HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 289 



Survive within our souls While lives our Sense 

 Of pride in Merit's proud pre-eminence. 

 Long shall we seek his likeness long, in vain, 

 And turn to all of him which may remain, 

 Sighing that Nature form'cl but one such Man, 

 And broke the diein moulding SHERIDAN. 



LORD BYRON'S Monody. 



Stafford was once a fortified place, but from its low situation it 

 could never have been a fortress of much strength. It was fortified, 

 except towards the river Sow, by a wall, and a ditch supplied with 

 water from that river. But it was taken on the first assault, and 

 without difficulty, in May 1643, by Sir William Brereton, General 

 of the Parliamentary army. The walls are now demolished, and the 

 ditch filled up, though some traces of the fortifications are yet 

 perceptible near the old Gaol, and the Grammar School. The 

 ground under the walls, at the outside, was marshy, and might 

 easily be laid under water around the town. 



When fortified, Stafford had four gates. That near the bridge 

 over the Sow was called the Green-gate, being at the south and 

 on the London road : it was taken down in the year 1780. The 

 arch of the East-gate was standing a few years ago. The Gaol- 

 gate was in ruins in 1680. The site of the fourth gate is unknown. 



Modern Stafford is built in a low but pleasant situation, on a 

 fertile plain. It is of considerable extent, and contains ten streets 

 and lanes. The streets are wide and well-paved, and the houses 

 in general compact and well-built. 



Stafford contains several edifices, the most remarkable of which 

 is St. Mary's Church. It is a large ancient fabric in the form of a 

 cross, and was formerly collegiate in the archdeaconry of Stafford. 

 It consists of a nave, two side aisles, a transept, and a chancel of 

 three aisles. The transept is 100 feet in length and 25 in breadth. 

 In the centre of it rises the tower, which is octagonal, and 33 feet 

 square at the base. The aisles of the chancel exceed the dimen- 

 sions of the nave. "The style of architecture in general is the 

 early pointed. To the north of the door-way there is a fragment 

 of the Saxon billet mouldings with fret under it. This fragment 

 is evidently a part of the first building. The head of the western 

 window has trefoils in circles, and upright mullions, which seem to 

 have been originally three quarter attached columns. The aisles are 

 lighted by three lancet-shaped windows. In the nave are several 

 windows looking to north and south, of much later date than any 

 in the church. They have in all probability been struck out long 



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