ensured its adequate building and equipment. Then it was that the
fortified camp of the Caesars developed into the castle of the king. As
we are as yet ignorant of the names of the first kings of Mercia, no
historian has been able to guess which of them made it his ultimate
defence; and I suppose we shall never know now. In process of time, as
the arts of war developed, it increased in size and strength, and
although recorded details are lacking, the history is written not merely
in the stone of its building, but is inferred in the changes of
structure. Then the sweeping changes which followed the Norman Conquest
wiped out all lesser records than its own. To-day we must accept it as
one of the earliest castles of the Conquest, probably not later than the
time of Henry I. Roman and Norman were both wise in their retention of
places of approved strength or utility. So it was that these surrounding
heights, already established and to a certain extent proved, were
retained. Indeed, such characteristics as already pertained to them were
preserved, and to-day afford to us lessons regarding things which have
themselves long since passed away.

"So much for the fortified heights; but the hollows too have their own
story. But how the time passes! We must hurry home, or your uncle will
wonder what has become of us."

He started with long steps towards Lesser Hill, and Adam was soon
furtively running in order to keep up with him.




CHAPTER IV--THE LADY ARABELLA MARCH