Welsh Journals

Work of this period survives in the chapel and east curtain wall, and in the foundations of a tower at the S.W. angle. Aymer de Valence held Goodrich from 1307 to 1322, when he died childless, and was succeeded by Elizabeth de Comyn, who married Sir Richard Talbot, a knight enriched by the French wars, and founder in 1347 of Flanes- ford Priory. He died in 1356, and to him is probably due the extensive rebuilding which brought the castle to its present shape, with its barbican at the N.E. and outer lines of defence on N. and W. His descendants remained in possession of Goodrich till 1628, when it passed to the de Greys, Earls of Kent. The castle suffered con- siderably in the Civil War, being besieged by the Parliamentarians in 1644 and 1645. In 1646, after a bombardment which breached its defences, it was surrendered by Sir Henry Lingen on July 31, and ordered to be slighted and so made incapable of further defence. Fortunately, the destruction was not severe and did less harm than the subsequent neglect of succeeding owners. Finally, after a serious fall of masonry on the W. side, the ruins were handed over to the Commissioners of Works and have since been cleared and substantially repaired. The work is still in progress and will take several more years to complete. Dr. Willoughby Gardner, in the name of the Association, thanked Mr. Peers for his kindness in describing the castle and conducting the members over it. At Goodrich Court the party was received, welcomed and enter- tained to tea by Mrs. Moffat, who described many interesting art treasures and antiquities in the house. In the evening the members met in the Town Hall, when Dr. Willoughby Gardner handed over the chair to the new President, Dr. E. Hermitage Day. A vote of thanks to Dr. Willoughby Gardner was proposed by General Sandbach, who referred to the honour conferred on him by the University of Wales in bestowing on him the degree of Doctor of Science. It was seconded by the Bishop of St. David's and unanimously carried. Dr. Day then read his Presidential Address. This is printed in full in the present part of Arch. Camb. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Dr. Day, proposed by Dr. Lloyd, and seconded by Chancellor Fisher. EXCURSION II.— WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10. The first stop was at Leominster Priory Church, which was described by Mr. E. W. Lovegrove, F.S.A. He said that according to an old tradition, preserved by Leland, the first religious house at Leominster owes its foundation to Merewald, sub-king of the Magesaetas under his brother Wulfhere, of Mercia (659-675). Of