140 ANCIENT CASTLES OF DEVON. 



of Edward I. we find another kind of castle, bearing 

 more resemblance to modern palaces : the first of 

 these was that of Windsor, built by Edward III., 

 who employed WiUiam of Wykeham as his architect. 



To these venerable piles succeeded the castellated 

 houses ; mansions adorned with turrets and battle- 

 ments, but utterly incapable of defence, except 

 against a rude mob, armed with clubs and staves, 

 on whom the gates might be shut ; yet still, man- 

 sions almost quite devoid of all real elegance, or 

 comfortable convenience, and fitted only to enter- 

 tain "a herd of retainers," wallowing in licentious- 

 ness. At the same time, however, they discover 

 marks of economy and good management, which 

 enabled their hospitable lords to support such rude 

 revels, and to keep up their state, even better than 

 many of their more refined successors. After this 

 kind of building, the magnificent quadrangular 

 houses of Henry VIII. succeeded. Without refer- 

 ring to the stately edifices of Elizabeth's, it may be 

 enough to add, that here ends the history of the 

 English castle. 



The total change in military tactics brought about 

 by the invention of gunpowder and artillery; the 

 more settled state of the nation, Scotland becoming 

 part of the dominion of England ; the respectable 

 character of our navy, whose wooden walls secure 

 us from invasions ; and the abolition of the feudal 

 system, all conspired to render castles of little use or 

 consequence, as fortresses : so the great improve- 

 ments in arts and sciences, and their constant, atten- 

 dant, the increase of luxury, made our nobility and 

 gentry build themselves more pleasant and airy 

 dwellings ; relinquishing the ancient dreary abodes 

 of their forefathers, where the enjoyment of light 

 and air was sacrificed to the consideration of 

 strength ; and whose best rooms, according to our 

 modern, refined notions, have more the appearance 

 of gaols and dungeons for prisoners, than apart- 

 ments for the reception of a rich and powerful baron. 



