There are many traditions which speak of the fierce encounters between
the forces of Melandra and Mouselow. They are, however, extremely
vague, and it is difficult to say whether the story of Alman refers to
a battle between the Romans and the Britons, or a struggle of the
later Saxon period. For the purpose of this narrative I have adopted
the latter date. It may be added that Melandra has been a favourite
theme with local writers. The following fragments from the pen of
Thomas Barlow, the Longdendale poet, will serve as illustrations of
the way in which the "castle" has been the subject of song and
romance.
And well I loved the roaring flood--
The wind, when whistling through the wood,
Below where once Melandra stood,
With turrets high;
And often stray'd at eve, to brood
On days gone by;
In which, traditions old declare,
Melandra flourish'd, free and fair,
And glisten'd in the morning air,
Anent the sun;
Ere Time, who swept the ruins bare,
His freaks begun.
When lordly knight, at dawn of day,
Led forth his train--a proud array
Of stalwart warriors blithe and gay
With martial fire;
Whose arms upheld the feudal sway
Of knight and squire.
When martial music could entrance,
And prompt the love inspiring glance,
Till knights and ladies would advance,
Quick-step or slow;
In halls where hung the sword and lance,
And good yew bow.
In fancy oft I saw the throng,
And heard the aged minstrel's song,
As, softly sweet, he did prolong,
His tender strain;
With themes of love or war his tongue
Could audience gain.
When deeds of arms his song would claim,
He sang Melandra's knightly fame,
And hung with reverence on the name
His chieftain bore,
Till tears reveal'd the ardent flame
That fired his lore.