IT was in 1643 that the Royalists laid siege to Brampton Bryan Castle.

Nearly 400 years later, the event was re-enacted by a group in full battle dress complete with weapons from the 17th century.

Visitors also had a chance to get an insight into other aspects of the time including cooking and the making of clothes and leather pouches.

All those years ago, a small group of about 100 held out between July and September when the Royalists finally withdrew.

They were led by the exotically named Lady Brilliant Harley whose husband Sir Robert was away in London.

Sadly the story did not have an entirely happy ending as Lady Harley died – some say as a result of the stress of it all.

Brampton Bryan Castle had to be surrendered in 1644 and since then it has been a ruin.