This daring outrage, determined the parliament on the immediate reduction of the place; and, accordingly, a large body of troops, with every requisite for a siege, were ordered for the service, under the command of general Lambert, early in December, 1647. The garrison held out, with the most determined resolution; and, on hearing of the king's death, they made a most desperate sally; but were, at length, driven back, with considerable loss. Wearied out, at length, and seeing now no prospect of relief, the garrison offered to treat, for the delivery of the castle: The general returned for answer, that his orders were such, as obliged him to require, that colonel Morris, and five' of the party, concerned in the expedition to Doncaster, should be delivered up; as to the rest, they might retire; secure and unmolested, to their own houses. The besieged, acknowledged his civility; but, declared, while they had arms in their hands, they could not think of delivering up their companions, and desired six days, in which the proscribed persons might endeavour to escape; and, in which endeavour, it should also be lawful for the rest to assist them. To this, the general consented; on condition, that the place should be surrendered, at the expiration of the time. In the interval, several sallies were attempted, and various stratagems used, to favor the intended escape; which so far succeeded, though one fell in the attempt, three got clear away: There still remained, two of those proscribed men; and, the time being

7

..

of

nearly expired, they had recourse to an expedient, that seemed to flatter them with the hope of succeeding, in saving them also; and that was, by inclosing them, with one month's provisions, in one of those secret cells, with which most of our ancient castles were provided; and, which were made use of, as repositories for valuables; and, also, as asylums in the moment of danger. This done, the whole garrison put on a semblance of rejoicing, for the escape their companions; and, at the hour appointed, surrendered the castle, with two month's provisions, and 40 barrels of powder, to general Lambert; who, not believing that any of the offenders had escaped, gave orders for a strict examination of the troops, as they marched out of the gate. A few days after the surrender, the two prisoners left their concealment, and made their escape*.

By a resolution of parliament, March 27, 1649, this fortress, which had held out longer than any other garrison in England, was ordered to be dismantled. All the ammunition being first removed, conveyed to York, and lodged in Clifford's-tower; a great number of people were employed, with pick-axes,. iron-crows, spades, and shovels, to demolish this noble fortress, which they fully accomplished in about ten weeks; the charge of which, amounted to the

* Colonel Morris was afterwards taken, and executed at. York,.

sum of 7771. 4s. 6d., an enormous sum in those days.

Some fragments of mouldering ruins, mark the place, where this strong castle stood; which, like many other similar remains, scattered over the face of this country, serve to show the infelicity of former ages, when cruel domestic wars convulsed and desolated the land.

THE borough of Pontefract was incorporated by king Richard III.; and is governed by a mayor, a recorder, and twelve aldermen. The arms of the town, are,―sable, a quadrangular tower, with four towers in perspective, argent; masoned, proper. The market is on Saturdays: Fairs, the first Saturday in December; the first Saturday after the twentieth day from christmas; the first Saturday after February thirteenth; the first Saturday after September twelvth; also, the Saturday before Palm-sunday, Low-sunday, and Trinity-sunday; and the fortnight-fairs, always

the Saturday next after York fortnight-fairs.

The great show of horses, begins the fifth of February. This borough sent members to parliament, the 23d and 26th of Edward I.; and, ceased sending, till it was restored by king James I.; when George Skillet, esq., and Edmond Sandys, jun., esq., were chosen.

THE old church of All-hallows, was so much damaged, during the siege of the castle, that, the inhabitants have ever since assembled, for the celebration of divine service, in the chapel of saint Giles, formerly called, "The chapel in the wood;" a large and spacious building; which is now, by act of parliament, made the parish-church. This town, and neighbourhood, have been long noted for the produce of excel lent liquorice.

STAGE V.

Harrogate to Ripon.-Studley-Hackfall.Tanfield.

IN

RIPON.

the west-riding, and wapentake of Claro, 219 miles south-west from London; and 23 miles northwest from York; pleasantly situated between the river Eure, on the north, and the brook, called Skell, on the south; over which, are six stone bridges, erected in different places. It is a place of great antiquity; it's name obviously derived from it's situation on the bank of a river.* The market-place is a beautiful square; in the middle of which, was erected, anno 1785, a column of stone, 82 feet high, in imitation of the ancient obelisks. On the top, are fixed the arms of the town, viz., a bugle-horn, a spur-rowell, and fleurde-lis. Erecting this column, and paving the market◄ place, at the same time, amounted to the sum of 5641. 11s. 9d.; done at the sole expence of the late William Aislabie, esq., of Studley, who represented this bo

• Ripe, The bank of a river.