244 A BOOK OF ENGLISH GARDENS 



sions. If possible, in these broils, life was not 

 sacrificed, but it was held cheap, and the loss of 

 many a brave man was thought a good exchange 

 for two or three hundred head of cattle. 



As the invaders, ranging from a dozen to some 

 hundreds, were generally the stronger, the only 

 hope for the invaded was the resource suggested 

 by Pele towers. 



In border counties these towers (or Pele towers, 

 as they are usually called) are square, solid buildings 

 of three storeys, with a newel staircase leading on 

 to an embattled roof, with a small turret watch- 

 tower overhanging one corner. The dwelling- 

 rooms inside were limited, and on the second floor, 

 the only access being from outside by means of a 

 ladder, which was easily removed in time of danger. 

 The ground floor was strongly vaulted and reserved 

 for cattle, but oftener used for those abundant stores 

 and home-made produce which people of long ago 

 so wisely made and more wisely ate, knowing they 

 were pure and good. This storeroom was fre- 

 quently only entered by a trap-door from above, 

 and was perfectly secure from invaders. 



From this solid stone house (the walls were often 

 seven or eight feet thick) the owner was safe from 

 molesters, and could shower arrows or shot at them 

 until they were forced to retreat. When the 

 ground floor was used as a storehouse, there was 

 an enclosure or " barmkin " attached to the Pele 



