TALBOT678

Castleford. ¹
30 Dec. 1815.

Dear Trevelyan,

Thank you for your information respecting the antiquities of Castleford – Lagecium is a good name for this place, as it signifies “habitation of hares” ëáãïéêéïí from ëáãùó leptus, and ïéêïó domus – for there are a great many hares here, who devour the carrots – Erming ² [sic] street is derived from “Herman” which signifies “a warrior” – It extended, I believe, only from London to Carlisle – Denarii and other Roman Coins are frequently found here. The Roman Road crosses the churchyard, & is close to this House. – I have no doubt of your joy at finding such old deeds – Nettlecombe was in the Kingdom of Wessex, where I believe Kynegils ³ was King in the year 670. – The deed dated 905 must have been granted by the successor of Alfred, ⁴ I forget who he was –

I do not think M^r Barnes is the man to suit you, – nor do I think he will take any more pupils – Any more habitats will be acceptable. – I hear that Ophrys muscifera, (the Fly Orchis) is not uncommon near here, in the Summer Season, & that Cypripedium Calceolus (the Ladies slipper) has been once or twice gathered. – Are you coming to Town in the Spring? –

I remain, Y^rs Ever,
W.H.F. Talbot

[illustration:] Shape of Castleford Church

P.S. I have been to see Pontefract Castle. – It is situated on an eminence in the Town, and is a very uninteresting ruin. Very little remains of it, & what does is not worth seeing – Richard 2^{d 5} was murdered there, but not Edward 2^d. ⁶ – He was murdered in Berkeley Castle which is in Gloucestershire – Gray says,

“The shrieks of death thro’ Berkeley’s roofs that ring,
“Shrieks of an agonizing King.”