190 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



of this and other species, particularly some large oaks, and several 

 fine specimens of forest scenery. 



. The beautiful and extensive wood called Baggeridge, adjoining, 

 is intersected with commodious carriage roads, and well stocked 

 with pheasants. 



The church, dedicated to St. Michael, is a rectory in the patro- 

 nage of ,the Dudley family : it is a plain fabric of brick whitened 

 and was built in the year 1764 by the late Lord Dudley and Ward. 

 The parsonage-house is an excellent brick building, with a good 

 garden. 



The soil in the neighbourhood of Himley is a light sandy loam, 

 in high cultivation. 



To the west is the village and hamlet of Swindon, also a light 

 sandy soil : here are an iron-works, some forges, and a blade-mill, 

 where, by a peculiar temperament of the iron, it is formed into 

 scythes, sickles, axes, &c. The navigable canal passes through 

 Swindon. In 1796 a common of 1100 acres in this hamlet was in- 

 closed, and it is now good turnip and barley land: the hilly parts 

 have been planted, and are very picturesque. 



Dudley Castle, the ancient residence of the Dudleys, was built 

 by Dudo, an English Saxon, about the year 700, and stands on a 

 lofty hill of lime-stone rock, the sides of which were formerly so well 

 covered with trees, as to obtain it the appellation of " the Castle in 

 the Woods. The prospect from the summit of the hill on which the 

 Castle stands is extensive and beautiful, including the counties of 

 Worcester, Stafford, Derby, Leicester, Warwick, Salop, Hereford, 

 and part of Wales, the woods of Enville and Himley, with the 

 Castle and obelisk at Hagley : the Mai vern hills, the hills of Rowley, 

 Clent, Abberley, the Cleys and Wrekin, are noble features in the 

 scene : 



" Mountains on whose barren breast 

 " The labouring clouds do often rest. " 



The buildings of the old castle encompassed an area of about an 

 acre, surrounded by a strong wall flanked with towers : under the 

 chapel is a large vault called the prison. 



During the Civil Wars this Castle was garrisoned for the King, 

 and was one of the last that held out for Charles. In 1644, it was 

 gallantly defended, during a three weeks' siege, by Colonel Beau- 

 mont, till relieved by a detachment of the King's forces from Worces- 

 ter. In May, 1646, Colonel Levison surrendered it to Sir Willi- 

 am Brereton, the Parliamentary General. In the valley are still 



