226 Lacock Abbey. ° 
the 15th century. At the same time a large flying buttress was 
built externally opposite the centre column, apparently to prevent 
an outward thrust of the vault, but its great size was more than 
would have been necessary for this purpose alone, and it may have © 
been to support a bridge from the dorter to the upper part of the © 
infirmary. The whole east side of the buttress has haat cut away 
about 24 feet in the 16th century. 
The north wall has in its east bay a segmental-headed doorway, — 
with plain chamfered jambs and arch, leading to the sub-vault of 
the rere-dorter. The original floor-level immediately in front of 
it was considerably lower than the rest of the room. 
The west wall has in the first bay from the north a rere-arch of 
a window similar to; but smaller than, those in the east wall. The 
outside of the window has been destroyed and a square opening of ~ 
uncertain date inserted. Both window seats remain perfect, but 
at a higher level than those in the opposite wall. The next bay 
is entirely occupied by a large hooded fireplace, with lamp brackets 
on either side, but it has been much mutilated. The next bay 
southward contains the segmental rere-arch of the entrance 
doorway, which on the other side is a plain segmental arch of two 
chamfered orders, unlike any other doorways in the buildings. 
In the southern bay must be the back of the doorway inserted in 
the book recess, but this is now covered with plaster. 
The south wall is blank, but the vaulting corbel in the centre 
has been cut away. 
All the walls at present are covered with a thick coat of plaster, 
which effectually conceals any evidence of original arrangements. 
The southern bay was probably partitioned off to form a more 
commodious book closet in the 14th century, when the door from 
the cloister was inserted in the northernmost of the old book 
cupboards. 
Tue Dorter.) 
Occupying the whole of the upper floor of the eastern range ; 
1The old English word ‘ dorter,” meaning a sleeping place, was used 
invariably by medieval writers. It is derived from the old French dortour 
or dortoir which comes from the Latin dormitorium. See A New English — 
Dictionary, iii., 607,—Dortour, Dorter. 
