4 GARDEN DESIGN 



square was considered the proper shape. Inside 

 the planning was strictly geometrical : the paths 

 were straight, the trees were evenly spaced, and a 

 " mount " was commonly introduced whereby the 

 monks could get a peep of the world. 



After the Wars of the Roses a change came over 

 the architecture of the country, with a corre- 

 sponding effect on gardens. The manor house, 

 lying low, took the place of the castle set on a hill, 

 and the monks were not the only gardeners. The 

 same features, however, were reproduced with more 

 elaboration. For instance, the " mount " became 

 an imposing erection from which a man might 

 shoot deer. At Wrexhall, in Yorkshire, we are told : 

 "In the orchards were mounts, opere topiarii 

 writhen about with degrees like turnings of cockell 

 Shells to cum to the top without paine." 



Knots of curiously entwined box edging and 

 flowers were laid out on sanded plots. A maze 

 or labyrinth was " a proper adournements upon 

 pleasure to a garden." A labyrinth and its 

 central bower is said to have been the retreat of 

 Fair Rosamund. Pleached alleys, and " galleries " 

 of trellis work covered with creepers (forerunner of 

 pergolas) began to be the fashion, and topiary work 

 was introduced. 



Garden design on these lines reached its zenith 

 in Elizabeth's reign. Hampton Court had already 

 been laid out by Cardinal Wolsey and was des- 

 tined to reflect the changing tastes of time. 



