“’Here lyth Syr Bertine Entwisel, Knighte, which was born in
Lancastershyre, and was Viscount and Baron of Brybeke in Normandy, and
Bailiff of Constantin, who died fighting on King Henry VI. party, 28th
May, 1455.

“‘On whose sowl Jesu have mercy!’”

HOGHTON TOWER.

    “Pastime with good company
    I love, and shall until I die;
    Grudge so will, but none deny;
    So God be pleased, so live will I.
      For my pastance,
      Hunt, sing, and dance,
      My heart is set;
      All godly sport,
      To my comfort,
      Who shall me let!”

The Kinges Balade.

    “God gives not kings the style of gods in vain,
      For on his throne his sceptre do they sway;
      And, as their subjects ought them to obey,
    So kings should feare and serve their God againe.”

King James to his Son Prince Henry.

“The ancient castle denominated Hoghton Tower stands on the summit of a hill, formerly shrouded with trees, four miles and a half west of Blackburn.  It was erected by Sir Thomas Hoghton, in the beginning of Elizabeth’s reign.  It remained for several generations the principal seat of the Hoghton family; and after part of it had been blown up by accident, when garrisoned for Charles the First, the injury was repaired.  The family have now removed to Walton Hall; and Hoghton Tower is left to decay, two poor families inhabiting the south wing only.  A ponderous gateway, immediately under the centre tower, leads to the quadrangular courtyard, capable of holding six hundred men.  The noble embattled tower, forming the west front, with its two minor square towers, serve as appendages to the north and south wing, and are united by low walls.  Within the courtyard, a noble flight of steps leads to the middle quadripartite, similar in aspect to Stonyhurst College, the ancient residence of the Sherbornes.  This middle pile contains large staircases, branching out to long galleries, into which the several chambers open.  One chamber, still called James the First’s room, is considered ‘most worthy of notice;’ it has two square windows in both north and south, is beautifully wainscoted, and contains some old furniture.  A fine prospect is gained from this ancient and sequestered abode:  the pretty village of Walton-le-dale, delightfully situate in a valley, the improving town of Preston, and the single-coned Nase Point presenting itself majestically in the distance.  The gentle river Darwen pursues its placid course among the enclosures at the base of the hill.”

The above description, extracted from Nichols’s Royal Progresses of James the First, and likewise the particulars scattered through the following tale, will, we hope, convey to the reader a pretty accurate idea of this noble but deserted mansion.