many of Sir Hugh's officers and soldiers were in such a
weak condition that they had to be carried out in sheets or helped along
between two men, and the Parliamentary officer adds, rather tersely,
that 'the rest were not very fit to march.' The scurvy had depleted the
ranks of the defenders to such an extent that the women in the castle,
despite the presence of Lady Cholmley, threatened to stone the Governor
unless he capitulated.

The reduction of Scarborough Castle was considered a profound success to
the side of the Parliament, 'The Moderate Intelligencer' of July 23,
1645, announcing the fact with great satisfaction, 'we heare likewise
that _Scarborough_ is also yeelded into our hands, Sir Hugh hath none
other conditions for himself, but with his wife and children passe
beyond seas. This is excellent good newes, and is a very terrible blow
to the enemy.'

Three years later the castle was again besieged by the Parliamentary
forces, for Colonel Matthew Boynton, the Governor, had declared for the
King. The garrison held out from August to December, when terms were
made with Colonel Hugh Bethell, by which the Governor, officers,
gentlemen, and soldiers, marched out with 'their colours flying, drums
beating, musquets loaden, bandeleers filled, matches lighted, and bullet
in mouth, to a close called Scarborough Common,' where they laid down
their arms.

Before I leave Scarborough I must go back to early times, in order that
the antiquity of the place may not be slighted owing to the omission of
any reference to the town in the Domesday Book. Tosti, Count of
Northumberland, who, as everyone knows, was brother of the Harold who
fought at Senlac Hill, had brought about an insurrection of the
Northumbrians, and having been dispossessed by his brother, he revenged
himself by inviting the help of Haralld Hadrada, King of Norway. The
Norseman promptly accepted the offer, and, taking with him his family
and an army of warriors, sailed for the Shetlands, where Tosti joined
him. The united forces then came down the east coast of Britain until
they reached Scardaburgum, where they landed and prepared to fight the
inhabitants. The town was then built entirely of timber, and there was,
apparently, no castle of any description on the great hill, for the
Norsemen, finding their opponents inclined to offer a stout resistance,
tried other tactics. They gained possession of the hill, constructed a
huge fire, and when the wood was burni