“You are better served than his majesty, my lord,” she remarked to the Earl of Derby. “I have no such troops as these elsewhere.”
“I have reason to be proud of them, gracious madam, for they are all my retainers,” replied the earl. “They are ready to fight for his majesty when called upon. But methinks they are best employed in the defence of this castle, which helps to sustain the royal cause in Lancashire.”
“When my husband is absent I have charge of the castle,” said the countess; “and your majesty may rest assured it shall never be surrendered to rebels.”
“I have no fear of that,” rejoined the queen.
Before quitting the court, the troops marched past the queen, and manifested great enthusiasm.
Her majesty next visited the stables, which, though large enough to hold a hundred horses, were now quite full.
From the stables she proceeded to the magazine and provision stores, and was surprised at the extent of the supplies.
“Your majesty sees we are not unprepared,” said the countess.
“No castle in England can be in better condition,” replied the queen. “But I have not yet completed my survey. From the summit of that lofty tower I could see the whole of the place.”
“Your majesty would find the ascent fatiguing,” remarked the earl. “I do not advise you to attempt it.”
“I make no doubt the countess often goes there,” said the queen.
“Twice a day regularly, madam,” rejoined Lady Derby.
“Then the effort cannot be too great for me!” cried the queen. “Come with me all who list. My lord, I place myself under your guidance.”
The Eagle Tower towards which Lord Derby conducted the queen was situated in the centre of the mansion.
In the lower part there was a guard-room wherein half a dozen musketeers were now assembled. From this chamber a wide staircase, that followed each angle of the tower, gradually mounted to the summit. So easy was the ascent that the queen accomplished it without the slightest fatigue. On the appearance of the earl and his illustrious visitor, the two sentinels stationed on the leads retired.
Now that the whole of the castle was spread out before her, the queen was surprised at the size of the fabric. With the various buildings and walls it looked like a strongly fortified town. Lord Goring and Lord Jermyn, and her majesty’s other attendants, were equally amazed. A smile of satisfaction played upon Lady Derby’s countenance, but the earl maintained an immovable demeanour.
The queen was no careless and superficial observer. Not content with a mere glance at the place, she minutely examined the fortifications—noted the immense thickness of the walls, and the strong internal earthworks—numbered the towers and counted the ordnance—and bestowed a second look of scrutiny upon the lofty gatehouse.
Then turning to the Earl of Derby; she remarked:
“This is a strong castle, my lord—much stronger than I thought.”
“It was built by my ancestor, the second Lord Stanley, and first Lord Derby,” replied the earl. “It was a strong place then—but I have made it somewhat stronger.”
“To me it seems impregnable,” remarked the queen. “But you must guard against treachery.”
“I hope we have no traitors at Lathom, gracious madam,” said the countess.
Before descending, the queen surveyed the surrounding district. Owing to the fine weather that prevailed, the view was seen to great advantage.
The lofty position on which she stood enabled her to overlook the rising ground on the south side of the moat, and beyond the park she beheld a vast moor, almost uncultivated and entirely destitute of timber, that extended nearly to Knowsley.
On the north was another park, in the midst of which was Burscough Priory, a reverend pile, founded some four or five centuries ago by the Lathoms, but now completely deserted, except by a few poor bedesmen, who were allowed to occupy it.
The picturesque structure, however, did not escape the queen’s eye, and she put some questions respecting it.
On the west was New Hall, a small mansion belonging to the Earl of Derby, now untenanted, and beyond it, above the trees, could be distinguished the spire of the old church of Ormskirk, in the vaults of which Earl William had recently been laid beside his ancestors.