78 A HISTORY OF GARDE.MXC /.V ENGLAND. 



enclosed by low fences of trellis-work. These trellis railings 

 came into fashion just before Tudor times, but they remained 

 in vogue for many years. When, in 1533, Henry VHI. made 

 great alterations in the gardens of Hampton Court, flower-beds 

 of oblong form were made in the King's new garden. They were 

 surrounded by rails painted green and white — the Tudor colours 

 — as may be seen in the original picture of Henry VHI., from 

 which the illustration on page 92 is taken. In the Hampton 

 Court expenses, 1533, numerous entries refer to the purchase 

 of these rails. 



RAILED FLOWER BED, FROM FRENCH MS. tii 1111 ROMAN DE LA ROSE. 

 B. M. EGERTON 2022. 



1450. 



" Paid to [Henry Blankeston, of London, painter] for the like painting 

 of y6 flat povvnchens with white and green, and in oil, wrought with antyke 

 a both sides bearing up the rails in the said garden at I2d. the piece, ^'4. i 6s. — 

 Also paid to the same for like painting of ()6o yards in length of rail in the said 

 garden with white and green, and in oil, price the yard 6d., 1^24." * 



These items are repeated with variations ; the posts and 

 rails were painted " white and green in antyke oiled colours," 

 and *' flat posts " occur in the place of " flat pownchens." 



Another novelty introduced in the first years of the Tudor 

 period, and soon a conspicuous feature in all gardens, was topiary 



* Exchequer, Treasury of Receipt, Miscellaneous Books, No. 237. This is 

 ^ large book of Kxpenses at Hampton Court, J4th Henry VHI. 



