 

 and this vaulted arch re-echoed with the tramp of the gallant sons 

 of chivalry. Yes ! they have rolled away, and the ivy creeps, and 

 the rank foxglove waves beneath the tower which once rung with 

 the melody of " lady fair/* and from whose crumbling casement 

 the welcome of many a bright eye smiled on the returning warrior. 

 They have indeed passed away, like the phantoms of a dream, and 

 the days which shone on the banners of princely magnificence in 

 this once proud abode, are become as a thing whicli was not ! In 

 a few generations more, even these relics will be gone ; and while 

 all around is full of life and renovation, nothing will remain to 

 mark their existence and their grandeur but an empty name ! 



The best place for seeing Berry Castle to advantage is the Bridge 

 over the little stream which runs through the bottom of the glen ; and 

 the stranger will do well not to proceed by the straight and shortest 

 path to the ruins, but to pass through the court of the mill at the foot 

 of the Castle, and then follow the path along the hill behind it, 

 until, advancing by the side of the rivulet, he reaches the low 

 rustic bridge we have already mentioned. It is the longest but 

 by far the most beautiful way, and strangers are too often content 

 with the directions of the villagers who avoid all additional trouble. 

 BERRY POMEROY CASTLE is celebrated in history as the resi- 

 dence of the Pomeroys, the baronial lords of Tregony and Berry. 

 This powerful family was of Norman extraction ; and like the 

 leading tribes of that country, swelled the knighty ranks of 

 the conqueror, at the period of his invasion. Ralph de Pomerai 

 was one of the most distinguished barons in the prince's retinue, 

 not only by reason of his military prowess, but by his zeal in the 

 adventure of his royal chieftain. In gratitude for his services, 

 William awarded to him fifty eight lordships, among which was 

 this manor of Berry. The Saxon title of Bury, Biry or Berry, 

 implies deep antiquity and these words have evident reference to 

 the Camps in the neighbourhood, a subject which we hope to dis- 

 cuss at length in a future page. In this manor, then, Ralph de 

 Pomerai seated himself, gave his name to the property, and erect- 

 ed his Castle in a park of five hundied acres in extent, around 

 which some portions of the ancient wall may yet be traced. Al- 

 though the venerable ruins of this abode of feudal power are the 

 only records of the edifice which remain, they still continue to 

 engage the attention of every traveller of taste ; and many a legend 

 4 wild, drear, and romantic' is related of their ancient possessors, 

 associated with all the high and vivid interest of the days of 

 chivalry. The south front of the Norman building is entire, it 

 measures about sixty yards in length and is surmounted with 

 battlements. There is a tower called St. Margaret's, at the eastern 

 end of this wall, from which many of the Devon gentry held their 

 lands ; at the western end is a castellated gateway with towers, 

 which had a double portcullis, the entrance is twelve feet high 



