On the site of the castle a Saxon fortress originally stood. In 1070
Roger de Montgomery built the castle by enlarging the fortress and
demolishing fifty-one houses occupied by the burgesses. The destruction
of this property was not accompanied by any diminution in the public
taxes, and the burgesses complained of their grievance, but without
effect. The Earl’s two sons, who succeeded him in possession of the
castle, refused to redress their wrongs. In the reign of Henry I. it
became the property of the Crown, and certain portions of land were
parcelled out as positions of defence in the event of any necessity
arising. A governor was appointed to command it, a constable to guard
it, and a chamberlain to see that it was kept in good repair. It was
usually held by the sheriff of the county to enable him the more
powerfully to defend his bailwick. It was surrendered to the
Parliamentary army in 1644, and General Mytton was made governor. He was
succeeded by Humphrey Mackworth, who appointed as lieutenant of the
castle Captain Hill. Hill is described as “a prodigal, drunken fellow,
who before the war, was a barber in Shrewsbury.” He was disliked by both
the people of the town and the garrison, and in order to depose him from
his position, a conspiracy was formed. He was enticed to an alehouse
outside the gates of the town. The gates were closed to prevent his
return, his personal property was thrown over them, the town instantly
was in an uproar, and he was compelled to fly for his life. In the
fifteenth year of Charles II. the burgesses were ordered by a _quo
warranto_ to deliver up the castle to the king. The garrison then
consisted of two companies. In the time of James II. all the cannon and
match, with most of the muskets, were removed by royal command. Charles
II. presented the Castle to Lord Newport, afterwards Earl Bradford. Lord
Newport had given the sum of £600 to Charles I. Perhaps the gift of the
Castle by the second Charles was his acknowledgment of Newport’s
pecuniary service to that relative who had the misfortune to lose his
head. The Duke of Cleveland is now the owner of the Castle.
On Castle Gates, opposite the Independent Chapel, stood the Outer Castle
Gate, which was formerly strengthened and defended with towers,
portcullis, and fosse in a line with a road leading to the Smithfield.
That portion of the town wall which extends towards the river was erected
by Robert de Belesme, second son of the founder of the castle. Camden
says it was never assaulted except in the Barons’ wars. A few yards
higher stood the Inner or Burgess Gate, at right angles with the Schools.
The Castle Walk on the left of Castle Gates was formed in 1790, and was
called the Dana from the name of the person who suggested its formation.