It was here, during the war with Napoleon, that several thousands of French prisoners were confined, some in the castle, and others on board the bulks.  They, of course, did not like to be shut up, and many attempting to escape were suffocated in the mud.  They were but scantily supplied with provisions, though they were not actually starved; but a French colonel who broke his parole wrote a book, affirming that on one occasion an officer who came to inspect the castle, having left his horse in the court-yard, the famished prisoners despatched the animal, devouring it on the spot; and, by the time the owner returned, the stirrup-irons and bit alone remained!