the Ellesmere canal accompanied us part of the way; and at length, after
a fatiguing walk, we reached the Green Dragon, a small and comfortable
inn. The site of Montgomery is very pleasing, on a gentle ascent, and
backed by a steep hill, beautifully clothed with the rich plantations
belonging to Lord Powis. The town itself is a straggling place, and has
little to recommend it. The remains of the castle are now too trifling
to interest the passing traveller.
In the year 1094, this castle was gallantly defended by the Normans; but
the Welsh, at last, finding means to undermine the walls, took it by
storm; and after putting the garrison to the sword, levelled it to the
ground. It was rebuilt by King Henry III., in the year 1221, as a check
to the incursions of the Welsh: but a second time razed to the ground by
Llewelyn the Great, Prince of Wales. It afterwards became the seat of
the ancestors of the Lords Herbert of Cherbury, who was born here, and
continued in possession of their descendants, till reduced to its present
ruinous condition by the civil wars.