J2 NEWTOWN TO MONTGOMERY. 



This fortrefs was held by the immediate ancef- 

 tors of lord Herbert of Chirbury, as flewards for 

 the crown, and it was their principal place of refi- 

 dence*. 



In the civil wars of the reign of Charles I., lord 

 Herbert was made governor. On the arrival of the 

 army of the parliament in 1644, under the command 

 of fir Thomas Middleton, he declared himfelf of 

 that party, and on treaty permitted the men to enter 

 the caflle. Not long after this tranfaction, lord 

 Byron advanced with the king's forces, confiding 

 of about four thoufand men, on which Middleton 

 was compelled to flee to Ofweftry, leaving his foot- 

 foldiers with lord Herbert to defend the caftle. The 

 royalifts commenced their attack ; but fir Thomas 

 having been joined by fir John Meldrum, fir William 

 Brereton, and fir William Fairfax, returned vi'ith 

 about three thoufand men to the relief of the place. 

 Lord Byron brought forward his men to engage 

 them, but, after a dreadful conflict, which lafl:ed more 

 than eight hours, the parliament's army obtained a 

 complete viftory. The routed troops fled towards 

 Shrewfbury, and the purfuit was continued near 

 twenty miles. In this battle betwixt three or four 

 hundred of the king's party were flain, and above a 

 thoufand taken prifoners. Sir William Fairfax, 

 major Fitzfimons, and about fixty men belonging 

 tp the parliament, were killed, and about a hundred 



* Life of lord Herbert, 5. 



Others 



