or additions.”  It is nearly square, with circular tower sixty-five feet high at the four corners, connected by embattled curtain-walls, in the centre of each of which square towers rise to an equal height with the circular.  The gateway is a large structure composed of two flanking towers defended by numerous oiletts for arrows, embattled parapets, and deep machicolations.  Over the gateway are three shields bearing the arms of Bodiam, Dalyngrudge, and Wardieu.  A huge portcullis still frowns down upon us, and two others opposed the way, while above are openings in the vault through which melted lead, heated sand, pitch, and other disagreeable things could be poured on the heads of the foe.  In the courtyard on the south stands the great hall with its oriel, buttery, and kitchen, and amidst the ruins you can discern the chapel, sacristy, ladies’ bower, presence chamber.  The castle stayed not long in the family of the builder, his son John probably perishing in the wars, and passed to Sir Thomas Lewknor, who opposed Richard III, and was therefore attainted of high treason and his castle besieged and taken.  It was restored to him again by Henry VII, but the Lewknors never resided there again.  Waller destroyed it after the capture of Arundel, and since that time it has been left a prey to the rains and frosts and storms, but manages to preserve much of its beauty, and to tell how noble knights lived in the days of chivalry.

Caister Castle is one of the four principal castles in Norfolk.  It is built of brick, and is one of the earliest edifices in England constructed of that material after its rediscovery as suitable for building purposes.  It stands with its strong defences not far from the sea on the barren coast.  It was built by Sir John Fastolfe, who fought with great distinction in the French wars of Henry V and Henry VI, and was the hero of the Battle of the Herrings in 1428, when he defeated the French and succeeded in convoying a load of herrings in triumph to the English camp before Orleans.  It is supposed that he was the prototype of Shakespeare’s Falstaff, but beyond the resemblance in the names there is little similarity in the exploits of the two “heroes.”  Sir John Fastolfe, much to the chagrin of other friends and relatives, made John Paston his heir, who became a great and prosperous man, represented his county in Parliament, and was a favourite of Edward IV.  Paston loved Caister, his “fair jewell”; but misfortunes befell him.  He had great losses, and was thrice confined in the Fleet Prison and then outlawed.  Those were dangerous days, and friends often quarrelled.  Hence during his troubles the Duke of Norfolk and Lord Scales tried to get possession of Caister, and after his death laid siege to it.  The Pastons lacked not courage and determination, and defended it for a year, but were then forced to surrender.  However, it was restored to them, but again forcibly taken from them.  However, not by the sword but by negotiations and legal efforts, Sir John again gained his own, and an embattled tower at the north-west corner, one hundred feet high, and the north and west walls remain to tell the story of this brave old Norfolk family, who by their Letters have done so much to guide us through the dark period to which they relate.