THE MEDIEVAL PLEASAUNCE 89 



Moats were also common. In the " Chorle and Moats, 

 the Birde," Lydgate describes the garden of the rich 

 churl as "hegged and dyked to make it sure and 

 strong." The water served for fish and swans. 



In form the enclosure containing the pleasaunce, Rectangular 

 garden, or orchard was preferably square or oblong. 



" The gardyn was by mesurying 

 Right evene and square : in compassing 

 It was as long as it was large." 



The entrance was through a postern or gateway in The 

 the wall sometimes surmounted by battlements, and 

 always barred by a stout wooden door fastened with 

 a massive iron lock. Idleness is shown, in the accom- 

 panying illustration from the " Roman de la Rose," 

 admitting the knight-errant through such a postern 

 into the enchanted enclosure. A side door in the 

 castle furnished another means of ingress. Through 

 this side door, across the pleasaunce, and out the pos- 

 tern was a way of leaving the castle unobserved. It 

 was thus that the beautiful pagan, Rosamond, de- 

 scended to succour the wounded and insensible Elias 

 of St. Giles, as described in one of the Chansons de 

 Geste, and by the same means she and other snaves 

 pucelles were in the habit of passing out in spring- 

 time to gather flowers. 



" Quand vient el mois de mai por colir la florete." 



" Elie de St. Giles." 



