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period were, however, still calculated in a slight degree for defence; *and continued to be so till the reign of Elizabeth. “ The quadrangularform was the unvarying economy of these housesand they werealways surrounded by a moat.
But we must look to the reign of Henry VIII . for models reducibleto the wants of the present refined age; and of those, perhaps there arenone more applicable than parts of Hampton Court and Hengrave Hall.The former built by Cardinal Wolsey , and given to the King in 1526 ;fand the latter by Sir Thomas Kitson, a clothier, begun in 1525, and
* A license to build and embattle was still necessary. “ Although,” says Mr. Gage, “ theembattled manor-house had laid aside the defensive character of the castle, and was thereforebeneath the jealousy of the crown, a royal license was made as necessary for building the oneas the other: thus we find the following warrant for the privy seal granting a license to buildHengrave: —
“ ‘ To the King oure Sovereigne Lorde. Pleas it your Highnes, of your mooste habundantegrace, to gunt. your most gracious Ires, patente, under yor. great seale of England, in dueforme to be made after the tenour ensuying: —
“ ‘ Rex omnibs. ad quos, &c. Salutem, &c. &c.’” — Vide Mr. Gage’s Hist. i%nd Antiq.of Hengrave.
+ “ At this time the Cardinall gave to the King the lease of the mannour of HamptonCourte, which he helde of the Lorde of St. John’s, and at which he had done greate cost inbuilding.”— Stow.
“ In 1540 the manor of Hampton Court was by act of parliament created an Honour.Maddox observes, that it was an honour of a new species, since it had always been thedistinguishing and essential property of an honour, that it was an escheated barony. Headds, that Hampton Court , Ampthill, and Grafton, were the only honours which have everthus been created.”— Lysons.
Henry VIII . added considerably to Hampton Court ; among others, the hall. At itscompletion, this palace consisted of five courts.
“ Let any wight, (if such a wight there be),
To whom thy lofty tow’rs unknown remain,