In the civil wars between Charles I. and his Parliament, Goodrich Castle was alternately possessed by both parties. It was first seized by the Parliamentary army; but afterwards fell into the hands of the Royalists, who sustained a siege of nearly six weeks against Colonel Birch. The colonel began the siege on the 22nd of June, 1646. On the third of August, as appears from Whitelocke, “Colonel Birch entered some of the works of Gotherich Castle, whereupon the garrison hung out a white flag for parley, which Birch refused, and went on storming, until they all submitted to mercy. In the castle, besides the governor, were 50 gentlemen and 120 soldiers, with arms, ammunition, and provisions.” On the twenty-fifth the Parliament gave orders that the Countess of Kent should be informed that there was a _necessity_ for demolishing the castle; and that “on the demolishing thereof, satisfaction should be made to her. On the first of March following, they finally resolved that the castle should be totally disgarrisoned, and _slighted_. The breaches of the Ladies’ tower, which is the most effectually ruined, were said to have been chiefly occasioned by the battering of the cannon during the siege.”[195] RAGLAN CASTLE, <g>Monmouthshire.</g> “<g>Stranger</g>! ponder here awhile; Pause in <g>Raglan’s</g> ruined pile; All that wealth and power, combined, With skill to plan, and taste refined, To rear a structure fit to be The home of England’s <g>Chivalry</g>, Was lavished here!--where, met in hall, Mailed <g>Barons</g> kept their festival; The night in lordly wassail spent-- The day in tilt and tournament: Yet still, when England’s woes began, Were first to arm and lead the van; To shield the <g>Monarch</g> in his need, In Freedom’s glorious cause to bleed; To Loyalty surrendering all-- Then, with their falling <g>King</g> to fall!” <g>The Castle of Raglan</g> is one of the most picturesque ruins in the kingdom, and closely associated with a momentous period of our national annals. Though roofless, tenantless, and dismantled, it still presents a majestic and venerable aspect. No visitor of taste or sensibility will ever traverse its spacious but long-deserted halls, without feeling a deep interest in its eventful history.