s, was a wealthy man, and in all probability it was during his
Lordship, between 1297 and 1329, that the Castle, as we now see it, was
built. Though the unusual thickness of the walls of the Keep might be
thought more in keeping with the Norman period, the general details, as
already stated, the polygonal mural gallery and interior, and the
entrance, evidently parts of the original work, are very decidedly
Edwardian.

Of the subsequent history of the Castle, we have unfortunately nothing to
record until we come to the Civil War between Charles the First and the
Parliament. On Nov. 11th, 1643, Sir William Brereton, who had declared
for the Parliament, appeared with his adherents at Hawarden Castle, where
he was welcomed by Robert Ravenscroft and John Aldersey, who had charge
of it in the name of the King. Sir William established himself in the
Castle, and harassed the garrison of Chester, which was for the King, by
cutting off the supplies of coals, corn and other provisions, which they
had formerly drawn from the neighbourhood. Meanwhile the Archbishop of
York, writing from Conway to the Duke of Ormond announced the betrayal of
the Castle and appealed for assistance. In response to this a force from
Ireland was landed at Mostyn in the same month, and employed to reduce
the fortress, garrisoned by 120 men of Sir Thomas Middleton's Regiment.
The garrison received by a trumpet a verbal summons to surrender, which
gave occasion to a correspondence, followed by a further and more
peremptory summons from Captain Thomas Sandford, which ran as follows:--

Gentlemen: I presume you very well know or have heard of my condition
and disposition; and that I neither give nor take quarter. I am now
with my Firelocks (who never yet neglected opportunity to correct
rebels) ready to use you as I have done the Irish; but loth I am to
spill my countrymen's blood: wherefore by these I advise you to your
fealty and obedience towards his Majesty; and show yourselves faithful
subjects, by delivering the Castle into my hands for His Majesty's
use--otherwise if you put me to the least trouble or loss of blood to
force you, expect no quarter for man woman or child. I hear you have
some of our late Irish army in your company: they very well know me
and that my Firelocks use not to parley. Be not unadvised, but think
of your liberty, for I vow all hopes of relief are taken from you; and
our intents are