OSWESTRY TO RUABON. II5 



contmue in the family, and his grandfon fold the 

 caflle to Richard Fitz Alan, earl of Arundel, whofe 

 fon, in the fevcnth year of Edward III., was made 

 governor, with a confirmation of his father's grant. 

 The Fitz Alans poffeifed it for three generations, 

 after which it paffed to Thomas Mowbray, duke of 

 Norfolk, in right of his wife, the eldeft lifter of 

 Thomas, earl of Arundel. On the duke*s difgrace 

 and exile in 1397, it was probably refumed by the 

 crown ; for it was afterwards granted to William 

 Beauchamp, earl of Abergavenny, who had married 

 the other fifter of the carl of Arundel. On the 

 marriage of the grand-daughter of this nobleman 

 with Edward Nevil (afterwards lord Abergavenny), 

 it was, in the reign of Henry VI., conveyed into that 

 family. After this it became the property of Hr 

 William Stanley, and on his execution it efcheated 

 again to the crov;n. It Vv^as beftov/ed by queen 

 Elizabeth on her favourite, Dudley, earl of Lei- 

 cefter, on whofe death it became the pi'operty of 

 lord St. John of Bletfo, whofe fon fold it in 1595 

 to fir Thomas Middleton, knight *, in v/hofe family 

 it yet continues. 



In the civil wars fir Thomas Middleton revolted 

 from the parliament, and defended his caftle, till 

 one fide, and three of the towers, were thrown 

 down by the enemy's cannon. Thefe he, however, 

 rebuilt within tv/elve months, but at an expence of 

 not lefs than eighty thoufand pounds. 



♦ Camden, pennant, 1*. 28J, 286. 



-' 12 Memo- 



