BRADSIlAW HALL AND THE BRADSHAWES. 7 



them are composed of four lights with a transom, and contain, 

 or have contained, tinted glass within diamond-shaped leaden 

 panes. The proportions of the mullions and transoms convey 

 the idea of strength and lightness combined, and the straight 

 label mould, over the window head, is as effective as it is 

 simple. Those windows which have been filled in, still, in 

 most cases, retain their jambs, heads, and sills, and, therefore, 

 but await the light of restoration. 



The gable coping is of neat design, and, without being 

 obtrusive, assists to give that air (jf solidity to the building 

 which is one of the characteristics of the Elizabethan style. 

 The door heads are simply plain lintels, segmental in shape, 

 with a deep splay, which is continued down the jambs, ter- 

 minating in neat stops. As neither of them (for there are two) 

 bears any inscription, the main entrance was probably pro- 

 tected by a porch, and this is the more likely because, if its 

 doorway were turned towards the kitchen entrance, the arrange- 

 ment would bring the main gateway and approach into a straight 

 line with the centre of the small courtyard so formed, instead 

 of, as at present, in line with neither doorway. Whilst upon 

 the subject of this porch, it should be mentioned that, built 

 into one of the farm buildings adjoining, is a stone which may 

 well have been preserved from its gable, for it is inscribed with 

 the initials of Francis Bradshawe, the then owner of the Hall, 

 and of his wife, Barbara Bradshawe, nee Davenport, namely 

 F B B B 1 61 9," above a design somewhat resembling 

 the linen-fold pattern, so often seen on oak furniture of that and 

 of an earlier period. If this were the true position of the 

 stone, it suggests that the Hall was completed in 1619, which 

 would agree with the date, one year later, upon the main gate- 

 W'ay, for that would probably not be erected until the extra, and 

 bulky, traffic necessary during the building operations, no longer 

 prohibited a restricted approach. 



The gateway, which stands some 80 ft. away, on the old bridle 

 road leading to the ancient highway on Eccles Pike, is, as will 

 be seen from its illustrations, of an exceptionally neat and 



