THE MEDIAEVAL PLEASAUNCE 



with square or diamond-shaped apertures, more or less 

 ornamental as during the classic era. 



Then there were beds for plants, raised several inches Beds, 

 above the level of the path, retained by a stone coping, 

 and fenced in with wattles, latticework, or open wooden 

 railings. Fruit trees and herbs predominated, for as yet 

 flowers were given no especial prominence in the garden. 



" This yerde was large and rayled all th aleys, 

 And shadowed wel with blosmy bowes grene, 

 And benched newe and sanded all the wayes 

 In which she walketh arm in arm between." 



CHAUCER'S "Troylus and Cryseyde," Liber Secundus, 820. 



The main paths or alleys, as described in the last Alleys, 

 quotation, were covered with sand, and usually broad 

 enough for two or three 

 people to pace abreast. 

 Narrower paths were in- 

 tended to facilitate the 

 weeding of the beds. 



^HhVv^fe^.?^. 



AVAUGISAND'LA BE.LLE ORIANPE 



Resting-places in plenty 

 were provided for those 

 who found walking or standing tiresome. Simple 

 benches cushioned with turf were built into embrasures 

 or against the wall. Earth banked up around the trunk 

 of a tree, grassed over and held in place by wattled 

 osiers, formed a circular seat. In the centre of the 

 garden a three-sided exedra constructed of stone or 



Seats. 



