The old castle is a cheese-like structure of granite, and was considered, even when it stood alone, of great strength.  Its chief historical interest is derived from its having been the prison of Charles the First when he was removed from Carisbrook Castle.  After the failure of the treaty of Newport, Charles was brought from Carisbrook, which is almost in the centre of the Isle of Wight, to a small fort called Worsley Tower, which stood above Sconce Point, to the westward of the village of Freshwater.  Here a vessel was in waiting, which carried him and a few attendants over to Hurst, where he was received by the governor, Colonel Eure, and kept under strict guard, though not treated unkindly.  From thence he was removed to Windsor, and afterwards to London, where his execution took place.