It should previously have been
noted that Henry V111. granted this Castle and its rights and appendages to his
natural son Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond, but it very soon reverted to the
crown on his death. Its next grant was from Queen Elizabeth to Ambrose Dudley,
Earl of Warwick, brother to her worthless minion Robert, Earl of Leicester, on
whom she had bestowed Denbigh Castle and its dependencies. On the death,
without issue, of Ambrose Dudley, and Anne, his wife, who was included in the
grant, it came again to the crown, divested of the demesne lands of Bathafarn,
sold to the Thelwalls at the instigation and special favour of the Countess.
Other manors and parkes, besides Llwynydd, sold to the same family, had also
been severed from this lordship.
It should previously have been
noted that Henry V111. granted this Castle and its rights and appendages to his
natural son Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond, but it very soon reverted to the
crown on his death. Its next grant was from Queen Elizabeth to Ambrose Dudley,
Earl of Warwick, brother to her worthless minion Robert, Earl of Leicester, on
whom she had bestowed Denbigh Castle and its dependencies. On the death,
without issue, of Ambrose Dudley, and Anne, his wife, who was included in the
grant, it came again to the crown, divested of the demesne lands of Bathafarn,
sold to the Thelwalls at the instigation and special favour of the Countess.
Other manors and parkes, besides Llwynydd, sold to the same family, had also
been severed from this lordship.
James 1. in order to raise money,
made a limited grant of the lordship; and his son and successor, when reduced
to straits by his refractory Parliament, raised the sum of £.20,000 on this
lordship and other crown lands, to pay arrears due in the Ordnance department.
Finally, he sold it to Sir Frances Crane, Chancellor of the Order of the
Garter, as he is called, and his brother Richard, for the sum of £.4,000,
subject, it must be supposed, to the proportion of the large sum before
borrowed. Pending the contract, Sir Thomas Myddelton, of Chirk Castle, was a
suitor to the crown for permission to purchase in preference to Sir Francis
Crane, who, being a Southern, was not likely to reside and do service to His
Majesty. It was also stated on his behalf that he was possessed of £2,000 per
annum in the Lordship, and further, that he was in possession of the Castle and
Town parkes, and four mills, which had been sold by James 1 to Sir Hugh
Myddelton.*
*So it was stated in the MS.
dated not many years after, but Sir Thomas Myddelton must have been the purchaser.
Sir Thomas Myddelton, Baronet
His application however was of no
avail, and the contract was completed to Sir Francis Crane, in which was
excepted the Pendist in Ruthin, which was used as the county-hall, and also the
site of the Castle and Town parkes, and other particulars. The exception of the
Castle, &c. must refer to this transaction of previous sale. But this
circumstance makes it somewhat unaccountable how it came to be garrisoned for
the King in the time of the rebellion, which is the next event to be recorded,
and the most memorable one in its history. Necessity, we know, has no law, and
it may have been arbitrarily seized upon by the King in that emergency. Or we
are at liberty to suppose that it was garrisoned without ceremony or any order
from the King, by the loyal inhabitants of the country, as was the case with
the neighbouring Castle of Denbigh, which is plainly said to have been
garrisoned by William Salisbury, "at the expence of himself and
kindred." Raignolds, the name of the deputy governor of this Castle when
it was given up, as will hereafter appear, is a Welsh name, viz .ab Reignallt,
and one that existed in these parts, and is not a worse corruption of an
ancient British name than Cecil for Scisyllt.
The following memoranda of its
history at this memorable period, are furnished by Mr. William Morris of
Llansilin's pocket-book in the library of Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart. and accounts of
that time to be seen in that of the British Museum:-
"1644, Oct. 2nd, Sir Thomas
Myddelton, with all their forces from Montgomeryshire and Shropshire, met at
Llangollen, and on the 20th Oct. began violently to assault the Castle of
Ruthin, and so continuing for two days, and conceaving no hopes of forcing it
retreated out of the country without performing any other achievements."
Sir Thomas Myddelton, it is well
known, remained not long attached to the Parliament cause, but became a distinguished
cavalier. His early defection from loyalty, we may suspect, was instigated by
the recent failure in his wishes; or he may have thought it allowable to knock
somewhat rudely at the gate of his own Castle.
" 1645, Feb. 5, Prince
Maurice came to Shrewsbury, and having stay'd there some days in ordering his
forces, advanced towards Chester. The first night he lay at Chirk Castle, from
thence went to Ruthin, where Sir John Owen, with the forces of North Wales,
expected his cominge, and as soon as he had cleared Denbighshire and released
Chester, Col. Mytton fell up on Shrewsbury and surprized the Town, 22nd Feb.
about 4 o'clock in the morning."
*Note.- "Saturday, Sept.
27th, 1645, bee it remembered, that King Charles was this day and year
above-written making his Rendevous in the parish of Cyffyilliog, in a place
then called Cenfesydd. The siege began at Ruthyn the 25th of Jan. 1646. The
ditto began at Denbigh April 17th, 1646." - Cyffylliog Register. Cenfesydd
is now the property of Rev. E. Owen, of Fachlwyd.
History records that he raised
1400 horse in this country, for at the same time Sir Marmaduke Langdale, his
defeated general at Rowton, was making a rendevous of the royalists near Holt
Castle, in the same county. The King left Denbigh on Saturday, the 28th Sep.
and passed through Ruthin, "where (says Symonds) is a large Castle and
fortified. There Prince Maurice met us (the writer must therefore have been of
the party) with his troops, and those of Prince Rupert's horse that came from
Bristol, Lucas's horse, &c. toto 6 or 700."
The King passed on to Chirk,
Prince Maurice accompanying his Royal Uncle, and, as history says, with 800
horse, and we find Sir William Vaughan in command of these troups shortly
after. He (Sir W.) arrived at Chirk Castle with some additional troops Oct.
26th, and thence "we marched to Llannanis,* Mr. Thelwall's house."
Sir W. Vaughan's object was to support the garrisons of Ruthin and Denbigh
Castles.
*Plas-y-Ward, in the Parish of
Llanynys.
He was here quickly alarmed with
the intelligence that he was followed by the Parliamentary general Mytton, of
Halston, who had advanced to Ruthin Nov.1st. The two armies encountered on
Denbigh Green, and Mytton was victorious. The vanquished foot were received
into Denbigh Castle by its magnanimous governor William Salisbury, old
"hosanau gleision," or blue stockings, as he is called, and the horse
retreated to Llanrwst through Llangerniw, where they were soon rejoined by the
infantry whom it would have been too burdensome to harbour in the Castle any
length of time. The royalists on this occasion were about 700 horse, and 200
foot.
Pennant asserts, on the authority
of Whitelock, that the Parliament forces nearly doubled this number. It seems
to have been a sharp encounter, and well sustained by the royalists, whom, it
is gratifying to think, were overpowered by numbers only. This feeling proceeds
from that preference for the royal cause which actuates every loyal breast even
in the present day. For though he feel grateful to providence that the popular
cause of those times issued at length in being the remote cause of the liberty
of the subject at present enjoyed, yet is his heart with the noble and the
high-minded cavaliers, as contrasted with the hypocritical spirit of their
opponents.
Their cause - the cause of
loyalty - was not premeditated and unprincipled attack on the well defined
liberties of the subject, but that of supporting the long-established power and
privileges of the crown, to which they had sworn allegiance. The Parliament had
forced the King into an expensive foreign war for the recovery of the
Palatinate to his relative, in which it deemed the honour of this kingdom
involved, and yet, as one should think, with a purposed design denied him the
means of carrying it on; thus reducing him to the necessity of resorting to
arbitrary, but at the same time long-established, privileges he would otherwise
not have been disposed to exercise.
And it may be fairly asserted,
there are few even of those who are now most bitter in their invectives against
Charles 1., who would not, in his situation, have acted as he did. Such
sentiments in his favour proceed from no leaning to the side of despotism, but
may be entertained by one who is grateful that he himself is subject to a more
temperate and limited monarchy.
What employment general Mytton
found in this country in the interval of the before-mentioned victory and the
commencement of his siege of this Castle, on the 25th of Jan. 1646, does not
appear, further than that a brave party from Denbigh Castle beat up his
quarters at Ruthin on Tuesday the 6th April, with the intent of relieving the
Castle. Being aware of their design, Mytton drove them away and pursued them
towards their home, and near Denbigh defeated them, taking many prisoners and
killing others, as appears from the following printed letters in the British
Museum, entitled " Three Victories in Wales." Printed according to
order of Parliament,
April 14th, 1646, viz.
!st.- A copy of Major-General
Mitton's Letter.
"Sir,
This Castle of Ruthen is to be
surrendered to me. For the particulars I shall refer you to these inclosed.
Ruthen, the 8th Aprill, 1645."
2nd.- A copy of Major-General
Mitton's Major's Letter.
"Sir,
Your many favours I cannot but
acknowledge, and shall be ever ready to serve you. I can now certify you that
Ruthen Castle is agreed by articles to be delivered up to us upon Monday next.
I have sent you here enclosed the copy of the articles whereupon it is to be
surrendered. Upon Tuesday last night the enemy from Denbigh fell upon part of
our quarters, but took neither horse nor men, which gave us an alarm here.
whereupon a party of our horse went out and fell between them and home, and
meeting them near Denbigh took Captaine Winne, Captaine 11, Captaine Morgan,
and Captaine Pickering, one Lieutenant and two Cornets, with some gentlemen of
this country, and killed seven. I shall rest, but never cease to be your humble
servant,..... ED. MOORE.
Ruthen, the 8th Aprill,
1646."
"Taken by Colonel Mitton's
forces near Denbigh:-
Captaine Win, Cap. 11. Morris,
Cap. Morgan, Cap. Pickering, 2 Cornets, 1 Sergeant, divers gentlemen and other
Soldiers, divers arms, 7 slain upon the spot, 40 horse taken."
The copy of a Letter from Col.
Mitton's Secretary.
"Noble Sir,
I make bold to salute you with
the information of my safe returne; and for news I have not to trouble your
better employments, save with what is certified even at present by Major Moore,
to which (adding that the same is very honourable on my Generall's part) I
briefly referre you; and for the other news touching the taking of four of the
enemies Captaines and others, by Simkies and others, who were upon the guard
that evening, I also referre you to Major Moore's relation, there being of the
Denbigh forces taken on Tuesday morning last that were coming to beat up our
quarters, foure Captaines, viz. Captaine Hugh Morris, Captaine Pickering, Cap.
Winne, and one Captaine Morgan, of Walgrave, (qu. Gwylgre, now Golden Grove?)
besides two Cornets one Lieutenant, and some 8 or 9 more, they being all of
horse, about 40 horse taken, and some 7 of the enemy, slaine on the place and
in the chase, the place being not a mile from Denbigh. I have no more, but that
in your occasions you shall ever find me your most humble and faithful
friend......THO. BROOKE. Ruthen, the 9th of April, 1646."
"Articles agreed and
concluded between Mr. Robert Fogge,* Chaplain to Colonel Thomas Mitton,
(Major-General of North Wales ) and Captaine Edward Thelwall, Commissioners, on
the behalf of the said Major- Generall on the one party, and Master John
Reynolls, deputy governor of the Castle of Ruthen, on the other party:-
1. It is agreed and concluded by
the parties above-mentioned, That the Castle of Ruthen shall be surrendered
unto Major-General Mitton aforesaid, or to his assignees, on Monday next, April
12th, 1646, by tenne of the clock in the forenoone, without any dismantling,
demolishing, or defacing the same, or any workes now made in or about the same.
*Mr. Fogge was Rector of Bangor
Iscoed, and represented in the Non-conformists Memorial as a very pious man. He
was the intimate friend of the celebrated Philip Henry of Worthenbury, and was
ejected at the Restoration. His son, Rowland Fogge, became Dean of Chester.
2. That all the ordnance, armes,
ammunition, provision, and goods now in the Castle be left safe and no way
harmed, saving the particulars hereafter mentioned.
3. That the said deputy governor
shall march away quietly and without molestation, with his sword and one case
of pistolls, and six gentlemen with him, and each of them his sword.
4. That the rest of the souldiers
and officers, the Irish only excepted, (who are barred by the ordinance of
Parliament), to passe to their respective habitations, or to convoy with a safe
conduct, they behaving themselves cruelly. (qu. civilly ?)
5. That the said deputy take
onely with him two trunks, containing onely therein his wearing apparell, and
some few cloathes and linning of his sisters, and that a cart be provided for
the carriage thereof.
6. That in the meane time there
be a cessation of armes on both sides, and no advantage taken by admitting any
strength of men or ammunition into the said Castle, and other than the hostages
agreed upon by both parties.
And for the firme confirmation of
the premises, the parties to these presents have interchangeably set to their
hands, this 8th day of Aprill, anno dom. 1646. ....ROBERT FOGGE. EDWARD
THELWALL.
I also agree to the
articles above- written, ....JOHN RAIGNOLDS.
I do consent to what my Commissioners
have agreed herein,...THOMAS MITTON.
A list of Major-Generall Mitton's
victory against the Denbigh forces:-
Taken prisoners, - As before.
In Ruthen, all their armes and
ammunition, bagge and baggage, were to be surrendered to Major-Generall Mitton,
and the Irish to be left to be tryed according to the ordinance of
Parliament."
Letter to the Honourable William
Lenthal, Esq. Speaker of the House of Commons, concerning the surrender of
Ruthen Castle to Colonel Thomas Mitton, Major-General of North Wales, together
with the articles concerning the same.
Ordered, by the Commons assembled
in Parliament, That this Letter with the articles be forthwith printed and
published.....H. ELSYNGE, Cler. Parl. D. Com....London: printed for Edward
Husband, printer to the Honourable House of Commons. April 14, 1646.
To the Honourable William
Lenthal, Esq. Speaker to the Honourable House of Commons.
"Honourable Sir,
The reducing of this Castle of
Ruthen hath cost me more time and ammunition than I expected when I first laid
siege to it. At last, having a mine almost in readiness to spring, and
batteries prepared for a demicanon and culverin to play upon it, it was this
day agreed to be surrendered upon the conditions in the inclosed articles,
which I am willing to accept, having perfect information by some that escaped
out of the Castle, that there was in it provision sufficient for two months
longer, which now I find to be true. And if I should have forced it, I must
have hazarded many men and made the place unservicable, which is of very great
use to the reducement of this country, it being the most convenient place for a
garrison in all North Wales, as things now stand with us.Yesterday, before the break of
day, a part of the enemy out of Denbigh Castle, being almost sixscore and
thirty mounted firelocks, fell upon Captaine Rich. Price his quarters, about
two miles from this town; but he was vigilant, and his scouts performed their
duty so well that they were drawn into the field before they came upon them,
which gave him opportunity to avoid them and convey the alarm to this town. And
thereupon Colonel Carter, with a standing horse guard, which we are fain to
keep in the field constantly to secure our out-quarters, and Captain Simkies,
with my own troop, which was then upon the guard in this town, drew out and
fell between them and Denbigh, and within half-a-mile of their garrison met
with them, and charged them so gallantly that they broke in upon them, killed
seven of them (as is said) upon the place, and in the pursuit took four
Captains, one Lieutenant, and two Cornets, divers troopers, and above fourty
horse, with the losse of one man of our side.
The siege of Hoult hath of late
been of great difficulty and hazard to those few men I have there; for the
drawing off of the Cheshire firelocks from that service without my privity gave
the enemy an advantage to burn the guard the firelocks kept, (which cost the
country much to fortifie,) and about fourty dwelling houses more in the town,
and exposed my men (who lay in open quarters, and fewer in number than the
enemy within were) to their power, which necessitated my men to be upon
continual duty.
Upon the first of April the enemy
sallied out and fell upon Major Sadler's quarters, resolving to put all my men
in that house to the sword, which they had been like to effect had not a guard,
which was placed in a mount erected by us three days before, relieved them. In
this storm I lost five men, and fifteen wounded; of the enemy there were killed
their commander Captain Cottingham, a papist, a Lieutenant, and two more, and
many wounded. There hath been never a day since but they sallied out constantly
twice or thrice a-day, and as constantly beaten in.
This service and the furnishing
of such garrisons which are reduced, occasions the expense of much powder and
match, and therefore I humbly desire that the honourable House will be pleased
to grant that I may have a hundred barrels of powder and four or five hundred
firelocks sent me, and that some course my be prescribed to convey it down
speedily, the carriage and convoy of the last powder I had cost above half as
much as the powder was worth. And further, that they will be pleased to appoint
a governor for this Castle.
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Mason
is a very faithful, active, and godly gentleman, and the most knowing man in
his profession that we have in these parts, having been a souldier above twenty
years, and lost his command in Ireland because he refused to bear arms against
the Parliament. And, if this place were worthy of him, I should make bold to
recommend him to their consideration. This, nevertheless, I leave to their
wisdom to determine, and rest your very humble servant, .....THOMAS MITTON.
Ruthen, 8th April, 1646......(.Then follow the Articles as before.)
The Castle was accordingly
delivered up to the Parliament General on Monday, 12th April, 1646. Mr Fogge,
his chaplain, the bearer of this important news to London, was rewarded by
Parliament with £.50 for the intelligence. The General's recommendation of
Colonel Mason as its future governor was approved, but his command was of short
duration, as the Castle was soon demolished by order of Parliament, a part of
its history which accounts for so few interesting relics being found among its
ruins. After the restoration of Charles 11. Sir Richard Myddelton of Chirk
Castle, (son of Sir Thomas, by Mary, daughter of Thomas Cholmondeley, Esq. of
Vale-Royal, and grandson of old Sir Thomas, who, as before stated, had obtained
the Castle, Town-Parkes, and Mills), purchased from the representatives of
Crane their interest in this lordship.
For more than a century the
lordship of Ruthin or Dyffryn Clwyd, with its Castle, continued a magnificent
appendage to the grandeur of the family of Chirk Castle, and one that gave it a
controlling influence in the return of a member to Parliament for the
Denbighshire Boroughs. It is now the property of Miss Harriet Myddelton, one of
the sisters and co-heirs of the late Richard Myddelton, Esq. of Chirk Castle,
to whose lot it fell on the late partition of that noble estate under a decree
of the Court of Chancery. The present castellated mansion, erected since that
event, is certainly a great embellishment to this Town, and forms a picturesque
object at a distance.
Large and extensive as it is, the
plan is supposed to be incomplete at present; and therefore, to adopt old
Churchyard's words,
"The work itself will shake
a subject's bag."
But its modern towers rise
not to overawe dependant subjects, but to waive the banner of protection to the
poor and of invitation to friends bidding them enter its gates to feast on many
a fatted deer from the park of Coedmarchan, and pledge in Cwrw Da and generous
wine to the health of an hospitable owner !
Source: An Account of the Castle
and Town of Ruthin by Richard Newcombe - 1829.
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