94 ENGLISH PLEASURE GARDENS 



the approach to a hidden bower almost impossible to the 

 uninitiated. Several of these mysterious subterranean 

 labyrinths existed in England, the most celebrated 

 one being that constructed by Henry II to conceal 

 fair Rosamond's bower at Woodstock. The bower, in 

 her case, was a small stone building enclosing a well, 

 a large enough dwelling-place for one or two people. 



Sometimes the fountain was covered with an arbour 

 and placed in the centre of the garden. 



" Amiddes the garden so moch delectable 

 There was an herber fayre and quadrante, 

 To paradyse right well comparable, 

 Set all about with floures fragraunt, 

 And in the myddle there was resplendys haunte, 

 A dulcet spring and marvaylous fountaine 

 Of golde and asure made all certayne." 



Topiary Topiary work was not unknown, as is evident from 



the descriptions in various poems and the illustrations 

 in many manuscripts. A clipped tree often formed 

 the central feature of the garden. 



" Amyddis the gardyn stode a fressh laurer 

 Theron a bird syngyng bothe day and nyghte." 



The maze. Pious architects engraved labyrinths on the floors of 

 cathedrals, as on the one at Chartres, so that the 

 faithful, as has been ingeniously suggested, in following 

 its tortuous ways might accomplish the semblance of a 

 pilgrimage while their compatriots were on their way to 



