TUDOR HOUSES IN DORSET. 65 



FIREPLACE. 



The central hearth survived until the end of the fifteenth 

 century and even later, and a louvre in the roof was provided 

 for the escape of the smoke. In the newer style fireplaces 

 and flues were constructed in the walls and the louvre was 

 transformed into a lantern light. The late Perpendicular 

 chimney pieces were usually of stone, of some plain geometrical 

 design, as at Tolpuddle Vicarage (now in the Dorchester 

 Museum). They then became elaborate and ornate, and were 

 constructed of coloured marble, but more frequently of oak, 

 with twisted pillars or figures as at Wolfeton (Gotch p. 195). 

 In many of them panelled spaces above the fireplace were 

 filled in with shields of arms. 



ROOF. 



This was open, of oak or chestnut; and the massive stone 

 tiles rested on the rafters, which were supported on longitudinal 

 beams called purlins, these being carried by principals spanning 

 the hall from side to side, at intervals of about 12 feet, curved 

 braces or struts being fixed where necessary for support. 



There are several varieties of such roofs, and one of the 

 most picturesque forms is the hammerbeam type, where the 

 main arch of the principal springs from a projecting piece of 

 timber, called the hammerbeam, which again is supported by 

 a curved strut, usually resting on a stone bracket in the wall. 



WALLS. 



The walls were often left bare, or covered with a thin layer 

 of plaster decorated with lines or simple patterns. Tapestry 

 or arras would then be hung, such hangings being carried 

 from house to house. Wainscoting or panelling with oak was 

 very general, the early panels being small and of the linen fold 

 pattern. W T ith the Renaissance were introduced, about 1540, 

 fantastic animals and human heads in circular frames, often 

 with curved ribs set back to back. 



