OLD WARDOUR CASTLE. 31 



forces in "Wilts, summoned the castle to svu-rendev, sayinj; that ho 

 had orders to search for men and arms ; but Lady Arundell, thougli 

 she was about 60 years of age and had only 25 fighting men to 

 defend it, refused to surrender. We are struck with admiration 

 at her bravery when we remember that the besieging force 

 numbered about 1,300. On Wednesday, May 3rd, the attack 

 began, two small pieces of artillery only being employed, which did 

 but little damage, though the firing, continued for six days, wore 

 out the strength of the little garrison, as constant watching was 

 necessary ; but the besiegers laid two mines in the vaults of the 

 castle, one or both of which (for the accounts differ) they fired, 

 doing but small damage, but proving to the garrison that they could 

 not hope to hold out much longer. We can picture to ourselves 

 the condition of the gallant little band of 25 against 1,300 ; the 

 men so exhausted that they could hardly load their muskets, the 

 women servants doing it for them, the lady of the castle rejecting 

 all offers of quarter for herself and her daughter-in-law, the women 

 servants, and the children, unless quarter were granted to the men 

 also. But at last, on IMay 8th, honourable terms were offered, 

 which she accepted. The lives of all were to be spared, the ladies 

 were to be allowed to take with them wearing apparel anj six 

 serving men to wait on them wheresoever the Parliament should 

 order them to live ; and lastly, the castle was to be safe from 

 plunder. It is stated that the victors observed only the first 

 of these three conditions, doing much wilful damage both to the 

 castle and the park. The ladies and children were first carried 

 to Shaftesbury and some of them afterwards to Dorchester. 



Colonel Ludlow was I hen appointed by Sir Edward Hungerford 

 to hold the castle for the Parliament, with a company of foot and 

 his own troop of horse. Before long tlie Earl of Marlborough 

 advanced towards Wardour as far as Fonthill, where he was met by 

 a party of horse sent by Sir Edward Hungerford and was obliged to 

 retreat. Colonel Ludlow then set about preparing himself to stand 

 a siege ; he levelled the works he had erected against the castle, 

 broke down the vaults about it, duu a well, and laid in a good 



