I 66 WOODSFORD CASTLfe. 



tower. All this is thrown out with much diffidence. There is in 

 the south hall a fire-place arch like those in the kitchens, which 

 a little strengthens the idea of those kitchens belonging to this 

 hall. On the west side the hall has a good, mostly original, two- 

 light transomed window. Lying in the arch close by, and which 

 evidently led to the south-west tower, is a curious fan-lighted 

 window frame cut out of one stone. It is of no great age, 

 seemingly. In the first floor of the southern part of the castle 

 the chief feature to note is the double passage to the east tower. 



The last detail of the castle to be noted (save a closed chamber 

 in the modern second floor) is the semi-circular stair turret on the 

 west. It is so luxuriantly decked with creepers that it can hardly 

 be seen, much less examined. But from Hutchins' note, and 

 from former personal observation, it may be said that it is 

 interesting as retaining its original stone weathered roof. It 

 may be compared with a very good turret at Wolfeton. 



Such is a scrawled, inexpert sketch of this most interesting 

 little castle. It was much more archaic looking 50 years ago. 

 Then it stood out boldly on the west in an open field, and few or 

 no creepers shrouded the hoary walling. And on the east it was 

 surrounded, nay, in one instance leant against, by old-world 

 thatched farm buildings. Yet, as it stands, it tells of another 

 age. It shows much, it speaks much much that reaches not 

 the bodily eye or ear. No time is there, nor yet ability, for word 

 painting. But there are those present, past doubt, who of them- 

 selves can perceive not the prose only, but the poetry, too, of a 

 place like this. The grey Frome on a wild autumn night, and 

 chapmen from Woodbury taking the ford with fearful hearts and 

 only by the castle beacon's . help raiders from Owermoigne 

 moated court battering at the east door a clash, a crash may be, 

 as a great stone pitches from behind the parapet on basnet of 

 proof the hiss of the "grey-goose wing" as the " cloth yard 

 shaft" flashes through the tower arrow-slit and slays its man. 

 Truly there is more to see at Woodsford Castle than the hoary 

 walls and the great thatched roof more to hear than the lowing 

 of cows and song of birds. 



