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old Castle makes a striking picture. The so-called “iron-wood ” 
tree at one corner is curious, with its numerous stems and peculiar 
foliage. There is a specimen of this tree, which is rare, near the 
Marlborough Buildings entrance to Victoria Park. It will be 
found on the South side of the road, and is labelled Planera 
| Richardt. 
The Castle has had an eventful history. It seems to have 
been a baronial residence in the time of Edward II. In 1392 
the then owner, Lord Lovel, obtained a license from Richard II. 
to crenellate his residence. It was purchased about 1547 from 
_ Sir Fulke Greville, to whom it then belonged, by the Arundells, 
of Lanherne. The first of the family who settled at Wardour was 
Sir Thomas, younger son of Sir John Arundell, of Lanherne. 
He had been steward to the neighbouring Abbey of Shaftesbury, 
and on its suppression was rewarded by Henry VIII. with a large 
share of its possessions. He married Lady Margaret Howard, 
daughter of the Duke of Norfolk, and sister of Henry VIII.’s 
fifth Queen, Catherine. He was tried on a charge of conspiring to 
murder Dudley, Earl of Northumberland, and beheaded in 1552. 
Queen Mary, however, restored to Sir Matthew Arundell, elder 
son of Sir Thomas, the greater part of his forfeited property, and 
he was able to regain from the Earl of Pembroke, to whom 
Edward VI. had granted it, Wardour, in exchange for the manor 
of Fovant. On recovering Wardour Castle, Sir Matthew placed 
Sprung from the Arundell Lanhernian race,— 
Thomas, a worthy branch, possessed this place ; 
Possessing fell ! Him guiltless, Heaven removed, 
And by his son’s success, him guiltless proved ; 
By royal grace restored to these domains, 
Matthew, his heir, increased them and retains ; 
Through ages, may they yet enlarged descend, 
And God the gift resumed, renewed, defend. 
Z 
