ATHELHAMPTON HALL. 125 



enclosing walls of the two front quadrangles, and part of the 

 house were pulled down the present stables being built from the 

 stones of the gatehouse. The possibility of restoring this gate- 

 house and forecourt I do not yet say advisability has often 

 occurred to me, and any information on the subject I should 

 gladly welcome. You will see a photograph of this beautiful 

 building (taken by Mr. Fane, 1862) in the porch. 



On entering the hall you will at once be struck with the beauty 

 of the original open roof with its bold cusps, 5 oft. in height, 

 ornamented with gilded bosses. This roof was almost white with 

 neglect and mildew when first I saw it, but luckily beyond 

 cleaning and oiling I had to do little to it. I would also draw 

 your attention to the charming oriel window, which forms a 

 connecting passage with the north wing. Notice also the i5th 

 century glass in the east window which faces you on entering. 

 The rest of the painted windows I have restored, and I was 

 fortunate enough to obtain a complete list of the coats of arms 

 which they formerly contained. You will also remark the 

 beauty of the original carved oak doors, one of which I have 

 been able to put back in situ, and the huge wooden bar or bolt, 

 ensconced in one of the fortress-like walls. The monumental 

 mantlepiece, somewhat French in feeling, of the time of Francois 

 I., bearing the Martin arms and crest (the chained monkey, which 

 you will notice occurs so frequently), I put up a few years ago. 

 I might mention that the letters M.E. which powder the hood of 

 the mantlepiece are not intended to advertise the present owner, 

 but are the initial letters of Sir William Martin and his wife 

 Elizabeth. You will see they occur, too, in the glass in the east 

 window. The linen fold panelling and minstrel gallery are also 

 modern. The old Flemish tapestry was formerly in an old 

 manor house in Oxfordshire. 



Passing through the door at the end of the hall under the 

 gallery we enter what was formerly the butlery, plate room, and 

 servants' offices. The first of these rooms, now called the green 

 parlour, I use as a dining room. The green silk which lines the 

 walls is Florentine brocade of the 1 8th century. All the wood- 



