158 MOLD TO RUTHIN. 



It liath great flore of chambers finelv wrought 

 That tyme alone to great decay hath brought. 



It fhews within by double walls and waycs, 



A deep device did firft erecl the fame ; 



It makes oure worlde to think on elder dayes 



Becaufe one worke was form'd in fiich a frame. 



One tower or waull the other ar.fwers right, 



As though at call each thing fhould pleafe the fight : 



The rocke wrought round where every tower doth ftand 



8et forthe full fine by head, by heart, and hand. 



The town and caftle of Ruthin appear to have 

 been founded by Reginald Grey, fecond fon to lord 

 Grey de Wilton, to whom Edward I. had given 

 nearly the whole of the vale of Ciwyd, as a reward 

 for his aftive fervices againll the Weiih. His pof- 

 terity, who received the title of earls of Kent, 

 refided here, till earl Richard, having diflipated his 

 fortune by gambling, fold the whole property to 

 king Henry VII. — ^From this time the caftle, being 

 unroofed, fell into decay, till, along with large re- 

 venues in the vale, it was beftowed by the bounty 

 of queen EHzabeth, on Ambrofe earl of Warwick. 

 By him it was repaired, and again rendered te- 

 nable. 



During a fair that was holden at Ruthin in the 

 year 1400, the foldiers of Glyndwr fuddenly entered 

 the town. They fet it on fire in various places, 

 plundered the merchants, and again retired in fafcty 

 to the mountains. 



In 



