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repeated fits of indisposition； and her obvious distraction of
mind； was hourly increasing； and he became extremely desirous
that； according to her reiterated requests； she should be safely
introduced into the Castle； where； he doubted not； she was secure
of a kind reception； though she seemed unwilling to reveal on
whom she reposed her hopes。
〃An I were once rid of this peril；〃 thought he； 〃and if any man
shall find me playing squire of the body to a damosel…errant； he
shall have leave to beat my brains out with my own sledge…
hammer！〃
At length the princely Castle appeared； upon improving which； and
the domains around； the Earl of Leicester had； it is said；
expended sixty thousand pounds sterling； a sum equal to half a
million of our present money。
The outer wall of this splendid and gigantic structure enclosed
seven acres； a part of which was occupied by extensive stables；
and by a pleasure garden； with its trim arbours and parterres；
and the rest formed the large base…court or outer yard of the
noble Castle。 The lordly structure itself； which rose near the
centre of this spacious enclosure； was composed of a huge pile of
magnificent castellated buildings； apparently of different ages；
surrounding an inner court； and bearing in the names attached to
each portion of the magnificent mass； and in the armorial
bearings which were there blazoned； the emblems of mighty chiefs
who had long passed away； and whose history； could Ambition have
lent ear to it； might have read a lesson to the haughty favourite
who had now acquired and was augmenting the fair domain。 A large
and massive Keep； which formed the citadel of the Castle； was of
uncertain though great antiquity。 It bore the name of Caesar；
perhaps from its resemblance to that in the Tower of London so
called。 Some antiquaries ascribe its foundation to the time of
Kenelph； from whom the Castle had its name； a Saxon King of
Mercia； and others to an early era after the Norman Conquest。 On
the exterior walls frowned the scutcheon of the Clintons； by whom
they were founded in the reign of Henry I。； and of the yet more
redoubted Simon de Montfort； by whom； during the Barons' wars；
Kenilworth was long held out against Henry III。 Here Mortimer；
Earl of March； famous alike for his rise and his fall； had once
gaily revelled in Kenilworth； while his dethroned sovereign；
Edward II。； languished in its dungeons。 Old John of Gaunt；
〃time…honoured Lancaster；〃 had widely extended the Castle；
erecting that noble and massive pile which yet bears the name of
Lancaster's Buildings； and Leicester himself had outdone the
former possessors； princely and powerful as they were； by
erecting another immense structure； which now lies crushed under
its own ruins； the monument of its owner's ambition。 The
external wall of this royal Castle was； on the south and west
sides； adorned and defended by a lake partly artificial； across
which Leicester had constructed a stately bridge； that Elizabeth
might enter the Castle by a path hitherto untrodden； instead of
the usual entrance to the northward； over which he had erected a
gatehouse or barbican； which still exists； and is equal in
extent； and superior in architecture； to the baronial castle of
many a northern chief。
Beyond the lake lay an extensive chase； full of red deer； fallow
deer； roes； and every species of game； and abounding with lofty
trees； from amongst which the extended front and massive towers
of the Castle were seen to rise in majesty and beauty。 We cannot
but add； that of this lordly palace； where princes feasted and
heroes fought； now in the bloody earnest of storm and siege； and
now in the games of chivalry； where beauty dealt the prize which
valour won； all is now desolate。 The bed of the lake is but a
rushy swamp； and the massive ruins of the Castle only serve to
show what their splendour once was； and to impress on the musing
visitor the transitory value of human possessions； and the
happiness of those who enjoy a humble lot in virtuous
contentment。
It was with far different feelings that the unfortunate Countess
of Leicester viewed those grey and massive towers； when she first
beheld them rise above the embowering and richly…shaded woods；
over which they seemed to preside。 She； the undoubted wife of
the great Earl； of Elizabeth's minion； and England's mighty
favourite； was approaching the presence of her husband； and that
husband's sovereign； under the protection； rather than the
guidance； of a poor juggler； and though unquestioned Mistress of
that proud Castle； whose lightest word ought to have had force
sufficient to make its gates leap from their massive hinges to
receive her； yet she could not conceal from herself the
difficulty and peril which she must experience in gaining
admission into her own halls。
The risk and difficulty； indeed； seemed to increase every moment；
and at length threatened altogether to put a stop to her further
progress at the great gate leading to a broad and fair road；
which； traversing the breadth of the chase for the space of two
miles； and commanding several most beautiful views of the Castle
and lake； terminated at the newly constructed bridge； to which it
was an appendage； and which was destined to form the Queen's
approach to the Castle on that memorable occasion。
Here the Countess and Wayland found the gate at the end of this
avenue； which opened on the Warwick road； guarded by a body of
the Queen's mounted yeomen of the guard； armed in corselets
richly carved and gilded； and wearing morions instead of bonnets；
having their carabines resting with the butt…end on their thighs。
These guards； distinguished for strength and stature； who did
duty wherever the Queen went in person； were here stationed under
the direction of a pursuivant； graced with the Bear and Ragged
Staff on his arm； as belonging to the Earl of Leicester； and
peremptorily refused all admittance； excepting to such as were
guests invited to the festival； or persons who were to perform
some part in the mirthful exhibitions which were proposed。
The press was of consequence great around the entrance； and
persons of all kinds presented every sort of plea for admittance；
to which the guards turned an inexorable ear； pleading； in return
to fair words； and even to fair offers； the strictness of their
orders； founded on the Queen's well…known dislike to the rude
pressing of a multitude。 With those whom such reasons did not
serve；they dealt more rudely； repelling them without ceremony by
the pressure of their powerful； barbed horses； and good round
blows from the stock of their carabines。 These last manoeuvres
produced undulations amongst the crowd； which rendered Wayland
much afraid that he might perforce be separated from his charge
in the throng。 Neither did he know what excuse to make in order
to obtain admittance； and he was debating the matter in his head
with great uncertainty； when the Earl's pursuivant； having cast
an eye upon him； exclaimed； to his no small surprise； 〃Yeomen；
make room for the fellow in the orange…tawny cloak。Come
forward； Sir Coxcomb； and make haste。 What； in the fiend's name；
has kept