on the Geology of Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset, 1839, p. 203, says, "Continuing a course from Broadclist to Exeter, along the boundary of the Series, red sand-stones and conglomerates are observed to rest upon the edges of the older rocks to that city, where another patch of similar igneous rock occurs, forming the hill on which Rougemont castle is situated."
This castle is not indeed mentioned in the Domesday Survey, as is the castle of Oakhampton in this county, and the castles of Trematon and Dunhevet or Launceston, in Cornwall: perhaps it was not completed until the following reign, as Henry de Knyghton insinuates; but no one views its elevated massive gateway, with its triangular-headed openings, without pronouncing it to be an early specimen of the Norman architecture in this country.
To Baldwin de Molis, or De Brioniis, or De Sap, who had married Albreda, the Conqueror's niece, was assigned the charge of superintending the work; and the custody of the castle, with the Sheriffalty of Devon, was also granted him as an hereditary appendage to his Barony of Oakhampton. The historian, however, of Ford Abbey contends that this grant was made to Richard, the son of the said Baldwin. From the Patent Rolls, the Charter Rolls, and the Close Rolls of King John, it is evident that this sovereign at least exercised the power of appointing the Governor of the Castle at pleasure;[1] that the expenses of repairing the fortifications, of sinking the well, of making the fosse, and the costs of maintaining the garrison, were defrayed by the Crown.
Scarcely had the Conqueror breathed his last, on 9th Sept. 1087, ret. 64, when England was threatened with the calamity of a disputed succession. Robert was the eldest son, though not the favourite one like William, of the deceased monarch. According to Ralph de Diccto, the majority of
- ↑ Mandamus 1st March 1201 to William Briwere to deliver to Ralph Morin, sheriff of Devon, the Castle of Exeter.
Mandamus of the King 17 June 1203 to the said Ralph Morin to deliver without delay to the said William Briwere our Castle of Exeter. Order on the Treasury 5 Oct. 1204 to pay the account of the Sheriff of Devon in "operatione Castri nostri Exon per preceptum nostrum." Order on the same 19 June 1205 to pay William Briwere the expenses "in puteo Castri nostri Exon faciendo per prcccptum nostrum." Order to the Sheriff dated 17 March 1208 to provide stone and lime "et quod facias fieri fossatum ejusdem Castri." An order of 9 Sept. 1215 for the payment of thirty pounds and nine pence "Balistariis et servientibus qui sunt in Castro Exon." In 1216 he directed Robert de Courtenay the Governor, in case he could not defend the city together with William Briwere against the attacks of the Barons, "tune ipsum Willielmum et omnes suos infra Castrum Exon receptet."
