still adonis the church close by. I attribute these Renaissance windows to 

 him, because, when Simmonds visited Ashby in 1645, they were chiefly 

 adorned with shields of painted glass commemorating this alliance. 



The Chapel also exhibits features earlier than the time of William, Lord 

 Hastings, e.g., the piscina is of the 14th century, c. 1370. The doorway too, 

 in the north wall of the chapel, is of the same period ; it was blocked by the 

 recasing of the outer face of the wall at the time of the enlargement and 

 adornment of the castle in 1474. 



This recasing of the old work is a very marked feature in Ashby Castle, and 

 is very misleading to the casual observer. There is an old niche for a 

 crossbowman in the south wall of the castle enclosure near the Earl's Tower ; 

 it is of 14th century work, whilst its surroundings would indicate a later 

 period of construction. It appears to have defended an angle of the 

 earlier wall. 



Leland relates that for the building or repairing of this castle at Ashby, 

 Lord Hastings took the lead off Belvoir Castle, which had been committed 

 to his keeping. He also plundered another seat belonging to the same 

 Lord Roos called Stoke D'Albanye, and carried part of the materials 

 to Ashby. 



From what remains, it is quite clear that the structure was quadrangular, 

 and that it was enclosed within high and massive walls, with battlements, 

 parapets, and embrasures for artillery. 



In the centre of each outer wall was a high tower, crowned with battlements 

 and machiolations, standing half in and half out of the enclosure, so as to 

 cover (in a military sense) the outer face of the wall. 



At each angle, and gathered out of the wall at a considerable elevation, 

 was erected an octangular projecting tower subordinate to the greater towers, 

 but serving also to defend the outer walls. 



Between the angle turrets and the towers were sheltering recesses in the 

 outer walls, with embrasures for crossbowmen. 



The old entrance to the castle is to me clearly indicated by the direction of 

 the town streets. It would not be on the eastern or western sides, because a 

 gateway tower would be superfluous in these walls. I am firmly of opinion 

 that the approach to the fortress led through "Church Street," across the 

 western portion of the churchyard (enclosed and consecrated of late years), 

 and so to the gateway tower standing in the north wall, probably at its 

 western corner. 



The present long range of buildings from the Kitchen Tower to the chapel 

 divided the enclosure into two courts, a north and a south. The outer or 

 entrance court (three sides of which have entirely disappeared) contained (as 

 was usual in such buildings) the necessary offices for servants, stowage, fuel, 

 and other requisites. The inner court included lodgings for more distinguished 

 visitors, and the last retreat (the High Tower) in case of imminent danger. 



A subterranean passage extends from the cellar of the kitchen tower to a 

 triangular structure in a field on the eastern side of the castle, about 300 

 yards distant. This passage is now closed. 



