OLD WARDOUR CASTLE. 27 



to the chapter on the Perpendicular Englisli Style," A.D. 1392: 

 — " Wardour Castle, AViltshire, built Ijy John Lord Lovell, as his 

 manor house. The walls are nearly perfect, and very fine Early 

 Perpendicular ; they are unusually lofty, and quite contradict the 

 popular idea that mediceval houses were always low." 



The huilding belongs to a time Avhen the early castle, built 

 solely with a view to defence, was being developed into a dwelling 

 house. You may see the earlier phase of a castle in the tower of 

 London, the latest phase in New Wardour which we shall visit 

 shortly. This building occupies an intermediate position, capable 

 of being defended, if the need arose ; it was yet built with an 

 idea of comfort. 



But not only architecturally, but historically, it is of interest. 

 Its owners played their j^arts in history, and won for themselves 

 renown, and these old walls themselves twice stood a siege in the 

 days of the great Civil War, of which more presently. It was 

 built in 1392, as we learn from the deed still in existence, dated 

 the 16th of Richard II., granting to John Lord Lovell permission 

 to build a castle on his manor of Wardour, in the county of Wilts. 

 Let us pause a moment to consider the events taking place in 

 England as these walls were rising. 



The King had recently asserted his right to rule in his own 

 person, and had freed himself from the control of his uncle, the 

 Duke of Gloucester. John of Gaunt had at this time the chief 

 influence over him. William of Wykeham had recently resigned 

 the Great Seal, and, relinquishing the public life of a statesman, 

 was turning all his energies to architecture, completing his college 

 at Winchester, and remodelling the nave of his cathedral. The 

 " IMorning Star of Song " was still shining in its fullest radiance ; 

 it was a time of peace, or rather perhaps one should say a time 

 when wars were lulled, a lull caused chiefly by the exhaustion of 

 the nations ; the peasant rising had been quelled, and the Wars uf 

 the Roses had not yet broken out ; not yet had that memorable 

 conversation between Norfolk and Hereford, as they roilo together, 

 occurred, leadinu' to charges and counter-charges, well known to 



