We commence the ascent of the keep, which is the only part shown to the public (usually on Mondays only) by way of the clock tower which once formed the entrance to the inner courts.  We can now see the remnants of Richard Fitz-Alan’s buildings (1290).  A flight of steps leads to the Keep, the older portion of which was built by the same Earl; the walls are in places ten feet thick.  In the centre a well descends to the storeroom of the garrison, which is cut out of the solid chalk.  Over the entrance note the remains of St. Martin’s chapel; from the window is a magnificent view towards Littlehampton.  The openings in the floor suggest the use of boiling liquid for the heads of besiegers.

The Keep was once famous for its owls, the older members of the colony being known by appropriate names, such as that recorded in the story of the Ducal butler who convulsed the guests one evening by announcing, “Please, your Grace, Lord Thurlow has laid an egg.”

[Illustration:  ARUNDEL GATEWAY.]

The views in every direction are very fine and the nearer prospect proves to the observer the unrivalled position which the fortress held as guardian of one of the most important of the routes between London and the Continent by way of the Port of Littlehampton.  In the distant view “The Island” is conspicuous on clear days with Chichester Cathedral spire in the middle distance.  Eastwards is Highdown Hill and the country round Worthing, North the beautiful valley of the Arun and the lovely tree-clad slopes of the Downs of which the nearer spurs form Arundel Park.

The “state” and residential portions of the castle are never shown to the general public.  In the fine collection of pictures are a number of Van Dycks and Holbeins, mostly portraits of the Fitz-Alans and Howards.

The entrance to the chancel of Arundel Church, now the Fitz-Alan Chapel, is from the castle grounds.  Permission to inspect the famous tombs is rarely given.  A lawsuit in the last century attempted the recovery of the chancel for the parishioners of Arundel, but was ineffectual owing to the fact that the chapel was originally that of the college of Holy Trinity, founded in 1380 by Richard Fitz-Alan; this passed to its present possessors at the Dissolution.  The Lady Chapel retains its old altar stone with consecration crosses, and above is a window with some fragments of stained glass.  In the centre is the tomb of the sixteenth Earl (1421) and a modern tomb of Lord Henry Howard.  A number of interesting brasses may also be seen.  The main portion of the chapel contains the more famous tombs, the effigies being highly interesting studies of the state dress of various periods.  Earl Thomas and his Countess, daughter of King John of Portugal, (1415) occupy the centre; the others are Earl John (1435) under the east arch.  William, nineteenth Earl (1488), in a chantry on the south side.  On the north are Thomas (1524) and William (1544).  A tablet over Earl William’s chantry is in memory of the last Fitz-Alan, Earl Henry (1580).