A SKETCH OF OLD NEWCASTLE. 97 



over all the knoll in the middest of the picturesque vale 

 and gentle rising hills, very delightful and riche in pastur 

 and woodlandes, and to the west and north remnants of 

 divers parkes belonginge. A low portal, and not well 

 lighted passage, did admit to the halle, very large and 

 spacious, with roof lofter, and painted with devices, gal- 

 lerie for the minstrels, and the walls clothed with geer of 

 warfare, helmets, coates of mail armour, buff jerkins, like 

 shirtes, and such like doublets. Wending a gloomy stair- 

 case did lead to the state rooms and bedd-chamber of the 

 prince, and other on the upper for companie. The draw- 

 bridge on the north did approache into the court, ninetie 

 paces in length, with thirtie in the width, and south and 

 west were two lesser. The walls outer had good buttresses 

 to the height of thirty feet, and the whole was moer fytt 

 as a stately comfortable dwellinge then as a fortress of 

 defence, cause of the rising landes south and est. It al- 

 most now is all carryed away, and measter Sneyde doth 

 hold the ground, and the mote, and the mills." 



Newcastle had also its monastery of Black Friars. It 

 was not, I believe, a large establishment, and little is 

 known of it, except the site, which was at the bottom 

 of Friars'-lane, and near Friars'-wood. In preparing 

 the new Smithfield for the town, some of its foundations 

 were recently laid bare. Several stones were dug up, 

 parts of window mullions, and others bearing indications 

 of ecclesiastical architecture. A key having the same 

 character was also found, and may now be seen. If an 

 opportunity could have been afforded of more extensive 

 excavations on the spot, it is not improbable that other 

 relics would have been discovered, and traces of the 

 building have been brought to light. But in these utili- 

 tarian days it could hardly be expected that any relics of 

 H 



