138

ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.

but strong tower at some distance. This, it is presumed, was the principalaccess to the keep. Over these chambers have been others, similarly disposed;hut, as there remains neither floor nor roof above, it is difficult to examinethem. The original arches of the doors and windows of this tower, were all■round and plain, approaching outwardly to narrow loops; many have beenenlarged, and nearly all altered to pointed arches externally, but within mostof them bear their ancient forms. This master-tower measures outwardly46 feet by '34; and the walls are from 9 to 12 feet thick. Before and beyondthe keep, is a confused mass of ruins, projecting far into the court on the left,which comprised the offices. The place called the kitchen is marked by a widefire-place in the Avail. Amid these fragments, in a part named the brewliouse, isthe Well, nine feet in diameter; in clearing it lately, a coat of fine pipe-clay was■found on the walls at the depth of 32 yards. Near this is the bakehouse , and theground.story of.an adjoining tower contains the oven, which is of a capacious-ness well suited to the ancient hospitality once so famed in this large Castle ,measuring in breadth 15 feet by 9 in depth. The hall faces the gate, andwas approached originally by a flight of steps, noiv destroyed; under it is alow room or cellar, Avith five deep recesses in the south Avail; the same is con-tinued under the apartment on the left. The hall door is a beautiful pointedarch of the style of Ed ward the First’s reign, ornamented Avith delicate mouldings,and before it seems to have been a porch or lobby. The hall measures 60feet by 30. On the north side, looking to the country, are three lofty pointedwindoAvs, diminishing outAvardly to narroAV lunets Avith trefoil heads. On theopposite side, next the court, are tAvo windows in the same style, but larger,and each divided by a single mullion. BetAveen these is a chimney with anobtuse arch of the Elizabethan asra, inserted Avithin a more lofty, sharppointed one, which, from its similitude to those adjoining, Avas, it is conceived,originally a third windoAV, ansAvering to the same number opposite; for therecertainly Avere no fire-places in halls Avhen this building Avas erected. Theroof is gone, but the stone corbels Avhich supported it remain in the Avails oneach side; the height seems to have been about 35 feet. Two pointed archeslead to a spacious tOAver attached to the Avest end of the hall, in which are severalapartments, one of Avhich is still called Prince Arthur 's Room . Like the rest ofthe Castle , it is hoav unroofed, and the floors decayed: the room on the first floormeasures 33 feet by 27, and at the north-west angle is a deeply recessed closet.On the opposite end of the hall, Avith a pointed arched door of communication,