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Friday, 15 October 2010

Gidleigh Castle Rose Rent

"Near the church is Gidleigh Castle House, with the ruins of the old castle in the garden. A ivy-mantled ruin is all that remains of the stronghold of Prouze and of Gidley; (for which they are said to have paid the rent of "one red rose at Midsummer" - what a delightfully cheap rent!) - a fourteenth century tower, a vaulted chamber, a crumbling stairway and a chamber above, where ash-trees grow out of the wall.  The last Gidley who resided at Gidleigh died in 1776, and is buried in the church."

Cresswell 1921

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