The Stately Homes of EnglandJewitt, Llewellynn Frederick William
History
The Stately Homes of England
Jewitt, Llewellynn Frederick William
Historic buildings -- England
The LIBRARY, the building of which was commenced in 1801, is an
apartment of much magnificence. The book-cases and reading-galleries
are supported by fifteen columns, wrought out of the richest Spanish
mahogany; while the spidered roof displays a beauty of workmanship and
delicacy of carving, enriched with fruit-foliage, which have seldom
been surpassed. It is divided into several compartments for reading
recesses, and communicates with the ALFRED SALOON by folded doors.
The CHAPEL adjoins the Baron’s Hall, and is a chaste and beautiful
apartment.
It is not necessary further to describe the interior of the castle; but
it will be well to note that a chamber over the inner gateway enjoys
the traditionary fame of having been the sleeping-place of the Empress
Matilda. It is a low square apartment, and contains a bedstead which
the queen is said to have occupied; but, unfortunately for the charm
of the tradition, it is some centuries later in date than the time in
which she lived.
Under the east end of the castle is a large vault, upwards of 60 feet
in length, the massive walls of which are formed of blocks of chalk,
strengthened with ribs of stone, and are of about 7 feet in thickness.
This vault was used, of course, as a place of safety for prisoners,
and a curious instance of escape from it is recorded. It seems that in
the year 1404 one John Mot was here confined on a charge of robbery,
but contrived to make his escape. Before he could get clear away, his
flight was discovered, and he was followed. Finding himself closely
pursued, he suddenly turned to the College of the Holy Trinity, and
seizing the ring attached to the gate just as his captors were about
to lay hands on him, claimed the right of sanctuary. He was, however,
forcibly seized, and carried back to prison. Knowledge of the affair
reaching the ears of the priests, two of the parties who assisted the
constable in making the seizure of Mot were summoned before the bishop,
found guilty, and “ordered to make a pilgrimage on foot to the shrine
of St. Richard at Chichester, to present an offering there according
to their ability, to be cudgelled (_fustigati_) five times through the
church of Arundel, and five times to recite the paternoster, ave, and
creed, upon their knees before the crucifix of the high altar.” Before
the sentence, however, could be carried into execution, the prisoner
was wisely restored to the church, the cudgelling was remitted, and
offerings of burning tapers were substituted.
A word may be said about the fine old horned owls that at one time
gave renown to the Keep—owls of a peculiar breed, and about whom many
curious anecdotes have been related. At present, however, they greet
the visitors under glass, in cases; but it is understood that some
of their progeny are preparing to take the places in life of the old
denizens of the time-honoured ruin.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account