Mediæval Military Architecture in England, Volume 2 (of 2)Clark, George Thomas
History
Mediæval Military Architecture in England, Volume 2 (of 2)
Clark, George Thomas
Architecture -- England; Architecture, Medieval; Military architecture
The main or upper floor is 34 feet by 64 feet, and was about 40 feet
high. As the span is long for single joists, it is possible that these
rested upon a central beam, and this upon posts; or, as no bases have
been found, it may be that they were stiffened by struts from the
side walls. Some traces in the ashlar of the broken staircase at the
north-east corner seem to point to an entrance from the stair through
the north wall, similar to that supposed below. In the south wall are
three window recesses corresponding to those below, but of 6 feet
opening, with segmental heads. They rest on the floor and are 12 feet
high. Above one of these openings, on the outside, may be traced the
head of one of the original Norman windows, which shows that it was of
small size—probably of 2 feet opening. These have been replaced, with
small regard for congruity, by late Tudor windows of three lights,
divided in the centre by a transom. In the east wall are two similar
windows, and over the well-pipe is the well-chamber, 7 feet square,
rudely vaulted and groined. Its floor has been relaid, but it is
evident that the pipe ascended into this chamber, and that a pulley
hung from the centre of the vault for the working of the bucket. In the
south-east corner is a locker for a spare rope or tools. The entrance
to this chamber was through the jamb of the adjacent window, but a
second doorway has been broken direct from the great chamber. Close to
this breach a door and bent passage lead into the south-east turret,
where is a chamber 12 feet 6 inches by 15 feet. The floor is of earth,
with which the turret is filled to this level. Above are traces of an
upper chamber, entered probably by a ladder and a trap-door. There is
no fireplace, but a loop high up in the south wall has been converted
into a window, and a second loop remains in the east wall.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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