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finished in 1538. In these, however, there is, combined with greatbeauties, a considerable portion of Florentine taste.
The introduction of this mixture is attributed to the encouragementgiven by Henry VIII. to several Italian architects, who, being utterlyunacquainted with either our style or that of the ancients, used amongrel composition of their own, which being carried to excess inElizabeth’s reign, ended in the adoption of the Roman architecture ofthe middle ages, under James I .
The mansions of the Tudor period usually consisted of an inner andbase court, between which stood the gate-house. The principal apart-ments were, the great chamber, or room of assembly, the hall, thechapel, the gallery for amusements, on an upper story, running thewhole length of the principal side of the quadrangle, and the summerand winter parlours.*
Of quadrangular houses, Rose, the seat of the bishops of Carlisle,Cowdry, Halnaker, and Catlage, are fair examples.!
Direct his steps, fair Hampton Court , to thee,
And view thy splendid halls; then turn againTo visit each proud dome by science prais’d,
‘ For kings the rest’ (he’d say), ‘ but thou for gods wer’t raised.’”
J. P. Andrews, imitated from Grotius .
* See Illustrations.
t “ At Midhurst, in Sussex , there is the most beautiful and genuine model now remainingof a magnificent mansion of the reign of Henry VIII. , built by Sir Anthony Browne, whoheld numerous offices under that monarch.
“ We enter a spacious and lofty quadrangle of stone, through a stately Gothic tower, withfour light angular turrets. The roof of the gateway is a fine piece of old fret-work. There isa venerable old hall; but the sides have been improperly painted, and are charged with otherornaments too modern for its noble oak-raftered roof and a large high range of Gothicwindows. Opposite the screen is the arched portal of the buttery. Adjoining to the hall is a