58 



It was not until the close of the period which we are con- 

 sidering, that we find either the size of the pleasure Garden, 

 or the style of laying it out jit all improved. The effects ot 

 the Feudal System were not yet sufficiently passed away to 

 allow of any general alteration, or even improvement in the 

 style of ArcTiitecture. Our nobility still dwelt in Castles, and 

 these retained the usual defences of Moats, Drawbridges, kc. 

 This was especially the case, the nearer they approached 

 to the Scotch or Welch borders; in the vicinity of Lon- 

 don, Villas and Palaces had long since sprung up. Those 

 which retained all the customary fortifications, had Gardens 

 within the moat, as well as without, for the Orchard mentioned 

 by Leland in 1540, as existing at Wreshill Castle near How- 

 den in Yorkshire, evidently partook of the nature of pleasure 

 grounds. *' The Gardens within the mote, and the Orchards 

 without, were exceeding fair. And yn the Orchardes, were, 

 mountes, opere topiorio, writhen about with degrees like the 

 turnings in cokil shelles, to come to the top without payn."». 

 King James I. of Scotland, who was confined for some years' 

 as prisoner in Windsor Castle, early in the 15th Century, gives 

 us in a poetical effusion a description of its Garden, which 

 similarly intimates to us that it was of contracted space and 

 formal adornments. 



Now was there maide fast by the touris wall 

 A Garden faire, and in the corneris set 



An herbere grene, with wandis long and small 

 Railit about, and so with treeis set 

 Was all the place, and hawthorn hedges knet. 



That lyfe was now, walkyng there for bye 



That myght within scarce any wight espye. 

 So thick the bewis and the leves grene 

 Beschudit all, the alleyes all that there were, 



.♦ 



* Leiands Itinerniy. p. 60, 



