]
Belvoir Castle, (or Bever, as it was formerly and is now sometimes
called,) in situation and aspect partly resembles "majestic Windsor."
It has a similar "princely brow," being placed upon an abrupt
elevation of a kind of natural cliff, forming the termination of a
peninsular hill, the basis of which is red grit stone, but now covered
with vegetable mould, well turfed by nature and art, and varied into
terraces of different elevation. It has been the seat of the noble
family of Manners for several generations; it claims the priority of
every other seat in the county wherein it is situate; and is one of
the most magnificent castellated structures in the kingdom.
This castle, in some topographical works, is described as being in
Lincolnshire. Camden says, "In the west part of Kesteven, on the edge
of Lincolnshire and Leicestershire, there stands Belvoir Castle, so
called (whatever was its ancient name) from the fine prospect on a
steep hill, which seems the work of art." Burton expressly says
that it "is certainly in Lincolnshire," and the authors of _Magna
Britannia_ are of the same opinion; but Mr. Nichols, whose authority
on subjects of local history, respecting Leicestershire, is generally
decisive and satisfactory, states that "the castle is at present in
every respect considered as being within this county with all the
lands of the extra-parochial part of Belvoir thereto belonging,
(including the site of the Priory,[1]) consisting in the whole of
about 600 acres of wood, meadow, and pasture land; upon which are now
no buildings but the castle, with its offices and the inn.
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