The Parochial History of Cornwall, Volume 1 (of 4)
History
The Parochial History of Cornwall, Volume 1 (of 4)
Cornwall (England : County) -- History; Geology -- England -- Cornwall (County)
King Uter understanding of Gothlouis’ departure from Caer-Iske, soon
marched after him with his army into Cornwall, and laid siege to the
castle of Dameliock, that is to say, the house or place of skirmish,
battle, or hazard of war, and no sooner approached the lines, but he
sent an herald or trumpet to Gothlouis, demanding the surrender of
himself and castle on mercy. Gothlouis, rewarding the trumpet,
returned answer, “that he gave King Uter no just cause of war, or for
breaking the league or invading his country, and wasting the same in
such barbarous manner. But especially, he being a free prince, neither
could nor would betray his trust, or give up his dominions and
subjects to an unjust invader.” At which answer King Uter was so
enraged, that he gave order for a straight siege of the castle, and
forthwith made many violent assaults by storm in several places
thereof; but he was as stoutly repulsed and driven back by the
besieged. In this manner, with various success, for many days the
siege and war continued, which occasioned the many camps,
fortifications, and intrenchments in those parts, called Castle Kitty,
Biny, Castle Kynven, &c.
Whereupon King Uter being more desirous to obtain the Lady Igerna,
than to shed blood, or take the fort of Dameliock, thought of nothing
more than how to get possession of her. In order to which, he was so
vain as to inquire whether the said lady was within the said castle,
and whether she was in so good state of health as when he saw her at
Caersegant. To which questions answer was made, that fame reported
nothing to the contrary as to her health, but for her person, that was
not in Dameliock Castle, but kept in a much more secure place, within
the impregnable fort of Dundagell. Then, inquiring further of a
deserter what manner of place that was, he was told it was a castle
munified by art and nature, and of so narrow entrance over the sea and
rocks by a drawbridge, that three armed men at once would keep out his
whole army, maugre all their skill and strength. At the relation of
which circumstances, King Uter seemed mightily dismayed, so that his
countenance changed through anguish and perplexity of mind, which put
him into such great anxiety as was Ahab for want of Naboth’s vineyard,
David for Bathsheba, and Nero for Sabina Popeia, other men’s wives.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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