UNDER SEAL OF CONFESSION. CHAPTER I. "Every rich man built his castle and defended it, and they filled the land full of castles. And they greatly oppressed the wretched people, by making them work at these castles; and when the castles were finished, they filled them with devils and evil men." Saxon Chronicle. "In such houses," said Lord Monboddo to Dr. Johnson, when they were standing before his wild-looking tower in Scotland, our ancestors lived, and they were better men than we." 66 66 'No," said the Doctor, "we are as strong as they, and a great deal wiser." THE county of Northumberland is thickly set with castles, fortresses, and strongholds of all kinds. There are the royal castles where brave old fighting kings who, when VOL. I. B |