A sort of compromise between a wall orifice and a chimney-shaft is to be seen at Aydon Castle (Fig. 76), where there are also several simple fireplaces with stone hoods, of about 1280 (Fig. 77, _a_, _b_). The wall orifice was, no doubt, found to be insufficient for its purpose, and the chimney-shaft was further developed. It should be borne in mind that not every room was provided with a fireplace; consequently the chimney-shafts were nearly always isolated features; chimney-stacks combining several flues grouped together followed in later years, when it became customary to warm more rooms. As in all other mediæval work, the ornamental treatment of chimneys varied with the changes of style. Of the late Decorated period is that at Northborough (Fig. 78); of yet later date are those in the Vicar’s Close at Wells (Fig. 79), and that at Harringworth (Fig. 80). [Illustration: 77. Fireplaces. (_a_, _b_) From Aydon Castle (_cir._ 1240). (_c_) From Sherborne Abbey (15th cent.). (_d_) From the Church House, Salisbury (15th cent.).] [Illustration: 78. Northborough, Northamptonshire. Chimney (14th cent.).] [Illustration: 79. Vicar’s Close, Wells. Chimney (15th cent.).] Fireplaces in the meanwhile changed with the progress of years. The hood which had been adopted in order to catch the smoke when the recess for the fire was shallow, was in turn abandoned when the recess was made deeper, and it became no longer necessary. The hoods had been rather plain, gaunt features, devoid of superfluous ornament. As the amenities of life increased with the diminishing need of defensive precautions, so also did the desire for embellishment, and during the Perpendicular period, a great amount of attention was bestowed upon the decoration of fireplaces. The stone work which surrounded the recess was panelled and cusped, and enclosed by shafts supporting a cornice--the forerunner of our familiar chimney shelf (Fig. 77, _c_, _d_). Heraldry began to play an important part in the decoration. At Aydon may be seen (Fig. 77, _a_) the first uncertain step in the direction to which Tattershall (Figs. 81, 82) and Fawsley (Fig. 83) subsequently led. The richness to which the fifteenth century attained was, however, far outdone by that which the Elizabethan designers achieved a century later. [Illustration: 80. Harringworth, Northamptonshire. Chimney (15th cent.).]