HISTORIC SCENES IN THE CASTLE GROUNDS
Lining the route and crowding on the grassy slopes of the Castle grounds, there must have been 20,000 good and loyal citizens, actual and potential. For the children played an important part in the big demonstration of loyalty which greeted their Majesties during their progress from their entry into the village by way of the high road, overlooking the crags, to their arrival at the keep of the castle.
Seven Hundred Years Ago
It was a thrilling moment when the Castle caretaker, Richard Feirn, in response to a signal from the Castle gate ran up the Royal standard. Not for seven hundred years had that proud emblem denoting the presence of Royalty, floated over· the grey pile. That was in the time of King John, though since that time the Castle has been in the possession of a British monarch, the warlike Edward the Fourth, and his younger brother. Richard of Gloucester, of detested memory, is said to have been cradled if not born there; while the ill omened Charles Stuart has occupied the Castle though not in majesty, but almost as a fugitive, listening to the ·sullen boom of Cromwell’s guns as they battered the walls from the heights of Cadeby. Although the gaily bedecked crowds which awaited the coming of the King and Queen were not much occupied with meditation upon the grand history of the Castle of Kings (to give the literal interpretation of the word Conisborough), the appearance of the picturesque old ruin in the soft mellow light of the summer afternoon, the harshness of its grey walls gently broken with the plentiful verdure of its intermingling end supporting vinery, was one to draw forth general admiration, and certainly the Castle ground and the stately old keep had never looked as well as they did on Monday as they stood in-residence to receive yet another King. Those who had composed themselves on the slopes of the Castle yard received their intimation that the Royal party was at hand in the shape of a subdues roar from across the valley in the direction of the highroad from Doncaster and indistinctly through the trees could be discerned the gentle progress of 12 motor cars, through an avenue of agitated colour. Past the Star Hotel, and arrived at the steep declivity which takes the wayfarer off the highroad into the centre of the village, the first five cars detached themselves and the remainder went forward to Wentworth..
The Earl Unknown
In but a minute or two the Royal entourage had landed at the Castle Lodge, to the accompaniment of deafening cheering. Inside the Castle gates were assembled 3,600 children of the Conisborough and Denaby schools, in charge of their teachers, and their loyal outbursts must have been distinctly gratifying. At the castle gates, Mr.W.Lowry Cole C.C. agent to the Countess of Yarborough, owner of Conisborough´ Castle, was presented by Earl Fitzwilliam to the King and Queen.
By the way, the Earl, who had looked in at the Castle grounds at three o´clock to see that all was in order, had a somewhat laughable experience, for on making his way to the holy of holies, the little enclosure of ground within the walls of the keep, where were the Royal pavilion and the provision tent, he was met with a sturdy refusal by a rustic Constable, who suspected him of being a Press man or something even worse. ‘The Earl smiled, uttered the talisman “Fitzwilliam” and was allowed to proceed. “l didn’t know who he was.” muttered the conscientious but rather discomfited officer to a bystander. “Why didn´t he wear a blooming badge?”
Rolling Cheers.
There could be no possibility of mistake this time. All eyes were eagerly centred on the leading pair in the little cortege up the shingle path to the gate of the keep. His Majesty, who was dressed in light grey and looked uncommonly well, extended his brown bowler hat in one continuous acknowledgement of the rolling cheers of the multitude and bowed from side to side as with dignified mien and measured step, he escorted his Queen to the Castle. Queen Mary bowed graciously in acknowledgment of the great reception accorded the Royal pair, and bestowed especial notice upon the children, who were ranged around almost at her feet. Behind the King and Queen came Mr. Lowry Cole, who at the invitation of the King, was to conduct the Royal party round the Castle, the King’s private secretary, Lord Stamfordham. Earl Fitzwilliam, the Marquis and Marchioness of Zetland of the Countess Fitzwilliam, who were not of the party, having travelled forward to arrange for the reception of the King and Queen at Wentworth; the Earl of Harewood, Lord Lieutenant of the West Riding and others.
The Royal Standard Hoisted
As the party disappeared within the walls of the keep, the children broke out, almost spontaneously, into the National Anthem, and then there was another lull for five minutes, after which another broke out as the Royal Standard shot up aloft, and the King could be seen examining the remarkable stone ovens and fireplaces which are to be seen at the summit of the keep. At the sound of the cheering he raised his head and then gracefully acknowledged the homage of his subjects, raising his hat repeatedly.
He stood for some moments enjoying the magnificent view, which never looked better than it did yesterday afternoon, and he could be seen pointing out a special object of interest, which it transpired was the Priory, a Children´s Convalescent Home, given by Mrs. Godfrey Walker to the Sheffield Royal Hospital, as a tribute to the memory of her husband.
The King displayed a good deal of interest in the old ruins. Unfortunately he was not accompanied by the Queen, who has not quite recovered from a recent injury and quickly tires with walking. Her Majesty went straight to the Royal pavilion, which consisted of a small but beautifully arranged and fitted tent, lined with ivory white martin and-bedecked With Intern. The tent had been sent down from Wentworth in the morning in charge of a. small party of butlers and footmen and tea was served at five tables in the pavilion.
A Rapid Survey.
Indeed, the stay in the castle did not occupy more than half-an-hour, the King making a rapid survey of the must most interesting features of the keep, the dungeon, the oratory, the armoury, the fireplaces in which he was especially interest, and other objects off antiquarian interest. Mr Cole supplied the King with an epitomised history of the Castle and the King is said to have admired a good deal of what he saw.
He shook hands graciously with Mr. Cole as the Royal party left the Castle Grounds and then, to the accompaniment of much cheering, the Royal progress was resumed, through Hooton Roberts, Kilnhurst, Cabin Bar and the Haigh, to Wentworth. The police were splendidly organised and under the command of Mr. W. Quest, Deputy-Chief Constable of the Riding, Mr Johnson Hicks, Superintendant of the Doncaster West Riding Division and Inspector Barraclough and Ramsay, carried out their work quietly and effectively.