WRESSLE CASTLE* 33 



of hivS life; and from this period until the death of Josceline, 

 eleventh Earl of Northumberland ; which took place on the 21st of 

 May, 1670, it appears to have remained in the Percy family ; but 

 in consequence of that nobleman dying without male issue, it 

 descended to his daughter. Lady Elizabeth Percy, and was trans- 

 mitted into the Seymour family through her marriage with his 

 grace Charles Seymour, Duke of Somei*set; and at his death, in 

 1750, it passed into the possession of his grace's nephew. Sir Charles 

 Windham, who succeeded to the title of Earl Egremont, and in 

 whose family it still remains. 



From Leland's description of Wressle Castle it appears to have 

 been of a quadrangular fonn, and built of large squared stones, 

 i^hich some suppose were brought from France. It was moated 

 round on three sides, the fourth, in which was the entrance, 

 being left dry ; in it were five square towers, one at each comer, 

 the gatehouse foiming the fifth; they were all about the same 

 height, and were again mounted by circular turrets of a smaller size ; 

 upon the top of one of these was fixed the iron pan of the beacon, 

 which in cases of danger was used to alarm the country. 



In the east tower, above the chapel, was a library, called Paiadise, 

 and iririMJIis spoken of in very high terms by Leland. The whole 

 edifif^^Hpf the finest masoniy ; and the interior decorated witli 

 a profusion of ancient sculpture executed in wood, representing the 

 ancient beai'ing, crests, &c., of the Percy family, and other 

 ornaments of the most costly description. 



The household establishment of the Earl of Northumberland, at 

 this castle, was on the same plan, and little inferior in point of 

 magnificence to that of his sovereign ; it consisted of two hundred 

 and twenty-nine persons, and was supported at an annual cost of 

 £1118 17s. 8d., which, according to the present value of money, 

 would be near £10,000. His head officers were all gentlemen by 

 birth and office ; the table were they sat being called " the Knights' 

 Board." They bore the same titles, and their warrants ran in the 

 same style as tliose of the khig. 



The chapel establishment was almost equal to that of Caidinal 

 Wolsey. Eleven priests were kept in this large household, over 

 whom presided a doctor or bachelor of divinity, as dean of the 

 < hapel ; there was also a complete set of choristers, singing men, &c. 



