History and Antiquities

OF

LUDLOW.

THE history of the remote ages of antiquity is obscure; for in attempting to trace the succession of events through periods of darkness and barbarity, much is left to conjecture, which necessarily terminates in doubt and uncertainty. It is well known that the aboriginal inhabitants of this island made a last and determined stand against their invading enemies, in that district which had its boundary in, what in later times was called, the Marches of Wales. However this barrier tract might be extended from time to time one way or the other, as either party occasionally gained ground, it is certainly known that Ludlow was early occupied as a military station to withstand the incursions of the Britons, who disputed every foot of ground as they slowly retreated. So strongly are the natural

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feelings of human nature opposed to injustice and oppression, that not only is all power contemned, but all hazards and difficulties suffered patiently, even life willingly sacrificed by a brave people, in preference to an ignominious and slavish submission.

The Romans are said to have been engaged nearly two hundred years in subduing Britain, and it was not till A. D. 75 that Julius Frontinus conquered the warlike tribe of the SILURES, twenty-five years after the defeat of Caractacus by Ostorius.

Of the active operations of the contending parties, interesting traces yet remain; on the Herefordshire beacon, Credon hill, Coxwall knoll, &c. are vestiges of british camps; and on the military stations of Dynedor and Brandon camps, undoubted remains of roman fortifications are visible. Also of the remarkable hill, called Caer Caradoc, traditional and historical accounts agree in stating it to have been occupied by Caractacus, and many fierce battles to have been fought in its vicinity. An ancient writer describes this place as "exceedingly well fortefied, both by nature and art; upon the toppe of an high hill, environed with a tripple ditche of great depth. There were iij gates, and on three sides, steepe headlong places, and compassed on the lifte hande with the river Colun, on the right with Themis." Different situations

have been ascribed to the scene of the last decisive battle between Ostorius and Caractacus ; but none rest on such strong grounds of probability, as the stations of Brandon camp and Coxwall knoll. The first of these is situated a little to the west of the great roman road leading from Magna, or Kenchester, to Uriconium, or Wroxeter, and between Wigmore and Leintwardine. Its square form, and the fragments of roman pottery, which may still be picked up within its precincts, evidently prove its origin. The second is within sight, and distant from the roman camp about three miles, and a little above the village of Brampton Brian. It crowns the summit of a lofty hill, well covered with oak trees, and is, (like the generality of british fortresses,) very irregular in its shape. The river Teme runs through the vale near the foot of the hill. Strong by nature but made stronger by art; bold and wild as the chieftain who formed it. On a survey of these two camps, even the most lukewarm traveller will feel a certain degree of enthusiasm, when he recollects that an Ostorius stood on one camp, and a Caractacus on the other; and that their heroic deeds were recorded by the pen of a Tacitus. His satisfaction will be heightened, when he knows that they are the undoubted strong holds occupied by the roman and british generals; for each particular related by the historian_concerning

their respective situations, coincides with the natural position of the river Teme, and the camps of Brandon and Coxwall hills. To the scholar and the antiquarian the whole kingdom does not afford a more interesting or gratifying subject; let them observe the polished and simple form of the roman camp, and the rude and natural features of the british. The roman general depended alone on the strength of his arms, and the valour of his well disciplined legions; but the british chieftain called nature to his assistance, and strengthened her by art.

From the departure of the Romans, to the Norman conquest, history supplies no certain information concerning Ludlow, yet from various written and traditionary accounts it is more than probable that there existed here a town, or fortress, of some importance, previous to the recorded erection of the Castle.

Dinan, Llystwysoc, ancient british names for this place, are certain indications of its having been the Palace of a Prince, as the Saxon name Ludlowe, Leodlowe, that is, People Mote, indicates its appropriation to the administration of justice.

Presuming from its british name, that this place was, at a remote period, a royal residence; and from indisputable authority, knowing, that after the departnre of the Romans, the struggle for mastery between the Saxons and Britons,

continued more than five hundred years; and that during that period the frontier of Wales. was peculiarly distinguished as the scene of contest; it may be deemed neither uninteresting nor too far deviating from our purpose, to give short notices of the most remarkable events connected with the history of Mercia.

The Saxon octarchy was progressively formed; Ella in Sussex, and Hengist in Kent, made a duarchy before the year 500. When Cerdic erected the state of Wessex a triarchy appeared; east Anglia made it a tetrarchy; Essex a pentarchy. The success of Ida after 547 establishing the sovereignty of the Angles in Bernecia completed an hexarchy, and the northern Ella by becoming king of Deira, made an heptarchy. In 586 the octarchy was completed by the establishment of the kingdom of Mercia. As the Anglo-Saxons warred with each other, sometimes one state was absorbed by another, and sometimes, after an interval, it emerged again, as the tide of conquest fluctuated, till at last a permanent monarchy arose under Egbert, or more certainly under Alfred the Great,

Arthur, one of the most renowned heroes who fought against the Saxons, some time previous to the establishment of the kingdom of Mercia, was a chieftain of South Wales. He is said to have fought twelve successful battles; and though it appears from several authorities that