HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 139 



The situation of Tamworth is pleasant; the south-side of the town 

 is bordered with meadows, and on the north a fertile well-inclosed 

 country, rising by a gradual ascent towards Wigginton. An anci- 

 ent foss, called the King's Dyke, is visible on three sides of the 

 town, being some hundred paces in length, and forty-five feet broad. 

 This is supposed to have been the boundary of the castle. 



This town, which is of undoubted antiquity, was almost totally 

 destroyed by the Danes about the commencement of the tenth cen- 

 tury; but Ethelfleda, the daughter of Alfred the Great, a princess 

 who inherited her father's public virtues, rebuilt Tamworth, and 

 added much to the strength and beauty of the town; for in 914, 

 having been successful against the Danes, and driven them out of 

 the country, she raised the circular mount, and built a castle 

 on the top of it, which was a watch-tower and a place of defence. 

 Her brother, Edward the Eider, convinced of her abilities for public 

 affairs, appointed her governess of Mercia, in which situation she 

 behaved with great prudence and vigilance. 



Lelaud, in his Itinerary, mentions some curious particulars re- 

 specting Tamworth. "The towne of Tamworth," says he, "having 

 a celebrate market, is of ancient memory, and after the Danes had 

 razed and defaced it, Ethelthieda, lady of the Merches, and sister 

 of King Edward sen. repayred it. The towne in respect of the bottom, 

 where Tame and Ancre runne, is sett on the declive of a small hill, 

 and the principall street and buildings of it lye by west and east. 



" The north part and side of the principal street is in Stafford- 

 shire, and on this side is the paroch-church of Tamworth. The 

 south side, and part of this street, lying towards the right ripe of 

 Anker, is in Warwickshire, and the castle also, which standeth 

 at the very point of the confluence of Anker and Tame. I saw 

 but three notable things, the paroch-church, the castle, and the 

 bridge. 



" The Castle of Tamworth standeth on a meetly high ground, 

 on the southe part of the towne, hard upon the ripe of Anker at 

 the mouth of it. The Marmions, Freviles, and Ferrers, have been 

 lords of it since the Conquest."* 



When Ethelfleda rebuilt Tamworth, she erected a strong tower, 

 called the Dungeon, upon an artificial mount. The present castle 

 was built on the site of this ancient tower, but by whom is un- 

 certain. 



Tamworth Castle, at the time of the usurpation of the crown by 

 * Itinerary, Vol. IV. f. p. 189. 



