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The Vale of Wardour Excursion. 21 
The ground plan seems to have been a hexagon, with two massive 
square towers flanking the entrance towards the east. This part of 
the building remains intact as regards the walls, which are of great 
height and solidity. The windows of the hall from the upper story 
are over the entrance. The interior has an open court, from which 
are approaches to the living-rooms and staircases. The main features 
of the building are easily to be traced, and the whole forms an 
interesting study of a large residence of the early Perpendicular 
period. Wardour was attacked by a powerful force under the com- 
mand of Sir Edward Hungerford, in May, 1643, and at a time when 
Lord Arundell was in attendance on King Charles the First at 
Oxford, but his lady, Blanche, refused to surrender, and, with her 
little garrison of twenty-five men, most heroically withstood the 
onslaught of 1,300 soldiers and a bombardment which lasted five 
days. After defending the castle as long as it was tenable, she 
capitulated on honourable terms; but the republican leader having 
once gained possession, did not scruple to violate his engagements, 
and to plunder the mansion of its most valuable contents. It was 
then garrisoned by the Parliament, and placed under the command 
of General Ludlow, bunt it did not long remain in the hands of its 
captors. In the course of the summer Lord Arundell and Sir 
Francis Doddington invested it, and compelled Ludlow to surrender, 
after a gallant defence. 
The party left the ruins, and, crossing the park, visited the 
new castle, through the drawing rooms and noble picture galleries 
of which they were conducted by Lord Arundell himself. The por- 
trait of Lady Blanche Arundell, by Angelica Kauffman, the heroic 
defender of the fortress, naturally attracted great attention, as did 
also the noble rotunda staircase. The chapel was also visited, and 
the company having partaken of refreshments, Mr. Swayne tendered 
their cordial thanks to Lord Arundell for his kind and hospitable 
reception. 
From Wardour the party hastened on to Tisbury, where a short 
time was spent in an inspection of the church. It was intended to 
visit Place Farm and Fonthill Gifford Church, but there bemg no 
time to spare, they passed on to Fonthill, where they received a 
