DUFFIELD CASTLE. 



I6 5 



usually a fair-sized chamber, and was often vaulted. The base- 

 ment below it would contain a small cell or cells, used, perhaps, 

 as a prison; for, contrary to general opinion, the Norman keeps 

 were always destitute of underground dungeons. In several of 

 the large keeps, such as Dover, Newcastle, and Middleham, the 

 upper part of the forebuilding contained the chapel. Perhaps this 

 was the case at Duffield ; that it possessed a chapel is a matter of 

 absolute certainty, but its situation is conjecture. There is very 

 little to be added about the Duffield fore-building, beyond what 

 the plan shows, namely, that it was on the west side of the tower. 

 The whole of the ashlar has been removed from this part, only 

 the rubble and concrete foundations remaining. It is obvious, 

 however, that there has been a small cell or mural chamber in the 

 lower part of it, probably under the stairs. The piece marked on 

 the plan " irregular concrete " is apparently beyond the regular 

 foundations, and may have been only a kind of paved approach 

 for the firm standing of horses. 



