. The history of the ancient borough of Pontefract, containing an interesting account of its castle, and the three different sieges it sustained, during the civil war, with notes and pedigrees, of some of the most distinguished royalists and parliamentarians, chiefly drawn from manuscripts never before published . It presents little morethan a view of farm houses and villages; andall the bolder features of a fine landscape arewanting. The towers of York minster aredistinctly seen, and the prospect is only boundedby the limits of vision. The east view is equallyextensive, but more pleasing. Whi
. The history of the ancient borough of Pontefract, containing an interesting account of its castle, and the three different sieges it sustained, during the civil war, with notes and pedigrees, of some of the most distinguished royalists and parliamentarians, chiefly drawn from manuscripts never before published . It presents little morethan a view of farm houses and villages; andall the bolder features of a fine landscape arewanting. The towers of York minster aredistinctly seen, and the prospect is only boundedby the limits of vision. The east view is equallyextensive, but more pleasing. While the eyefollows the course of the Aire towards the Hum-ber, the fertility of the country,—the spires ofseveral churches, and two considerable hills,.Brayton Barf and Hambleton Haugh, which risein the midst of a plain, and one of which is co-vered with wood, relieve the prospect and consider-ably add to its beauty. The south-east view, whichtakes in a part of the counties of Lincoln and Not-tingham, though extensive, has nothing deserving ofnotice. The south and south-west prospect comprisesa rich variety of grandand sublime objects. Thetowering hills of Derbyshire, stretching towardsLancashire form the horizon; while the fore-ground is enlivened by a view of gentlemens-seats and a picturesque HISTORY OF PONTEFRACT. 163 The situation of the castle contributed greatlyto its strength, and rendered it almost impreg-nable. It was not commanded by any contigu-ous hills, and the only way it could be taken wasby blockade. In its perfect state, the state-rooms of thecastle were large, and accommodated with officessuitable for the residence of a prince. The style ofthis building shews it to be Norman; though ithas received various additions and improvementsof a later date. The first member of this castle which meritsnotice, is the Barbican. Tiiis was situated onthe west side of the outer yard (13) * beyond themain guard. Barbicans, were watch towers, de-signed to descry an
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