Brannons Picture of The Isle of Wight | Page 9

from scenes of hostility between the troops, the island enjoyed a much happier state than any other part of the kingdom during the civil war, which caused many families to retire hither: a circumstance that for the time rose the farm-rents in the proportion of 20 per cent. The subsequent local history presents nothing of any interest, with the exception perhaps of the powerful armaments which assembled in the neighbourhood during the last French war, and the large bodies of military which were in consequence here quartered.
The absolute lordship of the Isle of Wight was given by William the Conqueror to one William Fitz-Osborne (in reward for his services at the battle of Hastings), "to be held by him as freely as he himself held the realm of England"; but in consequence of the defection of his descendant, it was resumed by the Crown. Henry I granted it to the Earl of Devon, in whose family it long continued, till the alienation of it was obtained by Edward I, for a comparatively small sum. The last grant was to Edward de Woodville in 1485; from which time there have been successively appointed by the Crown,--wardens, captains--and governors of the island: but the powers attached to the office have gradually declined, and at present it is a mere title, unaccompanied by duty or, we believe, emolument.--It is an amusing circumstance in the history of this little spot, that it had once the high-sounding honor of having a _King of its own!_--for the Duke of Warwick was so crowned by the hands of Henry VI, in the year 1444,--but it would seem that the glory of the name was all which his Vectis Majesty derived from his accession.
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CHAPTER II.
Carisbrooke, Newport, Cowes, and Ryde.
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As a stranger's attention is frequently diverted from noticing many interesting features of a scene in the hurried moment of his visit, an index >> is placed at the head of each section, pointing only to the _most remarkable objects_--a peculiarity which, it is presumed, will be found extremely useful to those who have little time to spare for minute examination or research.
Our arrangement of the subjects supposes the reader to start from a point nearly central, and pursue his tour of the island in a regular progress, without frequently retrograding, or considerably deviating either to the right or left. This order must prove convenient for reference at all events, let the visitor commence his journey from any of the principal towns.
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CARISBROOKE CASTLE.
[Illustration: CARISBROOKE CASTLE, ISLE OF WIGHT.]
"Still farther in the vale a castle lifts Its stately towers, and tottering battlements, Drest with the rampant ivy's uncheck'd growth."
>>The chief curiosities within the castle are ... THE KEEP, the immense WELL, and the apartments which were the PRISON of King Charles I and his family.
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The high antiquity of this beautiful ruin, which occupies the crown of a hill only one mile westward of Newport, renders it an object of the most pleasing interest with all classes of visitors to the Isle of Wight; and it is the only local specimen of ancient fortification deserving a stranger's notice. It is known to have existed for at least fourteen centuries, having in that long period been subjected of course to many mutations. The Saxon chronicles mention it as a place of strength and importance in the year 530, when Cerdic subdued the island; and it was subsequently rendered almost impregnable, according to the mode of fortification which prevailed among the Normans, by William Fitz-Osborne, to whom the island was given by the Conqueror. And in the reign of queen Elizabeth, it received the most substantial repairs and ample additions; when the outer trenches and bastions were formed upon the plan of those of Antwerp--circumscribing about 20 acres.
On our nearly reaching the top of the hill by the carriage-road, we see first the ancient KEEP, peering above the rest of the ruins; and next, the principal and well-guarded entrance to the interior of the fortress. Passing through an ivied gateway, built in the reign of queen Elizabeth, as appears by the legible inscription (40 E.R. 1520,) on a shield over the arch: we proceed to another gateway in a spacious square building, whose angles are strengthened by two noble round towers: this opens into the interior area; had several prison rooms, and was armed with a portcullis: but the whole of it is now in a sad condition,
"Defac'd by time, and tott'ring in decay!"
Nothing can be more picturesque than the first view of this venerable scene: the most luxuriant ivy everywhere mantles the grey walls and mouldering battlements, interspersed with the waving branches of wild vegetation: and the surrounding terraces are adorned with the opposing tints of pines