From here Sir Walter Raleigh, its Mayor, went forth to foundVirginia—and to the scaffold. It was a chartered city, and grew inwealth and importance from 1183 to 1579, when it was sacked by Gerald,sixteenth Earl of Desmond, then out "upon his keeping." Ormonde drovethe Geraldines out of the town, and hanged the then Mayor outside hisown door for aiding them. He rebuilt its walls, and placed here astrong garrison. In 1641 it was again besieged, but held out for sixweeks until relieved.