64 TUDOR HOUSES IN DORSET. 



COXYGAR. 



In a lease of 20 Henry VIII there was reference to 

 "pasture or fedying of 200 female conyes " At Parnham ten 

 acres were walled in for a warren. (Hutchins' II. 128). Friar 

 Mayne had a warren for conies. The name often survives though 

 its use has been forgotten, In Melcombe Regis is "Conygar 

 Lane" and near Came is "Conygar Hill." 



GREAT HALL. 



The hall was in early times the principal common room of 

 the house, the centre of family life, and varied in length from 

 about 30 to 60 feet with a proportional width. Athelhampton 

 38ft. by 21ft. 6ins. by 50ft. high. Forde 56ft. by 27ft. 



It was entered from a porch at the end of one side, a 

 portion of the hall being cut off by a screen, to form a passage 

 through the house, from the front entrance to the back one 

 directly opposite. On the side of this passage, opposite the 

 screen, were doors opening into the kitchen, buttery, pantry, 

 &c., and in the screen itself were two openings into the hall 

 without doors. 



At the far end of the hall was the dais, raised a step or two 

 above the floor, and lighted by a lofty window. Here the 

 family sat at meals, with their backs to the wall, behind a long 

 table standing transversely, a serving table being in the bay. 



In the lower portion of the hall were trestle tables, set 

 lengthways, for retainers and servants. A door from the dais 

 used to lead to the cellar and solar over it and later to the 

 dining, parlour and withdrawing-room over it. 



Above the screen, which was elaborately carved, was the 

 minstrels' gallery. On the walls \vas hung arras, with trophies 

 of the chase, arms, armour and portraits. Sometimes shields 

 of arms were painted showing the various matches. The stone 

 floor was daily strewn with fresh rushes. 



