BEDBGF.LEP.T TO HAP.LZCH. IX 



Einlon, a ftaurich friend to the houfe of Lancafler, 

 held out in this caftle nine yec.rs after the coronation 

 of Edward, till 1468. The king finding him ftill 

 determined to refill:, was at length compelled to 

 fend an army againil him under the command of 

 William Herbert, earl of Pembroke. The men with 

 incredible difficulty marched over the heart of the 

 Britifli Alps to the attack. On being fummoned 

 to furrender, David returned for anfvver : " Some 

 years ago 1 held out a caftle in France againil its 

 befiegers fo long, that all the old women in V/ales 

 talked of m.e : inform your comm2.nder that I will 

 defend this Welih caftle till all the old wom.en of 

 France Ihall hear of it." The befieging army found 

 the place altogether impregnable, except by famine, 

 and fir Richard Herbert (brother to the earl), who 

 had commanded during the fiege, was at laft ob- 

 liged to compound for the furrender, by promifing 

 the heroic Welfhman that he would intercede with 

 the king for his life. It was therefore given up, 

 and with it upwards of fifty gentlemen of rank, 

 v/ho had adhered to the Lancaftrian caufe. Thefe 

 were all committed clofe prifoners to the tower; 

 and when David was brought to the king, fir 

 Richard intreated that he might receive an un- 

 conditioned pardon, on the ground that it had been 

 in his power, if he had chofen it, to retain the caftle 

 confiderably longer, even m fpite of all the efforts 

 of the Englifli army. The king refufed. " Then, 

 Sire (faid fir Richard), you may, if you pleafe, 



take 



