Beeston Castle was founded by Ranulph de Blundeville, about 1220, and was made a royal garrison, in the war between Henry III., and the confederate Barons. In 1643, Beeston Castle was held by a detachment of the Parliamentarian forces, then taken by the Royalists, who were, after a long siege in 1645, compelled, from want of provisions, to surrender it; and the Parliamentarians dismantled it early the following year. The ruins consist of part of a tower which guarded the principal entrance to the inner court, flanked by semi-circular bastions, and surrounded by a moat, excavated in the solid rock. The outer walls were defended by eight round towers, irregularly placed, and are now covered with ivy. On the N.W. appears Delamere Forest, which continues to form part of the railroad prospect for some space. This tract, which includes the ancient and royal forest of Delamere, was uninclosed till 1812, when it was erected into a parish by act of parliament. It was formerly a dreary waste, but is now rapidly improving in fertility and increased population. On its enclosure, it first gave the title of Baron Delamere of Vale Royal, to Thomas Cholmondeley, Esq., the proprietor of the ancient possessions of the Cistercian monks of Vale Royal, whose sumptuous Abbey was completed in 1330, by Edward I., and cost £32,000. There are races in March, called the Tanfield Hunt. Delamere Forest, comprising about 10,000 acres, once contained a great number of red and fallow deer: it exhibits a pleasing variety of well-wooded hills, rich valleys for pasturage, waters affording plenty of fish and water-fowl; and mosses, producing an abundance of peat and turf for fuel. Upon the highest hill stood the Saxon fortress of Finborrow, and near it the city of Eadesbury, both of which are said to have been founded by Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great. The ancient residence of the Chief Forester is all that now remains; this house is called the Chamber of the Forest; and at convenient distances around it are neat lodges for the keepers of the several walks. Five thousand acres of the forest have been planted with forest trees within the last twenty years. The remaining portion is sold or allotted to private individuals.