During the so-called trial, at Lauenau, the princess resided in the chief official residence in that place. At the close of the inquiry she took a really final leave of her children--George Augustus and Sophia Dorothea--with bitter tears, which would have been more bitter still if she had thought that she was never again to look upon them. She had concluded that she would have liberty to live with her mother in Zell. She had no idea that her father had already agreed to his brother the Elector’s desire that she should be shut up in the castle of Ahlden. She found herself a state prisoner. The oath to be taken by her appointed household, or rather by the personal attendants--counts and countesses in waiting and persons of similar rank--was stringent and illustrative of the importance attached to the safe-keeping of the prisoner. It was to the effect ‘that nothing should be wanting to prevent anticipated intrigues; or for the perfect security of the place fixed as a residence for the Princess Sophia Dorothea, in order to maintain tranquility, and to prevent any opportunity occurring to an enemy for undertaking or imagining anything which might cause a division in the illustrious family.’ CHAPTER IX. PRISON AND PALACE. The prison of the captive Sophia Dorothea--Employment of her time--The church of Ahlden repaired by her--Cut off from her children--Sympathy of Ernest Augustus for his daughter-in-law --Her father’s returning affection for her--Opening prospects of the House of Hanover--Lord Macclesfield’s embassy to Hanover, and his right-royal reception--Description of the Electress-- Toland’s description of Prince George Louis--Magnificent present to Lord Macclesfield--The Princess Sophia and the English liturgy --Death of the Duke of Zell--Visit of Prince George to his captive mother prevented. The castle of Ahlden is situated on the small and sluggish stream, the Aller; and seems to guard, as it once oppressed, the little village sloping at its feet. This edifice was appointed as the prison-place of Sophia Dorothea; and from the territory she acquired a title, that of Duchess of Ahlden. She was mockingly called sovereign lady of a locality where all were free but herself! On looking over the list of the household which was formed for the service, if the phrase be one that may be admitted, of her captivity, the first thing which strikes us as singular is the presence of ‘three cooks’--a triad of ‘ministers of the mouth’ for one poor imprisoned lady!