By the Rev. W. ff. Awdry. 



321 



f< Testa de Nevill." He was also principal warder of the king's 

 forests. 



A.D. 1227, 11 Hen. III., 20th July:— 



" Mandate to Hugh de Neville to deliver to Gunhilda, the widow, the goods 

 of John Blund of Ludgershall who was hanged for killing a man. She also to 

 have his house ; to be held at the King's pleasure." 



King Henry III. was here November 26th, 1239, as we learn 

 from Walpole's u Anecdotes of Painting." There is an order extant 

 for certain additions to the king's apartments, and for the history of 

 Dives and Lazarus to be painted. 



In the 44th year of this reign Robert de Waterman had the 

 government of this castle, but was soon afterwards removed to 

 make way for Roger, Lord Clifford, who appears to have fallen from 

 : s allegiance and joined Simon de Montfort and the rebellious barons. 



This visit of Henry III. is, as far as I know, the last time but 

 one that royalty visited the place. I say the last time but one, for 

 is not the visit of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, fresh in our 

 memories ? did we not decorate our railway station, and did we not 

 all cheer him lustily as he passed through on his road to Marlborough? 

 Happy Marlborough people, and happier Marlborough boys, who 

 could bask in the light of that gracious countenance, while but a 

 glimpse of a white hat — and that very much tilted forward — was 

 vouchsafed to the disappointed but most loyal inhabitants of our 

 ancient borough. 



27 Edward I. The manor of Ludgershall, worth X xx a year, 

 formed part of the jointure to be settled on the king's marriage 

 with Margaret, sister of the King of France. 



We hear no more of our castle till the reign of Edward III. It 

 had, no doubt, been dismantled with a great many other strongholds, 

 in order to diminish the power of the barons. In the 14th year of 

 Edward III. John, Lord Molines, held the lordship of Ludgershall. 

 He, for the better support of his dignity as a banneret, obtained from 

 the king an order to impark his woods. Castles being about that 

 time the nurseries of rebels it is probable that the king kept many 

 of them in his own hands, and this among others, since no mention 



