MAHAUT, COUNTESS OF ARTOIS 



three-legged and folding stools, were placed 

 about the room. At one side of the room was 

 a large oak chair of state with a cushioned seat, 

 and possibly canopied, and close to it a lectern, 

 with hinged candle-brackets, from which Mahaut 

 could the more easily read her MSS., which 

 were often rolled, and difficult to manipulate. 

 In front of this seat was a table, at which any 

 messengers or retainers stood when they sought 

 an interview, or the Countess demanded one. 

 Here also she transacted with her stewards and 

 other agents the business connected with her 

 various castles and her many philanthropic 

 undertakings. Other rooms were painted in 

 plain colour, and hung on special occasions with 

 embroideries and tapestries. Others, again, were 

 decorated with set designs, square or zigzag, in 

 imitation of brickwork, such as may be seen in 

 the Chapel of St. Faith, Westminster Abbey, or 

 with subjects or colour after which they were 

 named. Thus we find mention of the " Parra- 

 keet " room, from the birds painted on the walls, 

 the " Blue " room, from its colour, the rooms of 

 " Roses/' of " Vines," and of " Fleurs-de-lis," 

 the room of " Shields," from its frieze of 

 armorial bearings, and that of " Song," from 

 verses traced on the walls, taken from the 

 favourite pastoral of " Robin and Marion," and 

 probably associated with little scenes from the 

 same idyll. The ceilings, with beams and joists 

 painted red, were coloured either green or blue, 

 and strewn with tin stars coated with yellow or 



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