He led the centre of William's army at the battle of
Hastings. King William having given him all the lands between the Mersey
and the Ribble, he built several castles and fortresses therein,
providing largely for his followers, from whom are descended many
families who are still in possession of manors and estates originally
granted by this unfortunate relative of the Conqueror. He was twice
deprived of his honours, many of them being escheated to the crown,
while Clitheroe Castle, together with the great fee of Pontefract, was
bestowed on Ilbert de Lacy, a Norman follower of William.
In a country not abounding with strong positions, an insulated conical
rock of limestone rising out of the fertile plain between Penhull
(Pendle) and the Ribble would naturally attract the attention of the
invaders. Here, therefore, we find a fortress erected even earlier than
the castle at Lancaster. The summit of this rock was not sufficiently
extensive to admit of a spacious building, and probably nothing more was
at first intended than a temporary retreat and defence from the
predatory incursions of the Scots. The structure was, however, gradually
enlarged, and became one of the chief residences of the Lacies.
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