224 Observations on English Castles. 



of confinement ; the lower stories of such towers being frequently appro- 

 priated to such a purpose. 



The walls, when above a single line, were arranged concentrically, those 

 within being either loftier, or on higher ground than the exterior, over the 

 summits of which their engines were intended to play. These walls were 

 composed of mural, or towers flush with the exterior face of the wall, and 

 flanlnng, or towers with a projection. They varied in height from twenty 

 to thirty, or even forty feet, and were surmounted by a battlement. The 

 towers, the figure of which was extremely variable, varied also in height 

 and thickness, according to the nature of the ground on which they stood, 

 or the assaults to which they were liable to be exposed. They usually 

 were ascended by a well stair, from whence doors communicated with the 

 battlements on each side, leaving an uninterrupted walk round the walls. 

 Their height above the battlement was rarely above two stories, sometimes, 

 but not often, vaulted. 



The ballia, or courts between the walls, contained lodgings for the sol- 

 diery, pasture ground for the horses and cattle, wells, chapels, and some- 

 times, as at Portchester, a whole monastery ; and here also mounds of earth, 

 or cavaliers, were occasionally thrown up to command an outlook, or to 

 support some military engine. 



The communication between the ballia and the exterior was carried on 

 by means of gate-ways, usually strong points, and with their gate-houses 

 capable of being completely isolated. Many of these buildings still remain 

 to attest the skill of their architect, and the magnificence of his employer, 

 when the remainder of the structure has mouldered into decay. 



A gate-house consisted of an arch or portal, two flanking towers, and a 

 drawbridge. The arch was usually about nine feet wide, by ten or fifteen 

 high, with a depth of from twenty to thirty. In front was its pont levis, 

 or drawbridge ; then a deep groove for the portcullis ; then, perhaps, four 

 or five holes in the vault for the timbers of a stockade ; then a second or 

 even a third portcullis ; and sometimes a gate or two at intervals. Be- 

 tween each of these defences there was more or less space, so that to guard 

 against surprise, the suspected comers could be partially admitted, and 

 made to tell their errand. One or two loop-holes commanded the portal 

 from either side ; and on the outside, exactly over the drawbridge, was often 

 a machicolation, or contrivance by which the besieged could cast down 

 missiles npon the assailants, without being themselves exposed to danger. 



The drawbridge is a very ancient contrivance, but it does not ap])ear 

 that the early Anglo-Norman architects were acquainted with the port- 

 cullis. 



Tlie magnificence bestowed upon the principal entrances was not ex- 

 tended to the posterns, which were commonly arched doors in the wall, of 

 small dimensions, and of sufficient strength to guard against surprise. In 

 large castles, however, the posterns were on a larger scale, and admitted 



