72 ENGLISH PLEASURE GARDENS 



water the parterre and the greensward. Sometimes a 

 round flower-bed might be found in the middle of the 

 pr'eaux (pratelli\ or flowered parterre. On the sides 

 were cradle-shaped tunnels and trelliswork fastened to 

 the walls. Sometimes a labyrinth, or house of Dadalus, 

 twisted its tangled paths in conflicting directions. 



" Flowers grown in the parterre,'or in pots on the wall, 

 brightened the enclosures. Several trees, clipped into 

 balls, gave shade and freshness to the air. The ingenuity 

 of the gardener, like that of the topiarius of ancient 

 Rome, was exercised in clipping the shrubs to give them 

 geometric forms. Finally, if the space permitted, there 

 was a small basin of water for fish and swans. Great 

 luxuries were to have an aviary for game-birds close 

 by, and a number of peacocks strutting about under the 

 eyes of the guests." 



oriental Intercourse with Palestine had marked effect in de- 



veloping the gardens of the twelfth and thirteenth cen- 

 turies. Many innovations were due to the Crusaders, 

 who, in the peaceful intervals of their stay in the Holy 

 Land, were often kindly received by their heathen 

 adversaries and given many opportunities to study Ori- 

 ental luxuries and add them to their bare homes in 

 England. Not only the so-called Gothic arch, but many 

 minor architectural features may have been due to Ori- 

 ental influence. A great change was thus brought about 

 in the details as well as in the general style of European 



