A DESCRIPTIVE AND HISTORICAL ACCOUNT

OF

Dudley Castle,

AND

ITS SURROUNDING SCENERY;

WITH

Graphic Ellustrations :

BY

THE REV. LUKE BOOKER, LL.D. F.R.S.L.
Vicar of Dudley.

Printed and sold at the Office of the late J. Hinton,

FOR MESSRS. NICHOLS,-MESSRS. LONGMAN AND CO.-MESSRS. HATCHARDS,
MESSRS. SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL, LONDON.

1825.

Preface.

Neither Care nor Expense has been spared to render the present Work worthy of public-Approval. Its chief Aim being to guide Visitors through the pleasing Labyrinth of which the surrounding Grounds are composed, the descriptive Part has obtained precedency: and, however extended that portion may be deemed, no real Admirer of whatever is fine or striking in Landscape, will reprehend the author for prolixity.

In the historical department, a most cautious and minute Attention has been paid to authentic Documents, respecting the Castle and its Possessors, from the earliest, to the present times. For the serious tone of reflection, which occasionally pervades his Narrative, he will not be censured by any whose well-principled Hearts, or whose well-ordered Imaginations lead them to know how naturally such a Scene must inspire such reflections. Whoever can